Greatest Sports Memory

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

950 The Fan was running with this question this evening so I thought it would be a good off season thread.

What is your greatest sports memory from an event you attended in person.

One guy on the radio picked mine. I was a big Mickey Mantle fan. On Mickey Mantle's last trip to Tiger Stadium, Denny McLain was on the mound and was trying to ask him where he wanted the pitch. Mantle didn't really understand what was happening, but McLain threw an easy one right down the middle which Mantle hit for a home run. The rest of the story is that the next batter understood and jokingly held his hand out chest high righ over the middle of the plate. McLain promptly threw one at his head.

That was my favorite, but it would be almost tied with the 1966 Game of the Century between Michigan State and Notre Dame. I also saw live the first wins at the Indianapolis 500 for AJ Foyt, Parnelli Jones, Bobby Unser, Al Unser Sr. and Mario Andretti.

[Atlas]

I lost to a one armed boy in a tennis tournamnet.

[RhymesayersDU]

In person, eh...

Champ Bailey's 99 yard INT return ranks up there. Granted, living in ABQ most of my life, I don't have an extensive list of in-person sporting events.

Carmelo going for like 45 points his rookie year in a win over Seattle was sweet too. I had row 2 seats for that game.

[Nuggets4]

In person? Nugs playoffs in 2004. Game 3. Melo's rookie year, we're down 2-0 against Minnesota after a 9 year drought. I just remember the arena being full 30 minutes before tip-off. The Grambling University marching band playing at center court. The crowd chanting. Nugs ended up winning in a blowout, and then after the game as we were leaving the stadium, in the concourse, you could hear all 19,000 people chanting "Let's go Nuggets! *clap clap clapclapclap*" as we left the arena.

[epicSocialism4tw]

I guess the best one I have attended was the NBA WCF when the Spurs beat my Nowitzki-less Mavs in game 6 to go on to the finals. Not so much because of who won, but because of the gravity of the event.

The best sporting event I played in was a soccer game in front of a girl that I had a crush on in high school. She came to the game with some friends, and I knew she was there. I played better than I ever had before or since and made several acrobatic saves that brought applause and oohs and ahs from the crowd. It was weird. And it didnt work. ;D

[Paladin]

I do not remember the details, now, but there was a Fourth of July game in Denver that just remarkable. The Bears were down by some 8 runs in the ninth, and they came back to win the game. The fireworks after were a fitting tribute to that game. I need to look that game up and refresh my memory about the details, but there were several future Expos starters on that team. Andre Dawson was one I remeber the most...

Maybe a fan here remembers that game..... If I find it, I will give the details. It was one of the most exciting and memorable sporting events I've ever attended.

Next best was when I saw the playoff game with Miami in Denver at the old Mile High. Elway was great that day, and the crowd was yelling: "Goodbye, Jimmy". The jets in the pre-game flyover were like 200 feet over the stadium, and the sound was deafening and stirring. I could cleary see the pilot of one F-16 waving to the crowd.

[RhymesayersDU]

In person? Nugs playoffs in 2004. Game 3. Melo's rookie year, we're down 2-0 against Minnesota after a 9 year drought. I just remember the arena being full 30 minutes before tip-off. The Grambling University marching band playing at center court. The crowd chanting. Nugs ended up winning in a blowout, and then after the game as we were leaving the stadium, in the concourse, you could hear all 19,000 people chanting "Let's go Nuggets! *clap clap clapclapclap*" as we left the arena.

Yeah, that game 3 was awesome.

Also, most recently, watching Marcus Camby receive DPOY was freakin' cool.

[usedupbraids]

when the broncos won the west in the 95-96 season...also when robert horry hit that last second on the kings.....last but not least when champ took the ball and ran 99 yards vs the pats i never jump so high in my life when i saw that

[Pezman]

As a kid, my first and greatest memories were...

-Elway's 19-0 comeback against the Colts to win in '83. What a thriller! (attended)

-The Louis Wright blocked field goal for a gamewinning touchdown vs the Bolts in '85 (attended)

-The Nugs 186-184 overtime loss to the Pistons in the 80's

-Buffs beating Nebraska 20-17 in Folsom in '86 (attended)

-The Drive '86



By the time I was a bit older, my more current favorites were...

-Buffs beating Nebraska 27-21 in '89 (attended)

-Buffs beating Notre Dame 10-9 in the Orange Bowl in '90

-Watching Tyson get beat by Buster Douglas

-First Rockies home game in '93 where they won 11-4 in front of the largest crowd in baseball history (attended)

-Buffs Miracle in Michigan victory in '94

-First Stanley Cup win for the Avs in '96

-Broncos first Superbowl win in '98

-Broncos second Superbowl win in '99

-Avs winning the Stanley Cup at home in game 7 in '01 (attended)

-Buffs beating Nebraska 62-36 in '01 (attended)

-Buffs winning the Big XII in '01

[usedupbraids]

As a kid, my first and greatest memories were...

-Elway's 19-0 comeback against the Colts to win in '83. What a thriller!

-The Louis Wright blocked field goal for a gamewinning touchdown vs the Bolts in '85

-The Nugs 186-184 overtime loss to the Pistons in the 80's

-Buffs beating Nebraska 20-17 in Folsom in '86

-The Drive '86



By the time I was a bit older, my more current favorites were...

-Buffs beating Nebraska 27-21 in '89

-Buffs beating Notre Dame 10-9 in the Orange Bowl in '90

-Watching Tyson get beat by Buster Douglas

-First Rockies home game in '93 where they won 11-4 in front of the largest crowd in baseball history

-Buffs Miracle in Michigan victory in '94

-First Stanley Cup win for the Avs in '96

-Broncos first Superbowl win in '98

-Broncos second Superbowl win in '99

-Avs winning the Stanley Cup at home in game 7 in '01

-Buffs beating Nebraska 62-36 in '01

-Buffs winning the Big XII in '01

WoW your an old fart

[Atlas]

when the broncos won the west in the 95-96 season...also when robert horry hit that last second on the kings.....last but not least when champ took the ball and ran 99 yards vs the pats i never jump so high in my life when i saw that

That would be the 96-97 season. Denver went 8-8 in the 95-96 season. You young fart.

[-Slap-]

In 1991, my friend and I saw Thomas Hearns win the WBA Light Heavyweight Championship with a lopsided decision victory over Virgil Hill at Caesar's Palace. It was made more exciting because my friend purchased our tickets in the center of 1500 Hill fans. These folks rode 23 buses all the way from North Dakota - a Hellish journey, I was assured, while we were still on speaking terms - just to see the Hitman whip their man's ass.

You have to understand, North Dakota has no pro sports at all. In 1991, Virgil Hill was the Denver Broncos to these people. This was the very definition of a rabid fan base. Now, I had seen every round of every Tommy Hearns fight for more than a decade going into that bout. I had stuck with my man through thick and thin and I wasn't about to desert him now. Especially since he was past his prime and a 2-1 underdog. Needless to say, I screamed for him for three minutes of every round and chanted his name between rounds.

The hayseeds were not amused.

The only reason I didn't have to fight 19 different guys named Randy Joe was because my buddy is built exactly like Warren Sapp. I was gracious enough to forgive all wagers when payment was offered. I felt bad for them. I knew, as bad as the bus trip to Vegas was, the bus trip back home would have been infinitely worse.

http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/6594/111hearnshill060391th0.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEZW0k5fQ3A&mode=related&search=

[Los Broncos]

The game at SD two years ago, we tailgated and watched the broncos own the chargers.

[gunns]

John Mobley knocking down Favre's pass in SB XXXII. Yes I was there, and in my head I knew that meant we had won it but until John began jumping in the air did it hit my heart. I cried and then our row mooned the Packer fans for the crap they put us through that whole game. Greatest moment!

[epicSocialism4tw]

Oh.. I totally forgot...

By far the best sporting event I have been to was the '94 World Cup. I saw three games, two of which were out of this world. Brazil/Holland semifinal and Spain/S.Korea. I also saw Nigeria spank Bulgaria. The games were an absolute blast and the experience outside the stadium was great too.

If you have never been to a World Cup, go.

It's the best event in the world.

[Killericon]

The Calgary Flames '04 playoff run. That was amazing. That team had exactly 2 talented players on it...We made it to Game 7 of the Finals on grit and determination. I don't care what happens, that can never be replicated.

[BroncsRule]

I was at the KC game in Dec '98 when Elway hit Sharpe for a late touchdown - came back from 10 points down late in the 4th to keep the "streak" alive at 13 straight.. I literally couldn't speak - or hear, for that matter - my ears were ringing and buzzing like we were leaving a rock concert instead of a football game. that was the loudest I ever heard it at the old barn..

When I was a kid, I remember going to a Reds game with my dad in probably '70 or '71. It was against the Pirates & Pete Rose stole home to tie the game in the bottom of the 9th. Johnny Bench drove in Joe Morgan a few minutes later to win it.

We also used to go to the Indy 500 every year & I was there when AJ Foyt dove down into the pits to avoid a nasty accident on the last turn of the race. I think that was his 3rd win. '67 I think. That dude was amazing.

Greatest. Race. Car. Driver. Evarr.

[Clockwork Orange]

I don't remember it because I was so young, but my parents assure me that I was at Busch Stadium with them the night that Lou Brock collected his 3000th hit. That's pretty damn cool, if only I had any memory of it.

Peter Forsberg returning after missing the entire regular season for game 1 of the 2002 playoffs against the Kings, receiving a loud standing ovation when he stepped on the ice for his first shift. He notched a pair of assists (including one on the game winner) in his first action in nearly a calendar year.

Broncos vs Patriots in the 1986 Divisional playoffs, the game that preceded "The Drive." Still the most raucous atmosphere I've ever seen in person for a sporting event.

[watermock]

The 86? MNF game against Da Bears by far. Down 14-0 and Dickta handed off to the Fridge, he fumbled and it was run out to the 20. I could barely see it as I was on the 20 on bench side. Elway led them on a 21 point run when all looked lost. BTW, it was the last carry the Fridge would ever make.

The Duke hit Nattiel at the pylon with time expiring in the first half that put them up 21-14. Long pass perfect. Right in front of me, John was pumping his fist right in front of me into the tunnel from the 12th row.

Those were great seats, right to the left of the south stands on the home side. The third quarter started off like the first, with Da Bears scoring 17 unanswered to go up 29-21 again.

Elway rallied and scored a FG and a late TD that made it 31-29 that came late.

Something like that, it was many moons ago, but the oddest thing happened. Denver didn't score a point in the 1st or 3rd, Chicago didn't score a point in the 2nd or 4th.

Remember, this was MNF against DA Bears, defending champs. Intact from their devestating demolition of New England the year before. Ditka, Gault, Sweetness, Singletary,McMahon There was that dominant defense. I forget all their names after 20 years. Gradishar, Louis Wright, it was the most incredible game I had ever seen in person. Sorry for the rant, but it was an incredible game. Back and forth like a heavy weight bout in Rocky.

The other was a WC game I went to with my cousin from the North Stands. Not near the seats but it was a playoff game. That one is even fuzzier...I remember the other coach was Glanville. Oh..Houston. Big time balloons released, flyover at the same time and again Denver fell behind.

Get this Glanville ran that crazy play where everyone but three OL and the QB split out wide less. There was a fumble and Denver came back. That game is a little fuzzier.

Worst game is when Reeves blew a MNF game against the Raiders after staking out a 21 point lead and crawling into a fetal position. This was the infamous game where Elway flipped off Shanahan because he knew what play Reeves would call in OT. Kinda comical looking back but god I was pissed and the faider fans, that actually existed back there in time, were chanting as I grumbled along the exit.

[TexanBob]

Well, if we're talking about games attended in person, my list gets a lot shorter and a lot more personal (meaning the game itself wasn't as memorable as what happened to *me* at the game). In Bronco-related events, I saw Steve O'Neal's record 98-yard punt that Billy Thompson retrieved at the 1 yard line and brought back to around the 35 in 1969 and one of the George Blanda miracle finishes from 1970.

I was there for Darrell Royal's final game. It was a nationally televised 1976 game when Royal's Texas Longhorns beat Arkansas to finish his final season at 5-5-1. His good friend Frank Broyles later decided to call it quits himself so it was the last game for both as head coaches.

I was also present for the final regular-season game at the Astrodome, which was also the day they clinched the Central Division title in 1999. There were concerts and ceremonies afterwards as well as the celebration over clinching a playoff spot.

The most unusual game I've seen in person was a game between the Astros and Cubs in 1971. Ferguson Jenkins entered the bottom of the ninth with a one-hitter, leading 1-0, and seemed as dominating as ever. The Astros then packaged a bunt single, a walk, a wild pitch and two balks into a 2-1 win without hitting a ball further than the mound.

[MileHighMagic]

Broncos vs Patriots in the 1986 Divisional playoffs, the game that preceded "The Drive." Still the most raucous atmosphere I've ever seen in person for a sporting event.

I was at that game also. My first Bronco game. I was only six years old so I just vaguely remember it. Still have the program though.

[REB]

I went to a fair share of Phillies games as a kid and loved watching Mike Schmidt and Greg "The Bull" Luzinski hit them outta the park. What a team that was. Bob Boone, Larry Bowa, Garry Maddox, Bake McBride, Pete Rose, Steve Carlton, Tim McGraw

[Flex Gunmetal]

Helicopter.
Hands down.

[BroncoBuff]

Helicopter.
Hands down.
In person? My hats off to ya!


For me ... Game 4 of the NBA West Conference finals in 1985 at McNichols. Lakers were up 2-1, it was a serious nail-biter. Lead changed 6 times in the final two minutes. With 16 seconds to go, Lakers leading by 1, Bill Hanzlik and James Worthy (and 5 other guys) scrambled after a loose ball, elbows flying, crowd deafening (loudest I've ever heard), the refs let 'em go at it, and Worthy won.

Loudest crowd I ever heard, best seat in the house - with my KOA credential I asked for and got dead center court in the front row of the little auxiliary press box on the eastside overhang. A couple of NBA guys did play-by-play from there, but luckily for me, not Chick.

Earlier that same day, I saw and covered (got lockerroom sound) the Denver Gold vs. the New Jersey Generals - Flutie and Herschel. It was a great day.

[MechanicalBull]

Off the top of my head.

Eventhough I'm a Met fan but going to Game 4 of the 2000 World Series vs the Yanks.

2005 Denver at Oakland--where Kerry Collins throws a floater and Darrent Williams picks it off and returns it for a td.

http://images.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/_photos/2005-11-13-darrent.jpg