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We all have those moments. The
ones when we're watching a triple overtime unfold, or we're hitting
the last-second jumper ourselves - the ones that stay with us the
rest of our lives. They remind us of why we're passionate
about sports - why everything from the Tallahassee Little League
Championships to the Super Bowl can get us excited. Some
of us here at Outsports, and some of our readers, have put together
our lists of our Top Moments In Sports. We hope some of these
lists remind you of "where you were when..." and that they
inspire you to create your own list. Whether you have 3, 5,
10, or any number of favorite sports moments, e-mail
them to us and we'll post them here. Today's
installment . . . Jim
Allen, Los Angeles: 10.
Making it to Mecca
I've been a huge, live-and-die fan of the English soccer team
Everton since 1980. Last year I finally managed to make it to
a match at their home ground, Goodison Park in Liverpool. All
those times I saw the ground on TV came to life for me. A
great moment for me that I'll always treasure. If only they hadn't
lost to Arsenal 2-0................... 9.
Wales Beats France In Rugby, 1999
While on vacation, in a hotel room in Manchester, England, I watched
this Six Nations rugby match in stunned amazement. For a week
I'd been reading how all France had to do was show up and they'd whoop
an overmatched and far less talented Welsh team. Again, that
fighting British "Never Say Die" attitude (see #1) came
through and they stunned both the French team and the 80,000 French
supporters in the Stade de France in Paris with a brilliant display
of tactics and skill. The French didn't know what hit
them. Alright Cymru! 8. USA
Wins Hockey Gold Medal, 1980
Well, it was totally unexpected, the Cold War was still on, the
Russians had an amazing team and still the USA did it. The
semi-final with Russia was THE game, but the final was just
incredible too. It made Al Michaels' announcing career, though
- so it wasn't all good. 7. Good
Triumphs Over Evil
My friend Jim (co-founder of this site) was the QB for the LA Motion
flag football team at Gay Games '94. The Motion were a bunch
of down-to-earth, nice guys. The opponent in the final, West
Hollywood, were a bunch of smug, arrogant pretty boys. In a back and
forth contest, the Motion won with about 2 minutes left on a great
pass by Jim to Thorne "Metal Hands" Edwards. Thorne
was a stud but couldn't catch to save his life; the fact he caught
the most important pass of the day (and it was a tough catch too)
proves that in sports, sometimes the Good DO triumph over the Evil. 6.
Islanders and Caps Play Forever, 1989
The two teams played an amazing hockey game that went 4 extra
periods until the Islanders won. Passion, intensity and great
play for the whole game make this a memorable one. The recent
Flyers v. Pens 5 OT game was amazing, but they were dead for the
last 2 OT's and just struggling to win. This one never let up.
5. Sid Bream Brings Home
The Mail, 1993
Now, I hated the Atlanta Braves in 1993. But when Sid Bream, old and
slow with bad knees, ran from second to home to beat a perfect throw
by Barry Bonds with a perfect hook slide to win the National League
Championship in Game 7, even I had to admire it. A great play
by everyone concerned, it encapsulated why I love baseball.
And I hate the dreary, faceless, choking dog Braves even more now! 4.
Yankee Stadium at Gay Games '94
I went to Gay Games '94 in New York to play softball. I had a great
little affair with this wonderful guy from Philly, Dean; had a great
time going to the Museum of Modern Art; played seven games of softball
and saw us lose all seven; but without question, the highlight of the
trip and one of my personal highlights ever was walking in to Yankee
Stadium for the Closing Ceremony (click on picture for larger view). All that history
there! To be at THE baseball stadium (sorry Fenway and
Wrigley) - well, as a baseball fanatic, it was overwhelming. If we'd
only won at least one game....... 3.
Manchester United Wins The Treble
In the space of 2 weeks in 1999, Man United: 1) Beat Arsenal in the
FA Cup semifinal on an amazing Ryan Giggs goal, in a match that went
to extra time; 2) Clinched the league title on the last day of the
season; 3) Brushed aside Newcastle United in the FA Cup Final, 2-0;
4) See #1. So, Manchester United won their domestic league,
their country's major trophy and the European Championship. It
had only been done 3 times before in the 100+ years of footballing
history. It was the most amazing run of sustained brilliance
in sports I've ever seen. 2. Angels
One Strike Away from Series--and LOSE
After the disappointments in the ALCS of 1979 and 1982, 1986 looked
like it would be the Angels' year. Nope, they had Gene Mauch.
Literally one strike away from the Series, Dave Henderson hits a
homer to put the hapless Red Sox ahead. The Angels tied it in
the bottom of the ninth - and with one out, had a runner on third.
Doug Desinces pops up on the infield, they don't score, lose in the
11th and roll over and die in games 6 & 7 in Boston.
Heartbreaking, still. The pathetic Red Sox got what was coming
to them in the World Series though. Thanks Bill Buckner!
1. Manchester United Wins European
Cup, 1999
Manchester United scores twice in the last 3 minutes to win the
biggest prize in club football, beating a powerful Bayern Munich
team 2-1. They had been outplayed for the first 80 minutes but
started clicking in the last 10. Improbable, impossible, magical. I
still get chills thinking about it.
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