Goosebumps...
1. "Auburn's gonna win the football game"
I was lucky enough to watch this play live and it was so unbelievable that it made the list for the greatest sports moments ever. I have, however, watched it probably a hundred more times since then and I always go for the video with Rod Bramblett and Stan White commentating for Auburn's radio station. The call during the CBS broadcast is fine, but the sheer excitement and energy in Bramblett's voice as he screams "Auburn's gonna win the football game" will never fail to give me goosebumps.
2. "And the Blazers win the series for the first time in 14 years"
Damian Lillard's series-winning three was already the perfect ending to a heated series, but the call only made it better. Mike Tirico's reaction encapsulated the energy of the entire arena while reminding us how long it had been since Portland fans tasted victory.
3. "Do you believe in miracles?"
As Al Michaels called the remaining seconds of the United States' 4-3 victory over the Soviet Union, he exclaimed a phrase that set the standard for how improbable sports moments are to be remembered. The phrase "do you believe in miracles" not only led to the name Miracle on Ice, but it led to a common theme in naming many of the other unpredictable sequences in sports history. Thanks to the legendary sportscaster, we get awesome names such as the Music City Miracle, Minneapolis Miracle, and Monday Night Miracle, just to name a few.
4. "Derek Jeter. Where fantasy meets reality. Did you have any doubt?"
The stage was set for a fairytale ending as the Yankee Captain addressed the plate for his final home at-bat. All throughout his career, Derek Jeter had come through in big spots and announcer Michael Kay knew he wouldn't disappoint. Kay's call after the walk-off single not only reflects the excitement of the moment, but it also encapsulates the essence of Derek's career. A perfect send-off for one of the greatest Yankees ever.
5. "The Giants win the pennant. The Giants win the pennant"
The "Shot Heard 'Round the World" was a pennant-winning home run by New York Giants outfielder and third baseman Bobby Thomson. The game was the first nationally televised contest ever and, as a result, Russ Hodges' dramatic call would go on to be one of the most famous of all time.
6. "He turned 32 yesterday, does he have a vintage moment in him?"
Jim Nantz's call during the Miracle in Motown is one of the most random yet memorable moments in NFL history. Only Nantz would throw in a birthday shout-out and predict the future when the game-ending hail mary is already airborne. What a great call to accompany an all-time play.
7. "It gets through Buckner"
The Red Sox led the 1986 World Series 3 games to 2 and were up 5-3 in the 10th inning of game six. They got two quick outs and were one strike away from winning a title and breaking the Curse of the Bambino. After a few singles and a wild pitch, however, the Mets were able to tie the game with Mookie Wilson at the plate with a runner on 2nd. Wilson hit a weak ground ball towards first basemen Bill Buckner and the guy let it roll through his legs. The runner scored to tie the series and the Mets would go on to snag the championship in game 7. The curse on the Red Sox grew stronger and Vin Scully's simple, yet effective phraseology haunted Buckner for the rest of his life.
8. "Bonds hits one high. Hits it deep. It is outta here. 756"
Setting aside the steroid use, Barry Bonds hitting his 756th home run to pass Hank Aaron on the all-time list is epic. And on this one, I think I'll let the deep, cascading voice of Duane Kuipers speak for itself.
9. "The band is on the field"
Cal vs Standford, dubbed "The Big Game", is one college football's greatest rivalries and the 1982 edition proved very eventful. Stanford ultimately took a one-point lead with four seconds left, and Joe Starkey told his audience, “Only a miracle can save the Bears now.” Someone must’ve been listening to that because when Standford kicked off, chaos ensued. After five Cal laterals, the ball landed in Kevin Moen’s hands and he dodged the Cardinal marching band into the endzone. Moen's subsequent crash with a trombone player and Starkey's surprised exclamation of the band's intrusion both encompass our own shock surrounding this out of control ending.
10. "Diggs. Sideline. Touchdown. Unbelievable"
Joe Buck is notorious for his horrible calls during incredible events. Cite the time when he barely even said anything about David Tyree's helmet catch in the Super Bowl. His description of the Minneapolis Miracle, however, is simple, energetic, and memorable enough to snag the tenth and final spot on this list.
Comments