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Best Damn's Top 50 Unforgettable Sports Moments

by FOX Sports Net


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Updated: May 17, 2007, 6:41 AM EDT
Best Damn Sports Show Period recently counted down the 50 Best Damn Unforgettable Sports Moments in history. FOXSports.com's own Kevin Hench laid out his own personal Top 10 for you to kick around (CLICK HERE).

Do you agree? Take a look at Best Damn's Top 50 Unforgettable Sports Moments ever.

50. Rodney McCray runs through wall

In a 1991 minor league game in Vancouver, outfielder Rodney McCray went to catch a fly ball but misjudged how close the fence was. McCray ran full speed through the plywood fence and somehow was not hurt.

49. Gar Heard Game 5 1976 Finals

Gar Heard's dramatic 20-footer at the buzzer sent Game 5 of the 1976 NBA Finals between the Suns and Celtics to an incredible third overtime. The Celtics would prevail 128-126 and eventually capture the series in six games, but the game is often included among discussions of the NBA's all-time greatest games.

48. Secretariat

In front of 70,000 fans at Belmont Park in 1973, Secretariat captured the final leg of the Triple Crown by beating the so-called closest horse by an unimaginable 31 lengths.

47. The Great One

On October 15, 1989, Wayne Gretzky became the NHL's All-Time Points leader surpassing Gordie Howe. The Great One broke the record third of the time played.

46. Forever Young

The 92nd Rose Bowl in January of 2006 matched undefeated Texas against undefeated and defending national champion USC. Facing 4th down from the Trojans 8-yard line, Young notched his third rushing touchdown of the game with 19 seconds to play to give the Longhorns a 41-38 win and the undisputed national title.

45. Starks' lefty slam

During the 1993 NBA playoff series against the Chicago Bulls, Knicks guard John Starks was trapped in the right corner, guarded by B.J. Armstrong. Patrick Ewing came to set a screen for Starks, who faked left. But instead of using the pick, Starks drove the baseline and dunked over both Michael Jordan and Horace Grant with his off-hand.

44. MJ can go lefty, too

During Game 2 of the NBA 1991 Finals against Magic Johnson and the Lakers, Michael Jordan — in his first career finals appearance — drove the lane and while in mid-air switched hands to lay the ball in with his left hand. Jordan would lead the Bulls to their first NBA title.

43. Derek Jeter flip vs A's

Oakland A's outfielder Terrence Long hit a ball down the right field line. As the potential go-ahead Yankees right fielder Shane Spencer's throw sailed over the heads of both cut-off men, Yanks shortstop Derek Jeter ran across the field, caught the ball nearing the first base line off a bounce and tossed a backhand flip behind himself to catcher Jorge Posada, who promptly tagged the back of Jeremy Giambi's knee before passing home plate.

In a 1-0 game, this play was monstrous and helped the Yankees rally from an 0-2 series deficit to win three games to two.

42. Denkinger Blown Call

During Game 6 of the 1985 World Series, the Cardinals sat three outs from winning the game and the series. Royals slugger Jorge Orta hit a slow roller to Cards first baseman Jack Clark, who flipped the ball to pitcher Todd Worrell — clearly beating Orta to the bag, but Denkinger called him safe. The Royals rallied to win the game and series as the Cards completely lost their cool.

41. Vin-sanity

During the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, Carter performed one of the most memorable dunks in history when he jammed over 7-foot-2 French center Frédéric Weis. Carter took off from just inside the foul line and scraped Weis's head before the dynamic dunk.

40. Bo knows tunnels

With a national audience watching on Monday Night Football, Bo capped a 221-yard rushing performance with a scintillating 91-yard touchdown run. The play began as he ran to the outside, untouched down the sideline. He continued through the end zone and finally slowed down as he passed through the entrance to the field tunnel to the dressing rooms.

39. Kerri Strug's heroic landing

At the 1996 Summer Olympics, the U.S. women gymnastics team needed an impeccable performance from tiny Kerri Strug in the vault to have a chance at the gold medal. During her first attempt Strug fell and injured her ankle. She limped to the end of the runway for her second attempt. She landed the vault perfectly on one foot, sealing the women's team gold with a lofty score of 9.712. She would later be diagnosed for two torn ankle ligaments in the ankle, further cementing the landing as legendary.

38. The ultimate wrap-around goal

During the NCAA West Regional Hockey Final, Michigan's Mike Legg stood behind the goal with the puck, his team trailing by a goal. Legg picked up the puck on the blade of his stick and flung it into the net over Minnesota goalie Steve DeBus' left shoulder. Michigan would eventually win on its way to the national championship.

37. Who needs a glove?

After two seasons of playing third base, the Giants moved Mitchell to left field in 1989. Early in the season Mitchell made a running bare-handed catch of a fly ball to deep left field in St. Louis' Busch Stadium off of Ozzie Smith.

36. The Tuck Rule

In the waning moments of a snowy AFC Divisional playoff game in January 2002 with New England trailing by three, Pats QB Tom Brady dropped the ball after making a passing motion, with the Raiders recovering on the loose ball. The refs initially called the play a fumble, which would have sealed a Raiders victory. But after instant replay, referee Walt Coleman reversed this call, declared the play an incomplete forward pass and gave possession back to New England. Brady's Pats won the game and eventually won the Super Bowl.

35. Superman on Ice

On May 10, 1970, Boston Bruins defenseman Bobby Orr scored one of the most acrobatic and famous goals in hockey history to give Boston its first Stanley Cup in 29 years. The subsequent image of Orr flying through the air, his arms raised in victory after he had been tripped by Blues' defenseman Noel Picard at the moment of photograph, is probably the most famous image in NFL history.

34. Premature Celebration

In the closing moments of a Super Bowl XXVII blowout win for the Cowboys, Dallas DT Leon Lett recovered a fumble and, with no one in front of him, seemed headed for an easy touchdown. So he stretched his arms out in celebration as he was nearing the end zone. But Bills WR Don Beebe chased him down from behind and knocked the ball out of his hand just before he crossed the goal line, sending the ball through the end zone and resulting in an embarrassing, albeit harmless, touchback.

33. Dr. J makes Magic

During the 1980 Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, 76ers Hall of Famer Julius Erving drove past a defender on the right baseline and went up for a layup. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar crossed his path, blocking the route to the basket. In mid-air, it was apparent that Dr. J would land behind the backboard. But somehow he managed to reach over and score on a right-handed layup despite the fact that his whole body was behind the basket, stunning everyone who ever watched basketball.

32. Bucky "Bleepin' " Dent

The 1978 season came down to a one-game playoff between the Yankees and Red Sox. Knotted in a 1-1 game, Yankees diminutive shortstop Bucky Dent connected on a Mike Torrez breaking ball for a shocking three-run homer that gave the Yankees the lead and victory.

31. Home-field advantage

On October 9, 1996, the Yankees trailed the Orioles 4-3 in the bottom of the eighth inning on Game 1 of the ALCS when Derek Jeter hit a deep fly to right field. Twelve-year-old Yanks fan Jeffrey Maier reached over the fence into the field of play to catch the ball over the waiting glove of Orioles OF Tony Tarasco, who protested immediately and vehemently. However, it was ruled a home run, allowing the Yankees to tie the game. New York went on to win the game and series.

30. Gene Mauch's nightmare

In Game 5 of the 1986 ALCS, the Red Sox trailed 5-4 in the ninth and were down to their final strike facing elimination when Dave Henderson sent Angels closer Donnie Moore's 2-2 pitch over the left field wall for a 2-run HR and a 6-5 Red Sox lead. Boston would win the game and rally to win the final three games of the series to serve up another devastating heartbreak to longtime manager Gene Mauch.

29. Downtown Freddie Brown

In the 1982 NCAA hoops national title game, freshman Michael Jordan's jumper in the closing seconds gave North Carolina a one-point lead over Georgetown. On the ensuing inbounds pass, Hoyas guard Fred Brown threw an errant pass to UNC's James Worthy, which secured the North Carolina win.

28. Miracle at the Meadowlands

On November 19, 1978 in the closing seconds of a game the Eagles trailed 17-12 with no timeouts left, all the Giants had to do was take a knee, down the ball and start shaking hands. Instead Giants quarterback Joe Pisarcik attempted to hand the ball off to Larry Csonka but botched it, allowing Philly's Herman Edwards to pick up the ball and run 29 yards for the shocking winning score.

27. 62

On September 8 ,1998, Cardinals slugger Mark McGwire lined Cubs pitcher Steve Trachsel's pitch over the left field wall to break Roger Maris' 37-year-old single season home run record. McGwire would hit eight more home runs, giving him 70 for the season.

26. Poor Ray Fosse

On July 14, 1970, Pete Rose was involved in one of the most infamous plays in baseball all-star history. In the 12th inning and Rose on second, Jim Hickman singled sharply to center. Amos Otis' throw beat Rose to the plate, but Charlie Hustle barreled over catcher Ray Fosse, separating the catcher's shoulder, to score the winning run in the "exhibition game."

25. The logo

In the 1970 NBA Finals against New York, the Knicks had just went up by two points when the Lakers inbounded the ball to Jerry West — the sillouhette used in the NBA logo — who launched a 60-footer from his own foul line. The ball went in and forced the game into overtime. The Knicks would prevail in the extra session.

24. Bird stole the ball

In Game 5 of the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals against the Detroit Pistons, with five seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and Boston trailing Detroit 107-106, Larry Bird swiped an inbounds pass from Isiah Thomas. Bird quickly turned and fired the ball to teammate Dennis Johnson, who converted a layup with one second left to win the game for Boston.

23. Steve Bartman

In the eighth inning of Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS between the Marlins and Cubs at Wrigley Field, the Cubs sat five outs away from the long-awaited World Series. Florida's Luis Castillo hits a pop foul down the left field line off Cubs ace Mark Prior. Cubs left fielder Moises Alou was in position to attempt a catch, but Bartman — watching the ball and not the fielder — blocked the ball from Alou's glove. Alou slammed his glove down in frustration. The Marlins rallied to win the game and the series.

22. Wide right

In Super Bowl XXV, the Buffalo Bills trailed the New York Giants 20-19 as Buffalo's Scott Norwood lined up for a potential game-winning 47-yard field goal on the game's final play. The snap and hold were perfect, but unfortunately for Buffalo Norwood's kick sailed wide right and it would be there first of four straight Super Bowl losses.

21. Hail Mary

In 1994, Colorado trailed Michigan at the Big House. On the game's final play Colorado QB Kordell Stewart completed a Hail Mary pass to Michael Westbrook to beat the Wolverines 27-26, a play known as "The Miracle in Michigan."

20. Music City Miracle

In the 2000 AFC Wildcard Playoffs, Buffalo's Steve Christie had just kicked a 41-yard field goal to put the Bills up 16-15 over the Titans with just 16 seconds remaining. When Buffalo kicked off, Tennessee's Lorenzo Neal received the kickoff and handed the ball off to tight end Frank Wycheck, who then lateraled the ball across the field to Kevin Dyson, who then ran for a 75-yard touchdown and an unbelievable Titans win.

19. World Series walkoff

In Game 7 of the 1960 World Series between the New York Yankees and Pittsbugh Pirates, the game was tied at 9-9 in the bottom of the ninth. Pirates Bill Mazeroski led off the inning against Yankees pitcher Ralph Terry. On the second pitch, Mazeroski homered over the left field wall at Forbes Field to become the first player to hit a game-winning walk-off HR as the Pirates captured their first World Series since 1925.

18. The perfect exit

In Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals at the Delta Center, the Chicago Bulls led the series 3-2, but trailed the game 86-85 with 10 seconds left. Michael Jordan started to dribble right, crossed over to his left and as defender Bryon Russell slipped, MJ released a shot that hit nothing but net to give Chicago a one point win and their sixth world championship. Jordan retired after the season, but eventually rejoined the NBA a couple years later.

17. "Touch 'em all, Joe"

In Game 6 of the 1993 World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies, the Blue Jays led the series three games to two but trailed 6-5 entering the bottom of the ninth. Toronto outfielder Joe Carter came to bat with two on and one out. On a 2-2 count, Carter hit a three-run home run off Phillies pitcher Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams (who would later receive a few death threats from some knucklehead Philly fans) to win the World Series, marking just the second time a Series has ended with a home run.

16. The Timeout

With Michigan playing in its second consecutive NCAA hoops title game and trailing North Carolina by two points, forward Chris Webber brought the ball into the front-court and infamously called a timeout with 11 seconds remaining. But his team did not have any T.O.'s left, resulting in a technical foul that effectively clinched the championship for North Carolina.

15. Topless World Cup

After scoring the fifth penalty kick that gave the United States the win over China in the final game of the 1999 Women's World Cup, American Brandi Chastain celebrated by ripping off her jersey and falling to her knees in a sports bra, her fists clenched in triumph. The photo of her celebration made the cover of Time, Newsweek, People and Sports Illustrated.

14. Say Hey

In Game 1 of the 1954 World Series between the New York Giants and Cleveland Indians, Hall of Fame centerfielder Willie Mays made one of the greatest defensive plays of all-time, a brilliant over-the-shoulder catch of a long drive by Vic Wertz, deep in center field of the Polo Grounds (some estimated over 420 feet from home plate). The Giants would win the series in an upset.

13. I'm Tiger Woods

On the 16th hole of the 2005 Masters during a playoff, Woods lined up and chipped 30 feet from the hole, from the side of the green with a very difficult lie. The ball rolled down a steep slope, nearly stopped, then went in for birdie. Woods went on to capture the tournament.

12. Fair or foul?

As Game 6 of the 1975 World Series at Fenway Park moved into the 12th inning, Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk was facing Reds pitcher Pat Darcy in a 6-6 game. Fisk hit a drive down the left field line, and the enduring image of Fisk jumping and waving the ball fair as he made his way to first base is inarguably one of baseball's greatest moments. The ball struck the foul pole, giving the Red Sox a 7-6 win and forcing a seventh and deciding game. The next day, the Reds won the series in the seventh game.

11. Forever Flutie

In one of college football's most famous plays, the Miami Hurricanes led Boston College 45-41 with only six seconds left. On the last play of the game, Eagles magical QB Doug Flutie scrambled away from the defense and threw a 48-yard Hail Mary pass that was caught in the end zone by Gerard Phelan, giving B.C. an amazing 47-45 win.

10. Phi Slamma Bummer

The upstart N.C. State Wolfpack, coached by Jim Valvano, was tied with highly-touted Houston Cougars — with Hakeem (then Akeem) Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler — at 52 in the closing seconds. Lorenzo Charles dunked an airball shot from 30 feet away at the buzzer by Derrick Whittenburg to provide North Carolina State with a stunning 54-52 NCAA championship victory.

9. The Catch

On January 10, 1982, an NFL dynasty was born in the NFC Championship between the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers. Facing a 3rd-and-3 from the Cowboys' six-yard-line, Niners QB Joe Montana took the snap and with three Cowboys chasing him to the sideline he threw a very high pass to the back of the end zone. 49ers receiver Dwight Clark made a leaping grab from the back of the end zone for the winning TD with 51 seconds left in the game to send S.F. to their first Super Bowl.

8. No. 715

The largest crowd in Braves history watched Hank Aaron break Babe Ruth's home run record on April 8, 1974. In the fourth inning Aaron homered off Los Angeles pitcher Al Downing. The ball landed in the Braves bullpen where reliever Tom House caught it as baseball's new HR King raced around the bases, fighting off wild fans in the process.

7. The Shot

In a 1989 best-of-five opening round series between Chicago and Cleveland, the series was tied at two games apiece. The Cavs held a one-point lead with three seconds left in Game 5. The ball was inbounded to Michael Jordan, who went up for a jump shot near the free-throw line. Cleveland's Craig Ehlo jumped in front to block it, but Jordan seemed to stay in the air for an eternity. "The Shot" went in as time ran out, with Chicago winning the series 3-2.

6. Shot heard 'round the world

Back in 1951, baseball broke regular season first-place ties with a best-of-three series. In the deciding Game 3, the N.Y. Giants trailed the Brooklyn Dodgers 4-2 qwhen a shocking walk-off home run hit by New York Giants outfielder Bobby Thomson off Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Ralph Branca at the Polo Grounds won the National League pennant in one of baseball's best moments.

5. Greatest Game Ever Played?

Just maybe it was. At the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Duke and Kentucky played an East regional final for the ages. With 2.1 seconds remaining in overtime, Duke trailed by one. Grant Hill threw a pass the length of the court to Christian Laettner, who dribbled once, turned, and hit a jumper as time expired for the amazing 104-103 win. The game earned Duke anopther Final Four trip and was a fitting end for Laettner, who finished a perfect 10-10 both from the field and the foul line.

4. The Immaculate Reception

The 1972 AFC divisional playoff game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders was a classic. The Steelers trailed Oakland 7-6 and faced fourth-and-ten on their own 40-yard line with just 22 seconds remaining ... and no time outs. Steelers QB Terry Bradshaw threw a pass toward Frenchy Fuqua, but Raiders safety Jack Tatum reached Fuqua just as the ball did. Tatum's hit knocked Fuqua to the ground, but the ball sailed backward several yards. Steelers RB Franco Harris scooped up the ball just before it hit the ground and ran the rest of the way downfield to score the touchdown that gave the Steelers a 12-7 lead with five seconds remaining in the game.

3. The Natural

The Dodgers entered the 1988 World Series as heavy underdogs to the Oakland A's and Bash Brothers Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire. In Game 1, the A's led 4-3 entering the bottom of the ninth. With two out and Mike Davis on first base, injured pinch hitter and N.L. MVP Kirk Gibson limped to the plate. In his only at bat of the series, Gibby hit a game-winning homer off of A's closer and future Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley. The Dodgers won the game and went on to win the Series in five games.

2. The Goat

The Boston Red Sox were one game away from winning the 1986 World Series over the the New York Mets, and took a 5-3 lead into the bottom of the tenth inning of Game 6. With two out and nobody on the bases, champagne was literally chilling and ready for a Red Sox celebration when the Mets scrapped a rally together and tied the game at 5-5. Then Mets outfielder Mookie Wilson hit a slow roller to Bill Buckner at first base. The ball rolled under Buckner's glove and into right field, allowing Ray Knight to score the winning run from second base. It capped an astonishing comeback for the Mets. The Met victory forced a seventh game, which was won by the Mets.

1. "The Band is on the Field!"

In the 85th installment of the "Big Game" between California and Stanford on November 20, 1982, Stanford had just kicked a field goal to lead 20-19 with four seconds left. On the ensuing kickoff, Cal lateraled the ball five times and ran for a touchdown through the Stanford special teams ... and the band, which had run onto the field to celebrate prematurely. Cal's Kevin Moen scored the touchdown and in the end zone knocked over a Stanford trumbone player. Cal ended John Elway's career with a 25-20 Bears win.

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