#1- Softball Sportsmanship
First of all, oops about the length of time between posts. It wasn’t intentional, I just let other things get in the way.
In my opinion, the greatest sports moment of all time involved three college women. Of my Top 4, this also happens to be the most recent as it only happened last year. By now, hopefully everyone had heard the story and/or seen the clip, if not here is the youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVlKtI7yd_s
On Saturday April 26, 2008, Western Oregon University senior Sara Tucholsky came up to bat in the 2nd inning of an elimination game in the Conference playoffs versus Central Washington University. With two runners on, and an 0-1 count Sara connected with the next pitch and sent it over the fence for her first career home run. In her excitement at having hit her first-ever home run she missed first base. When she turned back to tag it before continuing on to second, she collapsed to the ground in agony. Her ACL in her right knee had torn completely through. Sara managed to crawl back to first and upon arriving she laid on the ground, hugged the base and cried.
Her coach, Pam Knox rushed onto the field and began discussing options with the umpires. The umpires made it clear that if any of Sara’s coaches or teammates helped her, she would be ruled out. Coach Knox was given the choice to substitute for Sara but that doing so would erase her 3-run home run and replace it with a 2-run single. That is when Moment #1 occurred.
Mallory Holtman, argued by some as the greatest softball player in Central Washington history, as well as school home run record-holder stepped in and said, “What if some of the Central Washington players carry her around the bases?” The umpires, obviously taken aback at such a suggestion, stated that no rule precluded the opposing team from doing so. Mallory grabbed her teammate, Liz Wallace and they walked over to Sara, picked her up off the ground and carried her around the bases. They stopped at each base and helped Sara touch the bag with her uninjured leg. When they reached home plate, Mallory and Liz set Sara down and let her teammates take over while they quietly excused themselves and returned to their own teammates.
Witnesses state that everyone on the field and in the stands was in tears. When asked why she carried her opponent around the bases Mallory replied, “She hit it over the fence and was in pain and she deserved a home run.” Mallory didn’t know that Sara had never before hit a home run in her career. She also didn’t know that she and Liz’s act of sportsmanship would eliminate their team from the conference playoffs and a chance at the NCAA tournament as Sara’s home run proved a deciding factor in Western Oregon’s 4-2 victory.
That ended up being the final game of both Sara Tucholsky’s and Mallory Holtman’s playing careers.
Incredible doesn’t even begin to describe this act of sportsmanship. In an age where player misbehavior both on and off the field is reported non-stop (see previous posts on my blog regarding the NFL), it was very inspiring and refreshing to see such a simple act that carried so much power and meaning. Mallory and her teammates may not have won the game that day, but they won something much more. They taught us all that doing what is good and right even when it doesn’t benefit you, is what is most important. I hope that we all can take that to heart so that when we are presented with our own moral dilemmas we can make the right choice.
Several months later, Mallory, Liz, and Sara were honored by teary-eyed amateur and professional athletes, sportscasters, sportswriters, and notable celebrities, as they were presented with the ESPY Award for Best Sports Moment and received a 30-second standing ovation.
09 February 2009
03 January 2009
#2- Ray Bourque finally wins the Stanley Cup
#2- Ray Bourque finally wins the Stanley Cup
For me, the greatest Hockey moment of all-time came when Ray Bourque finally got to lift Lord Stanley’s Cup over his head as a Champion, and that is why it comes in as my #2 Sports Moment.
Ray Bourque began playing in the NHL in 1979 as a Defenseman for the Boston Bruins. His final game was June 9, 2001. In the 22 seasons between, Ray Bourque became (in my book) the greatest defenseman to ever play the game. Among his many, many accomplishments are the following: NHL records for Goals (415) and Points (1579) by a Defenseman, Shots (6206), and All-Star appearances (19); Boston Bruins team records for games Played, Assists, and Points; Five-time Norris Trophy Winner (Best Defenseman). Bourque also served as Team Captain of the Boston Bruins from 1985 until his trade to the Colorado Avalanche in 2000 (he then served as an Alternate Captain until his retirement).
Ray Bourque also represented himself and his teams with class and integrity. Many people in and around sports have likened Bourque to being NFL greats Dan Marino, John Elway, and Joe Montana all wrapped into one. Yes, he is that likable. When he was drafted, the Bruins issued him jersey #7 which drew the ire of many fans because #7 had previously been worn by Phil Esposito (Most of the records Gretzky broke were previously owned by Esposito). Several years later, the Bruins honored Esposito by retiring his #7. At the retirement ceremony, Bourque skated to Esposito and in a stunning show of class and respect removed his own #7 jersey and handed it to Esposito, effectively communicating to everyone that #7 belonged to Phil Esposito. Bourque wore #77 thereafter, and his jersey has since been retired by both the Boston Bruins and the Colorado Avalanche (one of only 6 NHL players ever to have their jersey retired by more than one team).
After losing in the Stanley Cup Finals twice with the Bruins (1988 and 1990), Bourque saw his team gradually decline right out of playoff contention and in 2000 he requested a trade to a playoff contender. On deadline day he and teammate Dave Andreychuk were traded to Colorado for three players and a 1st Round Draft Pick. That season the Avalanche lost the Conference Finals in 7 games to Dallas. Bourque came back for the 2000-2001 season and the Avalanche dominated the league. The team won the President’s Trophy and finished with a record of 52-16-10-4. The Avalanche also hosted the All-Star game.
In the Playoffs, the Avs swept the Vancouver Canucks 4-0 in the first round and survived the upstart LA Kings in 7 games in the second round. They routed St. Louis Blues in the Western Conference Finals in 5 games with Joe Sakic scoring the series winning goal 24 seconds into OT. Throughout the playoffs, the Avalanche players carried out a campaign they called “Mission 16W” representing the 16 wins needed to win the Stanley Cup, as well as the team goal to get Ray Bourque a championship. In the Stanley Cup Finals, Bourque and the Avalanche faced the defending champion New Jersey Devils.
Going into game 5, the series was tied. Patrick Roy made a bad play which handed the Devils the game and gave them the chance to win the Cup on home ice. Roy recovered from his gaffe and shutout the Devils in Game 6. Game 7 was June 9, 2001 in Denver and the Avalanche won the game 3-1, winning the Stanley Cup and completing Mission 16W. That is when the moment happened.
After all the cheering and hugging, the handshake line, and then hugging family, the Stanley Cup was brought out. As is tradition, the Cup is presented to the Captain of the Team, in this case, Joe Sakic. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman conveyed the message everyone was thinking without saying when he said, “Joe, someone here has waited a long time for this, why don’t you go and give it to him!” The crowd exploded into applause as Sakic received the Cup and instead of being the first to hoist it over his head as was his right, he skated straight to Ray Bourque and handed it to him. Bourque, with tears streaming down his face raised the Cup over his head.
While the image of Bourque crying while hoisting the Cup is burned into my memory forever, the part that makes it even more meaningful was the picture taken from behind him. In that picture you see Bourque raising the Cup with his wife and children looking on, tears streaming down their faces too. They knew how important this accomplishment was to him.
Ray Bourque waited longer than any other player in the 116 year history of the Stanley Cup to win it. His 22-year career and NHL record streak of most games played without winning the Stanley Cup came to an end that day at 1,826 games.
For me, the greatest Hockey moment of all-time came when Ray Bourque finally got to lift Lord Stanley’s Cup over his head as a Champion, and that is why it comes in as my #2 Sports Moment.
Ray Bourque began playing in the NHL in 1979 as a Defenseman for the Boston Bruins. His final game was June 9, 2001. In the 22 seasons between, Ray Bourque became (in my book) the greatest defenseman to ever play the game. Among his many, many accomplishments are the following: NHL records for Goals (415) and Points (1579) by a Defenseman, Shots (6206), and All-Star appearances (19); Boston Bruins team records for games Played, Assists, and Points; Five-time Norris Trophy Winner (Best Defenseman). Bourque also served as Team Captain of the Boston Bruins from 1985 until his trade to the Colorado Avalanche in 2000 (he then served as an Alternate Captain until his retirement).
Ray Bourque also represented himself and his teams with class and integrity. Many people in and around sports have likened Bourque to being NFL greats Dan Marino, John Elway, and Joe Montana all wrapped into one. Yes, he is that likable. When he was drafted, the Bruins issued him jersey #7 which drew the ire of many fans because #7 had previously been worn by Phil Esposito (Most of the records Gretzky broke were previously owned by Esposito). Several years later, the Bruins honored Esposito by retiring his #7. At the retirement ceremony, Bourque skated to Esposito and in a stunning show of class and respect removed his own #7 jersey and handed it to Esposito, effectively communicating to everyone that #7 belonged to Phil Esposito. Bourque wore #77 thereafter, and his jersey has since been retired by both the Boston Bruins and the Colorado Avalanche (one of only 6 NHL players ever to have their jersey retired by more than one team).
After losing in the Stanley Cup Finals twice with the Bruins (1988 and 1990), Bourque saw his team gradually decline right out of playoff contention and in 2000 he requested a trade to a playoff contender. On deadline day he and teammate Dave Andreychuk were traded to Colorado for three players and a 1st Round Draft Pick. That season the Avalanche lost the Conference Finals in 7 games to Dallas. Bourque came back for the 2000-2001 season and the Avalanche dominated the league. The team won the President’s Trophy and finished with a record of 52-16-10-4. The Avalanche also hosted the All-Star game.
In the Playoffs, the Avs swept the Vancouver Canucks 4-0 in the first round and survived the upstart LA Kings in 7 games in the second round. They routed St. Louis Blues in the Western Conference Finals in 5 games with Joe Sakic scoring the series winning goal 24 seconds into OT. Throughout the playoffs, the Avalanche players carried out a campaign they called “Mission 16W” representing the 16 wins needed to win the Stanley Cup, as well as the team goal to get Ray Bourque a championship. In the Stanley Cup Finals, Bourque and the Avalanche faced the defending champion New Jersey Devils.
Going into game 5, the series was tied. Patrick Roy made a bad play which handed the Devils the game and gave them the chance to win the Cup on home ice. Roy recovered from his gaffe and shutout the Devils in Game 6. Game 7 was June 9, 2001 in Denver and the Avalanche won the game 3-1, winning the Stanley Cup and completing Mission 16W. That is when the moment happened.
After all the cheering and hugging, the handshake line, and then hugging family, the Stanley Cup was brought out. As is tradition, the Cup is presented to the Captain of the Team, in this case, Joe Sakic. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman conveyed the message everyone was thinking without saying when he said, “Joe, someone here has waited a long time for this, why don’t you go and give it to him!” The crowd exploded into applause as Sakic received the Cup and instead of being the first to hoist it over his head as was his right, he skated straight to Ray Bourque and handed it to him. Bourque, with tears streaming down his face raised the Cup over his head.
While the image of Bourque crying while hoisting the Cup is burned into my memory forever, the part that makes it even more meaningful was the picture taken from behind him. In that picture you see Bourque raising the Cup with his wife and children looking on, tears streaming down their faces too. They knew how important this accomplishment was to him.
Ray Bourque waited longer than any other player in the 116 year history of the Stanley Cup to win it. His 22-year career and NHL record streak of most games played without winning the Stanley Cup came to an end that day at 1,826 games.
15 December 2008
#3- The Miracle on Ice
#3- The Miracle on Ice
Even though this event happened before I was even born, I can still recognize its massive significance and emotional power, especially when I get to see the replays. More than likely, many of you have seen the Disney movie “Miracle” so you know what I am talking about. Here’s a little background. In 1980, Olympic Hockey did not allow for the use of professional athletes, meaning that players had to be amateurs. The United States fielded a team entirely made up of college kids with most of them coming from the University of Minnesota (Brooks refused to even let a Michigan Wolverine be on the team). The players took a long time to learn how to get along seeing as how they were from rival schools. The USSR team, by contrast, was made up of “amateurs” who were really professionals hiding under a guise created by their country to allow them to play and dominate. Leading up to the Olympics, the Soviets repeatedly won exhibition games against NHL teams and blanked the NHL All-Stars 6-0, while the Americans struggled to beat Norway and other sub-par teams.
Team USA finally melded together using their hatred for their coach (Herb Brooks) as their motivation. Coach Brooks repeatedly admitted intentionally trying to make himself their enemy in order to get the team to bond. No one really expected them to do much in the Olympics considering they were only seeded 7th out of 12 teams. They turned heads by tying favored Sweden in their first game, and then blowing out Czechoslovakia in their second game. They went on to finish 4-0-1 in the tourney and advanced to the medal round.
That was where they met the Soviets. As improbable as it was, Team USA kept with the Soviets the entire game and took the lead 4-3 on Captain Mike Eruzione’s goal with 10 minutes to go. They held on to win the game and that is where the historical significance comes in. The 1970’s had been rough on the US, and patriotism was hurting especially with the perception that the US was losing both the Cold War and Olympic Sports to the Soviets. Team USA’s win rekindled patriotism all over the USA and some have even credited the game with turning the tide in the Cold War. Al Michaels’ call of the game, “Do you believe in Miracles? Yes!” was immortalized and earned him Sportscaster of the Year. Team USA won numerous awards from Sports Illustrated including “Sportsmen of the Year” and “Athlete of the Year.” As part of its 25th Anniversary, ESPN named the game as the top sports moment, headline, and game between 1979 and 2004. Lastly, the wildly popular U-S-A! U-S-A! Chant now shouted at just about every international competition in every sport featuring a US athlete or team, was popularized at that game.
How could anything possibly top this moment? You’ll have to check back next week for #2 of the Top 4 Greatest Sports Moments Ever.
Even though this event happened before I was even born, I can still recognize its massive significance and emotional power, especially when I get to see the replays. More than likely, many of you have seen the Disney movie “Miracle” so you know what I am talking about. Here’s a little background. In 1980, Olympic Hockey did not allow for the use of professional athletes, meaning that players had to be amateurs. The United States fielded a team entirely made up of college kids with most of them coming from the University of Minnesota (Brooks refused to even let a Michigan Wolverine be on the team). The players took a long time to learn how to get along seeing as how they were from rival schools. The USSR team, by contrast, was made up of “amateurs” who were really professionals hiding under a guise created by their country to allow them to play and dominate. Leading up to the Olympics, the Soviets repeatedly won exhibition games against NHL teams and blanked the NHL All-Stars 6-0, while the Americans struggled to beat Norway and other sub-par teams.
Team USA finally melded together using their hatred for their coach (Herb Brooks) as their motivation. Coach Brooks repeatedly admitted intentionally trying to make himself their enemy in order to get the team to bond. No one really expected them to do much in the Olympics considering they were only seeded 7th out of 12 teams. They turned heads by tying favored Sweden in their first game, and then blowing out Czechoslovakia in their second game. They went on to finish 4-0-1 in the tourney and advanced to the medal round.
That was where they met the Soviets. As improbable as it was, Team USA kept with the Soviets the entire game and took the lead 4-3 on Captain Mike Eruzione’s goal with 10 minutes to go. They held on to win the game and that is where the historical significance comes in. The 1970’s had been rough on the US, and patriotism was hurting especially with the perception that the US was losing both the Cold War and Olympic Sports to the Soviets. Team USA’s win rekindled patriotism all over the USA and some have even credited the game with turning the tide in the Cold War. Al Michaels’ call of the game, “Do you believe in Miracles? Yes!” was immortalized and earned him Sportscaster of the Year. Team USA won numerous awards from Sports Illustrated including “Sportsmen of the Year” and “Athlete of the Year.” As part of its 25th Anniversary, ESPN named the game as the top sports moment, headline, and game between 1979 and 2004. Lastly, the wildly popular U-S-A! U-S-A! Chant now shouted at just about every international competition in every sport featuring a US athlete or team, was popularized at that game.
How could anything possibly top this moment? You’ll have to check back next week for #2 of the Top 4 Greatest Sports Moments Ever.
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