Ten Unbelievable Moments in Sports
By Donald Christopher

January 5, 2007

The Boston Red Sox Comeback against the New York Yankees in the 2004 ALCS


The Boston Red Sox celebrate after defeating the New York Yankees in the 2004 ALCS.
A miracle. The biggest series comeback in Major League Baseball history.

For years, the Curse of The Bambino lived in the heart, mind, and soul of every Boston Red Sox fan, player, and coach. They had witnessed the team's affliction for many, many years. Everyone had. Even die-hard Red Sox fans were understandably convinced the franchise was forever doomed for selling Babe Ruth's contract to the New York Yankees in 1920. From that regrettable moment, the Red Sox had not won another World Series while the Yankees -- who had never won a World Series before Ruth arrived, went on to win 26 pennants and have undoubtedly become the most successful franchise in baseball history. Ruth, also known as the Bambino, only became the greatest player ever.

Whenever Boston and New York engaged in a playoff battle, the curse stood the test of time. But it was not only against the Yankees, as the curse predictedly began to have a life of its own. For decades, it completely haunted the organization. Time and time again. One misfortune after another. Never has history been so cruel. The curse, as well as the Yankees, absolutely owned the Red Sox for 86 frustrating seasons.

Trailing 3-0 to New York in the 2004 ALCS, the curse was in full effect. As far as everyone was concerned, the series was over. The outlook grim and the psyche of Red Sox faithful everywhere at an conceivable all-time low, the Red Sox did the unthinkable...they won the next four games and went on to sweep the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. Countless Red Sox fans waited their entire lives for this very moment.

"Red Sox Fans have longed to hear it! The Boston Red Sox are World Champions! It has been 86 years, generations have come and gone, and for the first time since 1918, the Boston Red Sox are champions of baseball!" says announcer Joe Buck.

The Curse removed, forever.

November 5, 1994: George Foreman Knocks Out Micheal Moorer

Boxing is a young man's sport, so what business does a 45 year old George Foreman have attempting to become the oldest heavyweight champion ever? It did make for good press: Foreman and his impossible dream. The media ate it up, knowing very well that Foreman -- looking like a grown Pillsbury dough boy, had no business climbing into the ring with a young, undefeated champion in Michael Moorer. Not that Moorer was invincible, but the has-been Foreman winning the belt just wasn't logical. No matter what Foreman publicly said, I am sure that he did not believe there was a remote chance he could defeat the 26 year old Moorer. How? Foreman's winning strategy was to catch Moorer with a right hand. Some strategy.

Having beaten a warrior in Evander Holyfield to become champion, it was a safe bet that Moorer would retain his title. The very nerves of Foreman even thinking he could step back into a young man's game and walk away a champion was crazy. The rotund Foreman would have to learn the hard way. Like so many boxing fans, I watched the fight, but mainly to see a brutal beating. Mike Tyson was in prison so Moorer would have to satisfy my starved appetite for destruction. Foreman would be nothing more than a punching bag, I figured.

In the 10th round, Foreman was behind on all of the judges scorecards when he delivered a devastating right hand to the chin of Moorer. "It happened! It happened!" says commentator Jim Lampley.

Thanks to a devastating right hand, Foreman became the oldest heavyweight champion in boxing history. Some strategy.

October 15, 1988: Kirk Gibson's World Series Pinch Hit Home Run

During an absolutely unbelievable moment in Sports, all one can ever do is simply stare, and soak in the moment. That was evident in the bottom of the ninth inning during Game 1 of the 1988 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Oakland Athletics.

Dodgers first baseman and the 1988 National League Most Valuable Player Kirk Gibson had severely injured his leg during the League Championship Series and now could barely walk. Gibson had received cortisone shots before the game, and it had already been decided that Gibson would not play. Gibson did not even come out for the introductions, so Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda had no business sending an injured Kirk Gibson to bat in the first place.

With two outs, Mike Davis on first base and his Dodgers trailing 4-3, Lasorda inserted an injured Gibson as a pinch hitter to face future Hall-of-Famer Dennis Eckersley -- the best relief pitcher in baseball at the time. Little did anyone know that World Series history was about to be made.

After fouling off pitch after pitch for what seemed like an eternity and the count now full at three balls and two strikes, Gibson signaled to the umpire for a timeout and stepped out of the batter's box. He would later say that he was certain the next pitch thrown by Eckersley would be a backdoor slider -- Eckersley was known to throw the pitch with the count full.

Gibson calmly returned the batter's box. Dodger Stadium was on its feet, clapping. Eckersley came with a pitch that I am certain he wishes he could have back. True enough, it was the pitch Gibson had anticipated. With an awkward, and almost casual swing, he reached out and smacked the ball over the rightfield fence at Dodger Stadium which gave the underdog Dodgers the Game 1 victory. Announcer Jack Buck said what many fans were thinking, "I don't believe what I just saw!"

Gibson's hobbled trot around the bases while pumping his arms remain etched into the minds of baseball fans everywhere. "In the year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened," proclaimed announcer Vin Scully. No one on the planet had any ideal that an injured Gibson would limp out to the plate with bad hamstrings and knees worse than those of professional wrestler Hulk Hogan, and become a cult hero. The Dodgers rode the captured momentum by winning the World Series in five games, but fans will forever remember this unbelievable moment. Gibson never had another at-bat the entire 1988 World Series.

October 23, 1993: Joe Carter's 1993 World Series Walk-Off Home Run

We all have won the World Series with one swing of the bat. As kids playing one-man baseball in the backyard, we all have pretended to step up to the plate, perform the batting ritual of our favorite baseball player, squarely look the visioned pitcher in his eyes and with one glorious swing of the bat, win the World Series. The crowd goes nuts. We all have innocently indulged the moment. It's make-believe baseball at its finest. The Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Joe Carter experienced the moment in real life.

The Skydome. Toronto, Ontario in Canada. World Series. Game 6. The Philadelphia Philles were leading 6-5 in the bottom of the ninth, and looking to force a Game 7. Phillies relief pitcher Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams was called on to preserve the lead. But the sometimes out-of-control Williams walked Blue Jay Rickey Henderson, then gave up a hit to Paul Molitor which set the stage for Carter's unbelievable moment. Carter stepped to the plate. With the count having reached two balls and two strikes, Carter sent the very next pitch -- a low fastball, over the left field wall. The Series was over. The final at-bat of the 1993 World Series. The Blue Jays were back-to-back champions.

One dramatic swing of the bat. A dream come true. You couldn't write a better script. "Touch em all Joe, you'll never hit a bigger home run in your life," were the words spoken by announcer Tom Cheek.

March 28, 1992: Christian Laettner's Buzzer-Beater against Kentucky in the 1992 NCAA Tournament

Had this been a baseball game, this would have been considered a perfect game thrown by Duke Blue Devil Christian Laettner. He was flawless, having made all 10 field goal attempts and all 10 free throw attempts during this 1992 regional final game against the Kentucky Wildcats. It has widely been considered to be the greatest NCAA game ever played.

Kentucky's Sean Woods just sank a 10 foot floater which gave the Wildcats a 103-102 lead with 2.1 seconds remaining in overtime. The game seemed all but over. A Wildcats victory was a foregone conclusion. Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski immediately calls a timeout to set up the final play of the game. The teams line up. Crowd on its feet. For some reason, Wildcats coach Rick Pitino failed to defend the inbounds pass thrown by the Blue Devils' Grant Hill, instead opting to have two defenders blanket Laettner who stood at the free throw line. Bad move.

"Everything was in slow motion like one of those classic scenes from 'Hoosiers' and 'The Natural,'" Hill would say afterwards.

"I remember I kept saying to myself, 'Just get a good shot up,'" Laettner recalled several years later. "I was worrying about catching the ball more than anything."

Laettner catches a perfectly thrown 80 foot pass, dribbles once, fakes right to create distance between him and the defender, turns left, jumps and releases the shot...nothing but net. Game over. Duke wins 104-103. The crowd is hysterical. Perfect pass. Perfect shot. Perfect game.

February 11, 1990: James "Buster" Douglas Knocks Out Iron Mike Tyson

Iron Mike Tyson was proclaimed to be the baddest man on the planet. His powerful punches conveyed the purest definition of bad intentions. At the age of 20 years old, Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in history. At the time of the fight, he was already a living legend. Every man who dared to enter the ring against Iron Mike suffered defeat in intended fashion. He was truly invincible. Built from a different cloth. An intimidating presence. Many of his opponents were seemingly afraid to even look Tyson in his eyes.

If Tyson were to ever suffer a defeat on his perfect 37-0 record, surely it would not be against James "Buster" Douglas, a man few had even heard of. Douglas was a 42:1 underdog but it may as well had been 1,000,000:1. Many were not sure that Douglas could beat Glass Joe, let alone a great prizefighter like Tyson. It was impossible to even think Douglas could beat Tyson. I would have literally bet my life that Tyson would not lose to Douglas. But Tyson lost badly; Douglas completely dominated Tyson. Beat him like he stole something. Jab after jab, uppercut after uppercut, eventually closing Tyson's left eye in the process. Yes, I remember the referee's long count given to Douglas in the eighth round after Tyson dropped Douglas to the canvas with a powerful uppercut. I also remember the left, right, left, right combination that knocked Tyson out. The biggest upset in boxing history.

Boxing purists have stated that Tyson was not himself that night. Yes, I know, and neither was Douglas. "Why did it happen, James? Why did you win this fight that nobody on the planet..." asked commentator Larry Merchant.

A tearful Douglas interuptingly replied, "My mother, my mother! God bless her heart!" Afterwards, Douglas dedicated the shocking victory to his mother whom he lost to cancer three weeks prior to the fight. This loss signaled the beginning of the end for Iron Mike Tyson.

June 15, 2004: The Detroit Pistons Clinch the 2004 NBA Finals over the Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers were a dynasty. Proven champions. They had won three of the previous four NBA Finals. They had the most dominant big man in the game since Wilt Chamberlain. If that wasn't enough, they also claimed the greatest individual player the game had known since Michael Jordan. The team was coached by Zenmaster Phil Jackson, a man synomonous with corraling basketball greatness such as Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, and formulating their talents into a masterful and premier display of NBA championships. Thus, they were led by undeniable greatness. These were the Lakers, a great team.

It was a foregone conclusion the Lakers were not going to lose in the Finals against the Detroit Pistons, or any team winning the Eastern Conference Finals for that matter. As far as many were concerned, the Western Conference Finals between the Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs was the "real" NBA Finals. There was no need for the Pistons to even show up.

The Pistons were a well-coached, great defensive team. They bought into head coach Larry Brown's concept of unselfish team play. They had no players who resembled sheer greatness, but they had good players at every position who followed script. Defense wins championships, and the Pistons played excellent defense. But again, these were the Lakers. The team from Motown was about to be mowed down. They would be lucky if they win a game.

The series ended in five games. Shockingly, the Lakers walked away soundly beaten and lucky to have won a game. Defense still wins championships. "It's about players," said Pistons coach Larry Brown, emotionally drained from winning his first title. "This sport is about players playing the right way and showing kids that you can be a team and be successful and it's great for our league."

Credit the Pistons for dismantling the Laker dynasty.

May 16, 1999: The New York Knicks' Series-Clinching Victory over the Miami Heat in the 1999 NBA Playoffs

The Basketball Gods smiled upon the New York Knicks and guard Allan Houston. In one corner, the underacheiving Knicks had barely made the playoffs during the strike-shortened season and there were rumors floating that head coach Jeff Van Gundy would be fired. In the other corner, the Miami Heat had won their third straight Atlantic Division crown, had homecourt advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs as the top seed, and were heavily favored to make it to their first NBA Finals. The Knicks and the Heat were bitter rivals, with an even more bitter history between them. Prior playoff contests were marred by brawls between opposing players.

The series was tied 2-2 and the Heat had the comfort of playing the fifth and deciding game on their homecourt. Both teams wanting nothing more than to defeat the other. As expected, the tooth-and-nail series came down to the very end. With Miami leading by one, and 4.5 seconds left on the clock, Knicks point guard Charlie Ward threw the inbounds-pass to teammate Allan Houston. What happened next will go down as one of the NBA's 60 Greatest Playoff Moments, or as it is simply known, "The Bounce." A play that brings chills every time I watch it over again, no matter how many times I've watched it.

Houston caught the ball at the top of the circle, took one dribble towards the basket, and released the ball. The announcer shouts, "Allan Houston...Houston ducks under ... got it!"

"I thought I kind of short-armed it at first, but it hung up there," Houston said. "I got a friendly bounce from up above." The Knicks became only the second eighth seed in NBA history to take down a number one seed. Take that, Heat fans.

June 5, 2000: The Los Angeles Lakers' Fourth Quarter Comeback against the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2000 NBA Western Conference Finals

"Game sevens are very interesting, but I've never seen any quite like that one before," said Lakers coach Phil Jackson.

And neither have I.

Forget the fact that Portland Trail Blazers owner, billionaire Paul Allen had seemingly bought the NBA championship prior to the season by throwing tons of money at a bevy of star players. Forget the fact that highly-regarded head coach Phil Jackson had been summoned to Los Angeles in hopes of taking the status-craved Lakers and their superstar talents -- Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant -- to the next level, just as he had previously done in Chicago with Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan while coaching the Bulls to six NBA championships. Forget that troubled Blazers star power forward Rasheed Wallace was more interested in playing games with the referees than against his opponents. Forget the Lakers hadn't lost three consecutive games all season long. Forget all of that.

If ever there was a moment in my existence as an NBA fan where I actually felt the league had conspired to fix a game, the seventh and deciding game of the 2000 Western Conference Finals between the Lakers and the Trail Blazers was that very moment.

After being down in the series and forcing a Game 7, the Blazers clearly had the momentum and a commanding lead in the fourth quarter. With 10:28 left in regulation, the Lakers trailed 75-60 and showed no signs of life. The Lakers were playing spiritless, uninspired basketball while the Blazers were firing on all cylinders. By all indications, the game was over. Star Jones had sung. The Lakers were done. Stick a fork in them.

And then it happened. The Blazers could have spent all of their owner's money, and still not have been able to buy a shot. "We did a lot of things right most of the night," Portland coach Mike Dunleavy said, "but in the fourth quarter, we just couldn't make shots."

Or get a call either, for that matter. The Lakers "staged" a furious comeback and won the game 89-84. And I forgot that Star Jones had the surgery.

October 30, 1974: Muhammad Ali Knocks Out George Foreman

"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee."

For all the charisma and boxing skills Muhammad Ali possessed, no one gave him a chance at regaining the heavyweight championship against current champion and incredibly powerful 25 year old George Foreman. At the time, he was one of the most powerful punchers the sport has ever known. Foreman was favored 3:1, but in the minds of many boxing experts, "Big George" was unbeatable. The critics and even some of Ali's closest friends harped on how Foreman, 40-0, was the bigger, younger, and stronger fighter. They dwelled on how Foreman had absolutely destroyed Ali nemesis Joe Frazier in winning the belt a year earlier. Against Smokin' Joe, Foreman did everything except knock the brutishly-beaten Frazier out of the ring, completely.

Still, the 32 year old ex-champion Ali was not deterred. He knew that a victory against Foreman would prove to his critics, and the world that he was in fact, the Greatest of All Time.

The fight was held in Zaire, Africa. It was billed as the Rumble in the Jungle. Ali quickly gained the support of the people encouraging them to repeatedly chant "Ali boma ye!" which meant "Ali kill him!" It infuriated the dull Foreman.

Since Foreman's prior fights never went past three rounds, it was widely believed that the intelligent veteran Ali would use his superior quickness try and avoid Foreman's damaging blows while he simply outboxed the slower champion. But the clever Ali went against conventional boxing wisdom -- leading with right hand punches and boxing while deliberately laying on the ropes -- for the majority of the fight. This unorthodox "rope-a-dope" approach by Ali nullified Foreman's superior punching power as well as his energy and left the less-than-brilliant Foreman frustrated and wildly exhausted as he continued to unload ineffective punches to the body of Ali. In the eighth round, Ali knocked out an extremely tired Foreman and regained the heavyweight championship. Rumble young man, rumble.