I absolutely agree that there's only one possible choice for #1, but there were some I though might be on that weren't, like the What's my name? fight or Jack Morris deciding the Braves would not win the '91 Series.
He gave up 7 hits (including two doubles) and walked 2; that's not so much winning it by yourself. It really is those high strikeout games where it's all in the pitcher's hands; I'd have considered the Pedro relief game in the top fifty, however.
My first thought was "where's Bob Beamon in 1968?" That jump was the most stunning individual performance of all time. In a sport where records move incrementally, it was like time travel.
I feel Lawrence Taylor and Michael Jordan should be on the list somewhere. Including a chess player, a golfer, and a horse makes the list somewhat strange.
at summer camp, we played "human stratego," though not on horseback.
we're also overlooking what are surely some amazing cricket performances. A good batting performance can win a match single-handedly, unlike baseball where each player has only a limited number of times to bat. Having said that, Reggie Jackson would make a longer list for the world series game where he hit three home runs on three pitches.
SteI think Bolt's run was more dominant than Johnson's. He ran faster, beat the non-Bolt record by a greater amount, left an incredible field in the dust, jogged the last 10 meters, and looked like a giant freak doing it. And I loved watching Johnson run and don't care about the other stuff, so I don't say this as a person with an axe to grind. Of the two, I just think Bolt's run was more dominant. But it still wasn't as otherworldly as Beamon.
Neil Lomax seven TD passes in one quarter against Delaware State isn't likely to be broken soon. Not top flight competition, but in 15 minutes? That's a bunch.
And its outside the boundaries of their selection, but Al Oerter winning the discus in four consecutive Olympic Games doesn't get as much attention as it probably should.
I absolutely agree that there's only one possible choice for #1, but there were some I though might be on that weren't, like the What's my name? fight or Jack Morris deciding the Braves would not win the '91 Series.
ReplyDeleteHe gave up 7 hits (including two doubles) and walked 2; that's not so much winning it by yourself. It really is those high strikeout games where it's all in the pitcher's hands; I'd have considered the Pedro relief game in the top fifty, however.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I almost didn't write Morris. If it weren't game 7, it wouldn't be memorable. Ali-Terrell is brutal, though.
ReplyDeleteMy first thought was "where's Bob Beamon in 1968?" That jump was the most stunning individual performance of all time. In a sport where records move incrementally, it was like time travel.
ReplyDeleteBill Walton, 1973 NCAA championship game: 21-22 shooting (2-5 FT) for 44 pts, 13 boards.
ReplyDeleteZidane 1998 world cup final?
ReplyDeleteI feel Lawrence Taylor and Michael Jordan should be on the list somewhere. Including a chess player, a golfer, and a horse makes the list somewhat strange.
I'm fine with axing Fischer; that's more of a show-offy "look how diverse my thinking is" than a real athletic accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteBut which Jordan game -- the flu game? The 3-pointers over Portland?
I'm trying to think of a way to invent a sport that combines chess, golf, and horsemanship.
ReplyDeletePolo, but where each type of horse can only move around in a certain fashion?
ReplyDeleteRoger Bannister?
ReplyDeleteat summer camp, we played "human stratego," though not on horseback.
ReplyDeletewe're also overlooking what are surely some amazing cricket performances. A good batting performance can win a match single-handedly, unlike baseball where each player has only a limited number of times to bat. Having said that, Reggie Jackson would make a longer list for the world series game where he hit three home runs on three pitches.
In track, i'd maybe elevate Ben Johnson's 1988 olympics run over Bolt, steroids or no. Michael Johnson winning gold in the 200 and 400 in Atlanta?
ReplyDeleteSteI think Bolt's run was more dominant than Johnson's. He ran faster, beat the non-Bolt record by a greater amount, left an incredible field in the dust, jogged the last 10 meters, and looked like a giant freak doing it. And I loved watching Johnson run and don't care about the other stuff, so I don't say this as a person with an axe to grind. Of the two, I just think Bolt's run was more dominant. But it still wasn't as otherworldly as Beamon.
ReplyDeleteNeil Lomax seven TD passes in one quarter against Delaware State isn't likely to be broken soon. Not top flight competition, but in 15 minutes? That's a bunch.
ReplyDeleteAnd its outside the boundaries of their selection, but Al Oerter winning the discus in four consecutive Olympic Games doesn't get as much attention as it probably should.