Best Sporting Events of All-Time
This has been talked about on a few other threads, so I thought I might give it it's own thread. I think it is particular relevant on the heels of the final four and with the masters coming up.
Okay, I'm going to try my hand at this. First, one initial thought
- Big events with lots of neutral fans just don't cut it. EX: The olympics are awesome, but there just isn't enough atmosphere 99% of the time to make a top 10 list. Fan's make the events truly great. With that said, here we go...
10) Stanley Cup Game 7
9) British Open at St. Andrews or Masters at Augusta
8) NBA Finals Game 7
7) New Zealand (All Blacks) v Australia (Wallabies) Rugby
6) Barcelona- Real Madrid at Camp Nou or Rangers-Celtic
5) Michigan-Ohio St College Football
4) Il Palio Horserace in Siena
3) World Cup Final
2) Red Sox- Yankees Playoff Game 7
1) Duke-Carolina at Cameron Indoor
Notes-
Olympics- Great event, but not enough fervor around one particular event
No NFL??- The obvious choice here would be the superbowl, but there are just too many casual fans without unbridled passion for a team.
Two soccer matches?- It is just undeniable that soccer fans as a whole are crazier than any other sport's fan base. That's just the way of the world, and since this is about best sporting events with regard to atmosphere...
Il Palio??- The most fervent atmosphere in sports since everyone is packed in to one little piazza and everybody there has a horse that they would kill for. It's borderline terrifying (not joking).
Duke- Obviously I'm biased...
Where's the Final Four- Arena's are too big and if you aren't a fan of one of the teams it is good but not great
What are your thoughts
My list of things I've attended
5. NCAA subregional (2004, 2008...also regionals in 2000)
17. Michigan-Ohio State football (numerous times)
20. The Stanley Cup playoffs (Game 2, 2002 Stanley Cup Finals)
27. Tailgating in the SEC (Tennessee-Duke game, 2003)
42. An NBA game from courtside (Pistons)
43. Baseball All-Star Game (Texas, 1995)
62. Midnight Madness (Lights, Cameron, Action 2003)
64. Camp out for tickets (duh!)
88. "Monday Night Football" (Detroit Lions)
91. Little League game (duh again)
92. A Permian High School football game (haven't been to one of these, but any high school football game in Texas on a Friday night is a must-see)
Notes:
-Barca-Real Madrid is much much bigger than Atletico-Real. I'd love to see one of these, but as a Real fan, I'd see it at the Bernabeu.
-the Iron Bowl is intense, but nothing like Michigan-Ohio State, IMO. My mom is from Alabama, and I spent much of my childhood vacations in rural Alabama...it's intense, but a Michigan-Ohio State hatred it is not.
-The Final Four should definitely be on the list. I've been to the Women's FF in 2003 and the Men's FF in 2004.
-Went to MLS Cup 2007 here at RFK Stadium. A very fun game to attend if you're a fan of soccer. Plus, the tickets are very reasonable. I got 2 tickets 15 rows from the field for $50.
-I've always wanted to go to England and catch an EPL match. I'm determined to cross a couple games off the list this fall by going to London and catching a couple games.
Report from the Horse Racing Precinct..
I'll cast my vote for any horse race where there is a big unsettle question on the line. That usually is the Kentucky Derby every year or going for the Triple Crown when eligible. I have attended the following events and would list them in order:
1) Ruffian vs. Foolish Pleasure Match Race - Amazing build up. People wearing Him/Her buttons days in advance. Soupy atmosphere weatherwise. Packed, Standingroom only at colossal Belmont. Coal Black filly vs. Male Hope. Unforseen, Poignant, Unforgettable End to Fabled Career.
2) Affirmed vs. Alydar Belmont to win Triple Crown - neck and neck for 3 furlongs. Alydar's only chance to win is if Affirmed didn't see him coming. Affirmed had an amazing will to win evidenced by making up 15 lenghts on Sensitive Prince in the Jim Dandy later that year. Tough Horse.
3) Spectacular Bid goes for Triple Crown - and is defeated by a safety pin and a Peter Panish horse named Coastal.
In Harness Racing, all folks agree that a trip to Delaware Ohio to see the "Little Brown Jug" is a must. A small town swells to accommodate the best pacers in the world on a "Thursday" to run a triple crown race. Not run in a commercial sweet spot, but amazingly well attended and loved race.
Watching any Duke Basketball Player in a game of HORSE has to be included on this list; obviously :)
Larry
DevilHorse