There has long been an argument in the sporting realm as to the most exciting moment in a given sport or the sporting world as a whole. This argument has been around as long as people have been leaping to their feet in appreciation of some tremendous accomplishment on court, field, or in arena. As many less qualified individuals have pondered the topic so shall I.
1. The walk-off home run
This probably gets my vote for a few reasons, it is one on one batter against pitcher for all the marbles. The fact that it comes at a time when the flame throwing closer has entered the game makes it all the more exciting. It is also over quickly plays that develop in other sports that take much longer don't give you the quick adrenaline pumped "Wahoo!" that the long ball does.
2. The hole in one
Golf should probably not be on a list of articles in which the first one included the word adrenaline, but I have none the less. The difficulty factor elevates this above most others, I have gotten off my can for a well placed 6 iron before and so have many others. It deserves a place on this list.
3. Kick off/Punt Return
Improvisation, great blocking, and sheer unadulterated speed. This is what it is all about, taking it 97 yards for the score on determination, desire, and some great jukes. I love the run back.
4. Hail Mary
I guess this is the most publicized of all the great sporting moments and one of the most exciting to watch. Doug Flutie as well as a number of others have made this famous, but the reason it is so exciting is that it so rarely works. The few times a guy does come down with the ball it is a very memorable moment.
5. Last Second Buzzer Beater
This I believe is a little to common for it to rank, but the shot that M.Chalmers of Kansas hit this week puts it in new perspective. That .7 seconds the ball is on the air and 30,000 people stare at it rotate (or not rotate if you shoot like Tim Hardaway) through the air, and then the joy of victory or the agony of defeat as if falls through the net. It is still very nice.
Honorable Mention
The Suicide Squeeze - if you have been the pitcher, catcher, or the runner you know just how adrenaline laced this play really is.
Let the discussion begin, please feel free to add to the list. RLR
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2 comments:
Okay, main man...I'm back, I found your blog, I've added it to the frogroll on my site, and I'll keep your pages hot and bothered by my comments from here on out. I'm in a hurry today so I just read your most recent one (I'll get to the others later), but I'll just say I'll give you some props on your list. Obviously I wouldn't put golf in the top 10 (you've seen me on the links, one of the few that have, so you'll have no problem understanding why). But, a couple of things stand out that I think perhaps you could do to expand on the list. What makes this so difficult is the focal point of each. If you're talking about difficulty of execution that's one thing, if you're talking about excitement, that's quite another. Perhaps you could break it down in 4 or 5 categories, such as 1. difficulty, 2. style, 3. excitement, 4. what's on the line (i.e., squeeze play in 3rd inning of 12th game of MLB season is much less than last second fade away in game 7 of the NBA Finals...ya dig?, 5. fan reaction. Mix up that list, eliminate a few, add a few, whatever, just pick 5 for each, tally 'em up, then determine an overall favorite. It'd be a fun way to pass the time, for sure...good post!
I have to go with the buzzer-beater. You're right, it's common, but it also seems to me to be the perfect combination of skill and excitement. A hole-in-one involves too much luck to be my number one, but it is exciting.
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