Ten Greatest Sports Call Ever
By Paulie Knep
Love of Sports Correspondent
Sports are a form of entertainment, a diversion from everyday life.
Yet, sometimes a game is so pressure-packed, a victory so anticipated, a play so exhilarating, or a feat so astonishing that it evokes a tremendous amount of emotion in even casual viewers.
Broadcasters face the challenge of capturing the intensity of these moments, while still providing an objective narration of the events as they’re unfolding.
If delivered with the right timing, emotion and description, a call may become the definitive account in the public consciousness of that memorable moment forever.
10 Most Memorable Sports Call
10. “Go crazy, folks! Go crazy!” - Jack Buck
After splitting the first four games of the 1985 NLCS, the Dodgers and Cardinals took the field for a fifth and decisive Game 5 at Busch Stadium. They were tied at two with one out in the bottom of the ninth, when Ozzie Smith stepped to the plate to face Dodgers closer Tom Niedenfuer. The slick-fielding shortstop was never known for his power, but he pulled a fastball down the right field line for a home run, sending the Cardinals to the World Series. Caught up in the excitement of the moment, Jack Buck delivered one of his most famous calls …
“Go crazy, folks! Go crazy! It’s a home run! And the Cardinals have won the game … by the score of 3-to-2 … on a home run by the Wizard! Go crazy!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6GUnX7qMGk
9. “He is moving like a tremendous machine!” - Chic Anderson
Millions of viewers tuned in to the Belmont Stakes on June 9, 1973, in hopes of seeing Secretariat become the first horse in 25 years to win the Triple Crown. They watched in awe as Secretariat demolished the rest of the field by 31 lengths in breathtaking fashion. It was evident in his voice that CBS broadcaster Chic Anderson was as stunned as everybody else, yet he was able to provide the viewers with an illustrative description of the beautiful thoroughbred separating from the pack.
“Secretariat is widening now! He is moving like a tremendous machine! Secretariat by 12, Secretariat by 14 lengths on the turn! ... Secretariat is all alone! He’s out there almost a 16th of a mile away from the rest of the horses!”
8. “Matteau! Matteau! Matteau!” - Howie Rose
For years, opposing fans taunted the New York Rangers with chants of “1940,” the last year they won the Stanley Cup. They had a great team in 1994, but in the Eastern Conference Finals they ran into a Devils team that gave them all they could handle. The pressure mounted as the two teams remained deadlocked in the second overtime of Game 7. Finally, Stephane Matteau slipped one past Martin Brodeur. Rangers voice Howie Rose channeled the ecstasy that comes after 54 years of frustration as he offered up the most famous call in hockey history …
“… Matteau! Matteau! Matteau! Stephane Matteau! And the Rangers have one more hill to climb, baby! But it’s Mount Vancouver! The Rangers are headed to the Finals!”
7. “Now there’s a steal by Bird …” - Johnny Most
In the closing seconds of Game 5 of the 1985 Eastern Conference Finals, the Detroit Pistons led the Boston Celtics 107-106 and simply needed to run out the clock. Pistons captain Isiah Thomas inbounded the ball towards teammate Bill Laimbeer in the backcourt, but Larry Bird read the play and stole the pass. He managed to stay inbounds and shoveled the ball to a cutting Dennis Johnson for a layup with one second remaining. Basketball fans can’t think of that memorable play without hearing the grizzly voice of legendary Celtics broadcaster Johnny Most …
“And......Now there’s a steal by Bird! … Underneath to D.J., who lays it in!! ... What a play by Bird!”
6. “I don’t believe what I just saw.” - Jack Buck
Dodger outfielder Kirk Gibson injured both his legs in the 1988 NLCS and was expected to miss the World Series against the Oakland A’s. The Dodgers trailed 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 1, when Tommy Lasorda called on the ’88 MVP to pinch-hit. There was a runner on first base with two outs, and the best closer in baseball, Dennis Eckersley, was on the mound. Gibson worked a full count, fouling off a couple pitches before lunging at a breaking ball and pulled it into the right field seats for one of the most dramatic home runs ever. As he pumped his fist and hobbled around the bases, Buck summed up what all baseball fans were thinking …
“…It’s a home run for Gibson! And the Dodgers have won the gaaame, 5-to-4; I don’t belieeeve what I just saaaaw!”
5. “The band is on the field!” - Joe Starkey
In the last regular season game of the 1982 season, Stanford kicked a field goal to take a 20-19 lead over the University of California with four seconds left. What ensued was one of the most memorable plays in sports history. The Cal players fielded a squib kick and moved the ball down the field by running and lateralling it to teammates as they were being tackled. The Stanford band thought the play was over and made its way onto the field. After five laterals, Kevin Moen, the man who initially fielded the kickoff, plowed over an unsuspecting trombone player in the endzone as he scored the winning touchdown. Joe Starkey broadcasted the chaos on the field …
“Oh, the band is out on the field!! He’s gonna go into the end zone! He’s gone into the end zone!”
4. “Havlicek stole the ball!” - Johnny Most
The Celtics led the 76ers 110-109 with five seconds remaining in Game 7 of the 1965 NBA Eastern Conference Finals. The 76ers had one last chance as they inbounded the ball under their own basket. Guard Hal Greer attempted to pass the ball to forward Chet Walker, but John Havlicek broke towards Walker and tipped the ball away. Havlicek’s teammate, Sam Jones, recovered it and dribbled out the clock as fans poured onto the court. Celtic broadcaster Johnny Most exuberantly relayed the play over the radio …
“Havlicek steals it! Over to Sam Jones. Havlicek stole the ball! It’s all over! Johnny Havlicek stole the ball!”
3. “Down goes Frazier!” - Howard Cosell
After Smokin’ Joe Frazier beat Muhammad Ali, many people thought he was unbeatable. He was a 3:1 favorite as he stepped into the ring to face George Foreman in Kingston, Jamaica, on January 22nd, 1973. Foreman proved the oddsmakers wrong. He knocked Frazier down six times, ending the fight in the second round. As Frazier hit the canvas after the first knockdown, Howard Cosell, who was broadcasting the fight for HBO, shouted with the perfect blend of excitement and surprise …
“Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xI-vpIfArY
2. “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!” - Al Michaels
Nobody gave the American hockey team a chance heading into their semifinal matchup with the Soviet Union at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. The Soviets were an experienced juggernaut and had demolished the American amateurs 10-3 in an exhibition game weeks before the Olympics began. Through two periods, the Americans were outshot 30-10, but only trailed 3-2. Spurred on by the patriotic fervor of a home crowd that desperately wanted to defeat the U.S.’s cold war nemesis, they stunned the Soviets with two goals in the third period and pulled off one of the greatest upsets in Olympic history. As the final seconds ticked off the clock, Al Michaels asked …
“Do you believe in miracles? Yes!”
1. “The Giants win the pennant!” - Russ Hodges
In 1951, the New York Giants overcame a 13.5-game deficit to force a three-game playoff with their cross-town rivals, the Brooklyn Dodgers, for the National League pennant. After splitting the first two games, the Dodgers led 4-2 in the bottom of the ninth inning in Game 3. With Ralph Branca pitching and two men on, Giants third baseman Bobby Thompson smacked a line drive home run over the left field wall at the Polo Grounds to win the game. Hodges brilliantly captured “The Shot Heard ‘Round the World” and the pandemonium that followed …
“There’s a long drive… it’s gonna be, I believe...The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the Pennant! The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! Bobby Thomson hits into the lower deck of the left-field stands! The Giants win the pennant and they’re goin’ crazy, they’re goin’ crazy! Heey-oh!”
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Comments
Bones on 09/03 at 07:17 AM
#2 is #1, no doubt about it. Everyone knows that one, even people who don’t care about sports.
joey b on 09/03 at 07:57 AM
how about kirby puckett’s walk-off in game 6… everyone knows the call “and we’ll see ya tommorrow night!”
Oscar on 09/03 at 08:00 AM
what about tom cheeks call after joe carter hit the game winning home run in the world series. “Touch em all Joe”
John on 09/03 at 08:04 AM
What about when Sid Bream slid home to win the NLCS against the Pirates in 1991 and the immortal Skip Carry made the call. That replay still gives me goosebumps and started a run of 14 incredible years. “...and he isssssss safe, Braves win, Braves win, Braves win, Braves win...” it was raw emotion from a long suffering announcer whose team found another miracle from Scooter Bream.
Ed on 09/03 at 08:10 AM
No offense to the late great Jack Buck, but Scully’s call of Gibson’s HR was far more compelling to me.
John W on 09/03 at 08:59 AM
I agree with the other John. The late great Skip Carey’s call (it was the 1992 NLCS) of Sid Bream sliding in ahead of Bond’s throw was the best of all time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuYKTv8nqhM
Ryan B on 09/03 at 09:05 AM
All great but anyone from Buffalo could tell Rick Jeaneret could possibly own all ten slots in this list just from calling Sabres games. Own of the greatest play-by-play men ever. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEfbyrKnKc0
Jason on 09/03 at 09:23 AM
Most famous hockey call ever? Ask any real hockey fan that (Okay, we’re mostly Canadian) and the answer would be Foster Hewitt’s call of Paul Henderson’s goal to end the 1972 Summit Series.
Brian on 09/03 at 09:39 AM
#10 is factually incorrect. While Ozzie’s HR did win game 5 of the NLCS in ‘85, it did not send the Cards to the Series. They won game 6 in LA thanks to a 9th inning HR by Jack Clark off of who else but.....Tom Niedenfuer. Also, Ozzie’s HR was the first of his career from the left side of the plate.
filihok on 09/03 at 10:06 AM
You got the wrong quote on Kirk Gibson. It should be Vin Scully.
“All year long they looked to him (Kirk Gibson) to light the fire and all year long he answered the demands. High fly ball into right field. She is gone! [pause] In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened.”
Bones on 09/03 at 10:33 AM
Ryan B: Jeaneret is an awful homer. His screeches are unbearable.
pj on 09/03 at 11:10 AM
I know the game didn’t have as much significance, but I still get chills with Marv Albert’s - “OHHH What a spectacular move by Michael Jordan...”
jimmy v on 09/03 at 01:27 PM
Touch. Em. All.Joe.
Respeck.
Marty S on 09/03 at 02:51 PM
How about Tiger Woods’ putt at the Players a couple of years back, No. 17, rolling and curling across the island green from about 40 feet, and the commentator (Nance?) saying “Better than most....better than most....BETTER THAN MOST!!!” as it rolled in.
Greg on 09/03 at 08:05 PM
Bones is absolutely correct. #2 is #1...There is no other call that I get goosebumps EVERYtime I hear it...doesn’t matter when or where...Goosebumps
Tough Love on 09/03 at 10:29 PM
What about Susan Waldman when she said” Roger Clemens is in George Steinbrenner’s box!” One of the best Youtube audio clips one could lend an ear to.
Scott on 09/04 at 06:28 AM
Howie Rose’s call is the most famous in hockey history? That is insane. It begins and ends with Foster Hewitt in the 1972 Summit Series. “Henderson! Has scored for Canada!”
Chris on 09/05 at 05:19 PM
Vin Scully: A little roller up along first...behind the bag! It gets through Buckner! Here comes Knight and the Mets win it!...If a picture is worth a thousand words, you have seen about a million words.”
Josh Neumann on 09/24 at 10:40 AM
I agree with Marty, that was actually Gary Koch, but that one definitely should have made the list.
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