Another Top 100 List

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69: 1994 World Series cancelled

 

TSN.ca Staff

 

10/12/2004

 

What wars, scandals and even an earthquake could not stop, money did in 1994.

 

The World Series which had been played for 89 years and 524 games was canceled by Commissioner Bud Selig, 18 days before the start of the playoffs and a new, expanded post season.

 

"There cannot be any joy on any side," said the acting commissioner at the time.

 

"This is a sad day Nobody wanted this to happen, but the continuing player strike leaves us no choice but to take this action. We have reached the point where it is no longer practical to complete the remainder of the season or to preserve the integrity of postseason play."

 

Twenty-six of the 28 teams voted to cancel. Baltimore owner Peter Angelos agreed in principle, but didn't sign the resolution; Cincinnati owner Marge Schott refused to go along, saying that perhaps minor leaguers should be used.

 

It was the first time since professional baseball leagues began in 1871 that a major league season was played with no conclusion and the first time since 1904 there would be no World Series.

 

"Baseball games are won and lost because of errors - and this will go down as the biggest 'E' of all," said former commissioner Peter Ueberroth, who negotiated an end to the 1985 players strike after just two days.

 

"The losers are the fans and there is no winner. 1994 - the season that struck itself out."

 

Players said they were willing to continue talks and say an agreement by Sept. 26 could have saved the postseason. Selig, however, didn't address the issue of future talks.

 

The issue of a salary cap remains at the heart of the dispute. The owners claim a cap is necessary because spiraling costs have put the industry in peril; the players, whose average salary is nearly $1.2 million, counter that owners are trying to restrict the marketplace.

 

Ultimately, the two sides reach a new collective bargaining agreement, but afterward, many disgruntled fans felt that the Fall Classic's cancellation was a major factor in the decline of baseball's popularity.

 

The strike has also been blamed for the demise of the Montreal Expos, who possesed the best record in baseball at 74-40 when the players walked out. They were considered by many to be a strong World Series contender and following the resumption of play, the team were forced to deal away some of their best players due to salary concerns.

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68: Earthquake postpones World Series

 

TSN.ca Staff

 

10/13/2004

 

Pre-game festivities for Game 3 of the 1989 World Series  started like any other day. A handful of players from the San Francisco Giants and Oakland A's mingled on the field, stretching and playing catch while 63,000 fans awaited the start of the game, which would mark the return of the World Series to Candlestick Park for the first time in 27 years.

 

At 5:04 pm, Pacific Time on October 17, there is a rumbling, then a fierce jolt. The earth quakes, shaking the stadium, causing power to go out and concrete to fall from some sections of the stadium.

 

When the rumbling finally stops, fans in the stands break the eerie silence by letting out an enormous cheer, some even yell, "Play Ball".

 

But power is unable to be restored and commissioner Fay Vincent decides to postpone the game. Fans begin to head for the exits in an orderly but cheerful fashion. With live radio and TV broadcasts knocked out by the quake many did not know the extent of the damage outside the walls of Candlestick. The enormity of the situation does not hit them until they emerge from the stadium.

 

The earthquake, which many speculated might be 5.4, is actually a staggering 7.1 on the Richter scale - the biggest quake to hit San Francisco since 1906. The Nimitz Freeway has collapsed, bridges are falling. Thousands are injured and thousands more are dead. There are fires and downtown San Francisco is in ruins.

 

It would be another 10 days before the World Series resumes, with the Athletics going on to win the next two games and take the series and title. But for most people, the game is now secondary.

 

"The lasting memories of this Series will be the earthquake, not the games, not the World Series winner, nothing but the earthquake," said Giants center fielder Brett Butler. "It's said, but true".

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67: Michael Jordan retires the first time

 

TSN.ca Staff

 

10/14/2004

 

In 1993, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls faced Charles Barkley and the Phoenix Suns in the NBA championship final.

 

Chicago led the series 3-2 but were reeling after having lost two of the three previous games. Leading 87-79 going into the final 12 minutes of Game 6, they allowed the Suns to go on a 5-0 run.

 

Following a brief rest on the bench, Jordan checked back in and put the Bulls on his shoulders and over the next eight minutes he was the only Bull to score. His rebound and ensuing coast-to-coast layup made the score 98-96 with 38.1 seconds remaining.

 

The Suns had a shot to regain a four-point edge, but Dan Majerle air-balled a short jumper, and the Bulls got the ball back with 14.1 seconds left. After a timeout, all eyes were on Jordan. The ball was indeed inbounded to Jordan, but he soon passed to Scottie Pippen in the frontcourt. Jordan then cut past Pippen, hoping for a return pass. But Jordan was too closely covered by Phoenix guard Kevin Johnson, so Pippen spun and charged toward the basket, only to find his path blocked by Sun center Mark West. That forced Pippen to dish the ball to Horace Grant along the left baseline. Considering that he had missed his last nine shots, Grant wisely chucked the ball back to John Paxson, who was hovering quietly behind the three-point line. Paxson took his two pitty-pat steps, released a shot and watched. It dropped.

 

The Suns still had 3.9 seconds in which to try to win the game, but Grant blocked Johnson"s driving jumper to preserve the win and put the Bulls in the history books as only the third team to win three straight titles.

 

Jordan, who finished with a game-high 33 points, eight rebounds and a team-high seven assists in 44 minutes of play, immediately chased down the historic game ball before joining his celebrating teammates.

 

With a potential gambling scandal hanging over his head and the tragic loss of his father, who was murdered during an armed robbery, an emotionally drained Jordan stunned the basketball world on the eve of training camp by announcing his retirement at the age of 30.

 

Not since Jim Brown's retirement from the NFL had a star of such magnitude stepped away while he was at the pinnacle, having won NBA championships in his final three seasons and scoring titles in his final seven.

 

After much speculation about his plans, Jordan attempted to fulfill a dream inspired by his father - playing Major League Baseball. He spent the 1994 baseball season playing for the Birmingham Barons, an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox in the Class AA Southern League.

 

He was a competent if unspectacular performer. But Jordan's hope of reaching the big leagues seemed dim, and with Major League Baseball embroiled in a labor dispute as the 1995 season neared, he focused his competitive fire back on the NBA.

 

Late in the 1994-95 NBA season, he came out of retirement with the succinct statement of "I'm Back."

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66: Lemieux's 1991 Stanley Cup goal

 

TSN.ca Staff

 

10/15/2004

 

For the first seven years of his career, the Stanley Cup had eluded Mario Lemieux. He was trying to live up to extraordinary expectations since the Pittsburgh Penguins made him the No. 1 pick in the 1984 draft, but with no supporting cast, Lemieux struggled to take his game to the next level.

 

It wasn't until the 1987 Canada Cup tournament that Lemieux was finally challenged by some of the league's best. Playing alongside Wayne Gretzky, Lemieux finally came to understand what he would have to do in order to reach the pinnacle of hockey supremacy.

 

Despite scoring 123 points in the 1989-90 season, Lemieux missed the last 21 games as the Penguins failed to make the playoffs. There was doubt about whether he would ever play again after undergoing an operation to correct a disc problem in his back. He missed the first 50 games of the 1990-91 season, but returned to score 45 points in 26 regular season games as the Penguins captured the Patrick Division.

 

After surviving playoff scares against New Jersey and Boston, the Penguins made it all the way to the Stanley Cup finals against the Minnesota North Stars. Despita a shorthanded goal from Lemieux, the Penguins watched as Minnesota fought back for a 5-4 win in Game 1, once again raising doubts as to whether or not he could carry a team to a championship.

 

In Game 2, Lemieux produced one of the more breathtaking one-on-one goals ever seen in hockey. The North Stars had just scored to cut Pittsburgh's lead to 2-1 in the second period. Taking a pass from Phil Bourque, Lemieux roared in on North Stars defenceman Shawn Chambers, faked outside, cut inside, used his backhand to put the puck between Chambers's legs and then raced ahead to pick it up on his forehand. Goalie John Casey waited for Lemieux to make the first move, but that didn't help. Lemieux took the puck to his forehand, switched it to his backhand and, while sliding to his knees, put the puck into an empty net.

 

The goal reversed the momentum of the game as the Penguins went on to win 4-1 to tie the series.

 

Two nights later in Minnesota, Lemieux was unable to play due to a stiff back and the North Stars regained the series lead with a 3-1 win. Doubts began to surface as to Lemieux's health and his ability to lead the Penguins the rest of the way.

 

In Game 4, Lemieux returned and helped the Penguins survive a wild 5-3 win to even the final at two games apiece.

 

Sensing that the series - and the championship - were his to win, Lemieux came out determined in Game 5, scoring a goal and setting up two others in a four-goal first-period blitz that gave Pittsburgh a 6-4 victory and control of the series.

 

Finally, with the Penguins leading 1-0 in Game 6 and killing a penalty, Lemieux broke away and made three separate backhand-to-forehand moves en route to scoring a shorthanded goal that made it 2-0. He would add three assists in the game which the Penguins won 8-0 to capture the Stanley Cup.

 

"The first time I saw my name on the Cup after we won in 1991 was a big thrill," Lemieux said. "When you're a kid growing up in Canada, it's your dream to have your name on the Cup, especially for a kid like me, growing up in Montreal and watching those Canadiens' teams win Cups. Guy Lafleur was my idol. I wanted to be like him."

 

Lemieux tallied 12 points in five games to lead all scorers in the final. He wound up with at least one point in each of his last 18 playoff games, and he scored at least one goal in each of his last 10. His 44 points in 23 playoff games earned him the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the post season.

[Lightning Flik 0]

66 gets the 66th spot?

 

Ok, that's just a little cheesy.

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Yeah. Stevens taking off Lindros' head was #88.

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65: Vince wins Slam Dunk title

 

TSN.ca Staff

 

10/16/2004

 

For much of his early NBA career, Vince Carter was constantly being compared to Michael Jordan. The Toronto Raptors rookie of the year did himself no favours by winning the Slam Dunk competition at the 2000 All-Star Game, reviving memories of Jordan and Dominque Wilkins.

 

Almost from Carter's opening dunk, you knew this would be his night. He measured his paces before takeoff and, with the crowd on its feet, Carter exploded for a one-handed, 360-degree windmill dunk.

 

The crowd exploded, competitors fell to the floor and participants from the three-point shootout rushed on to the court in awe. The judges - Rick Barry, Cynthia Cooper, Kenny Smith, ex-Raptors GM Isiah Thomas and George Gervin - gave Carter's dunk a perfect score of 50.

 

But the piece de resistance was Carter's third and final dunk of the first round that made a statement. Taking a bounce pass from cousin Tracy McGrady, Carter brought the ball under his right leg while he was in the air and then slammed it through the hoop. The move brought the judges out of their seats and Thomas jumped on the scorer's table to cheer.

 

 

"Stop it right there," said Phoenix Suns guard Jason Kidd.

 

Carter, who said he did not rehearse any of his dunks, preferring instead to improvise,  looked into the cameras and mouthed the words that everyone was thinking -  "It's over, it's over."

 

"I thought it was a masterpiece," remarked Julius "Dr. J" Erving, who is etched in memory as one of the greatest dunkers in NBA history.

 

"He did dunks tonight he had never done before and no one had ever seen before."

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64: Blue Jays blow 1987 AL East lead

 

TSN.ca Staff

 

10/17/2004

 

Heading into the final week of the 1987 regular season, the Toronto Blue Jays were sitting atop the American League East with a 96-60 record, having just taken three of four from their nearest rival, the Detroit Tigers.

 

The Blue Jays, who had rung up a 19-5 record in the month of September, were set to face the Milwaukee Brewers, whom they had managed to beat just four times in 10 meetings. The Tigers had a four game series scheduled against the Baltimore Orioles, who were just 2-7 against Detroit up to that point.

 

The Brewers swept all three games against the Blue Jays while the Tigers split their four game series against the Orioles, setting up a three game, season-ending showdown for the pennant.

 

In game one, the Blue Jays lost 4-3 pulling Detroit even with Toronto in the standings. Game two needed 12 innings before the Tigers prevailed 3-2. On the final day of the season, Frank Tanana outduelled Blue Jays ace Jimmy Key while Larry Herndon, who had a total of eight home runs that season, slugged a solo shot to give the Tigers a 1-0 win and berth in the post season. It was the second time in his career that Tanana had pitched a team into the playoffs by winning the clinching game of a series.

 

The Blue Jays had lost the final seven games of the season and seven, one-run decisions against the Tigers, to finish with the second best record in the major leagues that season.

 

George Bell, who finished second in the American League with 47 HRs and led the league with 134 RBIs, was named American League MVP.

[Red Baron 0]

Why is Vince slam dunk dealy important?

[CanadianChris 0]

Why is Vince slam dunk dealy important?

Token basketball moment, I guess.

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63: Theismann suffers career ending injury

 

TSN.ca Staff

 

10/18/2004

 

Week 11 of the 1985 NFL season featured one of the fiercest rivalries in football - the Washington Redskins against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football.

 

With the game scoreless early in the second quarter, quarterback Joe Theismann leans into the huddle and calls a trick play - a flea-flicker. Theismann hands the ball off to running back John Riggins, who rumbles toward the line of scrimmage before stopping and tossing the ball back to Theismann.

 

Theismann then begins to run out of the pocket but is quickly grabbed by Giants linebacker Harry Carson. He is able to elude Carson's grasp and continues to move forward. Lawrence Taylor manages to track down Theismann and pulls him down. Linebacker Gary Reasons comes rushing in, falling on top of the pile. That causes Theismann to fall in an awkward manner, twisting his leg sideways and pinning it underneath him.

 

Taylor then leaps up from the pile of bodies and motions frantically towards the Redskins sideline. Television cameras zoom into the sprawled Theismann and Taylor's concern becomes apparent. There - for everyone to see in the stadium and on national television - is Theismann's bone protruding through his leg.

 

"When I heard a crack, it went right through me," Taylor would say after the game. "It felt like it happened to me. It made me sick."

 

"His leg was just hanging there. It was the ugliest thing I'd never seen."

 

Theismann suffers an open fracture of the tibia or shinbone. The fibula - the long, thin outer bone running between the knee and ankle - broke through his skin - one of the most horrific injuries seen on a playing field.

 

The injury proves to be a career ender for the 36 year old Theismann, who had missed just one start in his eight years as the Redskins' No. 1 QB.

Man, that's sick just reading about it. Glad I've never actually seen it.

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62: Canada wins fifth straight junior gold

 

TSN.ca Staff

 

10/19/2004

 

At the 1997 World Junior Hockey Championship in Switzerland, defending champions Canada finished with to a 2-0-2 round-robin record as the team struggled to find any offensive spark.

 

That changed in the playoff portion of the tournament, as 17-year-old Boyd Devereux scored a clutch marker late in the semi-final to beat Russia 3-2 and then opened the scoring in the final as Canada beat the United States 2-0 to claim gold, Canada's 10th in tournament history and fifth in a row.

 

In stretching its gold medal run to five, Canada also extended its incredible record to an unthinkable 24-0-3 in its last 27 world junior championship games.

 

There were other offensive stars for Canada during the tournament, as Brad Isbister, Christian Dube and Cameron Mann tied for the team lead with seven points.

 

Canada won on the strength of its defence, led by veterans Chris Phillips and Brad Larsen, while new-comers Jesse Wallin, Jason Doig and Richard Jackman provided size, speed and mobility. It was a multi-faceted group full of future pros.

 

Canada was also set in goal, where Marc Denis played all but one minute and was never less than sensational. He was particularly brilliant in the final game, stopping 35 American shots to get the shutout, the win, and the gold medal. He was a no-brainer pick for top goalie  but was surprisingly left off the post-tournament all-star team. He ended his WJHC career with a 7-0-2 record and a sparking 1.67 goals against average.

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61: Van de Velde's British Open collapse

 

TSN.ca Staff

 

10/20/2004

 

The 128th British Open at Carnoustie appeared to be in the bag for Jean Van de Velde. The little known Frenchman had played the first 71 holes of the championship at 3-over and, having birdied No. 18 two days in a row, his three shot lead over Paul Lawrie and Justin Leonard seemed safe enough for tournament organizers to begin engraving his name on the championship trophy.

 

As he approached the 18th and final hole on a cold, damp Sunday afternoon, the little voice in Van de Velde's head said, "Play it safe. Take no risks." His drive drifts more than 20 yards to the right of the fairway, but avoids certain disaster when the ball sails over the water, lands safely on dry ground and winds up sitting up on low rough.

 

Van de Velde decides to go for the green with a 2-iron from 185 yards out. He manages to carry the creek in the front but the ball sails wildly to the right, hits the grandstand beyond the creek and caroms backward over the creek again into knee high rough.

 

His third shot flies weakly out of the deep rough and finds the creek. Suddenly, Lawrie - who began the day 10 strokes behind Van de Velde - and Leonard realize that a playoff may be around the corner and they head from the clubhouse to the practice range.

 

Looking at the ball in the creek, Van de Velde contemplates his options - a penalty stroke or play the ball from the water. The crowd roars as he begins to remove his shoes and socks, hikes his pants over his knees and wades into the water. But the ball sinks as he steps into the creek, denying him his opportunity for a 60 yeard pitch shot. He is forced to take a penalty stroke.

 

His pitch shot, from deep rough, manages to clear the creek and lands in the front green-side bunker. A nice bunker shot leaves him with a putt to tie and send the match into a playoff, which he calmly makes.

 

The four hole playoff sees Paul Lawrie clinch the championship with a birdie on 17.

 

Van de Velde's collapse is ultimately compared to Greg Norman's demise in the 1996 Masters when he blew a six-shot lead to Nick Faldo, who went on to win by a staggering five shots.

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60: Schoenfeld, Koharski Doughnutgate

 

TSN.ca Staff

 

10/21/2004

 

The New Jersey Devils faced the Boston Bruins in the 1988 Wales Conference Final. With the series tied 1-1, the Devils were looking to gain the upper hand in Game 3 at the Meadowlands. However, referee Don Koharski is singled out by Devils coach Jim Schoenfeld for a series of penalties in Boston's 6-1 win.

 

After the game, an irate Schoenfeld attempts to confront Koharski in the tunnel leading to the dressing room. As the two begin to argue, Koharski falls to the floor. He scrambles to get up on his feet, accusing Schoenfeld of pushing him.

 

"I hope that's on tape," yells Koharski, mindful of the television cameras in the vicinity.

 

"You're crazy, I didn't push you," screams back Schoenfeld as he is being restrained. "You fell you fat pig... Have another doughnut! Have another doughnut!"

 

The incident was quickly reviewed by the NHL and Schoenfeld was suspended one game. However, the Devils obtained a count injunction allowing him to go back behind the bench for Game 4. When the officials arrive at the arena for the game, they refuse to work as long as Schoenfeld is allowed to coach.

 

The league, scrambling at this point to find replacement officials, pulls Paul McInnis, Jim Sullivan and Vin Godleski from the stands. The trio took to the ice dressed in makeshift referee's jerseys borrowed from rink security.

 

The Devils went on to win Game 4 by a score of 3-1 and the replacement officials actually did a decent job of calling the game. Schoenfeld served his suspension in Game 5, a  7-1 loss back in Boston and the Devils never recovered, losing the series in seven games.

 

 

59: Scott Norwood and Super Bowl XXV

 

TSN.ca Staff

 

10/22/2004

 

The New York Giants led Buffalo 20-19 in Super Bowl XXV when the Bills got the ball back on their own 10 yard line with 2:16 left in the championship.

 

Kicker Scott Norwood began practicing his kicks, thinking about his technique, visualizing a successful kick, knowing that the weight of a franchise - an entire city -  would likely rest on his right foot.

 

Quarterback Jim Kelly moved the Bills down the field and after intentionally grounding the football on the Giants 29 with eight seconds left, makes his way to to sidelines, handing off to Norwood, who would be attempting a 47 yard field goal for the victory.

 

Norwood, who had not kicked a field goal longer than 48 yards all season, would attempt to join Jim O'Brien as the only kickers to make a game-winning field goal in Super Bowl history.

 

The ball is snapped. Holder Frank Reich places the ball down on the grass, turning it every so slightly. Norwood steps into the ball with his right foot and sends it towards the goal posts. He glances up to watch the flight of the football. Norwood bends his head, ever so slightly and cringes. Something feels wrong. As the ball inches closer to the goal posts Norwood's heart begins to sink. He has an eerie, empty feeling in his stomach.

 

The ball sails inches to the right of the goalpost. The Giants are Super Bowl champions.

 

"I knew that the kick wasn't good," Norwood recounted after the game. "I wanted to hit the ball solid and I did. I wanted to get the kick off fast and I wanted to get it high, so it wouldn't be blocked. And I did. I just didn't get my hips into it enough."

 

"Unfortunately, I let a lot of people down."

 

 

58: Oilers' Smith wins it...for Flames

 

TSN.ca Staff

 

10/23/2004

 

The Edmonton Oilers had their most dominating regular season of all in 1985-86.

 

Their 119 points and 56-17-7 record tied the team mark for the most in a season, and the club easily won the President's Trophy. Paul Coffey scored 48 goals, and Wayne Gretzky's 215 points helped the team average over five goals a game.

 

After their first two Cup victories in 1984 and 1985, the stage was set for a three-peat.

 

After sweeping the Vancouver Canucks, the Oilers met the Calgary Flames in the Smythe Division final. Calgary had beaten Edmonton only once in the 1985-86 regular season. The series literally went back and forth, with each team winning every other game and heading into a Game 7 showdown.

 

What happened next would be one of the most infamous gaffes in NHL history, as the game came down to a strange game-winning goal. Defenceman Steve Smith tried to pass the puck up the middle of the ice in his own end, and the puck went off goaltender Grant Fuhr and into the Oilers' net.

 

The Flames won the game and eventually went to the Cup final before being beaten by the Montreal Canadiens.

 

A happy ending did eventually come for the Oilers, who won the Stanley Cup the following year. When Gretzky held the Cup up in the air in 1987, the first teammate he handed it off to was none other than Smith.

[Red Baron 0]

Smith's back break is the only reason why the Montreal Canadiens won the cup that year.

 

 

Oh yes. "Have another donought!" Probably one of the greatest quotes in hockey.

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57: Payton breaks Brown's rushing record

 

TSN.ca Staff

 

10/24/2004

 

October 7, 1984. The sky was gray and gloomy. The air was chilly and wet. Perfect Chicago Bears weather.

 

There is a buzz in the city as the Bears prepare to face the New Orleans Saints for this is the day that Walter Payton is expected to break Jim Brown's record and become the NFL's all-time leading rusher.

 

But Payton's thoughts are on the Bears. After a promising 3-0 start, Chicago has dropped the last two. He has refused the team's request to stop the game at the moment he breaks the record to acknowledge the acomplishment, saying it will take away from the momentum of the game.

 

Payton enters the game 66 yards shy of Brown's mark and it's clear from the outset that it will not be easy. Unlike a week ago when he ran for 130 yards in the first half, No. 34 manages just 34 yards in the first quarter and another 30 yards in the second, leaving him three short of the record. 

 

With the Bears leading 13-7 in the third and the crowd cheering "Walter! Walter!", quarterback Jim McMahon pitches the ball to Payton who follows both fullback Matt Suhey and guard Mark Bortz through the Saints line for a six yard gain and a place in NFL history.

 

Payton would finish the day with 154 yards, for a career total of 12,400 - 88 more than Brown. More importantly for Payton, the Bears would win the game 20-7.

 

Payton finished his NFL career with 16,726 yards. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993. Six years later, Payton is diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis, a rare liver disease, and dies at the age of 45.

 

 

 

56: NHL locks out players for 103 days

 

TSN.ca Staff

 

10/25/2004

 

After playing the 1993-94 season without a collective bargaining agreement, most observers felt training camps would not open for the 1994-95 campaign. While players expressed a willingness to play despite no agreement on a new CBA, the owners wanted some guarantee that players wouldn't walk out in the middle of the season. 

 

At the core of the dispute was the issue of a salary cap/luxury tax/payroll tax. Both sides agreed they needed to find a way to protect the small market teams but both differed on how to go about it. The league wanted to tie salaries to revenues to help subsidize the weaker teams but the union wanted no part of a "sliding tax system" which they claim masqueraded as a salary cap.

 

To the surprise of many, training camps did open on September 1 but the just one month later, the league locked out its players after talks failed to produce an agreeent.

 

On January 11, 1995 - after 103 days of no hockey - the NHL and NHLPA finally came to an agreement, saving the 1994-95 season. The new six year agreement contained a rookie salary cap but no overall cap on salaries, to the chagrin of the hardline owners. Instead, both sides agreed to a complex system that put greater limits on free agency and on how soon a player could become an unrestricted free agent. Salary arbitration was also altered. Under the terms of the new deal, players would have fewer rights and the arbitrator rulings would be nonbinding.

 

"To quote the words of Wayne Campbell 'Game On'", said commissioner Gary Bettman in announcing the end of the lockout.

 

Games resumed on January 20. A total of 468 games were lost due to the lockout.

 

 

55: McDonald, Flames win 1989 Cup

 

TSN.ca Staff

 

10/26/2004

 

The 1989 Stanley Cup final was a rematch of the 1986 championship between the Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames. To this day, it is still the last time two Canadian-based teams faced each other in the championship.

 

Lanny McDonald waited 15 years for a shot at the Stanley Cup. He would not let the moment slip away.

 

The 36-year-old was one of the NHL's best and most beloved players during a career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Rockies and Calgary Flames.

 

The clock was winding down on his career and Flames head coach Terry Crisp knew it, using McDonald in only 14 of the Flames' 22 playoff games that spring.

 

McDonald would go on to score the winning goal in Calgary's 4-2 victory over Montreal in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals. With the score tied, 1-1. McDonald came out of the penalty box to snare a pass from Joe Nieuwendyk and burst in on Patrick Roy in the Montreal net. McDonald's wrist shot found the top corner, giving the Flames a lead they never relinquished. Doug Gilmour added two third-period goals as the Flames became the first team to win the Stanley Cup on the Canadiens' home ice.

 

"I always wished we could have won that Stanley Cup on home ice for the Calgary fans, but winning it in Montreal was the next best thing," McDonald said.

 

"Three years earlier, the Canadiens beat us in five games in the Stanley Cup Finals. The last game was in Calgary and we had to watch them celebrate on our ice. So it was certainly fitting to go back there and do it to them. Plus, we were the only visiting team to ever capture the Stanley Cup at the Montreal Forum. Now that the Forum is closed, it will stay that way."

 

Goaltender Mike Vernon tied an NHL playoff record with 16 wins, set the previous year by Edmonton's Grant Fuhr.

 

Al MacInnis became the fourth defenseman to win the Conn Smythe Trophy, leading the playoffs in scoring with 31 points, including a 17 game consecutive point scoring streak - the second longest in NHL history.

[Red Baron 0]

Well, I might as well update this.

 

54: Villeneuve wins Formula One title

 

TSN.ca Staff

 

10/27/2004

 

Jacques Villeneuve's performance in his rookie season with the Williams-Renault team was enough to convince team owner Frank Williams that he did not need the highly popular - and highly paid - Damon Hill anymore, even if he was the reigning Formula One world champion.

 

After coming up short in the drivers chase to Hill, Villeneuve showed it was no fluke, staging a bitter season-long duel with Ferrari rival Michael Schumacher. Villeneuve claimed victories in Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Britain, Hungary, Austria and Luxembourg, while Schumacher climbed to the top of the podium in Monaco, France, Belgium and Villeneuve's hometown of Montreal, Canada.

 

With two races left, Villeneuve held a nine point lead over Schumacher as the series shifted to Suzuka, Japan. On Saturday of the Grand Prix weekend, race stewards charged Villeneuve with ignoring a yellow flag during practice. The Canadian was summoned before F1 officials and told he would be banned from taking part in the race. The Williams team protested and Villeneuve was allowed to suit up for the race.

 

Needing only to finish one point ahead of the German to clinch the title, Villeneuve managed a fifth place finish while Schumacher went on to win the race and claim 10 valuable points. Afterwards, Villeneuve's appeal was denied and he lost the two points for finishing fifth.

 

On to the final race of the season - the European Grand Prix in Jerez, Spain. To illustrate how close the championship was, Villeneuve, Schumacher and Williams teammate Heinz-Harald Frentzen all qualified with identical times - down to the 1-1000th of a second. Villeneuve had the pole but it was Schumacher who got off to a great start, pulling away from the field.

 

On lap 47, Schumacher collided with Villeneuve as the Canadian attempted to pass him. Schumacher's manouvre was deemed to be deliberate and he was disqualified. Villeneuve continued on and in the closing stages of the race, allowed Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard to pass him for the win, knowing that a third place finish would secure the championship.

 

Afterwards FIA, the governing body, decided to strip Schumacher of his second place finish in the championship standings, but he was allowed to retain the 78 points he collected throughout the year.

 

Villeneuve had become the first Canadian to win the Formula One world championship and only the fourth driver ever to win both the F1 title and the IndyCar championship.

 

Kobe admits adultry, denies rape

 

TSN.ca Staff

 

10/28/2004

 

On July 3, 2003 Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant was charged with sexually assaulting a 19 year old woman on June 30.

 

The announcement sent chills through the sports world. Bryant - a player whom legions of young NBA fans looked up to, who had a gorgeous wife and new baby daughter - facing possibly life in prison for his alleged actions.

 

According to Eagle County police, Bryant checked into the Lodge and Spa - a $300 a night resort located halfway between Eagle, Colorado and Vail - on June 30 to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee the following day. The alleged victim admits to speaking and flirting with Bryant. Somewhere between 11:13 p.m. and midnight, she enters Bryant's room and claims she is sexually assaulted. 

 

Following his surgery Bryant is interviewed by investigators following a complaint filed by the unnamed woman. He voluntarily provides DNA samples to hospital officials. On July 3, Eagle County District Attorney Mark Hurlbert signs an arrest warrant for Bryant, who turns himself in to police the following day. He is released on $25,000 bond.

 

On July 19, Bryant is charged with sexual assault.

 

For almost two weeks, Bryant has been silent. Four hours after the decision to charge him is announced, the Lakers star addressed the media.

 

"I'm innocent," he says, fighting back tears. "I didn't force [the accuser] to do anything against her will. I'm innocent," he reiterates, shaking his head and holding his wife's hand.

 

"I sit here in front of you furious at myself, disgusted at myself for making the mistake of adultery," he admits while his wife briefly looks away.

 

"You're a blessing," he tells his wife apologetically as she clasps his right hand tightly. "You're a piece of my heart. You're the air I breathe. You're the strongest person I know and I'm so sorry for having to put you through this, and having to put our family through this."

 

"My wife and I, and my family, we are going to fight these false accusations," he says. "We have a lot at stake. I have a lot at stake and it has nothing to do with the game of basketball. It has nothing to do with endorsements. Nothing at all. This is about us. This is about our family.

 

"Shoulder to shoulder, we are going to fight this all the way to the end."

 

Absent from the proceedings are Bryant's Lakers teammates, head coach Phil Jackson or any team officials.

 

On September 1, 2004, prosecutors dropped the case against Bryant, saying they had no choice because the NBA star's accuser no longer wanted to participate in the trial, citing a series of courthouse mistakes that included release of her name and medical history.

 

Bryant responded with an apology, saying that while he truly believed the encounter was consensual, "I recognize now that she did not and does not view this incident the same way I did".

 

52: Fall of NHLPA boss Alan Eagleson

 

TSN.ca Staff

 

10/29/2004

 

For decades, Alan Eagleson was one of the most prominent figures in hockey. The Toronto lawyer was a player agent, executive director of the NHLPA and the architect of the 1972 Summit Series between Canada and the USSR.

 

But in the 1990's, Eagleson's legacy came crashing down when he was indicted on 34 charges that included racketeering, embezzlement, fraud and obstruction of justice. He faced eight charges in Canada for defrauding the very players he helped as leader of their union.

 

Eagleson's schemes were first identified in an investigative series by Boston reporter Russ Conway of The Eagle-Tribune of Lawrence, which reported that profits from the tournaments were not dedicated to players' pensions, as promised.

 

In a federal courtroom in Boston in 1998, Eagleson admitted to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from player pensions, disability insurance settlements and revenues from five Canada Cups while serving as executive director of the NHL Players Association from 1967 to 1991 and agent to 150 NHL players.

 

Eagleson pleaded guilty to three counts of mail fraud and was ordered to pay a fine of $1-million CDN, which was put into a trust to repay those players he cheated. But under a deal worked out with American and Canadian authorities, he was spared prison time in the United States so he could be extradited.

 

In Toronto, he pled guilty to related charges and was sentenced to 18 months in jail.

 

Some of the NHL's more prominant players, including Bobby Clarke, Darryl Sittler and Paul Henderson, all wrote letters in support of Eagleston, asking the court for leniency.

 

Eagleson was released from prison after serving six months.

 

Eagleson was also disbarred from the Law Society of Upper Canada, returned his Order of Canada and, under pressure from current members, had his membership in the Hockey Hall of Fame revoked. 

 

"He did this all in the name of greed -  a guy who had a lot and wanted still more. He basically stole money from disabled players," U.S. Attorney Donald Stern said, calling Eagleson's actions "the lowest blow possible."

 

"As players, our trust was violated like never before," said former player Brad Park, an All-Star defenseman for the Bruins and New York Rangers. "In each and every event he organized, if there were great moments, the players provided them. In each and every event he organized, he stole money."

 

51: Sorenstam plays in PGA Colonial

 

TSN.ca Staff

 

10/31/2004

 

Annika Sorenstam's announcement that she would play in the PGA's Bank of America Colonial event in Texas was met with skepticism and cynicism. Many thought it was a joke, that she would withdraw prior to the tournament rather than risk embarassing herself and the LPGA.

 

But as the days drew near, it became apparent Sorenstam would not back down. Vijay Singh withdrew, saying she had "no business" playing against men while defending champion Nick Price called it a "publicity stunt". There was a feelling from others who felt she should have been forced to qualify for the event rather than accepting a sponsor's exemption. 

 

On the morning of May 22, 2003, Sorenstam teed off to shouts of "You da man!" and "Go Annika". Her opening tee shot goes straight down the middle of the 10th fairway. 

 

Under the intense media and public scrutiny, Sorenstam proves she is more than capable of handling the 7,080 yard course - the longest any woman has ever faced in tournament competition.

 

Sorenstam manages several smiles and jokes with her playing partners and the fans, some of whom stand five deep just to get a glimpse of her on the tee.

 

Overall, she shoots well enough to have a birdie chance on all 18 holes and she manages a 1-over-par 71, one shy of her goal of an even par round - one back of defending champion Price.

 

The next day, Sorenstam is unable to recreate the magic of day one, shooting a 4-over-74 and missing the cut. Afterwards, she thanks the fans and says she does not hold a grudge against any player or person who voice their displeasure with her decision to play. 

 

"This has been an incredible week in so many ways," she said afterwards. "I feel like this is almost more than I can handle. On the first tee I kept telling myself, 'Trust yourself; you can do it.'"

 

"The attention is much more than I ever expected. I will always remember it. Always."

 

"She's a machine," said playing partner Dean Wilson. "I've never played with someone over 18 holes that didn't miss a shot. I just stopped watching. It was just automatic, I just looked up by the pin, or looked in the middle of the fairway, and she was there."

 

"I just got goose bumps out there," said PGA Tour rookie Aaron Barber, who was also paired with Sorenstam. "The crowds were so awesome. She proved a lot today. I know a lot of people were skeptical and said, 'Well, she can't play our courses,' but she was awesome."

 

50: Habs win record 10 straight OT games

 

TSN.ca Staff

 

11/1/2004

 

After losing the first game of the 1993 playoffs in overtime to the Quebec Nordiques, the Montreal Canadiens went on a record run which would take them to the Stanley Cup championship.

 

In Game three of the division semifinal, Vincent Damphousse scored an overtime goal which would be the start of 10 straight overtime victories - a post season record for most overtime wins and most consecutive overtime wins.

 

Montreal would win the series in six games and move on to face the Buffalo Sabres. Following a 4-3 win in game one of the division finals, the team would play back-to-back-to-back overtime games. Each time the Canadiens prevailed, all by the same 4-3 score, to sweep the series and move on to the conference finals.

 

After a 4-1 opening game win by Montreal, the two teams settled down for a double overtime thriller which Stephane Lebeau put an end after 26:21 seconds. Game three needed overtime yet again as the Habs took a commanding 3-0 lead in the series before winning in five games. 

 

In the finals, the Habs faced Wayne Gretzky and the Los Angeles Kings, who had eliminated the Toronto Maple Leafs in seven games, denying the country a dream matchup.

 

After an opening game 4-1 loss to the Kings, the Canadiens appeared in danger of going down 2-0 in the series when head coach Jacques Demers decided it was time for a gutsy move. Trailing 2-1 with 1:45 left in the game, Demers called for a stick measurement on Marty McSorley of the Kings. Referee Kerry Fraser determined the stick was illegal and McSorley was penalized. The Canadiens pulled Patrick Roy to give them an extra attacker on a powerplay which was 0-11 in the finals and 0-32 in the playoffs. The 6-on-4 advantage paid off as Eric Desjardins scored the tying goal with 32 seconds left and added the game winner 51 seconds into overtime, giving him a hat-trick in the game.

 

Many considered this to be the turning point in the series.

 

Game three was another overtime thriller, although extra time did not look to be a possibility after Montreal jumped out to a 3-0 lead. The Kings stormed back to tie the game before John LeClair ended it 34 seconds into overtime - the Canadiens' ninth straight win in the extra frame.

 

Game four saw the Canadiens again jump out to a quick lead, 2-0, but second period goals by the Kings tied it and it remained that way until overtime as the Canadiens extended their streak to 10 games with the win.

 

The Canadiens would go on to celebrate their 24th career Stanley Cup title with a 4-1 win at home to close out the series.

 

Montreal would go on to win 14-straight games in overtime before losing 3-2 to the Buffalo Sabres in the Conference Semifinals on May 8, 1998.

 

"It's almost impossible, when you think about it," said Damphousse of the record. "First off, you have to get a tie in regulation time, that's hard enough, but 10 of them? It will be a very tough record to beat. I don't think it ever will be broken."

[Stephen 0]

Kobe's rape at no 53?. Way too high

[Red Baron 0]

what was ESPN's rating on that issue? in the 70's? I'm sure TSN could have think of something else.

[Stephen 0]

I wouldn't even put it in top 100 at all. It wasn't exactly a great moment in sports history.

[Red Baron 0]

no it wasn't.

 

Even though not a "great moment" but Moore's death could have been listed instead.

[Red Baron 0]

49: Cubs lose on Bartman's blunder

 

TSN.ca Staff

 

11/2/2004

 

Five outs to go. Wrigley Field crowd on its feet. World Series within their grasp. What could possibly go wrong this time.

 

Then again, these were the Chicago Cubs. Those lovable losers blew it again thanks in part to - of all things - one of their own fans.

 

The Cubs cruised into the eighth inning in Game 6 of their NLCS series with a 3-0 lead over the Florida Marlins. They were all set to end their 58-year absence from the World Series. What followed was a sudden collapse that would rival anything in the Cubs' puzzling and painful past.

 

The eighth inning began easily enough, with a flyout to Moises Alou. But Juan Pierre doubled, and sheer disaster followed. Luis Castillo lifted a fly down the left-field line and Alou ran toward the brick wall, ready to do anything it took to make the catch.

 

Instead, 26-year-old Cubs fan Steve Bartman reached up - not over the wall - for what he thought might be a playoff souvenir and deflected the ball away from Alou, who slammed his glove in anger.

 

Left-field umpire Mike Everitt correctly ruled no interference, unlike the 1996 ALCS incident involving a 12 year old at Yankee Stadium.

 

The Marlins would not let a second chance slip away.

 

Castillo eventually walked, and the crowd sensed trouble brewing. Ivan Rodriguez hit an RBI single and Miguel Cabrera followed with a grounder in the hole that the sure-handed Alex Gonzalez simply dropped for an error that loaded the bases.

 

Derrek Lee's two run double, Jeff Conine's sacrifice fly, Mike Mordecai's three run double and Juan Pierre's RBI single added up to an eight run outburst and an 8-3 win, sending the series to a seventh and deciding game.

 

"You cost us the World Series!" one fan yelled as security escorted Bartman out of the stadium with a jacket over his face, protecting him from fans hurled beers in his direction.

 

"He possibly cost us the pennant, and I want to know if it was worth a $20 ball? What a loser," said Sean Henning, who was sitting about five rows back.

 

"I timed (my jump) perfectly," Alou said afterwards. "All of a sudden, there's a hand on my glove."

 

"Hopefully, he won't have to regret it for the rest of his life."

 

A Chicago attorney sitting next to Bartman ultimately ended up with the foul ball and decided to auction it off to the highest bidder. A managing partner of Harry Caray's Restaurant bid $106,600 US for the ball, which was subsequently destroyed in an attempt to kill the Cubs' World Series curse.

 

48: Piestany punch up KO's Canada

 

TSN.ca Staff

 

11/3/2004

 

Depending on your point of view, the 1987 tournament in Piestany, Czechoslovakia, was either Canada's best or worst moment in the history of the World Junior Championship.

 

With Canada in contention for gold and leading Russia 4-2 in their final game, the lights went out - literally.

 

An incident between Pavel Kostichkin and Theoren Fleury erupted into a fight and ultimately into a bench clearing brawl. According to reports, four Soviet players left their bench to join the brawl, and then all the players on both teams swarmed onto the ice. Officials, struggling to restore order, shut the lights off in the arena. Norwegian referee Hans Ronning and his linesmen, unable to stop the fighting, left the ice at one point.

 

The players continued to fight in the dark, ultimately wearing themselves out after 20 minutes. Organizers were forced to cancel the game and the IIHF voted to disqualify both teams from  the competition.

 

The incident divided Canadians on the issue of violence in hockey. Many complained that the Russians, out of medal contention at 2-3-1, goaded the Canadians into fighting to ensure that their Canadian rivals would not get a medal either. Some were proud of the Canadians for standing up for each other on the ice, others were ashamed of the melee, saying the  Canadians displayed an embarrassing lack of discipline and self-control, blaming controversial head coach Bert Templeton. Three days prior to the tournament, the Canadians and U.S. junior team were involved in a pre-game fight.

 

In the end, it was academic.

 

Finland beat the Czechs 5-3 on the final day to take the gold medal and the Canadians went home with nothing but an asterisk.

 

The following year, Canada redeemed itself by winning the gold medal.

 

47: Armstrong wins Tour after cancer battle

 

TSN.ca Staff

 

11/4/2004

 

The scenario of an athlete returning to world class competition from advanced cancer and agressive treatment had never been done before. That's what makes Lance Armstrong's trip to Paris in July of 1999 for the 86th Tour de France all the more remarkable.

 

Three years earlier, at the age of 25, Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Doctors discovered the disease had spread to his lungs and abdomen and his brain had two lesions.

 

Armstrong was given a 50 percent chance of survival. He underwent two major surgeries followed by four grueling rounds of intense chemotherapy. During radiation therapy, Armstrong kept riding, as much as 50 miles a day.

 

After being declred cancer free in 1997, he made the decision to return to competitive racing. However, he soon found out that not everyone shared his optimism when it came to a return to racing. His team, French Cofidis, informed him they did not want him back while several other top European teams also passed on him. Only the struggling U.S. Postal Service team decided it had nothing to lose by bringing him aboard.

 

Two years into his comeback, Armstrong considered calling it quits. A ride through the North Carolina mountains convinced him to give it one more shot. He selected the Tour de France - a race he had managed to finish just once in four previous attempts - as his next challenge.

 

Through 22 days and 2,290 miles, Armstrong put on a display of courage and strenghth that left observers in awe. Disbelief, joy and relief engulfed Armstrong as he crossed the finish line on the Champs-Elysees on the final day wearing the yellow jersey, signifying the race leader.

 

"Winning this is a miracle," Armstrong would say. "Two years ago, I didn't know if I'd be alive, let alone riding in the Tour de France."

 

"This sends out a message to all (cancer) survivors: We can return to what we were before and do even better."

 

47: Armstrong wins Tour after cancer battle

 

TSN.ca Staff

 

11/4/2004

 

The scenario of an athlete returning to world class competition from advanced cancer and agressive treatment had never been done before. That's what makes Lance Armstrong's trip to Paris in July of 1999 for the 86th Tour de France all the more remarkable.

 

Three years earlier, at the age of 25, Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Doctors discovered the disease had spread to his lungs and abdomen and his brain had two lesions.

 

Armstrong was given a 50 percent chance of survival. He underwent two major surgeries followed by four grueling rounds of intense chemotherapy. During radiation therapy, Armstrong kept riding, as much as 50 miles a day.

 

After being declred cancer free in 1997, he made the decision to return to competitive racing. However, he soon found out that not everyone shared his optimism when it came to a return to racing. His team, French Cofidis, informed him they did not want him back while several other top European teams also passed on him. Only the struggling U.S. Postal Service team decided it had nothing to lose by bringing him aboard.

 

Two years into his comeback, Armstrong considered calling it quits. A ride through the North Carolina mountains convinced him to give it one more shot. He selected the Tour de France - a race he had managed to finish just once in four previous attempts - as his next challenge.

 

Through 22 days and 2,290 miles, Armstrong put on a display of courage and strenghth that left observers in awe. Disbelief, joy and relief engulfed Armstrong as he crossed the finish line on the Champs-Elysees on the final day wearing the yellow jersey, signifying the race leader.

 

"Winning this is a miracle," Armstrong would say. "Two years ago, I didn't know if I'd be alive, let alone riding in the Tour de France."

 

"This sends out a message to all (cancer) survivors: We can return to what we were before and do even better."

 

46: NY Rangers end 54 year Cup drought

 

TSN.ca Staff

 

11/5/2004

 

After winning five Stanley Cup championships with the Edmonton Oilers, Mark Messier accepted the difficult task of leading the New York Rangers to the promised land when he signed as a free agent in the summer of 1991.

 

Messier wins the NHL MVP that first season in New York, but the Rangers floundered in the playoffs that season and the next.

 

But in the 1993-94 season, Messier leads the Rangers to the best record in the NHL, then playoff victories over the New York Islanders and Washington Capitals. Then, in the conference finals against the hated New Jersey Devils, he boldly guarantees a victory in Game 6 and backs it up with a hat trick to clinch the series.

 

But in the Cup Finals against Vancouver, the Rangers let a 3-games-to-1 lead slip away and are forced to confront the pressure of a Game 7. Fans and teammates look to Messier, their rock of leadership, their ace in the hole.

 

June 14, 1994 and the city of New York is buzzing. It's been 54 years since the city was  engulfed with Rangers' fever and on this night, fans have replaced chants of "Wait till next year" with "Tonight's The Night."

 

Messier sets up the Rangers' first goal at 11:02 of the first period. He carries the puck up the ice, past Canucks star Pavel Bure, along the right side. He holds the puck at the top of the right circle and then makes a sweet back-handed pass to Sergei Zubov, who holds the puck, then whips a pass over to Brian Leetch, who beats the sprawling Kirk McLean on the open side of the net.

 

The Rangers score again, and after Vancouver slices the deficit to 2-1, Messier comes through again. Early in the second period, when the puck is deflected in front of the Canucks' net, it's Messier who's there at the left post to tip it home for a 3-1 lead.

 

Vancouver closes to within a goal again, turning the game into a tense, fierce battle of will, guts and desire in the final period. With two minutes left, the crowd rises in joy and fear. They do not sit down again. During the final 90 seconds, the Rangers keep icing the puck, doing anything and everything to keep it out of their end.

 

With 6.6 seconds left, the fans' roar shakes the Garden's pillars as Steve Larmer grabs the puck in the corner, with the Canucks swarming and attacking in their quest to win their first Cup. Larmer flicks the puck all the way down ice. The puck takes five seconds to cross the goal line at the other end, before the refs can call icing. Just 1.6 seconds show on the clock. There's one more faceoff left.

 

The Rangers' Craig MacTavish skates into the faceoff circle against Murray Craven, just to Richter's right for the final shining moment of a golden season. The puck is dropped. MacTavish reaches in quickly and yanks it back toward the boards as the scoreboard clock ticks down. Bure takes one final, desperate swipe at the puck, but the Rangers freeze the puck behind the net at the corner boards. The green light flashes as the buzzer sounds, and bedlam erupts.

 

"I've been in the game for 16 years, had already won five Cups," Messier said. "I thought I'd seen it all, but I'd never seen the kind of attention paid to this game."