SportsHickey, whose overtime goal on April 5 put the New York Islanders into the Stanley Cup Playoffs, scored at 12:31 of OT on Sunday to give the Islanders a 4-3 win against the Florida Panthers in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference First Round series at Barclays Center.
SportsGenerational football talent, bigger-than-life personality, forever devoted to his faith… Reggie White was a man of conviction. From his younger days in Tennessee to his standout NFL career in Philadelphia and Green Bay, he lived with his beliefs in a public and unflinching way. And this conviction impacted the lives of all those who passed through his orbit, leaving a complex legacy along the way. THE MINISTER OF DEFENSE chronicles White’s life in all its glory and humanity, from the highs of football stardom and stirring sermons to the lows of discrimination and heartbreak. It details the contradictory ways White emb
SportsDubbed “The New York Sack Exchange,” the Jets’ record-setting defense was led by the dynamic and brash quartet of Marty Lyons, Abdul Salaam, Joe Klecko, and Mark Gastineau. Together, they unapologetically took the football world on a rollercoaster ride, experiencing both great highs and unimaginable lows on and off the field. The film delves into the triumphs, betrayals, and enduring feuds that characterized this iconic unit, offering a cerebral and emotional exploration of a brotherhood that barely survived the intense spotlight under which they once shined.
SportsThe documentary focuses on a legendary cast of characters, including head coach Mike Ditka, QB Jim McMahon and the inimitable William "The Refrigerator" Perry who made Chicago Bears as riveting off the field as they were on it on their way to winning Super Bowl XX.
SportsThe Boston Bruins needed a period-plus to shed the rust from a 10-day layoff. Once they did, they dominated in coming back to defeat the St. Louis Blues 4-2 in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden on Monday.
SportsBo Jackson hit 500 ft. home runs, ran over linebackers, and—for a small window—he was the best athlete we had ever seen. You Don’t Know Bo is a close look at the man and marketing campaign that shaped his legacy. Even without winning a Super Bowl or World Series, Bo redefined the role of the athlete in the pop cultural conversation. More than 20 years later, myths and legends still surround Bo Jackson, and his impossible feats still capture our collective imagination.
SportsFew teams in professional sports history elicit such a wide range of emotions as the Detroit Pistons of the late 1980s and early 1990s. For some, the team was heroic– made up of gritty, hard-nosed players who didn’t back down from anyone. And for others, it was exactly that trait – the willingness to do seemingly anything to win – that made them the “Bad Boys”, the team fans loved to hate. Sandwiched between the Lakers’ and Celtics’ dominance of the 1980s and the Bulls' run in the 1990s, the Pistons’ two titles in 1989 and ’90 are often viewed as a transitional period in NBA history, rather than a dy
SportsIn the spring of 1983, a new generation of superstars was poised to enter the NFL. Six quarterbacks were selected in the first round of that draft - still the most ever. Elway to Marino explores this landmark draft through the eyes of the players, head coaches, general managers, team owners and agents who participated - including Marvin Demoff, who represented both John Elway and Dan Marino, and kept a diary in the months leading up to the most dramatic draft day in NFL history. Learn the inside story of the draft picks, back room deals, and tension between the future Hall of Famers and the teams that selected them.
SportsIn the fall of 1993, in his prime and at the summit of the sports world, Michael Jordan walked away from pro basketball. After leading the Dream Team to an Olympic gold medal in 1992 and taking the Bulls to their third consecutive NBA championship the following year, Jordan was jolted by the murder of his father. Was it the brutal loss of such an anchor in his life that caused the world’s most famous athlete to rekindle a childhood ambition by playing baseball? Or some feeling that he had nothing left to prove or conquer in basketball? Or something deeper and perhaps not yet understood? Ron Shelton, a former minor league
SportsIn some ways, Barry Switzer and Brian Bosworth were made for each other. The Oklahoma coach and the linebacker he recruited to play for him were both outsized personalities who delighted in thumbing their noses at the establishment. And in their three seasons together (1984-86), the unique father-son dynamic resulted in 31 wins and two Orange Bowl victories, including a national championship, as Bosworth was awarded the first two Butkus Awards. But Bosworth's alter ego – “The Boz” – was taking over. Eventually, he went on a downward spiral and became known as an NFL bust. In "Brian and The Boz," the dual identitie
SportsIn the early 1970s, America was being torn apart by the war in Vietnam, with racial unrest in the streets and a distrust of the White House. But there was a happier place where men of different backgrounds showed people what could happen when you worked together: Madison Square Garden. "When The Garden Was Eden" (based on the book by Harvey Araton) explores the only championship years of the New York Knicks, when they made the NBA Finals in three out of four seasons, winning two titles. Stitched together by Red Holzman, the previously mediocre Knicks might have seemed an odd collection of characters: a forward from the rar
SportsWhen the night of October 6, 2004 came to a merciful end, the Curse of the Bambino was alive and well. The vaunted Yankee lineup, led by ARod, Jeter, and Sheffield, had just extended their ALCS lead to three games to none, pounding out 19 runs against their hated rivals. The next night, in Game 4, the Yankees took a 4-3 lead into the bottom of the ninth inning, then turned the game over to Mariano Rivera, the best relief pitcher in postseason history, to secure yet another trip to the World Series. But after a walk and a hard-fought stolen base, the cold October winds of change began to blow. Over four consecutive days and
SportsReggie Miller single-handedly crushed the hearts of Knick fans multiple times. But it was the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals which solidified Miller as Public Enemy #1 in New York City. With moments to go in Game 1, and facing a seemingly insurmountable deficit of 105-99, Miller scored eight points in 8.9 seconds to give his Indiana Pacers an astonishing victory. This career-defining performance, combined with his give-and-take with Knicks fan Spike Lee, made Miller and the Knicks a highlight of the 1995 NBA playoffs. Peabody Award-winning director Dan Klores will explore how Miller proudly built his legend as "The Ga
SportsPete Carroll's football knowledge, upbeat personality and recruiting skills, propelled Southern Cal back atop the college football world as home attendance skyrocketed and the Trojans put together a 34-game winning streak. As it would be later discovered, though, the program was committing sins that would result in lost scholarships and victories. But those revelations didn't come until after the national championship game in the 2006 against the University of Texas. Featuring interviews with Carroll and others inside the USC program at the time, "Trojan War" looks at Carroll's nine-year USC reign through the prism of t
SportsThey were arguably the most dominating defensive team in the history of the NFL – and perhaps the most entertaining club that pro football has ever seen as well. A behemoth on the field that turned into, literally, one of the classic shows of the reality television era. Now, a little more than two decades after one extraordinary season etched their legacy for all time, the new ESPN 30 for 30 film Bullies of Baltimore tells the story of the 2000 Baltimore Ravens, a Super Bowl champion for the ages. Directed by Ken Rodgers of NFL Films, the documentary is a lively and colorful look back at the team’s magical season frame
SportsLove him or hate him, there is no denying that George Steinbrenner has been one of the most colorful and successful owners in contemporary sports. Heading up a group that bought the New York Yankees in 1973 for $10 million, “King George” emphatically branded the world’s most celebrated sports franchise as his own. The Boss has boasted 10 pennants, 6 World Series trophies and a corporate net worth more than $1 billion. But for all the glory and riches, the Steinbrenner legacy is also mixed with wasteful and embarrassing spending and countless episodes of tabloid-style soap. Now with George’s health seriously failing
SportsHe may be the most unlikely, most unpredictable, and most unconventional superstar the world of sports has ever seen or produced. On the basketball court, and in the celebrity arena, this film is an unfettered and definitive look at the life and career of Dennis Rodman. The story of Dennis Rodman is a study of the power and perils of fame, how complicated identity can be, and what can happen when who you are becomes who you were. This story serves as an appreciation for the exploits and accomplishments of its protagonist, it’s also ultimately an unflinching look at the costs and realities of the path he’s taken.
SportsIn 1989, the Buffalo Bills were a talented team featuring four future hall of famers. Dysfunction and in-fighting ran deep in the locker room, but the team soon transformed into an elite force on the way to an unprecedented run of four AFC Championship victories, and four straight Super Bowl appearances. Of course, that isn't what the Bills are remembered for. This is the story of a team that went down in history for making four straight Super Bowls, and losing them all.
SportsThe Two Bills traces the relationship between coaching masters Bill Belichick and Bill Parcells that spans over four decades. They first worked side by side as assistants with the New York Giants, and after Parcells took over as head coach, they won two Super Bowls together. Buttressed by what he learned from Parcells, Belichick has won five Super Bowls of his own with the Patriots. Through all the ups and downs of their careers, including some memorable games when they were on opposite sides of the field, they forged a bond that few men of their stature have ever experienced.
Sports’The Natural’ is supposed to be a blue-eyed boy who teethed on a 36-ounce Louisville Slugger. He should run like the wind and throw boysenberries through brick. He should come from California." – Steve Wulf, Sports Illustrated, 1981. So how was it that a pudgy 20-year-old, Mexican, left-handed pitcher from a remote village in the Sonoran desert, unable to speak a word of English, could sell out stadiums across America and become a rock star overnight? In Fernando Nation, Mexican-born and Los Angeles-raised director Cruz Angeles traces the history of a community that was torn apart when Dodger Stadium was built
SportsBrash. Electric. Magnetic. It would be hard to find another athlete whose brilliance on the field was such a manifestation of his persona beyond it as Deion Sanders. Sure, there were other stars who played more than one sport, and there were other figures whose individuality got your attention - but there was no one who did it quite like the man who loved the spotlight so much, he called himself "Prime Time." And there was no instance that encapsulated his abilities, and his conviction in how limitless they were, more spectacularly than a whirlwind 24 hours in October of 1992 - when Sanders sandwiched a pro football game a
SportsWhile John Elway enjoyed a Hall of Fame career, his name was always linked to three Super Bowl losses. With his career nearing its end, the Broncos rallied behind Elway and helped cement his legacy by helping him win his first ever Lombardi Trophy. Elway, along with teammates Neil Smith and Howard Griffith, discuss the 1997 season and how their Super Bowl championship became ‘One for John'.
SportsNot being satisfied with just one Super Bowl ring, John Elway finished his career by earning his second during the 1998 season. Broncos' legends Terrell Davis, Shannon Sharpe, and Mark Schlereth discuss their championship season from Davis's incredible regular season performance to Elway's final, MVP performance in Super Bowl XXXIII.
SportsSeptember 8, 1998: Chicago Cubs 3 at St. Louis Cardinals 6, F -- The single-season home run mark of Roger Maris had stood for 37 years, three seasons longer than Babe Ruth had held it. In the summer of 1998 Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa launched an all-out assault on baseball's most sacred single-season record. Fittingly, Sosa was in right field and Maris' kids were in the stands when McGwire blasted No. 62 over the left field wall to make history.
SportsOctober 5, 1996: 1996 NLDS, Game 3: St. Louis Cardinals 7 at San Diego Padres 5, F -- MVP Ken Caminiti does his best to keep San Diego alive, blasting two homers and making a run-saving play in the field. But Brian Jordan steals the show with some sparkling defense of his own, followed by a game-winning blast off Padres closer Trevor Hoffman. Dennis Eckersley slams the door for his third save of the series as the Cardinals finish the sweep of the Padres.
SportsColorado Rockies 4 at Atlanta Braves, 0 | F -- Ubaldo Jimenez brought his 96+ mph fastball all night long (three officially clocked at 100 mph), striking out seven Braves en route to the first no-hitter in the Rockies' 18-year history.
SportsWhen the 1982-83 college basketball season began, Jim Valvano and his North Carolina State Wolfpack faced high expectations with equally high aspirations. But with ten losses for the season, the Wolfpack's only hope of making the NCAA Tournament was to win the ACC Tournament and earn the conference's automatic berth. Nine straight improbable tournament wins later over the likes of Sampson, Jordan, Olajuwon and Drexler, N.C. State had "survived and advanced" its way to a national championship. Director Jonathan Hock takes a poignant look through the eyes of senior captain Dereck Whittenburg at a dream fulfilled.
SportsMajor League Baseball has been transformed by the influx of Cuban players like Aroldis Chapman, Yasiel Puig and Jose Abreu. But a special debt of gratitude is owed to two half-brothers whose courage two decades ago paved the way for their stardom. “Brothers in Exile” tells the incredible story of Livan and Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez, who risked their lives to get off the island. Livan left first, banking on his status as the hottest young prospect in Cuba, to defect via Mexico and sign with the Florida Marlins, for whom he soon became one of the youngest World Series MVPs in history in 1997. Staying behind was Or
SportsThere may be no award in sports as synonymous with a game as the Heisman Trophy is with college football. And there was likely no year in the history of the award as memorable, as transformative, and as controversial as 1997. The ESPN 30 for 30 The Great Heisman Race of 1997 takes an immersive, time-capsule style approach to telling that story, going back a quarter century to chronicle a season that fans will never forget, featuring some of the greatest players ever to take a college football field at the center of it. At Tennessee, Peyton Manning had stunned the sports world by deciding to return for his senior season and
SportsWith five outs remaining in Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS, a foul ball descended from the cold Chicago sky, seemingly destined for the glove of Cubs left fielder Moises Alou. But a flurry of hands reached up and one hand, belonging to Cubs fan Steve Bartman, fatefully tipped the ball away from a frustrated Alou. Most long-suffering Cubs fans, including a chorus of hostile ones in Wrigley Field, quickly became convinced that Bartman had swatted away Chicago’s chance of advancing to the World Series for the first time 58 years. The mild-mannered Bartman released a sincere public apology, but his fate was already sealed by the Cu
SportsOn October 15, 1988, Notre Dame hosted the University of Miami in what would become one of the greatest games in college football history. The coaches and players open up about the fight that started the game, the highly debatable calls that are still being talked, about and the insensitive aspects of the irresistibly popular "Catholics vs. Convicts" t-shirt.
SportsIn 1981, college athletic recruiting changed forever as a dozen big time football programs sat waiting for the decision of a physically powerful and lightning-quick high school running back named Marcus Dupree. Having already graced the cover of Sports Illustrated, Dupree attracted recruiters from schools in every major conference to his hometown of Philadelphia, Miss. More than a decade removed from being a flashpoint in the civil rights struggle, Philadelphia was once again thrust back into the national spotlight. Dupree took the attention in stride, and committed to Oklahoma. What followed, though, was a forgettable c
SportsThe 1986 New York Mets expected to dominate, and over the first half of the season, that’s exactly what they did. A blend of talent and swagger, they stormed through the National League, and became the toast of a city brimming with excess everywhere you turned. They were a team on the edge, just the way New York wanted it.
SportsCleveland Indians 2 at Boston Red Sox 11, F -- The Red Sox are the AL's best as they rode the home crowd and Dustin Pedroia's five RBIs to surge past the Indians. Daisuke Matsuzaka's solid start and a six-out save by closer Jonathan Papelbon bookended Boston's return to the Fall Classic. Boston completed its dramatic comeback from 3-1 down in this series, becoming the first team in Major League history to pull off that feat three times.
SportsBill Cowher had waited a long time for his first Super Bowl title. After failing to win a Super Bowl for the Steelers in 1995, Cowher continued to push his players to someday reach the pinnacle of professional football once again. He got his chance in 2005 and it turned out to be one of the most challenging seasons of his coaching career. Joey Porter, Jerome Bettis, and Bill Cowher himself discuss the 2005 season and the challenges they faced to the franchises fifth World Championship.
SportsIn November of 2007, Michael Vick began serving what would be a nearly two-year sentence for crimes related to his involvement in a dog fighting ring. Vick had gone from superstar athlete to national pariah; from one of the most popular players in the NFL to a man as ostracized as virtually any public figure in America. The full story is chronicled in “Vick,” the two-part 30 for 30 directed by the award-winning documentarian Stanley Nelson. A comprehensive look back at each chapter of Michael Vick’s saga: the incredible rise, shocking fall, and polarizing return.
SportsOctober 28, 1995: 1995 World Series Game 6: Cleveland Indians 0 at Atlanta Braves 1, F -- After losing the 1991 and 1992 World Series, as well as the 1993 NLCS, the Braves (seemingly dubbed "The Team of the 90s" just a tad bit too early) finally put it all together in 1995. Tom Glavine was masterful, allowing just one hit and three walks over eight shutout innings, with Mark Wohlers working the ninth for the save. David Justice provided all the offense Atlanta needs with a sixth-inning solo shot off Jim Poole.
SportsTampa Bay Rays 0 at Seattle Mariners 1 | F -- Felix Hernandez was untouchable, fanning 12 in the first perfect game in Mariners history and the third one of 2012. He got all the run support he'd need in the third, when Brendan Ryan scored on Jesus Montero's single.
SportsJuly 18, 1999: MTL 0 at NYY 6, F -- Before the game, the Yankees honored Yogi Berra, who caught the first pitch from Don Larsen. Almost 43 years earlier, with Berra behind the plate, Larsen pitched a perfect game in the World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers at the stadium. Fast-forward to that July day and it was -- as Berra might put it -- "déjà vu all over again."
SportsOctober 15, 1988: 1988 World Series, Game 1: Oakland Athletics 4 at Los Angeles Dodgers 5, F -- The Dodgers, already serious underdogs against the A's and Bash Brothers Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire, are given even less of a chance with injured star Kirk Gibson on the shelf. Canseco's second-inning grand slam gives Oakland a 4-3 lead until the bottom of the ninth, when dominating closer Dennis Eckersley comes on to finish it up. But with the tying run on first, Gibson limps up to pinch hit and makes World Series history with a spine-tingling, game-winning two-run homer in his only at-bat of the Series.
SportsTwo-time Super Bowl Champion Ray Lewis was the cornerstone of the Ravens' defense for 17 seasons. In 2011, NFL Films was granted unprecedented access into Lewis' life as a player, father, and an inspirational leader to teammates, fans, and opponents.
SportsIn November of 2007, Michael Vick began serving what would be a nearly two-year sentence for crimes related to his involvement in a dog fighting ring. Vick had gone from superstar athlete to national pariah; from one of the most popular players in the NFL to a man as ostracized as virtually any public figure in America. The full story is chronicled in “Vick,” the two-part 30 for 30 directed by the award-winning documentarian Stanley Nelson. A comprehensive look back at each chapter of Michael Vick’s saga: the incredible rise, shocking fall, and polarizing return.
SportsThere has never been a player like Tim Tebow, but there have been many quarterbacks that have experienced the same obstacles in reinventing the image of an NFL quarterback. From faith to fame, NFL Films reveals the five faces of Tim Tebow.
SportsMarch Madness, 1989. Faced with the last seed in the tournament, sixteen seed Princeton is set to play tournament favorite number one seed in Georgetown. The game was expected to be such a blow out that it wasn’t even originally scheduled to be broadcast on television. Unbeknownst to the Princeton players or their innovative coach, Pete Carril, they were about to play one of the greatest games in college basketball history.
SportsMike Tyson was pound for pound the most dominant boxer during the 1980's. Watch Tyson as he puts fear into his opponents in this edition of Tyson's Greatest Hits, Vol. 2.
SportsOctober 25, 1986: 1986 World Series, Game 6: Boston Red Sox 5 at New York Mets 6, F/10 -- Leading 5-4 in the 10th inning, just one out away from their first Championship since 1918, the Red Sox (much to the frenzied delight of the Shea Stadium crowd) watch it all roll slowly away from them... literally. Bob Stanley's wild pitch allows Kevin Mitchell to score the tying run. Then, on the final pitch of a fabulous at-bat, Mookie Wilson fights off a fastball and dribbles a grounder up the first-base line that slips between Bill Buckner's legs and into history. Ray Knight dashes home with the game-winning run, forcing a Game 7
SportsNew York Yankees 4 at Boston Red Sox 5, F/14 -- Fresh off a 12-inning epic the night before, in which the Sox were three outs away from being unceremoniously swept out from the ALCS, Game 5 itself is an all-time playoff classic. Back and forth all game long, the Sox entered the 8th inning down two runs, but stormed back behind a David Ortiz homer and a Jason Varitek sacrifice fly to tie it up. The game would remain that way until the 14th, when Ortiz would again step to the dish...
SportsWalton reminisces about the glory days of the Blazers – recapping his battles with Houston’s Artis Gilmore and teaming up with the tough-minded Maurice Lucas to form a formidable frontcourt. He visits Lucas’s widow and grows sentimental when he reflects on their friendship. Through the nostalgia of the past, we revisit the Blazers’ magical 1977 playoff run – a testy series with the Bulls, a dispatching of Denver, and a showdown with the Lakers and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Walton outplays Kareem, punctuating the series with an emphatic slam over the Captain as Portland wins the Western Conference; Blazermania takes ov
SportsEveryday Pete Rose wakes up, and goes to work. He's surrounded by bats, balls, gloves and fans, and approaches each day with the same gusto which defined him on the field.
SportsOct 7, 1952: NYY 4 at BKN 2, F -- Gene Woodling and Mickey Mantle homered, and Billy Martin made a game-saving grab of an infield popup gone awry, as the Yankees recovered from a three game to two deficit to win their fourth of five straight World Series, in seven games over the Brooklyn Dodgers. Mantle's homer in the sixth gave the Yankees the lead for good, and an insurance run in the seventh made it 4-2. With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the inning, Jackie Robinson hit a high pop up that Yankees first baseman Joe Collins appeared to lose it in the sun. But Martin charged in from second base to snatch t
SportsBoston Red Sox 4 at New York Yankees 2, F -- The Bloody Sock: They seemed to be clinging onto fading hopes over the weekend at Fenway Park, as the board on the door exiting the Red Sox clubhouse offered a simple message. "We can change history. Believe it!" Simply by riding Curt Schilling's gritty performance and Mark Bellhorn's three-run homer to a 4-2 victory over the Yankees, the Red Sox were in a class all by themselves in the annals of Major League Baseball history. Of the 25 previous teams that trailed a best-of-seven postseason series 3-0, none had ever forced a Game 7. Until now. The Red Sox hopped on Schilling'
SportsTampa Bay Rays 4 at New York Yankees 5 | F -- Derek Jeter emphatically entered the history books by becoming just the second player to record his 3,000th hit with a home run, and The Captain's fifth hit of the game snapped an eighth-inning tie, propelling the Yanks past the Rays in the Bronx.
SportsOct 14, 1965: LAD 2 at MIN 0, F -- With a league-leading 26 wins, 2.04 ERA and a then-record 382 strikeouts, Sandy Koufax was unquestionably the best pitcher in all of baseball. But with an advancing case of arthritis in his golden left arm, every breathtaking outing was countered by hours of treatment to keep the barely tolerable pain at bay. Once again, the light-hitting Dodgers had latched on to the most prized pitcher in baseball to carry them into the World Series, and once again, they were forced to rely on heavy innings from their ace to give them a fighting chance. After over 335 innings of labor in the regular sea
SportsOctober 16, 2003: 2003 ALCS, Game 7: Boston Red Sox 5 at New York Yankees 6, F/11 -- All that was on the line was a trip to the World Series. The starting pitchers? Merely two of the greats of their generation in Roger Clemens and Pedro Martinez, who brought a combined nine Cy Young Awards into this epic showdown. The teams? Just the Red Sox and Yankees, epic rivals for decades upon decades. When they met for Game 7 of the American League Championship Series at a juiced-up Yankee Stadium on the night of October 16, it seemed impossible that the Red Sox and Yankees could live up to a game that was hyped like few others. Tru
SportsOctober 21, 1975: 1975 World Series, Game 6: Cincinnati Reds 6 at Boston Red Sox 7, F/12 -- Home runs by rookie Fred Lynn, pinch-hitter Bernie Carbo and the Reds' George Foster made this back-and-forth affair a World Series game to remember through nine innings. Then Carlton Fisk waved, prayed, cajoled and otherwise willed his home run fair down the left-field line in the 12th, making this one of the most memorable games of all-time.
SportsMay 17, 1979: Philadelphia Phillies 23 at Chicago Cubs 22, F/10 -- The Windy City was certainly living up to its name on this mid-May afternoon at Wrigley. The gusty forces blowing through the friendly confines of the quaint old park insured that, as shortstop Larry Bowa recalled, "no lead was safe." So leaving the ballpark or shutting off the television after the Phillies jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the top of the first was a grave mistake. The Cubs came right back with six in the bottom half of the inning, and baseball's second-most offensive game was underway. Eleven home runs, 50 hits and 97 total bases... and the Cubs
SportsWhen Mike Tyson fought Larry Holmes who came out of retirement to face the young champion, many figured it would be the most pivotal test of Tyson's young boxing career. It was Holmes who had already established himself as an all time great heavyweight. However, Tyson clearly passed the test, knocking out Holmes in four brutal rounds.
SportsOctober 8, 1995: 1995 ALDS, Game 5: New York Yankees 5 at Seattle Mariners 6, F/11 -- The Mariners had come back from a 0-2 series deficit to force a deciding Game 5, and were back home in front of a frenzied Safeco crowd with high expectations. Yankees' starter David Cone held a 4-2 lead going into the eighth, but surrendered Ken Griffey Jr.'s fifth homer of the series, and walked in the game-tying run with the bases loaded. Rookie fireballer Mariano Rivera arrived to strike out Mike Blowers to keep the game tied at the end of eight. In the ninth, both Game 3 starters -- Randy Johnson for the M's and Jack McDowell for the
SportsNovember 4, 2001: 2001 World Series, Game 7: New York Yankees 2 at Arizona Diamondbacks 3, F -- A fitting finale to one of the BEST World Series ever. Surviving two stunning losses in Games 4 and 5, the Diamondbacks found their own late-inning magic in the person of Luis Gonzalez. It began with Hall-of-Fame-bound starters Roger Clemens and Curt Schilling trading zeros through six. Schilling was strong on only two days rest, but left trailing 2-1 in the 8th after an Alfonso Soriano solo HR. Out of the bullpen came Game 5 starter Miguel Batista to face one batter; then manager Bob Brenly made the gutsy call to Randy Johnson
SportsMike Tyson produced perhaps the most dominant performance of his career, as he would K.O. Michael Spinks in approximately 91 seconds. This fight was headlined "Once and for All", meaning the winner would be recognized beyond dispute as the real heavyweight champion.
SportsBoston Red Sox 3 at St. Louis Cardinals 0, F -- The Curse, Reversed! 86 years in the making and behind a dominant, three-hit effort by Derek Lowe, the Red Sox completed their World Series sweep of the Cardinals, winning their first title since 1918. Johnny Damon's first-inning home run started the scoring for Boston, and Trot Nixon hit a two-run double in the third. Manny Ramirez was named series MVP.
SportsJuly 13, 1999: National League 1 @ American League, 4, F -- The last All-Star game of the 20th century gathered together baseball's "All-Century" team, the greatest living players of all time. This spine-tingling spectacle was augmented by the appearance of the legend among legends, Ted Williams, on hand to throw out the first pitch. His magnetism led to one of baseball's most spontaneous of magical moments, as the current and All-Century All-Stars gathered around the fragile Splendid Splinter, basking in his greatness for what was perhaps the last time. Finally, the game had to go on; the lovefest was dispersed and Wi
SportsOctober 16, 1969: 1969 World Series, Game 5: Baltimore Orioles 3 at New York Mets 5, F -- Slugger Donn Clendenon and light-hitting Al Weis each homered to back the five-hit pitching of Jerry Koosman as the "Miracle Mets" closed out their first-ever World Series championship with a 5-3 victory over the heavily favored Orioles. A key play in the sixth featured Cleon Jones being plunked on the foot by Baltimore starter Dave McNally. Jones was not originally awarded the base, but manager Gil Hodges retrieved the ball and pointed out the telltale black shoe-polish on the ball as proof. Rattled, McNally surrendered a two-run ho
SportsOn November 22, 1986, Mike Tyson becomes the youngest heavyweight champion in the history of boxing when he delivered a second round TKO, to his opponent Trevor Berbick.
SportsOctober 14, 1984: San Diego Padres 4 at Detroit Tigers 8, F -- The Padres held a one-run lead in the eighth inning as manager Dick Williams paid a visit to Goose Gossage on the mound. With men on second and third and one out, first base was open for intentionally walking the powerful Kirk Gibson, who already hit a two-run home run earlier in the game. Legend has it that Gibson bet his manager Sparky Anderson that Goose, at that very moment, was talking Williams into letting him pitch to him. In fact, Gossage had dominated Gibson in the past, and felt confident he could get him out. Gibson strode to the plate and promptl
SportsOctober 27, 1991: 1991 World Series, Game 7: Atlanta Braves 0 at Minnesota Twins 1, F/10 -- A classic World Series is capped by a classic Game 7 as the Twins and Braves need extra frames to determine a winner at the Metrodome. Jack Morris goes the distance with a seven-hit, ten-inning shutout masterpiece and a base-running blunder by Atlanta's Lonnie Smith in the eighth comes back to haunt the Braves as they hold the Twins scoreless through nine and might have won had Smith scored in the eighth. Regardless, the "Dome Field" advantage works its magic for the Twins who take home their second title in five years.
SportsMay 1, 1991: Toronto Blue Jays 0 at Texas Rangers 3, F -- When baseball's King of Ks, Nolan Ryan, struck out Roberto Alomar for his 16th strikeout of the game, it marked the completion of Ryan's record seventh no-hit gem -- three more than the man with the second most no-nos in history, Sandy Koufax. The 44 year-old Ryan proved yet again that there was still plenty of life left in the "ole right arm."
SportsMay 6, 1998: HOU 0 at CHC 2, F -- The most dominating pitching performance of the 1998 season wasn't turned in by one of the usual suspects. No, it wasn't Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez or Roger Clemens who blew up on May 6th with a phenomenal 20-strikeout, one-hit gem; it was a 20-year old neophyte by the name of Kerry Wood who went from a promising Cubs rookie to a household name in a matter of hours.
SportsOctober 14, 2003: 2003 NLCS, Game 6: Florida Marlins 8 at Chicago Cubs 3, F/11 -- The Cubs, just five outs from their first World Series berth since 1945, allowed eight runs in a wild and wacky eighth inning as the Marlins rallied to take Game 6 of the National League Championship Series, 8-3, at Wrigley Field and force a decisive Game 7. With Mark Prior cruising and the Cubs leading, 3-0, Juan Pierre hit a one-out double in the eighth. Luis Castillo then hit a foul ball on the edge of the seats down the left-field line. Moises Alou reached up to make the catch, but several fans reached for the ball and one knocked it away
SportsOctober 17, 1971: 1971 World Series, Game 7: Pittsburgh Pirates 2 at Baltimore Orioles 1, F -- With four 20-game winners and a powerful lineup featuring Frank Robinson, Brooks Robinson and Boog Powell, the Orioles were expected to dominate. But with the help of a Roberto Clemente home run in the fourth, and a Willie Stargell run in the eighth, Pirates starter Steve Blass went the distance for the World Series champion Pirates.
SportsOctober 2, 1968: 1968 World Series, Game 1: Detroit Tigers 0 at St. Louis Cardinals 4, F -- 1968 was frequently called "The Year of the Pitcher," and that season, few were more dominant than Cards' ace Bob Gibson. The menacing Gibby was in peak form in Game 1, as the NL MVP and Cy Young winner matched up against Tigers' ace Denny McLain, whose 31 regular-season wins were the most since 1931. Gibson was at his best against the Tigers' best hitters, striking out Al Kaline and Norm Cash three times each, and fanned 17 to set a World Series record, steam-rolling to a five-hit shutout.
SportsOct. 6, 1952: NYY 3 at BKN 2, F -- A classic "Subway Series," old-school style. Leading the Series 3-2, Brooklyn rookie Billy Loes battled Yankee veteran Vic Raschi zero for zero for five complete innings. Duke Snider and Yogi Berra exchanged solo shots in the sixth, and young slugger Mickey Mantle's first career World Series home run extended the lead to 3-1. Snider's second HR of the game drew the Dodgers within a run, but Yankees ace Allie Reynolds relieved Raschi and finished off the 3-2 win to send the Series to a seventh game. The Yankees would win that game the following day, leaving the Dodger faithful to, once aga
SportsOctober 15, 1986: 1986 NLCS, Game 6: New York Mets 7 at Houston Astros 6, F -- The Mets faced a must-win situation -- unless they wanted to face Astros ace Mike Scott in Game 7. Starter Bob Knepper shut out New York for eight innings before the Mets broke through to tie in the ninth. They finally scored again in the top of the 14th, then watched as the Astros re-tied the game on a Billy Hatcher homer. In the 16th, the Mets pushed across three more runs, but again the Astros fought back. They scored more two runs to draw within one run before Jesse Orosco struck out Kevin Bass to send the exultant and exhausted Mets to the
SportsOctober 27, 1999: 1999 World Series, Game 4, Atlanta Braves 1 at NY Yankees 4, F -- The Yankees became the first team to sweep consecutive World Series in 60 years -- since the DiMaggio Yankees did it to the Cubs and Reds in 1938-39 - when they beat the Atlanta Braves 4-1 in Yankee Stadium. After a regular season filled with personal tragedies and illnesses, the final game of the decade saw 56,752 fans cheer on Roger Clemens for seven-plus innings as the future Hall of Famer allowed just one run, then sat back and watched as Mariano Rivera finished-off Atlanta and helped the Rocket earn his first World Series title.
SportsHouston Astros 0 at San Francisco Giants 10 | F -- Matt Cain pitched the first perfect game in Giants history and 22nd overall while also tying Sandy Koufax's Major League-record 14 strikeouts in a perfecto. Cain was aided by Gregor Blanco's dazzling catch in the seventh inning and three two-run homers by his teammates.
SportsOctober 14, 1992: 1992 NLCS, Game 7: Pittsburgh Pirates 2 at Atlanta Braves 3, F -- Pittsburgh's ace Doug Drabek was cruising along, holding the Braves scoreless for eight innings, getting out of his only real jam (bases loaded, no out) in the sixth inning. Atlanta's starter, John Smoltz, was similarly solid, with the Pirates scraping together two runs on an Orlando Merced sacrifice fly and an Andy Van Slyke single. The Bucs headed to the 9th inning with a 2-0 lead, just three outs away from the World Series. And that's when it all went wrong. Manager Jim Leyland stuck with Drabek, rather than bringing in a left-hander to
SportsOctober 27, 1986: 1986 World Series, Game 7: Boston Red Sox 5 at New York Mets 8, F -- Both teams were facing their final game in one of the most dramatic postseasons ever: the Mets finally triumphant in an epic NLCS vs. the Houston Astros; the Red Sox fighting the "Curse of the Bambino" and the California Angels in the ALCS… and of course both clubs coming directly off the heels of the infamous "Bill Buckner" Game 6. And so the 1986 season for all the marbles came down to this final game at a packed and raucous Shea Stadium. A rainout of the originally-scheduled Game 7 the day before allowed the pressure to build for an
SportsOctober 2, 1978: 1978 AL East Playoff: New York Yankees 5 at Boston Red Sox 4, F -- For two bitter rivals, it all came down to this one-game showdown at historic Fenway Park. The winner would earn a trip to the ALCS against the Kansas City Royals; the loser would go home with 99 wins, and nothing to show for them. The Yankees, who had mounted one of the most memorable comebacks in baseball history (trailing the AL East-leading Red Sox by 14 games in mid-July), sent wiry lefty Ron Guidry and his 24-3 record out to the mound against former teammate Mike Torrez. Reggie Jackson homered and an unorthodox, but key, defensive pla
SportsSeptember 6, 1995: California Angels 2 at Baltimore Orioles 4, F -- They called it the record that could never be broken. But Cal Ripken, Baltimore Orioles superstar, came to work for the 2,131st straight day, surpassing one of baseball's most mythic records. When the game vs. California became official in the 5th inning, Cal had officially overtaken Lou Gehrig as baseball's all-time Iron Man. Truly one of baseball's most magical moments.
SportsJuly 10th, 2001: All-Star Game: National League 1 at American League 4, F -- There was magic in the crisp Seattle air at 2001 Midsummer Classic, as Cal Ripken prepared for his 19th and final All-Star Game. Everyone in attendance at Safeco Field (and watching at home) knew history was in the making. As the teams took the field, starting shortstop Alex Rodriguez very publicly gestured to Ripken to move over to his original position at short, motioning that he, Alex, would play third base (foreshadowing his switch with the Yankees some years later). As the crowd cheered them on, Cal, slightly embarrassed, agreed to the switch
SportsOctober 18, 1977: 1977 World Series, Game 6: Los Angeles Dodgers 4 at New York Yankees 8, F -- In a performance as legendary as any Yankee great before him, Reggie Jackson blasted three consecutive home runs on three pitches against three different Dodger hurlers (Burt Hooton, Elias Sosa and Charlie Hough) into the frenzied Stadium throng. It was his defining moment in pinstripes; a dramatic performance that won over the fans, his teammates, (including captain Thurman Munson, with whom he'd had a tumultuous relationship since Reggie claimed he was "the straw that stirred the drink" even before he arrived in New York) and h
SportsOctober 27, 2002: 2002 World Series, Game 7: San Francisco Giants 1 at Anaheim Angels 4, F -- Anaheim completed its magical run to the top of the sport with a 4-1 win over the San Francisco Giants in Game 7 before 44,598 at Edison Field. Third baseman Troy Glaus, who batted .385 with three homers and eight RBIs, was named series MVP. The Angels won the Series, four games to three, bringing the World Series trophy to Anaheim for the first time in the 41-year history of the franchise.
SportsOctober 12, 1974: 1974 World Series, Game 1: Oakland Athletics 3 at Los Angeles Dodgers 2, F -- Reggie Jackson provided the power by opening the scoring with a home run in the second. Ace closer Rollie Fingers provided the pitching, coming on early in relief and earning the win. Staff ace Catfish Hunter closed up shop in the ninth for the save, and the discordant dynasty were on their was to their third consecutive World Championship.
SportsMay 18, 2004: Arizona Diamondbacks 2 at Atlanta Braves 0, F -- The Big Unit did more than turn back the clock on his amazing career, Randy Johnson tossed a perfect game, beating the Braves, 2-0, at Turner Field and proved that this 40-year-old superstar can still dominate an opponent. The Big Unit set down all 27 Braves he faced that night in Atlanta throwing 117 pitches while striking out 13. At 40 years, 251 days he was the oldest pitcher ever to throw a perfect game. Fittingly the final out came when he blew a 98-mph fastball past pinch-hitter Eddie Perez.
SportsOctober 5, 2001: Los Angeles Dodgers 1 at San Francisco Giants 10, F -- On a cool night by the Bay, Barry Bonds capped a season of unmatched brilliance by taking possession of baseball's most hallowed single-season record. With three games to play, Bonds had already matched Mark McGwire's 1998 standard by collecting HR 70 in Houston the night before. Back home, Bonds didn't make the packed house at Pac Bell Park wait very long - in his first at-bat against Dodger right-hander Chan Ho Park, Bonds blasted his 71st homer 440 feet into the seats in right-center to set a new standard. Barry followed with a second circuit clout
SportsOctober 27, 2006: 2006 World Series, Game 5: Detroit Tigers 2 at St. Louis Cardinals 4, F -- Jeff Weaver was astounding, allowing one earned run and fanning nine in eight innings, while Series MVP David Eckstein had two RBIs and scored a run to lead the Cardinals to their first World Series win since 1982. Yadier Molina had three hits and scored twice for the Cards, who were crowned at home in the first season at new Busch Stadium.
SportsOctober 26, 1996: 1996 World Series, Game 6: Atlanta Braves 2 at New York Yankees 3, F -- Having blown a two-games-to-none lead in the series, the Braves needed a win to stay alive. But the Yanks broke through early, scoring three runs in the third inning off ace Greg Maddux. After a Joe Girardi triple got things rolling, Bernie Williams provided a single that scored Derek Jeter with the winning run in the Series' decisive contest. Jimmy Key and a strong Yankee bullpen held off Atlanta, closing things out when Charlie Hayes squeezed Mark Lemke's foul pop for the final out and the end of a dramatic series.
SportsOctober 26, 2000: NY Yankees 4 at NY Mets 2, F -- The Yankees held a three-games-to-one advantage as the modern-day Subway Series headed into Game 5 at Shea. Through eight, each club had pushed across just two runs against tough pitching -- the Yanks picking up solo home runs by Bernie Williams and Derek Jeter, and the Mets scoring two unearned against starter Andy Pettitte. Mets starter Al Leiter was still on the mound heading into the ninth, when the Yankees, taking advantage of a few unusual plays and a clutch, two-out single from veteran Luis Sojo, scored two runs. Bottom nine: Enter Sandman. Mariano Rivera took t
SportsApril 29, 1986: Seattle Mariners 1 at Boston Red Sox 3, F -- A 23-year-old legend-in-the-making, Roger Clemens strikes out the side in the first inning to set the tone for the chilly evening (Fenway held just 13,414 witnesses to history that night), as he becomes the first pitcher in Major League history to strike out 20 batters in a single game.
SportsOctober 21, 1980: 1980 World Series, Game 6: Kansas City Royals 1 at Philadelphia Phillies 4, F -- With the Phillies just one tantalizing out away from a Championship, Tug McGraw got ahead on Willie Wilson, then struck him out swinging at a 1-2 fastball. McGraw threw his arms up, his teammates jumped all over each other, and the franchise had its first baseball championship.
SportsBaltimore Orioles 0 at New York Mets 5, F -- With the Series tied 1-1, Tommie Agee got the momentum going for the "Miracle Mets" with a home run to lead off the bottom of the first. In the fourth, with runners on the corners and two out, Agee would amaze again with an over-the-shoulder, running grab at the wall to end the inning. And he wasn't finished yet... with bases loaded in the seventh inning, he made a diving grab of a line drive in right-center. The Orioles would remain scoreless, while the Mets scored four more runs, taking a 2-1 Series lead.
SportsOct 31, 2001: ARI 3 at NYY 4, F/10 -- Under a full moon on Halloween night, the Yankees pulled off one of the most spectacular and dramatic comebacks in history, anointing Derek Jeter with the nickname, "Mr. November." Arizona ace Curt Schilling -- starting on three days rest for the first time in his career -- was solid through seven innings, giving way to closer Byung-Hyun Kim in the 8th. Kim retired the next five batters, and the D-backs were just one out away from taking a commanding 3-1 Series lead. Cue Yankee magic: Tino Martinez, 0-for-9 to this point, clobbers the first pitch for a ninth-inning, two-out, two run b
SportsOct 20, 1982: MIL 3 at STL 6, F -- Clutch hits by Keith Hernandez and George Hendrick backed the gutsy pitching of Joaquin Andujar. When Bruce Sutter recorded the last out to close the door on the Milwaukee "Harvey's Wallbangers" Brewers, St. Louis had won its first World Series title since the Bob Gibson-led 1967 squad.
SportsOct 26, 2005: CWS 1 at HOU 0, F -- Neither Houston starter Brandon Backe nor White Sox hurler Freddy Garcia allowed many scoring opportunities during their seven scoreless innings apiece. Backe gave up five hits and struck out seven, including five straight in the fourth and fifth innings. Garcia allowed four hits and walked three, one intentionally, while striking out seven. But the game's lone run came in the eighth, with two outs, off Houston closer Brad Lidge. Pinch-hitter Willie Harris, opened the frame with a two-strike single to left and was sacrificed to second by Scott Podsednik. Pinch-hitter Carl Everett's ground
SportsSt. Louis Cardinals 0 at Kansas City Royals 11, F -- The "Show-Me Series" came to an end on October 27, 1985 at Royals Stadium when the night after becoming a father, Royals pitcher Bret Saberhagen threw a five-hitter while leading his team to victory. The Royals became the only team to ever come from a three games to one deficit twice in the same postseason to win the World Series.
SportsNational League 5 at American League 6, F -- Originally scheduled to be played on July 14, the 1981 All-Star Game was delayed until August 9th, due to a players' strike, which lasted until July 31st. The 1981 Midsummer Classic set the record for the highest attendance at an All-Star game, with the American League defeating the National League 6-2.
SportsOctober 9, 1988: 1988 NLCS, Game 4: Los Angeles Dodgers 5 at New York Mets 4, F/12 -- Backed by homers from Darryl Strawberry and Kevin McReynolds, Dwight Gooden and the Mets enjoyed a 4-2 lead in the 9th, and seem poised to take a 3-1 series lead. But Mike Scioscia, who had only three home runs all season, had other ideas, and his two-run homer forced extra frames. Then in the 12th, Kirk Gibson foreshadowed his forthcoming World Series dramatics with a solo, go-ahead dinger off Roger McDowell. But it wasn't over yet. In the bottom half of the inning it looked as though Gibson's heroics might go to waste, as the Mets put t
SportsOctober 26, 1997: 1997 World Series, Game 7: Cleveland Indians 2 at Florida Marlins 3, F/11 -- At first, the 1997 World Series between the powerful Cleveland Indians and the upstart Marlins seemed as if it would be memorable only because it marked the first time a wild-card team made it to the big dance. But as Florida's Craig Counsell touched home plate to end only the third extra-inning Game 7 in Major League history, it became clear that the two teams had played in a modern classic that was as memorable as any of the great Series-ending contests in Octobers past.
