Years back I read an article about the 4 sports events you must see in your life time. The Monaco Grand Pree, Wimbledon, The Kentucky Derby and The Masters. The traditon and the setting of these events are what makes them special.
Here's my 4: World Cup Soccer Final, Kentucky Derby, The British Open and the NCAA final 4 weekend.
The "Tournament" got going today. It's one of the great sports spectalces you'll ever see. Teams you've never heard of and have no idea where they're from going straight up with the big dogs. The best part? There's always the chance of an upset.
When Canada played Russia back in 1972 it was supposed to be a walk over. One observer had Canada down for 7 wins and tie. Tell you what, if that's the way it had ended, if the Soviet hadn't almost pulled the upset of the ages there's no movie, no anniversary celebration every 5 years, no sainthood for Paul Henderson and instead being the overwhelming choice as Canada's greatest sports moment of the 20th century. It probably wouldn't have surfaced in the top 50. Not an upset but pretty damn close and that's what makes it special.
That's the beauty of sport and that's what I love about sport. The unexpected. I've been watching tournament this afternoon and here's what I've seen:
-No. 2 Villanova beats no. 15 Robert Morris by 3 points. But it went to over time. Villanova should have won by 20
-No. 3 Baylor beats no. 14 Sam Houston by 9 but it was tied with 2 minutes to go.
-No. 11 Old Dominion upset no. 6 Notre Dame by a point.
-No. 13 Murray State beats no. 4 Vanderbilt 66-65 with a bucket at the buzzer. Bet you didn't know that Murray was state. As an added bonus Vanderbilt has a player name Festus in the lineup. I haven't run accross anyone named Festus since the old Gunsmoke TV show when Marshall Dillon was trying to put the moves on Miss Kitty at the Long Branch Saloon. But I digress.
Another thing I love about this tournament is that there no "we'll get 'em tomorrow". It's one and you're done. Lose one and there is no tomorrow.
All this and as I'm writing we're only through the first half of the first day. A lot of it has to do with college kids and for virtually all of these guys, especially on the lower seeded teams. this is their Super Bowl. There wont be any pro contracts. But in a few years when they're married, selling insurance for a living and coaching their kids play ground team they'll always have that memory beating a 3 seed in the "tournament".
Great to read (if not hear you) Rick,
I've done some of your list - a couple of games at USA '94 (incl. Spain/Italy 1/4 final in Foxboro), walked part of St. Andrew's in an April monsoon, and 1984 Final 4 at the Kingdome. Sampson, Olajuwon, Bowie & Ewing - not bad in hindsight. They were literally giving away upper deck seats on the Monday night. That doesn't happen now. We went to Buffalo last time it was there for the 1st 2 rounds - saw VCU beat Duke. Definitely worth the drive.
Maybe try the Frozen Four this year. It's af Ford Field, so you'll be able to get a ticket - just a matter of how many time zones away from the ice you'll be.
Cheers.
Basketball was not made to be played in a stadium. That must have been hell of a final 4. Funny how both Olajuwon and Bowie were drafted ahead of Jordan. Portland was looking for a big body. Wonder how the history of the n b a would have changed if Houston had shipped Sampson to the Blazers for the no. 3 pick (Jordan).
I know nothing about basketball but watch the finals in this tourney because the kids go all out and it is fun to see competition played with passion.
I have attended a Kentucky Derby when I was working for an Ohio Based company who had a corporate tent on the grounds, and rail seats in the clubhouse. It is indeed something to see, all the people are dressed to the nines, and it is incredibly loud which certainly did not expect.
Totally agree with your list and impressed you made a mention of the World Cup. Glad to see you back in an online form. Hope you are enjoying it.
Sinnacle, I am enjoying it. I think of the things I've done in radio writing has been my favourite. It's a good exercise for me too. My mind was turning to mush sitting around with no one to talk to but my cats and watching way...way...to much TV. Gotta go...Oprah's on.
Thanks for a great blog, I love reading and can't wait until the next post
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