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Streetcar Line
More on Sports — The Hits I Missed
Sports’ greatest moments and achievements are too numerous for the record books.
(Page 2 of 2)
I exit with a bonus. In the end, it meant net to nothing — er, I mean next to nothing. It not only produced no championship, but not even an appearance in a tournament final. It wasn’t a match at the absolute highest level of its sport at the time (just shy of the highest level, but still a small step below). And it wasn’t even the defining victory of the main protagonist’s career. But for sheer, delightful, ultra-fun entertainment value, if I on my death-bed 65 years hence am allowed to re-watch just one single sporting event, the odds are I would ask again to watch the Labor Day 1991 U.S. Open tennis match, on Jimmy Connors’ 39th birthday, in which Jimbo won his fourth-round match (he later won in the quarter-finals, too, before being dominated in the semis) in a fifth-set tie-breaker over Aaron Krickstein. It wasn’t just the scrappy tennis. It wasn’t just the long rallies, nor the acrobatic displays, nor the improbably multiple comebacks from the dead. And it wasn’t just Connors’ showmanship — mugging for the camera, showing more humor this time rather than his famous crassness, talking through the camera to the TV audience to say “This is what they come for. This is what they want.” Instead, it was all of these things wrapped together in one supposedly over-the-hill package, coming off of wrist surgery, in his personal play-yard in Flushing Meadow, with the crowd absolutely going bonkers.
Watching it on TV as Jimbo fell behind 2-5 in the final set, I literally found myself reciting Dylan Thomas. “C’mon, Jimbo,” I heard myself saying, semi-aloud. “Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, Jimbo. Rage against the dying of the light.”
Any sports event that can inspire recitations of poetry while it is still occurring is an event not just for the aged but for the ages.
Jimbo did not go gentle. Jimbo raged — and joked, and clowned, and hustled, and raged some more. Raged, in the most likable way rage has ever been presented. This was that unique sort of rage that grows not from hate but from sheer love of the game, a healthy rage, indeed a joyful rage (if such a thing can be). James Scott Connors was not the greatest tennis player ever. But, despite all his faults, he was by far the most fun to watch. And if sports isn’t fun, well, forget it.
But don’t forget this match. Remember it, and marvel.
About the Author
Quin Hillyer is a senior editor of The American Spectator and a senior fellow at the Center for Individual Freedom. Follow him on Twitter @QuinHillyer.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (6) | Leave a comment
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Quin Hillyer| 7.30.12 @ 9:27AM
Other quite arguable oversights: Roger Bannister's 4 minute mile, Don Larsen's perfect game, Kirk Gibson homer, Carl Lewis, Michael Johnson, Edwin Moses, Al Oerter, Bonnie Blair, DiMaggio's hitting streak, Ted Williams' finishing his .400 season with a flourish, Jackie Joyner-Kersee's accomplishments, the Miami over Nebraska Orange Bowl in which the Cornhusker's Tom Osborne bravely tried to go for two (they failed), the Kirby Puckett World Series, the Kansas comeback and overtime win over Memphis in NCAA hoops in 2008, Dan Jansen's heart-warming speed-skating gold medal, Mickey Lolish's great 1968 World Series. A HUGE, but deliberate, absence is Lance Armstrong's seven Tours de France victories. If he was NOT doping, it easily moves into the top three or four of all time. If he was doping, it falls out completely. Resuming the list: Greg LeMond's three Tour titles, especially the dramatic last-day sprint for his second one after coming back from his hunting accident. Duke's upset win in NCAA hoops over UNLV en route to Coach K's first-ever national title. Sebastian Coe's Olympic gold over Steve Cram in the 1,500 meters in 1984 -- matching the one from 1980 and capping his epic three-way rivalry with Cram and Steve Ovett.
Okay, enough for now. Possible more later.
Bob Grant| 7.30.12 @ 10:45AM
"I loved playing soccer, but watching it (unless played by cute little kids whose enthusiasm is entertaining) just isn't my thing. No can do. Too little scoring, too little chance for arm-chair strategizing....
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Quin,
With all due respect. Perhaps your condescending dismissal of soccer is borne of ignorance of the sport?
If your only exposure is pee wee games on Saturday morning, which bears absolutely no resemblance to the game played at it's highest level, then maybe you should decline commenting on the sport altogether.
Personally, I don't "get" Table Tennis and Badminton but forgo commenting on the odd chance that in the future I may learn and understand the nuances of the sport and become a fan.
I throw down the soccer challenge to you: Begin watching the English Premier League - the season begins next month - and learn about the teams and the towns they represent, the players, the structure of the game (i.e. the rules, the "promotion/relegation" process, the Pyramid System in England, etc.) and yes, the strategy of scoring a goal against the best players in the World, and you might at least appreciate the sport a little more.
In addition, you'll notice the EPL provides the best atmosphere for fans in the World. Say what you will about our brothers across the pond but sometimes they get things right...like golf.
Now, about the Jimmy Connors US Open run, that WAS great and forgot all about it. It would rank at the top of my list as well.
mjfin| 7.31.12 @ 3:33AM
Bob: I really sympathize with serious soccer fans who must bear up under the major deficiency of their game.
But no. There is simply not enough scoring, period. End of story. There are even insane rules, like off-sides, which actually discourage scoring, and prevent plays like the basketball fast break.
Any game that is played for 90 minutes which (often) ends in a 0-0 or 1-1 tie does not have enough scoring. And instead of overtime, (what?! play another 90 minutes!?) the game is decided by the ridiculous free kicks. It is as if soccer officials throw up their hands in despair of every getting a goal, and decide to have a couple of guys just kick the ball at the poor goalie until someone scores so everyone can finally get out of there and go home.
The frustrating thing is I actually like and admire soccer play. And it would be child's play to fix the game. Make me the league commissioner and I could fix the sport in a day. Here is how (some examples): Eliminate off-sides penalties. Widen the goal by four feet and increase the height by one. Or prevent goalies from using their hands. Or ... or ... etc. Keep doing this until the average 90 minute game ends with scores averaging 14 goals between the two teams. Then eliminate free kicks and go to a series of 15 minute overtimes with sudden death like in football.
I would call the change "American rules" soccer, just to annoy everyone.
Bob Grant| 7.31.12 @ 12:16PM
Well, I'll give you credit for criticizing the sport with thoughtfulness, which is a refreshing change from "it's a kid's sport", or "...because the athletes aren't 6-5, weigh 230 lbs, bench press 400 lbs, and juice up to the hilt, it's not a REAL sport...", or "...it can't be a real sport because they use their feet..." etc.
Your complaint about insufficient scoring can be addressed by noting the incredible teamwork and skill set required to prevent an opposing team from kicking a ball through a relatively LARGE target! Please consider that the goal is 8 feet in height by 24 feet in length. It doesn't need to be any larger because it would not be reasonable to expect a goalie to cover an even larger area. It would not be a fair test of a goalies physical or mental abilities.
If you remember, they did eliminate the offside penalty in the NASL during the '70's. The offside penalty was a fixed line, 35 yards from the goal. It did nothing to improve the lack of scoring, which is a good thing in my book.
Soccer is all about positioning, timing, ball handling abilities, and....yes....lot's and lots of teamwork!!!!!!
...
Bob Grant| 7.31.12 @ 12:16PM
...cont
It's a game of chess on a beautifully manicured pitch.
The problem with soccer, unlike most other sports, is when it's bad (i.e. Saturday morning pee wee variety, the high school level, most college level, and some professional leagues) it's unwatchable. At it's highest level, there's simply no better sport to watch. You need to first be able to spot and appreciate the difference between the two.
Watch a season of the English Premier League and get back with me.
Reggie Love| 7.30.12 @ 11:13AM
My favorite,not necessarily greatest moments.
In no specific order.
1983 Nebraska/Miami Orange Bowl. Nebraska was an amazing team that year. Miami was an nupstart. The Huskers were down big and came back to cut it to 1 pt. Dr.Tom Osbourne would rather go for 2 than tie it(unlike Ara Parsegian vs.Michigan State).Anyways,Nebraska is thwarted as Miami wins it's 1st title led by freshman Qb(and Republican)Bernie Kosar.
2001 World Series-Dbacks vs.Yankees-Somehow Mariano Rivera falls apart and the Dbacks do the impossible,defeat the 3 time champs.
1979-This one is just personal. This isn't a great feat or individual achievement. I put this one in because I was there. Disco Demolition night at Comiskey(and no Obama it's not Cominskey.Anyways things get way out of hand,as could be expected. The Sox are forced to forfeit. Btw,I still wish they would go back to those old uniforms.