What can make a great sports moment even greater? Epic commentary from the announcers in the booth! We'll admit, most commentators either suffer from chronic logorrhea or end up draining the life out of the best plays with bland catchphrases (we see you, Joe Buck). But sports calls have been synonymous with iconic plays since games were first broadcast on radio and television. Yeah, there are undeniable classics (“Do you believe in miracles?”), but don't overlook the entertaining antics of Gus Johnson, or even soccer's Ray Hudson, who gave us unforgettable quotables like "Braver than a matador in high heels and a pink tutu." So, from legends like Al Michaels to the most passionate amateurs this side of XTube, here are the The 50 Greatest Play-by-Play Moments in Sports History...
What can make a great sports moment even greater? Epic commentary from the announcers in the booth! We'll admit, most commentators either suffer from chronic logorrhea or end up draining the life out of the best plays with bland catchphrases (we see you, Joe Buck). But sports calls have been synonymous with iconic plays since games were first broadcast on radio and television. Yeah, there are undeniable classics (“Do you believe in miracles?”), but don't overlook the entertaining antics of Gus Johnson, or even soccer's Ray Hudson, who gave us unforgettable quotables like "Braver than a matador in high heels and a pink tutu." So, from legends like Al Michaels to the most passionate amateurs this side of XTube, here are the The 50 Greatest Play-by-Play Moments in Sports History...
#50. "Hide Ya Kids, Hide Ya Mama, Hide Ya Husbands..."
Event: UConn vs. Marquette
Date: 1/25/2011
Announcer: Dickey Simpkins
So, he screwed up Antoine Dodson's famous words a little bit, we still love it when announcers are up on current pop culture. Plus, the "they raping everybody out here" line wouldn't be appropriate unless Roethlisberger was in the clip.
#49. Japanese Wrestling
Event: Japanese Wrestling Match
Date: Unknown
Announcer: Unknown
Without looking at the screen, by the sound of things you'd think this was the Japanese version of that American History X scene. Yikes. But thankfully, it was just some awesome Japanese wrestling and even more animated commentary.
#48. Crazy High School Football Announcer
Event: High School Football Game
Date: 2010
Announcer: Unknown
Objectivity is essential in sports journalism? FOH. This accurate commentary of a high school football game is a prime example of how bias brings out the most entertaining calls. "Nuts and bolts, we got screwed." Yup, we'd say so.
#47. My Wife Knows Everything
Event: New Jersey Horse Race
Date: 8/25/2010
Announcer: Larry Collmus
This video and the commentary just made us aware of the desperate need for Lil B to buy a few horses. I'm Miley Cyrus, Wonton Soup, I'm Paris Hilton, Wonton Soup, I'm Justin Bieber, FTW!!!
#46. WTF Are You Talking About?
Event: Arizona vs. Washington State University
Date: 1/10/2007
Announcer: Crazy Female Commentator
As we've shown before, we're all about the progression of women in sports journalism, but this chick is clueless. "Like Christmas wrapping without the tape...What you gonna do with all that junk inside your truck?...He doesn't have much to work with." FOH. Still hilarious, though.
#45. Laettner's Game-Winner
Event: 1992 NCAA Tournament East Regional
Date: 3/28/1992
Announcer: Verne Lundquist
We hate Duke like the rest of you (and especially the, uh, paler dudes like Laettner), but this play and the call represent the epitome of March Madness. Note the simplicity of Lundquist's call? Fellow commentators (and mixtape DJs) should take a hint. Please!
#44. A Spectacular Move!
Event: 1991 NBA Finals: Chicago Bulls vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Date: 6/5/1991
Announcer: Marv Albert
In sports commentary, it isn't just about what is said, but also the way it's said. Such is the case here with one of the NBA's best commentators of all time. With a voice like that, does it really matter what Marv's saying to you? Ahem.
#43. Secretariat Completes the Triple Crown
Event: 1973 Belmont Stakes
Date: 6/3/1973
Announcer: Chic Anderson
Only the greats like Chic Anderson could bring this kind of excitement to a horse race won by over 30 lengths. Later that year, Secretariat retired from horse racing and made the transition to full-time smashing. KING.
#42. Louis Leaves It Late
Event: Everton vs. Fulham
Date: 9/13/2008
Announcer: Mickey Houghton
Seizure? Orgasm? Heart attack? Yeah, we can't quite tell, either, but this Fanzone clip is EPIC. We need this show in the U.S., people.
#41. "It's Up for Grabs Now!"
Event: Liverpool vs. Arsenal
Date: 5/26/1989
Announcer: Brian Moore
Arsenal needed to beat Liverpool by two goals to win the League, and with only a 1-0 lead at the death, it looked hopeless...until Michael Thomas latched onto the ball to score the goal that propelled Arsenal to the trophy. "It's up for grabs now": the most famous five words for Gunners fans worldwide.
#40. Jack Edwards Goes HAM
Event: Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens
Date: 4/20/2009
Announcer: Jack Edwards
Bruins commentator Jack Edwards is one of the NHL's most flagrant "homer" play-by-play men, which can alternately be infuriating or fucking hilarious. Put this rousing Revolutionary War speech firmly in the latter.
#39. The Catch II
Event: NFC Wild Card Game: Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers
Date: 1/3/1999
Announcer: Pat Summerall and John Madden
Ahh, the good ol' days, before T.O. was completely bitchmade, the 49ers were actually respectable, and John Madden and Pat Summerall were still calling games. Peep Favre with the "Jenn Sterger just leaked my dong pics" face on the sideline.
#38. "Yeah, Baby!"
Event: Calgary vs. Detroit
Date: 5/3/2004
Announcer: Peter Maher
The Flames' legendary play-by-play dude saves his "Yeah, baby!" call only for the most ginormous goals, like this OT winner from Martin Gelinas that eliminated the Red Wings in the 2004 postseason. Another lesson learned: the less you use a catchphrase, the more dramatic its impact.
#37. Randy Moss Moons Lambeau Faithful
Event: Wild Card Game: Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers
Date: 1/9/2005
Announcer: Joe Buck
So, Moss playfully mock-moons Packers fans and Joe Buck acts like Randy is walking around Lambeau butt-naked handing out child pornography. Well, anytime Joe Buck is disgusted, we're happy.
#36. "He Just Sucked the Gravity Right Out of the Building!"
Event: Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets
Date: 4/25/2005
Announcer: Kevin Harlan
Super-dope call, but how ill would it be if Kevin said, "He just laid his nuts on Shawn Bradley's back!" instead?
#35. "Getting Away From the Cops Speed"
Event: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans
Date: 11/1/2009
Announcer: Gus Johnson
Ever get annoyed when white commentators use racially loaded code words to describe feats by black athletes? Us, too. But the man who paused Spike Lee has a lifetime hood pass, so this is all in good fun.
#34. "With No Regard for Human Life!"
Event: Eastern Conference Semifinals: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics
Date: 5/11/2008
Announcer: Kevin Harlan
There's our boy Kevin again, with another awesome one-liner. Turns out Bron Bron had no regard for Cleveland fans' lives, either.
#33. The Catch
Event: NFC Championship: Dallas Cowboys vs. San Francisco 49ers
Date: 1/10/1982
Announcer: Vin Scully
With over six decades in the game, Scully is rightfully considered to be the GOAT of sports broadcasters. Joe Montana's pass to Dwight Clark was just one of many highlights in this legend's reel. Eighty-three and still doing it? Fine by us.
#32. Kirk Gibson's Walk-off Homer
Event: 1988 World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Oakland A's
Date: 10/15/1988
Announcer: Vin Scully
Jack Buck's "I don't believe what I just saw" call of this play is probably more memorable, but Scully's "She is gone!" is also great. Round of applause for MLB's draconian policies on YouTube. #yourelosing
#31. Ride 'em Cowboy (II)
Event: Arsenal vs. Tottenham
Date: 2008
Announcer: Jamie Gascoigne
Yikes, sometimes cameras shouldn't be in the booth. But Fanzone's concept is truly awesome and, as we mentioned before, should be brought Stateside. Who needs professional commentators when you have hilarious fans that may or may not cause bodily harm toward one another during a crosstown grudge match?
#30. England Wins the World Cup
Event: 1966 World Cup Final
Date: 7/30/1966
Announcer: Kenneth Wolstenholme
"They think it's all over!" Pause a beat. "It is now!" Gangsta.
#29. Johnny Rodgers' Punt Return
Event: Nebraska vs. Oklahoma
Date: 11/25/1971
Announcer: Lyell Bremser
In the "Game of the Century," Nebraska broadcaster Lyell Bremser brought a smooth and memorable tone to Johnny "The Jet" Rodger's historic punt return. Decades later, dude's call of the infamous play is still used as Husker fans' ringtones. Your favorite rapper wishes they had this kind of replay value.
#28. "No! It's Not Possible!"
Event: Toronto Raptors vs. Washington Wizards
Date: 3/30/2007
Announcer: Chuck Swirsky
C'mon, Chuck. Ask KG: Anything is possible!
#27. The Slipper Still Fits!
Event: 1999 NCAA Tournament: Gonzaga vs. Florida
Date: 3/18/1999
Announcer: Gus Johnson
As No. 10 Gonzaga knocked off No. 6 Florida, who better to heighten the March Madness than Gus Johnson? Dude's raw emotion makes us think he'd be calling the game the same way if he were home on his couch cradling Cheetos. The fact that he's getting loot for it and we get to listen in makes it all the better.
#26. MJ's "The Shot"
Event: 1989 NBA Playoffs: Chicago Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Date: 5/7/1989
Announcer: Jim Durham
Just like average sports fans, local announcers cannot control themselves when epic plays are made. Side note: Does Cleveland ever win, at anything?
#25. Holy Roller
Event: Oakland Raiders vs. San Diego Chargers
Date: 9/10/1978
Announcer: Bill King
Decades before the tuck call, the Raiders were actually screwing over other teams AND winning on a regular basis. If the late Bill King was still around to see The CryptKeeper Al Davis today, then he'd know "there's nothing real in the world anymore."
#24. Wide Right!
Event:
Date:
Announcer:
These two words are now forever synonymous with the biggest NFL playoff fails and several Buffalo Bill fan suicides.
#23. Jason Lezak's Gold Medal Comeback
Event: 4x100 Relay at 2008 Beijing Olympics
Date: 8/17/2008
Announcer: Dan Hicks
In order to keep his hope of an unprecedented eight gold medals alive, Michael Phelps needed some help from relay teammate, Jason Lezak. After a thrilling finish and intense call, Hicks seemed in need of some of that hydro to chill out. Where Phelps at?
#22. "Go Crazy, Folks!"
Event: 1985 NLCS: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Date: 10/14/1985
Announcer: Jack Buck
Way before Nelly and the St. Lunatics, anybody from the Lou will tell yo Jack Buck was all you needed to get the crowd hyped.
#21. "Havlicek Stole the Ball!"
Event: 1965 Eastern Conference Championship: Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Date: 4/15/1965
Announcer: Johnny Most
As the raspy voice of the Celtics for nearly 40 years, Most is as linked to Celtics history as Bill Russell and Larry Legend. Plays like this were all Most needed in order to cook up another classic. #woo #swag #swag
#20. "This Makes Cinderella Seem Like a Sad Story"
Event: Mike Tyson vs. Buster Douglas
Date: 2/11/1990
Announcer: Jim Lampley, Larry Merchant, and Sugar Ray Leonard
An indelible moment in boxing history, captured perfectly by the sport's best broadcasters. The shock in their voices is palpable. Shit, we were blown, too.
#19. The Twista of Soccer Commentary
Event: Corinthians vs. Internacional
Date: 2009
Announcer: Unknown
Somebody give this dude a record deal.
#18. Tampa Bay Lightning Win Stanley Cup
Event: Game 7 Stanley Cup Final: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Calgary Flames
Date: 6/7/2004
Announcer: Dave Mishkin
Dudes on ESPN tried to clown on Mishkin for going bonkers on air. To that, we politely say: It's Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, so FOH.
#17. Joe Carter's World Series-Winning Home run
Event: 1993 World Series: Toronto Blue Jays vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Date: 10/23/1993
Announcer: Tom Cheek
Cheek's call was just as smooth and clutch as Joe
Carter's swing. Save all the slick metaphors for your essays, son.
#16. Stephane Matteau's Series-Winning Goal
Event: 1994 Eastern Conference Finals: New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils
Date: 5/27/1994
Announcer: Howie Rose
Scoring the series-winning goal in double overtime is a good reason for another man to be screaming your name in the utter throes of passion. With that said: Carry on, Howie Rose.
#15. Hello Heisman
Event: Michigan vs. Ohio State
Date: 11/23/1991
Announcer: Keith Jackson
You know how your favorite rappers have hype men? Athletes sometimes do, too, in the form of breathless commentators. Keith Jackson's "Goodbye...hello, Heisman" routine helped elevate Desmond Howard's swag.
#14. Music City Miracle
Event: Wild Card Playoff Game: Tennessee Titans vs. Buffalo Bills
Date: 1/8/2000
Announcer: Mike Keith
The NFL postseason can bring some of the best plays and epic fails in sports history. This unbelievable play was a combination of both, and Mike Keith's elation is what made this call a classic. Sidebar: The Bills actually used to make the playoffs?
#13. Appalachian State Blocked Kick
Event: Appalachian State Mountaineers vs. No. 5 Michigan Wolverines
Date: 9/1/2007
Announcer: Appalachian State Radio Commentators
The No. 5-ranked Wolverines decided to open up the
2007 season against the Appalachian State Mountaineers of Division I FCS (I-AA). Yeah, we don't know what that shit means,
either, but apparently it's a long way of saying their division
sucks. Anyway, the easy scheduling backfired on Michigan in the form of a blocked
kick, unabashed screaming, and probably the best keg parties of all time.
#12. Landon Donovan's Goal vs. Algeria
Event: 2010 FIFA World Cup: USA vs. Algeria
Date: 6/23/2010
Announcer: Andres Cantor
To relive one of the biggest U.S. soccer goals of all time, there was no way were going with the pedestrian call on ESPN. Nope, this one is all about the "GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL" man himself, Andres Cantor. Yup, #KING.
#11. May Day Goal
Event: 1993 Adams Division Semifinals: Boston Bruins vs. Buffalo Sabres
Date: 4/24/1993
Announcer: Rick Jeanneret
When you have a perfect name like "Brad May," it only makes it easy for a great commentator like Jeanneret to make a classic call. *cue classic rock*
#10. The Shot Heard 'Round the World
Event: 1951 NLCS: Brooklyn Dodgers vs. New York Giants
Date: 10/3/1951
Announcer: Russ Hodges
No witty one-liners, just raw emotion and an accurate description of the scene.
#9. Hail Flutie
Event: Boston College Eagles vs. Miami Hurricanes
Date: 11/23/1984
Announcer: Don Davis
In the last game of the season, with Boston College going against a powerhouse like The U, some questioned whether the undersized QB could pull out the victory. Trailing by 45-41 with only seconds left, Doug Flutie put up a prayer and, in the immortal words of Don Davis (and Eli Porter), "He diiiiiiid it."
#8. Send It In, Jerome!
Event: University of Pittsburgh vs. Providence
Date: 1/25/1988
Announcer: Bill Raftery
In one of the most violent dunks of all time, Bill "Onions" Raftery summed up Jerome Lane's monstrous flush with simplistic and somewhat pause-worthy commentary: "Ohh, ohhh! Send it in, Jerome!" Ayo!
#7. Plano East vs. John Tyler
Event: Texas Football High School State Championship
Date: 1994
Announcer: Unknown
Nothing like hearing country-ass announcers go bat-shit crazy ("I done wet my britches!!!") over an improbable comeback. But hearing those same commentators spaz when Plano East lost the lead seconds later is so much better. "Y'all done missed the greatest comeback of all time... OF ALL TIME!" Nah, actually they didn't, fam.
#6. Down Goes Frazier
Event: George Foreman vs. Joe Frazier Heavyweight Title Bout
Date: 1/22/1973
Announcer: Howard Cosell
At the Sunshine Showdown in Kingston, Jamaica, Howard Cosell gave the most memorable knockdown call in boxing history. Being in Jamaica, it would've been dope if he added a "diddly whoa" for good measure.
#5. Miracle on Ice
Event: 1980 Winter Olympics Ice Hockey Medal-Round Game
Date: 1/22/1980
Announcer: Al Michaels
Al Michaels' famous line is definitely the Big/Pac of sports calls—i.e., everybody's cliched favorite—but we still couldn't leave it off of our list. Yup: top five, dead or alive.
#4. Diego Maradona at the 1986 World Cup
Event: 1986 World Cup: Argentina vs. England
Date: 6/22/1986
Announcer: Victor Hugo Morales
When's the last time you heard a non-Gus Johnson American announcer show this kind of emotion? Exactly. That's why it's called jogo bonito, fam.
#3. UCLA Upsets Gonzaga
Event: 2006 NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen: Gonzaga vs. UCLA
Date: 3/23/2006
Announcer: Gus Johnson
The only thing almost as satisfying as seeing Adam Morrison cry like a bitch was having Gus Johnson give the epic call. You NEVER want to have this dude present at your failures in life.
#2. The Best of Ray Hudson
Event: Real Madrid vs. Mallorca
Date: 6/17/2007
Announcer: Ray Hudson
The English commentator Ray Hudson seems to attract admirers and haters in equal numbers, but If over-the-top announcing and insane metaphors are what you like, just start watching La Liga on Gol TV. "Teardrops the size of pineapple chunks!" Bong rips not included.
#1. The Band is on the Field
Event: Cal Bears vs. Stanford Cardinal
Date: 11/20/1982
Announcer: Joe Starkey
Nobody captured the intensity, excitement, and ape-shit craziness of "The Play" like Joe Starkey of KGO-AM 810 Radio. The greatest sports call of all time. Salute!