In an ode to UConn's yellow coat man,
Here are the most infamous games of interference (intentional or not) that helped affect the outcome of a game by someone who wasn't actually playing. Certainly not the best list, if you got one I am missing, and can back it up by either video or newspaper article, I may move it on my list.
BTW, click on the links. Got all on youtube except Jeff Maier.
1. Disco Demolition night
Most successful sports promotion ever! White Sox invite fans to come to the double header with Tigers and watch as disco records are destroyed in between the game. With the stench of marijuana filling the stadium, the promotion works too well. A riot breaks out and the White Sox lose by forfeit in game 2. Changed marketing departments forever. I hear they are going to make a movie out of it. Gotta be better than The Notebook.
2. Angel in the outfield
12 year old Jeffery Maier begins a streak of Yankee luck in 1996 that doesn't end until November of 2001 on a cold night in the desert by grabbing a fly ball by in game 2 of the ALCS by Derek Jeter and turning it into a home run. depending on team allegiance, it was either a gift from the gods, or the worst call in the history of baseball. Tony Tarasco never recovered. Maier goes on to star at Wesleyan College and played a week with the Manchester Silkworms. Jeff, don't call me Jeffery, is trying to break into baseball management. No word if he interviewed with the Orioles.
Check out his wikipedia entry. Yes, he has a wikipedia entry.
3. Steve Bartman catches ball
The Cubs are primed for their first world series in 58 years, and could win the series for the first time since 1908. Crazy cub fan Steve Bartman goes out of his way to try and get a $5 baseball and a sure out from the Cubs Moises Alou is left foul. Mark P{rior was pitching a 3 hit shutout in Game 6 and the Cubs led 3-0 and had a date with the World series on their mind. That play shook the cubs. Luis Castillo ends up walking, and the Marlins go on to score 8 runs and then win game 7.
Bartman had to be escorted out of the stadium and then had to move to Miami. The Cubs have yet to reach a world series and Bartman's seat aisles 4, row 8 seat 113 is now a shrine for losers. The curse of the Billy Goat is alive and well. Read more of Steve on his wikipedia page. Doesn't everyone have one?
4. Fan man crashes Bowe-Holyfield II
What would this list be without boxing? Riddick Bowe is defending his world title in a rematch against Evander Holyfield. Two minutes to go in round 7, Jason Jarrett Miller, an avid outdoorsmsman, parachutes into the ring outside Ceasers' Palace and starts a melee that would stop the fight for 29 minutes. Holyfield, who was on the ropes, recovered to win by decision to regain a portion of the world title.
Watch the clip, 1:30 minutes in gets to the juicy parts.
Fan man committed suicide in the early 2000s in Alaska. He also has a wikipedia page.
I watched this live as a big boxing guy. Incredible theater. Honorable mention to Bowe-Golata riot at the Garden, and Tyson eating Holyfield's ear. Saw those all live too.
5. The band is on the field
And Temple thinks it had a tough loss? Cal-Stanford, enough said. Elway goes out a loser in college. The band is on the field.
Anyone got any more?
1 comment:
It drives me nuts when the home fans mess with the home teams ball in foul territory. I think it was the Saturday Yanks/Sox game and there was two foul balls close to the line in right field hit by a Sox player. Both times a fan touched the ball in the corner close to the line. People are just dumb. Most likely the kid became a fan in 2004 and has no idea what is going on. He also shouldn't be alowed to sit in the front row. It's a foul ball people not a home run. I actually felt bad for Steve Bartman. That kid was probably a huge fan of the Cubs. I think he was listening to the game with his head phones.
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