Flyers' win joins my list
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Flyers' win joins my list
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
BOSTON _ As either a writer or a fan, I’ve been fortunate to be at several memorable sports events in the last five-plus decades _ some good, some not so good.
Some stupendous.
Like the Flyers’ had-to-see-it-to-believe-it 4-3 win in Boston Friday.
We probably use the word “epic” too much in this business.
In this case, however, it almost seems like it doesn’t do the game _ or the Flyers’ series comeback _ the justice it deserves.
And, so, the Flyers becoming the third team in NHL history _ and the fourth in all of sports _ to win a series after losing the first three games has joined by Most Memorable List of events witnessed in person.
(None can compare to watching my son make an unassisted triple play in a Little League game, but I digress….)
My list starts with 1962. My Mom, rest her soul, took me to my first game at colorful Connie Mack Stadium, where I swear they had the greenest grass I had ever seen. . It was a religious experience of sorts.
Five years later, I was at cigar-stenched Convention Hall watching Wilt beat Bill Russell and the hated Celtics en route to winning the 1967 NBA title against the Warriors.
I was there when the Flyers won the Stanley Cup at the shaking Spectrum in 1974, edging the Bruins, 1-0, in an epic (there’s that word again) Game 6.
I was sitting in the press box when the Phillies blew that ninth-inning lead in the 1977 NLCS against the Dodgers. “Black Friday” is how it became known.
I was there when the Phillies won the 1980 World Series, when the Eagles beat Dallas to win the 1980 NFC title, and I sat with my son at the Linc when the Birds beat Atlanta in the 2005 championship game.
I was covering a seemingly innocent game at Montreal’s Olympic Stadium in 1991, when, out of nowhere, Tommy Greene threw a no-hitter and blanked the Expos, 2-0.
Just as dramatic was the finish I witnessed in 1994. The “Miracle in Michigan,” it was labeled after Kordell Stewart launched a 64-yard Hail Mary pass on the game’s final play _ and Michael Westbrook cradled the ball after it was tipped by as defender, giving Colorado a 27-26 win over Michigan.
I was there when Adam Taliaferro, miracle man, beat paralysis and walked onto the field to lead host Penn State out of the tunnel before more than 100,000 teary-eyed fans _ including myself _ in the Nittany Lions’ 2001 matchup with Miami.
Oh, and I was there when the Phillies won the 2008 World Series at reverberating Citizens Bank Park, where the fans all stood for the last three innings or so. My daughter texted me every few minutes from college. My Mom watched from above.
All of which brings me back to Boston, May 14, 2010.
That date is now etched in my mind.
And, if you’re reading this, yours.
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For continual Flyers updates, follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BroadStBull.
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Mark Recchi likes little boys, and St Pat33 likes Mark Recchi. Hal Gill likes St Pat33. Anyone see a pattern here?— rjsmith- Comment removed.
- PatrickRoy Sucks 33: as I see it you have never played the sport of hockey or you sucked at it. I can see this because you call us Flyers fans cryers, you must of done alot of crying as a young child I suppose to have to go to another cities web site to try and talk hockey is laughable. Do everyone a favor stay in your little we are still loyal to the Queen country and think about why you are not a man. hahahaa St.Patrick33 come on you female Roy sucked.— PhiladelphiaMarine
- Patrick, can you read? It's not "gift-wrapped" if it's a legitimate penalty!— Eagle_1960
- It's Mike Richards' fault.— america
- St.Patrick33...um...your team was up 3 goals...home ice...game 7 and you CRY about a "giftwrapped powerplay????? Your team was up 3-0 with an opportunity to sweep...and you are complaining about a powerplay? The Flyers fans know hockey and love their team...unlike you and your "Broons?" LOSER!— EagFlyPhilSix
- St. Patrick33 sounds like a bitter Bruins fan who is too ashamed of his suckhole team/city to admit it. Dude you suck, the bruins suck, Boston sucks, and Larry Bird blows. Snap.— Criz2020
Well said bvillebaron. Living in Ottawa (Montreal is just down the highway so their are a lot of Canadians fans here) I will do my utmost as a Philly fan by going out to the pubs in Flyers regalia from head to toe and watching them defeat the Habs to the dismay of their often arrogant snobby fans! GO FLYERS GO!!!
