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.
What happened in Boston on March 14?- THE Greatest Comeback in Sports History! EVER!— El Tel
- It's been 2 months already since we won?— WhyCantUs08
- glad that date is etched in your mind, sam...the day the flyers lost 3-1 to the rangers— bitlrc
- Sam...if March 14th is etched in your brain instead of May 14th, you will always remember the Rangers 3-1 win over the Flyers. No wonder the Stinkquirer is losing money like th gulf oil spill...— Dr. Michael
- This team will be remembered for as long as North American sports exist. -not bob levy— remyy
Black Friday. 1977.— road515- Those are all great memories Sam and its great to see sports give us those memerobale moments. For the people that want to play memory lesson, wake up, you should get Sam's point and if you don't, go back to watchin dancing with stars with all the other dead beats!— Fabulous
- Haha I love all the dime store journalists correcting an innocent mistake in a blog. It's not the newspaper, waterheads, no editing to catch something like that.— phillyjeffsr
- Second greatest comeback ever!! FIrst being the 2007 Phillies 7 1/2 17 is still number one in my book!!— bluejfk
- Flyers fans can't complain about the refs after this one. They were gift-wrapped a questionable call in the 3rd period of game 7. Given they also received a PP in a game 7 OT game against the Caps a few years ago, I just can't see how any of you Cryers can whine and complain about officiating anymore.— St.Patrick33
- questionable? did you even watch the game? or even the ESPN highlights, which actually counted the players on the ice? there were 6 Boston players (2 centers) skating out on the ice before the referees even figured anything out. "questionable" would be if they blew the whistle if the 6th guy had one skate over the boards and on the ice. the only "questionable" call in the game last night was the "no-goal" earlier in the 3rd...you know, the one where the defensemen, Wideman, swept the puck out of the net into Rask's glove— festizio
- StPatrick33: Yep, the officials were responsible for the Bruins blowing a 3-0 lead in games and a 3-0 lead in the deciding game while playing at home. Seems to me you win the prize for the biggest cryer of them all.— bvillebaron
St. Patrick and his Bruins are in the history book - 1942, 1975 and now 2010. At least Boston now know how Yankee fans felt in 2004.- Who cares about the Broons? They are gon and this has nothing to do with them. Same with the Caps in 2008. This is about the constant whyning from Cryers fans who know very little about hockey. Like I said, they got another gift-wrapped PP at a critical time in a game 7 that led to the series-winning goal. Remember it next time you start whyning about the refs, bettman and the league.— St.Patrick33
