I was interviewing longtime friend Dick Enberg for a story for the 2017 Final Four program. Enberg had just completed a 58-year career in broadcasting and the NCAA wanted to pay tribute to one of the best-known and most-loved broadcasters in history.
In his career Enberg broadcasted Major League Baseball; the NFL, including multiple Super Bowls; NCAA basketball, including multiple Final Fours; UCLA basketball; NBA basketball; four Olympic Games; PGA golf and all four major tournaments in tennis. So I asked him to name his favorite.
His answer was succinct, yet profound: “What season is it?”
We discussed a book he was working on regarding his favorite sporting events he had the opportunity to broadcast, and it got me thinking. What are the best sporting events I’ve had the opportunity to see in person. Sometimes I was working the games as a writer. Other times, I was in the stands as a fan.
I’ve come up with 20 different events that I’ve witnessed in person. Some are very well-known. Others might take more explanation for context. I’ve ranked them 1-20, starting with No.20. Let me know if you want to read Nos. 17, 18, 19 and 20.
I hope you’ll enjoy this walk down my own personal memory lane.
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The 2014 Kansas City Royals barely squeaked into the postseason, clinching a berth on the final weekend of the regular season. It had been 29 years since their last playoff appearance, and they were a “cute story” about a “little engine that could.”
They were built differently than most contending baseball teams. They focused on speed and a lockdown bullpen. What’s now the norm in baseball started with those Royals. If they got a lead in the sixth inning or later, the game was essentially over with the back end of Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis and Greg Holland.
The Royals were exciting to watch as their track team, uh, roster was always stealing bases, taking the extra base on hits and just putting the defense under pressure with their speed game.
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