Saturday, December 22nd, 2007 by Adam Wagner
Vote for Pittsburgh
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ESPN is using the Chris Berman loud saying reel to create something called the Greatest Highlight. This is probably just another idiotic ESPN promotion to put together meaningless shows, but if the six Pittsburgh-related moments on the list are successful, it would further prove that this small market city is a big time player in the sporting world.
The six moments are:
- Bill Mazeroski’s walkoff home run in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series. This moment definitely deserves a spot on the list and should be a high contender to win it. It is inevitably the most famous World Series moment ever and one of the most recognizable. The pictures of Yogi Berra watching the ball head over the fence and Maz running down the 3rd-base line are absolutely classic. If you can not find it in your heart to vote for more than one Pittsburgh moment, go with this one.
- The home run, however, is closely followed by the Immaculate Reception, Franco Harris’ career-defining moment. When Frenchy Fuqua was taken out by Jack Tatum, the whole stadium thought that the game was over. Then, however, Franco Harris came out of nowhere to make a running shoe-top catch and to save the Steelers’ season, creating one of the greatest sports moments in history. Both the Immaculate Reception and Maz’s home run should be in any sports fan’s (even a non-Yinzer’s) top 10 list.
- Lynn Swann’s catch in the Super Bowl is the next Pittsburgh sports moment on the list. The catch is, undeniably, a huge moment in a Hall of Fame career, but it probably stands no chance of winning simply because there are a ton of great catches that have been made in the past and will be made in the future. If you are a huge Steeler fan, vote for this moment. If not, it’s okay if you vote for something else.
- Jerome Lane shattering the backboard against Providence is next. This moment is undoubtedly one of the coolest college highlights ever. How often does the backboard shatter during game play? Answer: Not too often, particularly in game play. It takes immense power and focus to pull off this feat, meaning that this moment should probably be on your list if you live anywhere near the Pittsburgh area or have ever rooted for Pitt basketball in any way, shape, or form.
- Kordell Stewart’s hail mary pass against Michigan is also on the list. This is not really a Pittsburgh moment, but is a Pittsburgh-related moment. The moment is thrilling and exciting, but unless you are a Slash apologist or Bill Cowher, there are better highlights on this list.
- Mario Lemieux’s end-to-end goal from the 1991 Stanley Cup Finals is also on the list. This play is, simply enough, one of the best hockey plays ever, displaying all of Lemieux’s numerous skills. This goal was the Evgeni Malkin goal before the Evgeni Malkin goal occurred, except Lemieux’s occurred in the Stanley Cup Finals while Malkin’s occurred in an early season game. If you are a hockey fan or even care about the Penguins, you have to vote for this play.
So, if you look at the list and see more than four other plays you need to vote for, your list of Pittsburgh allegiances should go: Mazeroski home run, Immaculate Reception, Lemieux goal, Jerome Lane dunk, Swann catch, Stewart TD pass.
Go vote!
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