OT: The best _________ you ever saw live

Submitted by JeepinBen on

I figured I'd ask the board for their bragging/lucky break/amazing viewing experiences. Who was the best ______ you've ever seen live? Many with lucky timing can say they saw Tom Brady when he was in college, the best NFL QB. Who was the best pitcher you ever saw at an MLB game? Who saw Desmond return a punt? What about the best basketball player you've seen? In obvious answers, the best 5'7" goalie we've ever seen was tiny Jesus. Any other GOATs you've been lucky enough to have tickets to? Tales you'll tell the grandkids?

The FannMan

June 8th, 2017 at 4:45 PM ^

It's 1991.  Grunge is reaching the Midwest.  Some fraternity brothers of mine try to talk me into going to St. Andrews Hall in Detroit to be one of 1,000 or so people to see some band from Seattle that I had never heard of.  I passed, stayed home, drank a few beers, etc.

Well, those boys got home and wouldn't shut up about how good this band was.  They did let me listen to a copy of the band's new album, called "Nevermind."  

And that's I missed seeing Nirvana at St. Andrews hall about five minutes before they became famous.  

 

CRISPed in the DIAG

June 8th, 2017 at 7:38 PM ^

YOU feel bad? I went there expecting to see a reggae band I was into at the time ("I-Tal") and walked in on Urge Overkill's opening set. I was into it, but my hippy-ass friends weren't (THIS IS TOO LOUD! IT'S TOO HARSH, MAN!). So we left. I wasn't aware that Nivana was going to take the stage later. Because I'd never heard of them. 

I never made the connection until a few years later when Urge Overkill got some MTV airplay and they mentioned opening for Nivana a couple years previous.  I can also remember seeing an interview with Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic talking about how much he loved AA.

EastCoast Esq.

June 8th, 2017 at 4:25 PM ^

The best team sports event I probably ever saw live was the Philadelphia Eagles' 4th and 26 game.

It was a divisional playoff game against Favre's Packers and we were down by 3 with just a few minutes left and no timeouts. We had to get down the field, but McNabb got sacked three straight times on our side of the field, to set up 4th and 26. The next play, McNabb threw it over the middle to Freddie Mitchell, who gained 28 yards. We eventually won.

My parents were on their way to the stadium to pick me up, and they told me it was like an earthquake when the play happened.

 

The best individual sports event I went to was Lucas Pouille upsetting Rafael Nadal in the early rounds of the U.S. Open. It was the only major tennis match I have ever been to, and it was epic. The crowd started off strongly on Nadal's side, but Pouille played such inspired tennis that the crowd was going nuts for both of them by the end.

 

Also, I didn't attend, but my parents just HAPPENED to be in Spain in March of this year and decided on more or less a whim to go to the Barcelona match. Randomly turned out to be perhaps the greatest comeback in soccer history.

rainingmaize

June 8th, 2017 at 4:29 PM ^

I was at The Palace and saw live Chauncey Billups' half court shot to send the game to what would eventually be three overtimes. Best single play I have ever seen in sports live. 

timot

June 8th, 2017 at 4:48 PM ^

Tigers:

Game five 1968 World Series (Lou Brock fails to slide)

Honorable mention: The Bird 2-1 over the Yankees 1977

Lions:

Playoff win over Dallas 1991 (Barry runs wild)

Honorable mention: v. Vikings in 1991 (4th Q Comeback)

Michigan:

M 10 OSU 7 in 1971 (Billy Taylor scores! Billy Taylor scores!)

Honorable Mention: UTL I

Pistons:

Game Five 2004 NBA Finals (Five game sweep of Lakers)

Concert:

Iggy Pop at Second Chance 1981

Tunneler

June 8th, 2017 at 6:43 PM ^

I was too young to remember, & it seemed like forever (16 years) until we got back to the top.

 

For me it was New Year's Day 1998 UM vs. WSU in Pasadena, & that same year Red Wings vs. Capitals Game 4 in DC for the sweep to repeat as champions.

JFW

June 8th, 2017 at 4:50 PM ^

I'd watch UM on Saturday, and the Lions and Barry on Sunday. 

My son is now infatuated with watching Barry run. It still gives me goosebumps to hear 'BARRY BARRY BARRY BARRY' in the background of some youtube video. 

 

So my best is being able to watch Barry run; and being there when he broke 2K yards. 

ABOUBENADHEM

June 8th, 2017 at 4:53 PM ^

in Phoenix, AZ.  Sitting in the middle of the OSU section with Florida colors on (wife went to UF).  Opening kick off returned for a touchdown by OSU's Ted Ginn and hating all the grandstanding and high fiving by all the OSU fans who thought they couldn't lose.  That was by far as good as it got for OSU that day.  41UF  - 14 OSU   Man, I enjoyed watching those entitled SOB's lose!

The FannMan

June 8th, 2017 at 4:57 PM ^

Being in my mid-40's, I saw Desmond, Brady, Chuck, etc.  As far as careers go, they are the best I've ever seen.

But, as far as one game, it is all Braylon Edwards against State in 2004, a.k.a. "Braylonfest."  He took that game over in a way that I simply have never seen before or since.  He just decided that we were not going to lose to State, and prevented it from happening.  His force of will pulled the team along with him. 

Second place, Tim Biakabutuka going for 313 against the Buckeyes in 1995.  It was 8 yards every time you gave it to him.

 

Kevin13

June 8th, 2017 at 5:01 PM ^

way back and it was David Thompson. Was at the Nuggets game and at the time there was not many people there. We would buy cheap tickets and keep sneaking down closer to the court we could get.

We actually made it all the way to seats on the floor. David gets a fast break pass and one guy between him and the basket. We were sitting at the free throw line and I swear to god he took off from the corner of the lane right at the free throw line. He basically jumped over the loan defender and was craddling the ball down by his hip. He flew through the air for what seemed like a minute. When he finally got to the basket he windmealed the ball down and shook the entire basket and standard. We jumped out of our seats onto the floor and were going crazy as was the entire Nuggets bench and everyone in the building.  To this day I can't believe he pulled that off, it was almost like he defied gravity. Have never seen a feat even come close to that again.  For all you young guys his nickname was "Skywalker"

bringthewood

June 8th, 2017 at 5:04 PM ^

1971 Woody looses 10-7 on "Touchdown Billy Taylor" play. Rips up sideline markers

1973 OSU comes out and tears down the banner. 10-10 tie and we think we are going to the Rose Bowl - but get screwed out of that.

Both the Braylonfest and PSU wins are high on the list.

March 1977 Crisler Arena -  #3 Michigan beats eventual National Champ Marquette 69-68. Never saw Crisler rock that much.

M go Bru

June 9th, 2017 at 2:45 PM ^

UM 10 OSU 7

Woody rips up the downmarker (as shown in "bringthewood" post above) in dispute of a pass break up by Thom Darden on OSU's last possession at midfield with about a minute to go in the game. Woody argued it was pass interference. At the end of the game the whole stadium sang "Goodbye Woody, Goodbye Woody, Goodbye Woody we hate to see you go." twice! 

Incredible!

skurnie

June 8th, 2017 at 5:12 PM ^

I was at the game with my Dad...we all know what Woodson did in that game so I won't elaborate other than to just say it was incredible.

I saw Tom Brady once while he was at Michigan. Unfortunately it was the Plaxico game in East Landfill.

Best pitcher I've seen live is either Maddux with the Braves or Pedro during his best years with Boston. 

House Mother

June 8th, 2017 at 8:46 PM ^

Agree. Loved UTLI as it was the first truly night game at Michigan Stadium. Atmosphere was electric. I had been to many night games on the road (Penn State White Outs, etc.) so this was nice to have a Maize Out at home with beautiful weather and such an exciting last minute and 41 seconds.

softshoes

June 8th, 2017 at 5:34 PM ^

Taking my dad to see the Bird pitch. It was the game against the Yanks. The most electric thing I've ever seen. It was also my dads last time seeing a game live.

Second place would be watching the implosion of the Hudson building from a rooftop cocktail party. What a sight, great view until the dust cloud hit.

SF Wolverine

June 8th, 2017 at 6:00 PM ^

@ Soldier Field playing for Argentina.  We had seats about 15 rows behind goal they were atatcking in second half.  He was injured; not clear if he would play.  Came on with less than 30 in game, scored three times.  From our seats, you could see how he impacted the game, created space by making people cheat toward him, etc.  Don't know a ton about soccer, but you could see how special he was.

mi93

June 8th, 2017 at 6:08 PM ^

It's been fun thinking about all the cool things I've been fortunate enough to see:

- Lots of great music

- Great athletes: MJ, Shaq and Kobe, Clemens and Jeter, Stevie Y, Shawn Kemp/Glenn Robinson/Webber while each was in high school - Webber was the best, Wheatley still feels like the best athlete in a M jersey I've ever seen live but Des, Chuck and Jabril were crazy special also

- Great moments: Mike Legg, The Catch, Colorado (Ugh - painful, but still incredible)

- Great games: FB - #1 vs. #2 on 3 different occasions - all lived up to the hype - Catholics vs. Convicts being the best of the bunch; M Hockey title game in 96; Clemens going for 300 against the Tigers (Tigers came from 6 runs down to give Roger a ND - Tigers were absolutely horrible then but Comerica was overflowing with people going crazy when the Tigers tied it), the Fab Five's first game against Duke (Crisler was electric)

So hard to pick the best of the best, though seeing a Michigan team hoist a national title trophy live is pretty sweet.

CRISPed in the DIAG

June 9th, 2017 at 11:42 AM ^

I was at the Tigers game you mentioned. As a Red Sox fan. At the time, I had a love/hate thing going that was quickly turning into hate and the prospect of watching him win 300 in pinstripes was not going to be fun. When he took the mound with the big lead, I turned to my friend and succinctly said "He's gonna blow it. Roger can't handle big moments."  

GoBlueGoWings

June 8th, 2017 at 6:17 PM ^

Saw Pedro Martinez pitch in Comerica Park behind home plate. The movement on his pitches was unreal

The 2002 HOF Detroit Red Wings

B.B. King and Buddy Guy in concert together

Jeff Beck and Buddy Guy in concert together

A taping of the Late Show with David Letterman

Sopwith

June 8th, 2017 at 6:24 PM ^

was Under the Lights I in 2011. I remember how no one left for over 30 minutes after the game just to keep singing and hugging.

Best shitshow I ever saw live was Malice at the Palace. I remember how on one left for over 30 minutes just to keep singing and hugging.

mgoblue99

June 8th, 2017 at 6:29 PM ^

...I've ever seen live wasn't a football game. Despite having been to the '97 OSU game, '98 Rose Bowl, '04 MSU, all night games, and pretty much every other big game played since the late 80's, the best M sporting event I've ever seen live was the 2002 NCAA Hockey Regional Final at Yost against Denver. Come-from-behind victory had the building shaking. Never seen an atmosphere like that at any game, any sport, pro or college.

ca_prophet

June 8th, 2017 at 7:04 PM ^

A close second is Jack Morris no-hitting the White Sox.

I've been fortunate to witness a couple of all time baseball greats in person - Frank Thomas, Mark McGuire, Albert Pujols and Alex Rodriguez absolutely crushing baseballs from the right side all stand out, but from the left side it's far and away Barry Bonds. His swing was unreal.

Roger Clemens and Randy Johnson are probably the best pitchers I've seen live.

The Fan in Fargo

June 8th, 2017 at 7:53 PM ^

Barry Bonds was a joy to watch. I know he used the juice but he didn't look that big in person and I was 10 feet away from him. Saw him in Phoenix the summer of 2007. He hit homerun 719 that game and should've had 720 if it wasn't for the huge (black monster wall) of the Diamondbacks in centerfield. It would've been a long linedrive homerun. That takes power boys. In batting practice I bet in one straight stretch he sent close to 17-20 shots over the right center and right field wall. No one from either team came close to him except for Steve Finley who was drilling doubles left and right all over the park. The homerun he hit, he mustve fouled off 10 balls way the hell into heaven behind me and finally he got frustrated and did a turn around as he stepped out of the batters box and stared right at me for like 2 to 3 seconds. No lie. The next pitch he sent that son of bitch so hard into right center field and like 20 rows up that you would've broke every bone in your hand if you didn't have a glove on trying to catch it. 

Watts

June 8th, 2017 at 8:00 PM ^

I agree about Bonds. Sat in windows restaurant during bp at Skydome before a game and as he launched numerous balls in and off the restaurant. I will never forget the opposite field home run he hit in that game . It was a monster.

Best games in memory are all Jays games.

1993 World Series game 3, Candy Moldonado with the hit for the walk off win during the first world series game ever north of the border.

2015 Batista Bat flip homer versus Texas.

2016 Edwin Encarnacion walk off homer in wild card play in game. You want to talk about loud!

Had the pleasure of seeing Roger Clemens with the red sox, Jays and yankees. His 2 years in Toronto winning cy youngs were amazing, he was on a mission out to prove Boston wrong.

I also enjoyed watching Roy Halladay pitch and think he was under rated because the jays were so bad.

Sam1863

June 8th, 2017 at 7:30 PM ^

The best thing I saw live at Tiger Stadium was around 1979-80. It was Family Day, and the Tiger players were lined up along the 3rd base line with their wives and kids. Champ Summers, the OF/DH, was standing next to his wife and two daughters. All of a sudden, a gust of wind swirled at just the right time and blew Mrs. Summers' dress up over her head. Even from deep right field, I could see she had fantastic legs.

At that point, I was reminded that baseball wasn't everything.

RainbowSprings

June 8th, 2017 at 7:43 PM ^

I lived in L.A. from 1979 through 1985. Saw Magic live in his prime many times as a Laker fan. Just an incredible, selfless basketball player. His battles with Larry Bird were legendary. I was actually more excited to watch Magic's assists rather than his scoring, per se. Many of his setup passes were unbelievable. Hard to imagine how he could consistently thread the rock to some of his payers in, or through, a crowd. There was little doubt how he earned his nickname. Almost as much fun to watch: the recipients of those passes always seemed to know Magic would get them the ball, and in a postition for them to score. One of a kind. I even forgave him for playing at MSU in college, since he did have the foresight to leave there early.

rob f

June 8th, 2017 at 7:45 PM ^

Tiger Stadium 1976.

Mark Fidrych was the most unique sports phenomenon that I've ever seen. Really, there's absolutely nothing on this Earth to compare to the hold he briefly had on the sports world for that Magical season.

Jeremy

June 8th, 2017 at 8:18 PM ^

if we are just going by insanely great players.... I guess it would have to be Cristiano Ronaldo in the Real Madrid vs Manchester United game at the big house. though he barely played and had no impact in the game.

if you mean insane performances I guess it would be Gardner and Gallon lighting the record book on fire vs Indiana.

Bo248

June 8th, 2017 at 8:46 PM ^

My friend and I were playing Wabeek CC on a Sunday morning 7-8 years ago. He konged a high drive, but long, at the top of the arc it nails square a Sharp Shinned hawk which dropped dead in the middle of the fairway. Amazing for many reasons, SShawks are small, ~7-10" long, fast and rarely seen here.

I'm sure never to be duplicated.