Best Games We've Ever Seen

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Jul 20, 2007

Best Games We've Ever Seen

Bill Russell, 1966 NBA Finals

Bill Russell averaged 25.2 rebounds and 19.1 points during the '66 playoffs.

Tom Seaver, 1969

Tom Seaver pitching — Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated

Seaver finished 25-7 with a 2.21 ERA in '69, winning the National League Cy Young Award.

Cal vs. Stanford, 1982

Cal's Kevin Moen exulted after his mad dash through the Stanford marching band in 1982.

Boston College vs. Miami, 1984

Doug Flutie's last-second, 48-yard touchdown pass to Gerard Phelan lifted the Eagles to a 47-45 win over Miami on Nov. 23, 1984, one of the most storied finishes in college football history.

Islanders vs. Rangers, Game 5, 1984 Patrick Division semifinals

Ken Morrow's goal at 8:56 of overtime gave the Islanders a 3-2 win in the fifth and deciding game of the Patrick Division semis against the Rangers.

Mets vs. Astros, 1986 National League Championship Series

Though the Astros lost the series four games to two, Houston pitcher Mike Scott, the Cy Young Award winner that season with an 18-10 record and 2.22 ERA, dominated Games One and Four.

The Palio horse race, 1987

The Palio is a breakneck, bareback dash three times around Siena's main square.

1988 100-meter Olympic final

Ben Johnson (159) vs. Carl Lewis (1102) in Seoul 1988, the best sprinters of their, or maybe any, era. It was a 100-meter final and a heavyweight fight wrapped in one. Johnson won in 9.79 but was later disqualified for doping, losing the Olympic title and world record.

Joe Montana, Week Three, 1989

Joe Montana finished with 423 passing yards and five touchdowns against the Eagles in Week Three of the '89 season.

Michael Jordan, Game 5, 1989 Eastern Conference semifinals

Jordan scored 44 points in Game 5 of the 1989 Eastern Conference first-round against the Cavs, including the final two baskets.

Mike Tyson vs. Buster Douglas, 1990

Buster Douglas was a 42-1 underdog when he knocked out undefeated Mike Tyson in the 10th round on Feb. 10, 1990, to win the heavyweight title in Tokyo.

Duke vs. Kentucky, 1992 NCAA East Regional

Christian Laettner's 17-foot jump shot lifted Duke to a 104-103 win in what many believe is the greatest college basketball game ever.

Notre Dame vs. Boston College, 1993

Boston College kicker David Gordon celebrates his last second field goal against Notre Dame. BC's 41-39 win kept the Irish from winning the national championship in '93.

Tiger Woods, 1996 Las Vegas Invitational

Tiger Woods turned pro in 1996 and won his first professional victory at the Las Vegas Invitational. Later that year he was named SI's Sportsman of the Year.

David Cone's perfect game, July 18, 1999

David Cone pitched the 16th perfect game in history and the first perfect game in the history of interleague play.

Tiger Stadium finale, Sept. 27, 1999

The Tigers said goodbye to Tiger Stadium with an 8-2 win over the Royals.

Tiger Woods, 2000 PGA Championship

Tiger Woods birdied the last two holes in regulation to win the 2000 PGA Championship in a playoff over Bob May, becoming the first player since Ben Hogan in 1953 to win three majors in one year.

Giants vs. Vikings, 2000 NFC Championship

The Giants' 41-0 win over the Vikings was the biggest rout in NFC championship game history. Quarterback Kerry Collins tied a playoff passing record with five touchdown passes.

Yankees vs. Red Sox, Game 7, 2003 ALCS

Aaron Boone's 11th inning, game-winning homer off Boston pitcher Tim Wakefield landed the third baseman a new nickname ("Bleeping") among Red Sox fans.

Manchester United vs. Real Madrid, Champions League, 2003

Manchester United won the game (4-3), but Real Madrid won the series (6-5) in the 2003 Champions League quarterfinals. In the end, the viewing public was the biggest winner.