'the most dramatic sports event of the half century.’

[Dempsey-Louis]

An Associated Press dinner in the summer of 1951 chose the Dempsey-Firpo fight as ‘the most dramatic sports event of the half century.’

I wonder what a list for the second half of the twentieth century would look like; would prize fighting have as many entries? (4)

I think this list says much about the importance of Jack Dempsey to the popularization of modern sport; Dempsey fills three of the top 15 spots with 119 total votes. Only Babe Ruth comes close with two entries and 79 total votes (and 13 of those votes came from dying.)


1. Dempsey-Firpo (1923) – 70 votes
2. Babe Ruth ‘calling his shot’ (1932 World Series) – 66 votes
3. Dempsey-Tunny ‘long-count’ (1927) – 43 votes
4. Lou Gehrig’s ‘farewell address’ (1939) – 23 votes
5. Grover Alexander’s strike-out of Tony Lazzeri (1926 World Series) – 21 votes
6. Notre Dame defeats Ohio State (1935) – 17 votes
7. Red Grange’s runs over Michigan (1925 [SIC]*) – 13 votes
8. Babe Ruth’s ‘farewell address’ (1948) – 13 votes
9. Floyd Bevens’ ‘near no-hitter’ (1947 World Series) – 12 votes
10. Louis-Schmeling II (1938) – 12 votes
11. Jesse Owens (1936 Olympic Games) – 9 votes
12. Dempsey-Willard (1919) – 6 votes
13. Bobby Jones’ ‘grand slam’ (1930 – golf) – 5 votes
14. Black Sox Scandal (1919) – 4 votes
15. Jim Trope returns Olympic Medals (1913) – 4 votes

*The Illinois-Michigan game took place in October 1924

[GhostofDempsey]

For second half I would nominate:

Ali/Frazier I
Reggie Jackson three homers vs. Dodgers in World Series
Tyree helmet catch vs. Patriots in Super Bowl
Hagler vs. Hearns
Joe Namath calling Super Bowl win vs. Colts
Buckner ball between legs vs. Mets in World Series

[Dempsey-Louis]

For second half I would nominate:

Ali/Frazier I
Reggie Jackson three homers vs. Dodgers in World Series
Tyree helmet catch vs. Patriots in Super Bowl
Hagler vs. Hearns
Joe Namath calling Super Bowl win vs. Colts
Buckner ball between legs vs. Mets in World Series

Yea those are good ones; I think they are all 'fer sures' -- of course we would need some older guys to remember Bobby Thompson and Bill Mazeroski.

In a list of 15 I could see Ali (maybe) gaining three or even four entries.

Clay-Liston I
Ali-Frazier I (The Fight)
The Rumble in the Jungle
The Thrilla in Manila (being least likely to get votes)

[Anthony342]

For second half I would nominate:

Ali/Frazier I
Reggie Jackson three homers vs. Dodgers in World Series
Tyree helmet catch vs. Patriots in Super Bowl
Hagler vs. Hearns
Joe Namath calling Super Bowl win vs. Colts
Buckner ball between legs vs. Mets in World Series

Second half of the 20th century? The Tyree catch is from the 2008 Super Bowl, so that wouldn't qualify. But a good Giants one from the 20th could be Scott Norwood missing the field goal at the end of Super Bowl 25, giving the Giants the 20-19 win. The second half was great too, with two long 16 play drives giving them the lead both times.

I could see Tyson-Douglas getting some votes and maybe Holyfield-Tyson as well.

[Zaroku]

For second half I would nominate:

Ali/Frazier I
Reggie Jackson three homers vs. Dodgers in World Series
Tyree helmet catch vs. Patriots in Super Bowl
Hagler vs. Hearns
Joe Namath calling Super Bowl win vs. Colts
Buckner ball between legs vs. Mets in World Series

Spectacular bid 1979

Here you go.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DNufEXG7fYs

Another for me was watching a bay bridge battle between the Oakland A's and the SF Giants wearing a half and half hat...

Then a big earthquake hit...

I'll post a link.. I didn't get home easy cuz BART (Bay area rapid transit was slow as **** and filled with people..

Here is the link..

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FkLXi0sD7wk Was there and lived it.
I walked a good distance.. Got tired. And slept in some bushes. Eventually I got back to my apartment 2325 Channing way, Berkeley Cali. The 880 freeway had to be rebuilt after that mess.

[The Old LefHook]

1 1934 Soap Box Derby championship
2 1936 Soap Box Derby championship
3 1946 Soap Box Derby championship
4 Jim Thorpe
5 1971 Soap Box Derby championship
6 Johnson/Jefferies
7 The Great Alexyev
8 Dempsey/Firpo
9 Louis/Schmeling
10 Jesse Owens
11
12 Usain Bolt

[GhostofDempsey]

Second half of the 20th century? The Tyree catch is from the 2008 Super Bowl, so that wouldn't qualify. But a good Giants one from the 20th could be Scott Norwood missing the field goal at the end of Super Bowl 25, giving the Giants the 20-19 win. The second half was great too, with two long 16 play drives giving them the lead both times.

I could see Tyson-Douglas getting some votes and maybe Holyfield-Tyson as well.

Good catch on the Giants, forgot that was 21st century. But yeah, Norwood's missed field goal is a good one too.

[GhostofDempsey]

Spectacular bid 1979

Here you go.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DNufEXG7fYs

Another for me was watching a bay bridge battle between the Oakland A's and the SF Giants wearing a half and half hat...

Then a big earthquake hit...

I'll post a link.. I didn't get home easy cuz BART (Bay area rapid transit was slow as **** and filled with people..

Here is the link..

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FkLXi0sD7wk Was there and lived it.
I walked a good distance.. Got tired. And slept in some bushes. Eventually I got back to my apartment 2325 Channing way, Berkeley Cali. The 880 freeway had to be rebuilt after that mess.

Yes, I remember that earthquake game. That was when the section of the upper part of bridge collapsed.

[Lomadeaux]

For second half I would nominate:

Ali/Frazier I
Reggie Jackson three homers vs. Dodgers in World Series
Tyree helmet catch vs. Patriots in Super Bowl
Hagler vs. Hearns
Joe Namath calling Super Bowl win vs. Colts
Buckner ball between legs vs. Mets in World Series

Hagler-Hearns in there?

[Rockybigblower]

Peles hand of god
Roger bannister 4minute mile
Wrestlemania 1
Munich Olympics