OK sports fans, I almost forgot to write my weekly top five installment, but my wife gingerly reminded me at dinner so here I am, giving it to you late on a Friday evening.  This is a list I have been working on for awhile, the top five sports moments in recent history.  I am sure this is as contentious (if not more) as the top five covers, since people’s opinions can vary widely depending on your interest.  Maybe Hulk Hogan throwing Andre the Giant over the top rope to win Wrestlemania III in 1988 really moved you to tears; maybe Derek Jeter hitting a home run to win some baseball game shook your world; or maybe the Eurotrash rugby championship in 2002 was the pinnacle of your sports-watching experience.  But these are the moments that really move me, played out mostly in the sports I care about.  If you have better ideas, feel free to share them.

5. Secretariat wins the 1973 Belmont by 31 lengths to complete the triple crown.  The first racing horse to grace the cover of Time Magazine, he still holds the standing track records for both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont, and the fastest time ever run for 1.5 miles on a dirt track.  His win may be the single most impressive victory in sports history.

4. Muhammad Ali vs George Foreman 1974 Title Bout – “The Rumble in the Jungle”.  Ali, fighting to regain his heavyweight title that he lost through conscientiously objecting to the Vietnam War, was a clear underdog against the powerful Foreman.  However, by outlasting the big man and implementing the”rope a dope” strategy of wearing his opponent out, Ali was able to surprise the champ in the 8th round and knock him out.  Amazing strategist.

3.  2007 Fiesta Bowl – Boise State vs Oklahoma.  Boise State was given very little chance in this game against Bob Stoops familiar Oklahoma team.  Most found it amazing that the Broncos hung with the Sooners through 4 quarters, but sending the game into overtime, and then winning with the “statue of liberty” was maybe the most unbelievable bowl game I have ever seen.

2. Roger Bannister breaking the 4 minute mile in 1954.  Most experts told him he would die, that the human body could not run that fast without exploding his heart.  Can you imagine, being told that your heart would explode if you kept pushing yourself, but doing it anyway?  Today the world record is almost 17 seconds under 4 minutes at 3:43.17.

1.  The “Miracle on Ice” – 1980 US Hockey Team’s upset of previously unbeaten USSR.  The USSR team, unbeaten since the 1960’s, was brought down by a bunch of kids who had only played together for 6 months.  The fact that they believed, and played fearless hockey on one night in front of the home crowd, changed history and may have single-handedly brought hope back to the beleaguered USA.  I get teary-eyed even thinking about it.

 So there you go, the top five sports moments.  Let me know what you think.