Big 3 Sports Blog

There are times when the announcer’s call of a play is just as famous as the play itself.  Sometimes, the call is a large reason why the play is so famous.  And there are even times where the call is so historic, it’s the only reason we remember the play.  So, what are the best calls of all-time?  Here are the top 25.

25. Goal Of The Century
Announcer – Victor Hugo Morales
Game – 1986 World Cup Quarterfinals, England vs Argentina
Situation – With Argentina leading 1-0 early in the 2^nd half, Diego Maradona embarks on one of the greatest individual efforts to put Argentina up 2-0 against England
The Call – "ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta...GOAL!  GOAL!" (in Spanish)

24. The Double
Announcer – Dave Niehaus
Game – 1995 American League Division Series Game 5, Yankees vs Mariners
Situation – Trailing 5-4 in the bottom of the 11^th inning of the decisive Game 5, Edgar Martinez comes to the plate with a chance to give the Mariners their first postseason series win in franchise history
The Call – "The Mariners are going to play, for the American League Championship!  I don't believe it!"

23. Touch ‘Em All Joe
Announcer – Tom Cheek
Game – 1993 World Series Game 6, Phillies vs Blue Jays
Situation – Down 6-5 in the bottom of the 9^th inning, Joe Carter is at the plate looking to deliver Toronto its 2^nd consecutive World Series Title
The Call – "Touch 'em all Joe!  You'll never hit a bigger home run in your life!"

22. Immaculate Reception
Announcer – Jack Fleming
Game – 1972 AFC Divisional Game, Raiders vs Steelers
Situation – After giving up a touchdown and facing a 7-6 deficit, the Steelers find themselves with a 4^th & 10 on their own 40 yard line, with just 22 seconds left to play
The Call – "And there's a collision.  And it's caught out of the air!  The ball is pulled in by Franco Harris!"

21. Hello Heisman
Announcer – Keith Jackson
Game – 1991 Ohio State vs Michigan
Situation – Against fierce rival Ohio State, Desmond Howard was looking to make a statement to the Heisman Trophy voters by striking a pose
The Call – "Goodbye...Hello, Heisman"

20. The Shot (Laettner)
Announcer – Verne Lundquist
Game – 1992 East Regional Final, Kentucky vs Duke
Situation – Trailing 103-102 with 2.1 seconds remaining, Grant Hill is looking to inbound the ball to Christian Laettner from the other side of the court
The Call – "There's the pass to Laettner.  Puts it up...YES!"

19. The Shot (Gar Heard)
Announcer – Brent Musburger
Game – 1976 NBA Finals Game 5, Suns vs Celtics
Situation – After a technical foul shot gave the Celtics a 112-110 lead, Suns Curtis Perry is looking to inbound the ball to Gar Heard with 1 second remaining in the 2^nd overtime
The Call – "It's good!  It's tied again!  I don't believe it!  We've got a 3rd overtime here at the Boston Garden!"

18. We Will See You Tomorrow Night (Joe)
Announcer – Joe Buck
Game – 2011 World Series Game 6, Rangers vs Cardinals
Situation – Having already hit a game-tying triple in the bottom of the 9^th inning, David Freese again comes to the plate in the bottom of the 11^th inning with the game tied 9-9
The Call – "We will see you, tomorrow night!"

17. Matteau, Matteau, Matteau
Announcer – Howie Rose
Game – 1994 Eastern Conference Finals Game 7, Devils vs Rangers
Situation – The Rangers find themselves in double-overtime of Game 7, with the chance to clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup Finals and end their 54 year Championship drought
The Call – "Matteau!  Matteau!  Matteau!"

16. Hank Aaron’s 715^th Home Run
Announcer – Milo Hamilton
Game – April 8^th, 1974, Dodgers vs Braves
Situation – Hank Aaron sitting at 714 home runs, 1 away from breaking Babe Ruth’s all-time record
The Call – "There's a new home run champion of all-time, and it's Henry Aaron!"

15. The Shot (Michael Jordan #2)
Announcer – Bob Costas
Game – 1998 NBA Finals Game 6, Bulls vs Jazz
Situation – With the Bulls looking for their 2^nd Three-peat in the 1990’s, and with rumors of the Bulls team being broken up after the season, the Bulls are trailing 86-85 with under 10 seconds to go
The Call – "If that's the last image, of Michael Jordan?  How magnificent is it?"

14. Brett Favre’s Interception
Announcer – Paul Allen
Game – 2009 NFC Championship Game, Vikings vs Saints
Situation – With the score tied with less than 30 seconds left in regulation, Brett Favre is trying to lead the Vikings into field goal range to give them a shot at a Super Bowl berth
The Call – "This is not Detroit man, this is the Super Bowl!"

13. Havlicek Stole The Ball
Announcer – Johnny Most
Game – 1965 Eastern Conference Finals Game 7, 76ers vs Celtics
Situation – Clinging to a 110-109 lead with 5 seconds to go, the Celtics were trying to prevent the 76ers from taking the lead as Hal Greer was trying to inbound the ball
The Call – "He gets it out deep and Havlicek steals it!  Over to Sam Jones!  Havlicek stole the ball!  It's all over!"

12. Down Goes Frazier
Announcer – Howard Cosell
Game – Heavyweight Championship Fight, Joe Frazier vs George Foreman
Situation – Having already knocked Frazier down 5 times in the fight, Foreman looks to end it in the 2^nd Round
The Call – "Down goes Frazier!  Down goes Frazier!  Down goes Frazier!"

11. Hail Flutie
Announcer – Brent Musburger
Game – 1984 Boston College vs Miami
Situation – Trailing 45-41 with 6 seconds to play at the 48 yard line, Doug Flutie brings the Eagles to the line for one more play
The Call – "Caught by Boston College!  I don't believe it!  It's a touchdown!"

10. Little Roller Up Along 1st
Announcer – Vin Scully
Game – 1986 World Series Game 6, Red Sox vs Mets
Situation – After staving off elimination by scoring 2 runs in the bottom of the 10^th inning, Mookie Wilson is at the plate with the score tied 5-5
The Call – "Little roller up along 1st, behind the bag!  It gets through Buckner!  Here comes Knight and the Mets win it!"

9. The Shot (Michael Jordan #1)
Announcer – Jim Durham & Johnny “Red” Kerr
Game – 1989 Eastern Conference 1^st Round, Bulls vs Cavaliers
Situation – Trailing 100-99 with 3 seconds left in the game, Brad Sellers is looking to inbound the ball to Michael Jordan
The Call – "Here's Michael at the foul line, a shot on Ehlo, GOOD!  The Bulls win, they win it!"

8. Steal By Bird
Announcer – Johnny Most
Game – 1987 Eastern Conference Finals Game 5, Pistons vs Celtics
Situation – With the Pistons up 107-106, Isiah Thomas is looking to inbound the ball with 5 seconds left
The Call – "And, now there's a steal by Bird!  Underneath to DJ, lays it in!  What a play by Bird!"

7. Kirk Gibson
Announcer – Jack Buck / Vin Scully
Game – 1988 World Series Game 1, Athletics vs Dodgers
Situation – Down 4-3 with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9^th inning, a hobbled Kirk Gibson comes to the plate to face star reliever Dennis Eckersley
The Call – "I don't believe what I just saw!" / "High fly ball into right field, she is...gone!"
***Both Buck and Scully’s calls were worth inclusion on the list

6. Music City Miracle
Announcer – Mike Keith
Game – 1999 AFC Wild Card Game, Bills vs Titans
Situation – After giving up a field goal and facing a 16-15 deficit, the Titans receive the kickoff with 16 seconds remaining in the game
The Call – “Touchdown Titans!  There are no flags, on the field!  It’s a miracle!”

5. Go Crazy Folks
Announcer – Jack Buck
Game – 1985 National League Championship Series Game 5, Dodgers vs Cardinals
Situation – Light-hitting Ozzie Smith (who had never hit a Home Run left-handed) comes to the plate in the bottom of the 9^th inning, score tied 2-2
The Call – "Go crazy folks!  Go crazy!"

4. And We’ll See You Tomorrow Night (Jack)
Announcer – Jack Buck
Game – 1991 World Series Game 6, Braves vs Twins
Situation – Down 3-2 in the Series, Kirby Puckett comes to the plate to lead off the bottom of the 11^th inning
The Call – "Into deep left center, for Mitchell, and we'll see you...tomorrow night!"

3. Shot Heard ‘Round The World
Announcer – Russ Hodges
Game – 1951 National League tie-breaker series Game 3, Dodgers vs Giants
Situation – After trailing 4-1 coming into the both of the 9^th inning, the Giants scored 1 run, bringing Bobby Thomson to the plate down 4-2
The Call – "The Giants win the pennant!  The Giants win the pennant!"

2. The Play
Announcer – Joe Starkey
Game – 1982 Stanford vs California
Situation – After giving up a touchdown to John Elway and facing a 20-19 deficit, the Bears receive the kickoff with 4 seconds remaining in the game
The Call – "Oh, the band is out on the field!  He's gonna go into the end zone!"

1. Miracle On Ice
Announcer – Al Michaels
Game – 1980 Winter Olympics Hockey Medal-round Game, Soviet Union vs United States
Situation – Team USA just seconds away from beating the heavily favored Soviet Union, at the height of the Cold War
The Call – “Do you believe in miracles?!  Yes!”

Now, tell me what you think!

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