Toph Speaks

I was about to write something very negative about where sports is heading. But, sports means too much to me. I’m not sure it would matter where it headed, I’d probably still watch. I will still raise my children to love the Cowboys and Mavs, and I will let them decide between the Yankees or the Rangers. Sports has been the one constant in my life. I hope this never changes, despite who gets shot, who gets indicted or who is found guilty for running a massive dog fighting ring. With that said, here are the top 10 sports moments of my life. I did not include the Yankees winning any World Series’, the first time I saw Derek Jeter play or anything Michael Jordan related. Fine, it wouldn’t be a list without Jeets.

10. Home Run Derby Oriole Park at Camden Yards in 1993, when Ken Griffey Jr. hits the Warehouse. (Photo)

9. Seeing Bonds hit #715. (In-Person) (Photo here and here)

8. Emmitt Smith becoming the all-time leading rusher in NFL history. (Video Download)

7. Watching Dirk take over and the Mavs finally beating the Spurs to appear in their 1st ever NBA Finals in 2006. The 3 point play at the end of regulation, just as it was all slipping away, to force overtime… was… well… amazing. (Video)

6.Watching Michael Johnson smash the world record in the 200m in 19.32 seconds during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta while wearing those sweet gold shoes. I’ve admired Michael Johnson more than any athlete. I actually ended up running the 400m and the 200m in the Michael Johnson classic. Got smoked in the 200, won the 400. I met him, and he signed my shirt. Pretty bad ass. (Video)

5. Nolan Ryan beating the crap out of Robin Ventura. (Video)

4. Being at the ‘07 All-Star game in San Francisco. (In-Person) (Photo Here and Here)

3. Standing beside Ricky Williams on the field during Texas - OU at the Cotton Bowl his Heisman year in ‘98. (In-Person) (Video)

2. Witnessing, for the first time, Derek Jeter play in the 1996 playoffs at the Ballpark in Arlington. The same year he’s named Rookie of the Year and the mutual obsession (between both Jeets and I) begins. (In-Person) (Photo)

1. Seeing Anika Sorenstam tee off as the first woman in 58 years to play in a men’s pro golf tournament at the Colonial, and coincidentally, valeting her car as well in that tournament in ‘03. It might not sound so cool, but being there (albeit as a valet, and sneaking off to see her tee off) was so electric. There was such a buzz and then her reaction, exhaling, after her first shot off the tee. Well, it was all pretty damn cool. (In-Person) (Photo)