Earlier today ESPN shared their top ten plays of the year on Sportscenter because apparently the year now ends on December 26th not December 31st, but hey who's keeping track.
ESPN, do better because your list sucks. I'm sorry but DeAndre Jordan's alley-oop is nice but it is not one of the top ten plays of the year.
Three if by Strike will be bringing you a conclusive top 10 plays of the year on December 31st (when the year actually ends) but to tide you over until then we'll present the top 10 Boston sports moments of the year.
These plays and events embody what was a truly amazing year for what remains the greatest sports city in the world. Check them out and let us know what you think.
Honorable Mention- Jose Iglesias' play for the Tigers- I couldn't rightly put this on the list because Iglesias played for the Tigers at the time, but this is arguably the greatest defensive play I've ever seen an infielder make. He's no Jim Edmonds but still.
10. Shane Vereen's AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Texans- Vereen's breakout performance could not have come at a better time for the Patriots. His three touchdowns helped carry the Patriots to a convincing win over the Texans and made Vereen a staple of the organizations offense.
9. Brad Stevens comes to Boston- It's no secret that I'm not a fan of NBA basketball. I can only watch isolation plays, travels and terrible reffing for so long before I lose interest. That's why I'm excited for Stevens to come to Boston. The Butler coach plays an up tempo, team-oriented, collegiate style game which may be able to win me over and help resurrect the franchise.
8. Bruin's Visit Newtown- This could easily be number one on this list, but because it's not so much a moment as a day it will hold down the number eight spot. More evidence that hockey players are the classiest athletes in sports.
7. Tuukka Rask's 2013 playoffs- Rask's 2013 playoff's were unreal. He had a save percentage of almost .950 and a goals allowed average of under 2. Rask brought the Bruins within two games of Lord Stanley's cup and while the B's couldn't seal the deal that was no fault of Rask's. What's more remarkable is that the saves below are from a single series against the Maple Leafs. Rask's performance against the Penguins was even more dominant and worthy of praise.
6. Zdeno Chara's spin move against the Panthers- That is an agile 6'9 man. Not only does Chara make Panther's rookie Jonathan Huberdeau look like a 14 year old girl at her first high school dance, he pots of a nasty backhand afterwards. Also Jack Edwards loses his mind which is always worth watching.
5. Johnny Gomes and Jarrod Saltalamacchia putting the World Series trophy on the Boston Marathon finish line- This was one of the most powerful moments of 2013. The Sox became the team that helped Boston recover after the tragedy of Marathon Monday. There was no more fitting tribute to the victims of that day than Gomes and Saltalamacchia placing the world series trophy at the finish line during the team's victory parade. I was about 5 rows back from the finish line and I still get chills when I listen to the crowd sing "God Bless America".
4. Patriot's last second win against the Saint's- The Patriot's have had several come from behind victories this year, to the extent that it almost seems scripted at this point. Few carried the significance of the win against the Saint's though. This victory took a team who's season could have went in two different directions and helped spring them into the playoffs. Tom Brady's strike to Kenbrell Thompkins was a thing of beauty any way you look at it.
3. Daniel Nava's go ahead homer after the Boston Marathon Bombings- Nava's home run in the bottom of the 8th against the Royals was a defining moment in one of the most improbable Sox seasons ever. To get a win, and in such remarkable fashion, during the first game after the marathon was the first step in helping the city heal and come back even stronger. Also "Danny Baseball" is my favorite player, nuff said.
2. Bruin's comeback against the Maple Leafs- This game was unreal. I remember watching it with my dad and being disgusted to the point of almost turning it off... almost. Then Nathan Horton scored and the rest... well just watch the video. Words can't describe this game, this is Boston sports at their finest.
1. David Ortiz's Grand Slam Against the Tigers- David Ortiz is a future hall of famer if for no other reason than being arguably the greatest post-season hitter of all time. Ortiz added to that legacy during game two of the ALCS against the Detroit Tigers. Joaquin Benoit came in to close the game out for the Tigers who would have went back to Detroit with a 2-0 series lead and likely would have cruised on to a World Series birth against the St. Louis Cardinals. With one swing of the bat David Ortiz tied the game and sparked the Red Sox eventual World Series victory.
So those are the top ten moments in Boston sports for 2013. Comment and let us know what you think. Were we right? Were we wrong? What are your top ten Boston sports moments of 2013?
