The year 2015 is coming to an end, and we have the pleasure of experiencing some great moments in sports this year. However, 2015 wasn't the only big year in sports. As I reflected back on the best moments of the past year, I backtracked 15 years total and decided to look at the top 10 sports moments of the 2000's. There have been many great moments going all the way back to the year 2000 when the Music City Miracle took place, all the way up to Serena Williams going for the calendar year grand slam at the 2015 U.S. Open. We have also witnessed Barry Bonds breaking the record for most career home runs hit, Adam Vinatieri's famous snow bowl kick, and who could forget the 2013 Iron Bowl ending in dramatic fashion.
All of these are great moments, but in order to narrow it down to the top 10 I took the greatest moments in which a championship was on the line; when the entire nation was watching. Here are your top 10 sports moments of the 2000's.
10. 2008 NCAA Basketball National Championship - Kansas vs. Memphis
With Memphis leading by three points and 10 seconds left on the clock, the Jayhawks quickly dribbled the ball up the court. Mario Chalmers coming off a screen mishandled the pass but quickly regained control, and knocked down a three pointer to tie with 2 seconds left as he was fading away. Kansas went on to beat Memphis in overtime to win the National Championship. In Kansas, this became to be known as the Mario Miracle.
9. 2011 World Series Game 6 - Texas Rangers vs. St. Louis Cardinals
The Rangers were leading the series 3-2 and in Game 6 in the bottom of the 9th the Cardinals were down to their last strike with players on first and second with 2 outs. David Freese lined a ball over Nelson Cruz’s head into right field and tripled to score both runs and tie the game at 7-7. Later in the bottom of the 11th, David Freese came up to bat and hit a walk-off home run to force Game 7. The Cardinals went on to win Game 7 to win the 2011 World Series.
8. 2013 Wimbledon Championship - Andy Murray vs. Novak Djokovic
Andy Murray won the 2013 Wimbledon Championship and ended Britain's 77 year drought of having a champion in their home country. With the entire country putting pressure on Murray to win, he got the job done. This is one of the greatest moments of pure joy presented by an athlete that you will ever see.
7. 2013 NBA Finals Game 6 - Miami Heat vs. San Antonio Spurs
As Lebron James was going for back to back championships, he clanked a three-pointer off the side of the rim with a few seconds left to tie the game up as the Heat was down 3-2 in the series. The ball got tipped out to Ray Allen where he stepped backed and knocked down a three-pointer in the final seconds. The Heat then went on to win in overtime and took Game 7 to win back to back championships. Ray Allen's three-pointer kept the Heat alive and helped them achieve a huge accomplishment in winning back to back championships.
6. 2001 World Series Game 7 - Arizona Diamondbacks vs. New York Yankees
During Game 7 in the bottom of the 9th inning, Luis Gonzalez of the Diamondbacks hit a walk-off single to beat the almighty New York Yankees to claim the 2001 World Series. This was one of the biggest upsets in baseball as a small market team went on to beat a big market team to win the 2001 World Series.
5. Boston Red Sox win the 2004 World Series
The Curse of the Bambino was finally over. The Boston Red Sox finally won the World Series after going through an 86-year drought without winning one. David Ortiz's heroics in the American League Championship Series helped the Red Sox get rid of the curse.
4. Tiger Woods' chip shot at the 2005 Masters
In the final round of the Masters, Tiger Woods was in major trouble on the Par 3 16th hole. He was only up by one stroke and Chris DiMarco, who was in 2nd, was in great shape for a birdie to tie. How could we ever forget the most famous chip in? The ball never stopped rolling, and once it got to the hole we saw the Nike slogan on the ball hang on the lip of the hole for what seemed a lifetime. Finally, it dropped in the hole, the gallery went nuts and Tiger and his caddie could not get their high five right because they were both too excited. This birdie helped Tiger Woods take a two stroke lead heading into the final two holes, which eventually helped him win the 2005 Masters. If you have not seen this, this is a must watch.
3. Michael Phelps at the 2008 Summer Olympics
At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Michael Phelps took home eight gold medals. I repeat EIGHT gold medals! He was the reason millions of Americans had their eyes glued to the tube during the Beijing Summer Olympics.
2. Super Bowl XLII - New York Giants vs. New England Patriots
How could we forget the famous helmet catch by David Tyree? On third and long, Eli Manning chucked the ball up between several Patriot defenders and David Tyree improbably somehow pinned the ball down against his helmet. This allowed the Giants to keep the drive going and eventually go on and score to win the Super Bowl. Not only did they win the Super Bowl, but they ended the Patriots undefeated season.
1. 2006 National Championship: Rose Bowl - Texas Longhorns vs. USC Trojans
"4th and 5....I kinda feel like Joe, I'm too old for this...4th and 5, the national championship on the line right here....he's goin for the cornerrrrrrr, he's got it! Vince Young scores." This was the famous and last call all ever by famous sports broadcaster Keith Jackson (which you can listen to in the above video). And boy was it a good one! USC's 34 game winning streak was on the line. USC was going for three National Championships in a row. Vince Young was not going to let that happen as he played an unbelievable game, and when it came down to the last play, he scurried past the USC defenders for a touchdown. Farewell to the USC dynasty. USC was so dominant over the years and to have the streak end in such dramatic fashion is why Vince Young and his 4th and 5 run earned the best sports moment of the 2000's.
