Thanks to those who lost their lives while fighting for our freedom, we're able to enjoy distractions like sports. Here are some moments from competition that helped make some past Memorial Days all the more memorable:
Lakers-Celtics, 1985
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Game 1 of the 1985 NBA Finals is better known as the Memorial Day Massacre, with the Celtics pulverizing the Lakers 148-114 in Boston Garden. The Lakers regroup and win the next game as well as the series, 4-2.
Bulls-Pistons, 1991
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Chicago sweeps the two-time defending NBA champions in the Eastern Conference finals, and the Pistons cause an uproar by walking off the court with time still left on the clock.
Mike Schmidt, 1989
AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy
The Phillies slugger is 39 and hitting just .206, so he decides to retire during the season. He finishes his career with 548 home runs.
Trail Blazers-Spurs, 1999
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San Antonio wins the Memorial Day Miracle, 86-85, when Sean Elliott hits a three-pointer over Portland's Rasheed Wallace in the final seconds of Game 2 in the Western Conference finals. Elliott nearly steps out of bounds but keeps his heels from touching the sideline before nailing the winner. The Spurs trailed by 18 early in the third quarter.
Dennis Eckersley, 1977
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Long before he becomes a dominant closer, Eckersley is a starter for the Indians and throws a no-hitter while fanning 12 against the Angels.
Randy Velarde, 2000
AP Photo
The A's second baseman pulls off an unassisted triple play at Yankee Stadium. With runners on first and second, Shane Spencer lines out to Verlarde on a hit-and-run play. Verlade then tags out Jorge Posada, who was on first, and Tino Martinez, who was on second.
Knicks-Bulls, 1993
AP Photo/Fred Jewell
Michael Jordan keeps the Bulls' drive for a three-peat alive by dropping 54 points on the Knicks in Game 4 in the Eastern Conference finals. It ties the series at 2-2, and then in Game 5, the Bulls win at Madison Square Garden by denying Charles Smith at the rim four times in the final seconds.
Dale Long, 1956
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Long sets a major league record that still stands by hitting a home run in eight consecutive games. Don Mattingly (1987) and Ken Griffey Jr. (1993) manage to duplicate the feat.
Willie Mays, 1951
Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Images
Mays hits 660 home runs in his career. The first comes against Hall of Famer Warren Spahn.
Indianapolis 500, 1965
Robert Riger/Getty Images
This is the first time the Indy 500 is broadcast on national TV as ABC's Wide World of Sports shows Jim Clark of Scotland winning the race.
Topics:
Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Dale Long, Dennis Eckersley, Indianapolis 500, Los Angeles Lakers, Michael Jordan, New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, Willie Mays
