100!

My 100^th blog. Seems like just a year and a half ago when I wrote my first Nosebleed Section entry. Wait, it was a year and a half ago. Since that pseudo landmark post I’ve gathered some great sports memories (Boise State and Oklahoma at the Fiesta Bowl) and some not-so-good ones (Michael Vick, on and off the field). Over the next few days, through 10 Top Ten lists (10 x 10 = 100. Get it? I’m so clever!), I’m going to reflect on those memorable stories and revisit the moments that have touched me most over the past 20 years. Of course, if Barry hits No. 756 while all of this is going on, I’ll toss in a neat lil’ tribute to the Giants legend somewhere. Till then, here’s today’s list…

10 Best Athletes I’ve Seen Live

10. Michael Beasley- You may not know about this Kansas State freshman baller yet, but soon enough you’ll be absolutely blown away by the same near-flawless, grown man game I first witnessed at a high school hoops camp three summers ago.

9. Andruw Jones- Whoever it was who called the Braves star the most overrated centerfield ever is a complete ass. I’ve been left speechless on at least 20 occasions at Turner Field by something Druw did with his glove or bat.

8. LeBron James- Though I’ve only seen King James play live twice, those times were all I needed to see what the hype was about. He glides across the court with this Magic-like air that every shot/pass/rebound happened exactly how he planned it in his head.

7. Kobe Bryant- Say what you want (and, trust me, I have) about his character. On the floor, No. 24 (he wore No. 8 when I saw him tho) is an absolute assassin. The cocky walk, tongue wag and gum chew just ooze MJ.

6. Steve McNair- It was ’93 or ‘94. At the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. UTC’s star wide receiver was some guy named Terrell Owens. He was good. But the real sensation on the field was Alcorn State’s Steve McNair. The man had an absolute missile for an arm, and he proved it by going about 70 yards on the game’s first play.

5. Michael Vick- Over the past three seasons, I’ve probably seen No. 7 do his thing 10 or 11 times. And though the end result wasn’t always to my liking, the man guaranteed at least two or three magical, “Did you see that?” moments in the Georgia Dome.

4. Jerry Rice- The 49ers/Falcons game was at old Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, so you know this is from waaaaay back. But even with the stretch in time, I can remember Rice effortlessly running routes and making first downs. He made it look so easy that it was almost boring.

3. Deion Sanders- Thankfully, I got to see this guy in a Falcons and Braves uniform. Both were fantastic. Oddly, seeing the super talent spray triples and steal bases is more memorable than watching him shut down offenses from the cornerback slot.

2. Dominique Wilkins- His head kinda bobbed when he walked his pigeon-toed walk. At the free throw line, he’d dribble a few times, exaggerate a stop in mid motion and then take the shot. I know all of this ‘cuz I couldn’t take my eyes off the Nique every time I witnessed a game at the Omni.

1. Barry Bonds- It was the summer of ’04. The Braves, as usual, were making a postseason push. Said push came to a screeching halt, at least for a weekend, when Bonds smashed three homers over a two-day span. I was at both games, and trust me when I tell you that NO ONE in that building had ever witnessed such an offensive display.