# Are ESPN Classic writers high? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 8, 2005, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-espn-classic-writers-high/307396 "2005-06-08T02:23:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-espn-classic-writers-high/307396/21 "2005-06-08T12:18:02Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > Not one mention of Randy Johnson nailing the bird with his pitch? Are you kidding me?!? I didn’t see the show, but the lack of mention here makes me very, very sad. And I was having a great day till now. ☹ No that was there too. Though it was somthing he could have done if he tried. It was more the birds blunder I guess. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-espn-classic-writers-high/307396/22 "2005-06-08T12:39:29Z")
The Top 25 blunders in Sports? My vote for #1 would be Caroline Marcil’s rendition of the national anthem last April. ---
**Author:** ![jesuslynch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e99b99/32.png) [@jesuslynch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jesuslynch)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-espn-classic-writers-high/307396/23 "2005-06-08T12:40:59Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > …About Lett: yeah, it didn’t affect the game, but it was so freaking stupid, and it was during the Super Bowl. **And he proved to be repeat offender** , so that didn’t help. No pun intended, I’m sure. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-espn-classic-writers-high/307396/24 "2005-06-08T14:15:35Z")
I love these kinds of shows, but it always makes me upset that not every entity cooperates and lets ESPN have use of the clip. As I recall last time I saw one of these, anything involving the NFL was not accompanied by the actual clip. So to all the leagues and networks: lighten up on your exclusivity rights- let ESPN use the clips so we can have some fun. ---
**Author:** ![Try\_As\_I\_Might](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea666f/32.png) [@Try\_As\_I\_Might](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try_As_I_Might)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-espn-classic-writers-high/307396/25 "2005-06-08T15:53:57Z")
> [@DKW](#): > > What about the dropped pass in the end zone that _cost_ the Cowboys (IIRC…either them or the Steelers) a Super Bowl? Think something like that should rate a little higher? > > I have no problems with “The band is on the field!” getting the #1 spot. Truly a one-of-a-kind moment. Jackie Smith. ouch. you had to bring that up. I think that might be the worst moment for any cowboy fan. to me, it’s even worse than the catch. And I agree with the band is on the field moment. There’s like 5 blunders in about 20 seconds and one very good ref who doesn’t call the play dead. classic. ---
**Author:** ![lno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@lno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lno)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-espn-classic-writers-high/307396/26 "2005-06-08T16:44:51Z")
Is there a film clip of “The band is on the field!” available somewhere? ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-espn-classic-writers-high/307396/27 "2005-06-08T17:04:21Z")
> [@lno](#): > > Is there a film clip of “The band is on the field!” available somewhere? Or even just an explanation of it? ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-espn-classic-writers-high/307396/28 "2005-06-08T17:05:33Z")
I think the National Anthem blunder of all time belongs to Rosanne, and who ever thought it was a good idea to let her do it. ---
**Author:** ![lno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@lno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lno)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-espn-classic-writers-high/307396/29 "2005-06-08T17:11:33Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > Or even just an explanation of it? I was surprisingly unable to find a good description of it. What it sounds like is a kick return at the end of the game, with five laterals and blunders galore, ended up with the ballcarrier crashing into the endzone and running into the band, who had come onto the field in anticipation of their team winning. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-espn-classic-writers-high/307396/30 "2005-06-08T17:15:28Z")
> [@lno](#): > > I was surprisingly unable to find a good description of it. What it sounds like is a kick return at the end of the game, with five laterals and blunders galore, ended up with the ballcarrier crashing into the endzone and running into the band, who had come onto the field in anticipation of their team winning. That’s pretty close, except that the band was all over that end of the field. The final ball carrier had to weave through the band the last 15 yards or so, capping it off by just flat out leveling some poor guy carrying a tuba just as he got in the end zone. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-espn-classic-writers-high/307396/31 "2005-06-08T17:18:57Z")
Yeah, that’s how it went. Stanford, led by their QB… whatsisname, something Elway ;)… went on a drive and kicked a field goal to give them the lead with 4 seconds left. California receives the kick, nearly has a player tackled, laterals about 5 times, and returns the kick for a touchdown… running the last 15 yards or so _through the Stanford band_, who assumed the player was tackled and the game was over. The tuba player got hit headon by the ballcarrier. ---
**Author:** ![Alma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecd19e/32.png) [@Alma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alma)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-espn-classic-writers-high/307396/32 "2005-06-08T17:19:41Z")
I found this: > [@](#): > > 1. (1982) Cal beats Stanford, 25-20, on the strength of a crazy kickoff return that has since become known simply as “The Play.” With 4 seconds left, Stanford takes a 20-19 lead, and kicks off to Kevin Moen. The ball is lateraled to Richard Rodgers and then Dwight Garner, who is almost tackled, but passes it back to Rodgers, then Mariet Ford and back to Moen, as the Stanford Band, thinking they have won, marches onto the field. Moen dodges the band and scores the winning touchdown, steamrolling trombone player Gary Tyrrell in the end zone. From here: [http://www.answers.com/topic/espn25](http://www.answers.com/topic/espn25) ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-espn-classic-writers-high/307396/33 "2005-06-08T17:24:23Z")
For the “Band is on the field”, one of the laterals was forward, I think the last one. It’s hard to tell though because the player stays ahead of the ball the whole time, but both are moving forward. ANd I don’t think Buckner deserves any blunder recognition. It was a missed play, but there was about a dozen things the Red Sox did wrong before that. And remember the game was tied before the Buckner miss. ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-espn-classic-writers-high/307396/34 "2005-06-08T17:26:55Z")
> [@Gangster Octopus](#): > > ANd I don’t think Buckner deserves any blunder recognition. It was a missed play, but there was about a dozen things the Red Sox did wrong before that. And remember the game was tied before the Buckner miss. Agree. Buckner’s play wasn’t particularly stupid or the result of poor decision making. He was injured and just didn’t have the ability to make the play. Unfortunate, but not a blunder. ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-espn-classic-writers-high/307396/35 "2005-06-08T17:33:50Z")
I woulda liked to have seen the guy go off the side of the ski jump, just for old times sake. . . ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-espn-classic-writers-high/307396/36 "2005-06-08T17:53:10Z")
Keep in mind that skier one was ABC footage so ESPN wouldn’t even have to ask to use it. They could have used it in some sort of lead-in to the show just to appease us old farts. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Scrivener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-espn-classic-writers-high/307396/37 "2005-06-08T18:04:23Z")
Here’s a sports board thread on athletes (all sports) who’ve managed to [injure themselves](http://www.sportsfilter.com/comments.cfm/184), including non-game injuries (which obviously wouldn’t count in the ESPN show). I vaguely remember Miami Dolphins WR Duriel Harris spraining his [ankle? knee?] while spiking the ball after scoring a TD, during an early playoff game, in the early-mid '80’s. Don Shula, absolutely livid, instituted a team “no spiking” rule the next day. I think the 'Fins managed to win that game but lost the next… Does anybody else remember this? I haven’t been able to find a cite online. ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-espn-classic-writers-high/307396/38 "2005-06-08T18:12:33Z")
As far as baseball blunders go, did Babe Ruth’s blunder to end the 1926 World Series make the list? Representing the tying run on first base with two outs in the final game of the World Series, he takes off on an attempted steal of second base and gets thrown out. Inning over! Game over! World Series over! Yankees lose! Th-uh-uh-uh-uh Yankees lose! (I really, really hate John Sterling’s radio calling of Yankees games.) ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-espn-classic-writers-high/307396/39 "2005-06-08T18:13:23Z")
> [@VarlosZ](#): > > As an aside, I don’t think he could have beaten Mookie Wilson to first in any case. Actually, let me rephrase: I _know_ he couldn’t have beaten Mookie to first (he was on the edge of the outfiled, he had bad knees, and Mookie could fly), and I don’t think the throw could’ve beaten him either. The throw would’ve beaten him. This is a routine play with the pitcher covering 1st. While Mookie was fast, he was not going to beat the pitcher to 1st base. But I do agree with the reasons for not including Buckner. One other reason that Buckner doesn’t belong on these lists is that the choke was already accomplished. The Red Sox had already blown the lead. The Mets had already tied it. The Buckner error allowed the winnning run to score, but the Red Sox squandered a 2 run lead with 2 outs in the 9th. I don’t agree with the Stanford marching band or the girl forgetting the national anthem. How are these sports blunders? The list should be limited to athletes or members of the team staff, and referees. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-espn-classic-writers-high/307396/40 "2005-06-08T18:29:20Z")
> [@VarlosZ](#): > > As an aside, I don’t think he could have beaten Mookie Wilson to first in any case. Actually, let me rephrase: I _know_ he couldn’t have beaten Mookie to first (he was on the edge of the outfiled, he had bad knees, and Mookie could fly), and I don’t think the throw could’ve beaten him either. I agree with the rest of your observations about Buckner, but **Jackknifed Juggernaut** hit this one on the head. It’s not a matter of whether Buckner could have beaten Wilson to first; it was simply a matter of whether the _pitcher_ could have beaten Wilson to first. And i don’t care how fast you are, it’s very unusual for a batter to beat a pticher to first base in this sort of situation. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-espn-classic-writers-high/307396.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-espn-classic-writers-high/307396.md?page=3)