Top 10 Sports Moments of the 1980s

The Top Ten

1 U.S. Men's Hockey Team defeats Soviet Union in Olympics (1980)

The Miracle of all Miracles, so big was this moment that Sports Illustrated put this team on the cover with no words just pictures. The first team to be named the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year, The Sports Illustrated Sportsmen of the Year and The ABC's Wide World of Sports Athlete of the Year. Now the Wide World's Athlete of the Year was the big deal back before the days of Cable TV, I know I grow up waiting to see on TV which athlete takes home that big sports award, and yes even after 40 years we still believe in miracles in sports and in life.
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2 Jack Nicklaus wins his sixth Masters Tournament at age 46 (1986)

3 Kirk Gibson hits walk-off home run in World Series (1988)

4 Celtics vs. Lakers NBA Finals matchup (1987)

5 Mets rally to win World Series Game 6. Bill Buckner error (1986)

6 49ers defeat Cowboys in NFC Championship on "The Catch" (1981)

7 NC State defeats Houston in NCAA National Championship (1983)

8 Ben Johnson tests positive for steroids after 100m final in Summer Olympics (1988)

It was the biggest disgrace in this or any Olympics. Carl Lewis knew before the 100 Meters final that something was brewing and yes Ben was on the roll with a great 1987 behind him including being named Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year. When it came down to the showdown it was evident something did brew. Ben ran in 9.79 it was unheard of, but then it happened. Ben was caught and was stripped of his gold medal and Lewis was gold instead.
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9 Villanova defeats Georgetown in NCAA Men's Basketball Final (1985)

It was the ultimate April Fools day' shocker. Before a worldwide television audience. It was Villanova's crisp shooting that would have Georgetown scratching its head. Ed Pickney scored 16 points while his teammate Dwayne McClain scored 17 points and Harold Jensen had a perfect shooting day going 5-for-5 and finishing up with 14 points. The Villanova defense was holding Georgetown's player of the Year Patrick Ewing to 14 points. In the end Villanova had their One Shining Moment.
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10 North Carolina defeats Georgetown in NCAA Men's Basketball Final (1982)

In the first title game aired on CBS, a great game that came down to the last minute. Before that, Patrick Ewing ruled the game by scoring 23 points and giving up some others by lots of goal tending calls. The final minute saw an exciting finish as Michael Jordan delivered a game-winning shot, it was history in the making. This was the coming out party for Jordan and Powell Latimer, from the Daily Tar Heel said after the shot "Mike became Michael Jordan who became all of the above."
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The Contenders

11 Marvin Hagler vs. Thomas Hearns - "The War" (1985)

12 Alexis Arguello vs. Aaron Pryor I (1982)

13 George Brett's Pine Tar Incident (1983)

14 Bjorn Borg defeats John McEnroe in Wimbledon Final (1980)

15 Nolan Ryan pitches his 5th no-hitter (1981)

16 Mike Schmidt hits his 500th home run (1987)

17 Super Bowl XXIII - 49ers vs. Bengals (1989)

18 Tony Dorsett’s 99-yard touchdown run vs. Vikings (1983)

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