My Sports Bucket List: Past, Present and Future (Lord Willing)
As evidenced in the recent passings of Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson and Alexis Arguello, we never know when our number will be called. I know we all have wished we were at a certain sporting event no matter how historic, you may even be makng plans for the next big event.
Today I’ve made a bucket list comprised of three events that I wish I had attended, three I would like to attend in the next calendar year and three in the future.
The Past
1. Watch the Negro League – I would love to bear witness to one Josh Gibson’s gargantuan home runs, watch Satchel Paige hurl a no-hitter or witness the blinding speed of James ”Cool Papa” Bell.
2. See the Thrilla in Manila – It was the first sporting event I remember seeing as a child. My lasting image then was Muhammad Ali knocking Joe Frazier’s mouthpiece into press row.
3. Doc gets his ring – May 1983, Moses Malone, Julius Erving & Co. finish off the L.A. Lakers in four games to win his only NBA Championship.
The Present
1. See the Williams Sisters – I’ve got to make it to Flushing Meadows next September for the U.S. Open, although my money may be on Venus to win, as long as I see Serena in her finest, it’s well worth the trip.
2. See Mayweather/Pacquiao – Don’t rule this fight out. Mayweather is talking a good game, If he can get past Juan Manuel Marquez and possibly Miguel Cotto, this one may actually go down.
3. Attend a Hall of Fame Induction – I’m waiting for 2011 when Deion Sanders goes in but the 2010 class will be historic as Jerry Rice (All-Time leading receiver) and Emmitt Smith (All-Time leading rusher) will be inducted as will Cris Carter (fingers, toes, arms and legs crossed)
The Future
1. Attend the Indianapolis 500 – Helio Castroneves is the best in his sport when it’s money time. And I need to bear witness to that. Besides, I need to see what something going 200 M.P.H. looks like.
2. See Manchester United play – Maybe not so much for the Red Devils as it is to see their stadium. Old Trafford Stadium, and to hear what 90,000+ sounds like.
3. Go to the Super Bowl – I’ll go to any of them as long as the Cowboys aren’t playing.
I want to see C.C. pitch.
Damn those Cowboys mang!
I just wish I could have been at the 83 NBA All-Star game to watch the faces of the crowd as Marvin Gaye turned the Star Spangled Banner into what can only be described as foreplay.
Past:
1. 1986 World Cup- I wish I could have seen Diego Maradona play.
2. I would like to have witnessed Wilt’s 100-point game.
3. I wish I could have been at Game 6 of the Finals when Kareem was hurt and Magic played center and dropped 42, 15 and 7
Hey you don’t have to pick one event. You can pick three from the past present and future.
Past:
to be in Japan for Misawa-Kawada from 6-3-94. It’s so good, and so layered in all of their matches before, that i wish i could have been there to see it.
to see the first home game for my beloved White Sox in the World Series. I wanted so badly to share that moment with my late grandfather and never could.
to be in the audience for King v. Thomas in Detroit.
Present:
(I’m already gonna do this one) to be in the audience at the debut DGUSA show in Philly at the ECW arena. Mizz, TBR, anyone in the philly area if you can get tickets….. go. This is that next-gen shit.
To go squat-for-squat with my girl in Gold’s Gym Venice.
To attend a White Sox Playoff Game in Chicago.
Future:
To be in the crowd the night the Knicks announce they’ve signed LeBron James.
To watch UFC at Madison Square Garden.
To get Mizz inside the building for an ROH show in Philly.