I was born in Houston; grew up there. And like any other Houston kid, I was a sports fan. An Astros fan; an Oilers fan; a Rockets fan, a Cougar fan. Starry eyed, I pulled for my heroes; confident that this time they would win. Yes, my team was due. They would be champions.
"The Game of the Century"
In the first ever televised primetime college basketball event, the Houston Cougars (led by the Big E, Elvin Hayes) defeated UCLA; ending the (John Wooden coached) Bruins 2 1/2 season winning streak. The Coogs, however, would go down to defeat twice to UCLA in consecutive Final Fours (when it mattered most).
J.R. Richard
Six foot ten; fastball-100 mph; record midway into 1980 season 10-4 w/ an era of 1.73; teamed w/ all-time strikeout leader Nolan Ryan. Unstopable pitching combo that would win World Series? No. Stroke, retirement (for Richards); Ryan would blow a deciding game 5 Pennant decision(leading 5-2 in the 9th inning)to the Phillies. Four of the five games went into extra innings.
Luv Ya Blue
Coach O.A. "Bum" Phillips" had Earl "The Pearl" Campbell. He had a devastating defense. He had a sure-handed reciever (Mike Renfro). And he had (perhaps the greatest team in NFL history) the Pittsburg Steelers on the ropes. What he didn't have was instant replay. Renfro's (what should have been) game tying catch was ruled incomplete. Steelers 27, Oilers 13.
Leading 24-16 midway through the 4th quarter (playoffs) in '91 against the Denver Broncos the Oilers would stand around and watch John Elway saunter down the field several times. Broncos 26, Oilers 24.
Leading 35-3, that's right THIRTY-FIVE TO FREAKN THREE, at the half, the Oilers lose to the Buffalo Bills ('92 playoffs) 41-38 in OT. The biggest lead ever blown in NFL history.
Phi Slama Jama
Hakeem "The Dream" Olajawon, Clyde "The Glide" Drexler, Larry "Mr. Mean" Michauex, Benny "Instant Offense" Anderson, Michael "The Silent Assassin" Young, Hall Of Fame Coach Guy V. Lewis; this team was destined to finally bring The University Of Houston their first collegiate championship. After destroying the #2 Louisville "Doctors of Dunk", all #1 Houston had to do was beat (tenth seeded, not tenth ranked) N.C. State and end years of "Cougar High" catcalls.. N.C. State 54, Hou 52.
1986
Leading (in game six)the New York Mets three to zip entering the ninth inning (at home no less) and with unhittable, Cy Young winning, Mike Scott ready to go in game seven, the Astros would see (NL save leader) Dave Smith give up three runs in the ninth. Mets 7, Astros 6 in 16 innings.
Yao Ming
Riding a 12 winning streak (22-4 since Jan 1st) and only three games out of 1st in the Western Conference, Yao Ming was having his best season ever. With other contenders nursing injuries or making high profile, desperational trades; the Rockets were peaking at the right time, geared to make a run at the championship. Left foot, stress fracture, Yao's season over.
While I take heart in the back-to-back Hakeem led championships of the mid-90's, that was awhile back. And at some point you begin to feel like your team is due. So, starry eyed, I cheer for my heroes (despite losing their 7 ft 6 inch presence in the lane), believing we'll win it all. Confident this time, yes this time, we will be champions.
Anyone want to give me odds?