Maybe it was a quote after a game. Maybe it was a slogan. Maybe it was an announcer's signature or memorable call. Whatever it was, if you're sports fan, you know it. And I give a nod to a couple of local coaches and their most famous sayings. It is what it is. (That cliche did not make the list). So enjoy my selections of the 50 best things anyone ever said in sports. There certainly have been more than 50. Some were left out. Which favorite of yours didn't make the list?
"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.'' (boxer Muhammad Ali)
"You can run, but you can't hide.'' (boxer Joe Louis)
"Let's get ready to rumble.'' (ring announcer Michael Buffer)
"It ain't over till it's over.'' (Yankees' Yogi Berra)
"The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant!'' (baseball broadcaster Russ Hodges)
"Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.'' (Yankees' Lou Gehrig)
"Havlicek stole the ball!'' (Celtics announcer Johnny Most)
"We're gonna win the game. I guarantee it.'' (Jets QB Joe Namath before Super Bowl III)
"I don't believe what I just saw.'' (announcer Jack Buck after Kirk Gibson’s homer in 1988 World Series)
"We talking about practice.'' (former 76er Allen Iverson)
"Playoffs? Playoffs?'' (former Colts coach Jim Mora)
"Gentleman, start your engines.'' (late Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony Hulman Jr.)
"Win just one for the Gipper.'' (Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne, quoting George Gipp)
"Don't look back, something might be gaining on you.'' (pitcher Satchel Paige)
"Let's play two.'' (Cubs shortstop Ernie Banks)
"Do you believe in miracles?'' (Olympic hockey announcer Al Michaels)
"The thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat.'' (Wide World of Sports)
"One minute remaining in the period.'' (PA announcer at every hockey game)
"How about that?'' (announcer Mel Allen)
"You da man.'' (unknown golf fan)
"Just give me the damn ball.'' (NFL receiver Keyshawn Johnson)
"Fore!'' (bad golfers)
"Play ball!'' (baseball umpires)
"Down the stretch they come!'' (PA announcers at horse races)
"Goooooaaaaaaaallll!!!!'' (Spanish soccer announcer Luis Omar Tapia)
"He shoots, he scores.'' (late Hockey Night in Canada announcer Foster Hewitt)
"Say it ain't so, Joe.'' (child to Shoeless Joe Jackson after 1919 Black Sox scandal)
"I had a better year than he did.'' (Yankees’ Babe Ruth on making more money than President Hoover)
"Nice guys finish last.'' (baseball manager Leo Durocher)
"No mas.'' (boxer Roberto Duran)
"There's no 'I' in team.'' (unknown)
"Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing.'' (sort of said by Packers coach Vince Lombardi)
"Yes! And it counts'' (announcer Marv Albert)
"Time for a T.O. babeee.'' (announcer Dick Vitale)
"A tie is like kissing your sister.'' (former Navy football coach Eddie Erdelatz)
"It's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game.'' (sports writer Grantland Rice)
"Turn out the lights, the party's over.'' (former Monday Night Football announcer Don Meredith)
"Holy cow!'' (former Yankees announcer Phil Rizzuto)
"You cannot be serious!'' (tennis player John McEnroe)
"Juuust a bit outside.'' (announcer Bob Uecker in the movie Major League)
"Just do it!'' (Nike)
"Just win, baby.''(Raiders owner Al Davis)
"Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier!'' (boxing announcer Howard Cosell)
"Shut your yap!'' (Lightning coach John Tortorella)
"Pound the rock!'' (Bucs coach Jon Gruden)
"If you ain't cheatin', you ain't tryin'.'' (unknown)
"There's no crying in baseball.'' (Tom Hanks in the movie A League of Their Own)
"Da Bears.'' (Spoof of Chicago Bears fans on Saturday Night Live)
"Upon further review … '' (NFL referees)
“Hi, mom!’’ (unknown origins, but an appropriate way to conclude this post)
Tom Jones doesn't sing "It's Not Unusual'' or shake his hips (well, unless you're willing to pay cash), but he does have plenty to say about sports. If it's funny, crazy, weird, irreverent or worth arguing, Tom has his opinions. So pull up a chair and get his two cents -- and give him your two cents, as well.
E-mail Tom Jones:
What about me? For that you can take this list and shove it up to somebody's butt!
Posted by: Vaclav Prospal | May 10, 2008 at 06:08 PM
I believe you meant Andres Cantor, senor.
Posted by: Luis Omar Tapia | May 11, 2008 at 03:06 AM
Ain't the beer cold, Miss Agnes!
Chuck Thompson, Baltimore Colts announcer 50's and 60's.
Posted by: Peggy Lewis | May 11, 2008 at 10:05 AM
Enjoyed your most notable quotes section and felt compelled to enhance such memorable sound bites. So with that said,,,,,,,,,
1) Slick Leonard (Old Indiana Pacer Coach in ABA days and now co-announcer) when Pacers nail a three pointer "booooom baby"
2) Clark Kellogg (CBS) - "Grabbing the Orange"
3) Ex-Indianapolis, IN Indians AAA baseball player when being called to the plate "Next up...... Razzzzzor Shines"
4) Mark Boyle (voice of Indiana Pacers) when after repeated efforts of the Pacers loosing to the Patrick Ewing and those dreaded Knicks to make the first and only NBA finals against the Lakers "DING-DONG THE WITCH IS DEAD"
5) Wayne Fontes (sp?) after Detroit Lions loose yet another playoff game "NO, Let me repeat that NO, what don't U understand about the word NO"
5) Last but not least,,,,, Bob Collins in describing the 17 year Wayne Gretzky debuting as a professional hockey player for the Indianapolis Racers (1978) "Wayne Gretzky,,, the best thing on ice since Gin"
Posted by: DEK | May 11, 2008 at 10:49 AM
What about,"Coming in second is just the first one too lose."
Dale Earnhardt Sr. when ask after a wreck why he just didn't stay put and finish the race in second place.
Posted by: JAWS | May 11, 2008 at 11:44 AM
"One,Two,Three... Take me out to the ballgame..etc" Cubs announcer, Harry Carey
Posted by: Earl Heiden | May 11, 2008 at 12:23 PM
Definitely not a favorite quote, but ubiquitous none the less. Quoted by clueless, drunk, golf “fans” at least 20 times each broadcast…” In the hole!”
Posted by: Doug Jester | May 11, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Tom, thanks for a great column on memorable sports quotes. Here is my contribuiton:
"On the fields of friendly strife are sewn the seeds that on other days and other fields will bear the fruits of victory."
These words by General of the Army Douglas MacArthur are chiseled in stone on the gigantic Field House at the United States Military Academy to remind the West Point cadets that their athletic pursuits have a loftier goal.
Jim Plunkett
West Point, Class of 1954
Posted by: Jim Plunkett | May 11, 2008 at 01:34 PM
tom thanks the awesome column on memorable sports quotes but who could forget:
"thats garbage, and the editor who wrote that is garbage"
"Come after me, i am a man, I'm forty.
Both quotes by Oklahoma st. coach Mike Gundy as he defends his quarter back after a reporter wrote an article which said his quarterback was demoted for attitude reasons and was scared. Mike Gundy thought the article unfairly attacked the quarterback Bobby Reid
Posted by: robert bacchus | May 11, 2008 at 05:11 PM
Some great quotes you've added the list, folks, especially you, Robert. "I'm a man, I'm 40!'' is classic, classic stuff.
Posted by: Tom Jones | May 11, 2008 at 07:39 PM
Tom,
I'm a retired Times writer, an avid Rays fan, and I'm delighted at the high standards Joe Maddon has patiently instilled in the current team.
So, in that context, I have to bring up Casey Stengel of the 1962 Mets:
"Can't anybody here play this game?"
-- Jim Harper, with help from his stepfather Floyd Brewer
Posted by: Jim Harper | May 11, 2008 at 11:23 PM
the greatest line in football the chris berman -- HE COULD GO ALL THE WAYYYYYY. How did THAT line make the top 50 ?????
Posted by: greg king | May 11, 2008 at 11:27 PM
the greatest line in football the chris berman -- HE COULD GO ALL THE WAYYYYYY. How did THAT line make the top 50 ?????
Posted by: greg king | May 11, 2008 at 11:29 PM
Tom, Thanks for your piece on the "50 best things anyone ever said in sports". Two of my favorites that were left off of your list were: Keith Jackson (ABC)- "Whooaa Nellie!!" and Chris Berman(ESPN)- "Back, Back, Back,Back!!)
Posted by: Art Nelson | May 12, 2008 at 08:29 AM
baseball is religion without the mischief--tom boswell
rick monday on phil niekros knuckler"it actually giggles at you on the way by"
there are only 2 geniuses--willie mays and willie shakespeare--tallulah bankhead
in ny they name candy bars after regie--in baltimore they name their children after brooks
mickey rivers on pitcher juan eichelberger--'he is so ugly when you walk by him your pants would wrinkle"
i have many more.
Posted by: bob grant | May 12, 2008 at 08:48 AM
How about ex-Sabre's coach, Jim Schoenfeld, to referee Don Kowharski:
"Have another do-nut, you fat pig.".
Posted by: Dennis | May 12, 2008 at 09:11 AM
"Go crazy, folks, go crazy": Jack Buck during the 1985 NLCS game 5 when Ozzie Smith hit a home run to beat the Dodgers.
Posted by: Clyde Butts | May 12, 2008 at 10:58 AM
greg and art:
do your homework. those aren't berman's lines.
Posted by: joe hillman | May 12, 2008 at 01:13 PM
i always liked jack buck's "go crazy folks, go crazy!" line better than his kirk gibson call.
Posted by: joe hillman | May 12, 2008 at 01:15 PM
"he could...go...all...the...way" not one of Berman's lines?
You would be incorrect.
Posted by: | May 12, 2008 at 03:28 PM
"Holy Cow" was originated by Harry Caray, St Louis Cards radio broadcaster in early 1940's. Rizzuto was just starting his BB playing career. Harry also originated....
"It might be, it could be, it is....A home run"
Posted by: Rich Jones | May 12, 2008 at 04:20 PM
How about Tug McGraw's line You gotta believe.
Also don't know where it originated but "can of corn"
Posted by: Dennis Kirkwood | May 12, 2008 at 08:42 PM
>>>he could...go...all...the...way" not one of Berman's lines?
You would be incorrect.<<<
guess you never heard of howard cosell? he was doing this schtick on nfl highlights during halftime of monday night football in the 70s when berman was in high school.
Posted by: joe hillman | May 13, 2008 at 09:10 AM
Thanks, Tom and everyone else for the memories. My favorite that hasn't been mentioned yet comes from the sage Billy Martin during his wars with Reggie Jackson and The Boss (Steinbrenner, not Springsteen): "One's a born liar, the other's convicted."
Another memorable quote for any of us who were in New York in the early '80s is from Micheal Ray Richardson. Once when a reporter asked him about the Knicks' prospects, he replied, "The ship be sinking."
Posted by: (Mr) Bill | May 13, 2008 at 09:07 PM
"I don't believe what I just saw." Vin Scully
Way better than many on this list.
Posted by: David | May 13, 2008 at 11:52 PM