Posted by: Ref
- Donor [539581218] Sun, Jan 28, 2007, 19:26
Ran across this list as I was doing a search. This is from Askmen.com and covers all sports-not just hoops. I can think of some plays that should be added to this list and I'm sure you all can too. So here they are:
Number 10 Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Detroit Lions 1998 NFL Thanksgiving Game Referee: Phil Luckett
A referee is always ribbed about his questionable vision, but for NFL official Phil Luckett, it was one of his other four senses that malfunctioned during an overtime coin toss. Steelers running back Jerome Bettis distinctly called “tails” and his declaration was heard through field audio. But when the coin landed with “tails” facing up, Luckett awarded the ball to the Detroit Lions.
Outcome: The Steelers kicked off in overtime and never saw the ball again. Detroit would drive down the field and kick the game-winning 42-yard field goal.
Number 9 Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers 1998 NFL Wild Card Game Referee: Gerald Austin
In San Francisco 49ers lore, there are two last-second, heroic touchdown receptions simply known as The Catch and The Catch II -- the latter of which should never have happened. Down by four points, the 49ers moved into Packer territory with less than one minute remaining. On a second-down play, Jerry Rice made a reception on a short crossing route and fumbled. Replays showed that the ball had slipped from Rice’s grasp before either of his knees had made contact with the ground, but the official ruled that Rice was down prior to losing control of the ball.
Outcome: The 49ers completed the comeback as quarterback Steve Young picked out Terrell Owens between five Packer defenders on a miraculous 25-yard touchdown with three seconds left.
Which golden child of basketball created a stir when he pushed off a defender for a clear shot in the finals?
Number 8 Kansas City Royals vs. New York Yankees 1983 Referee: Tim McClelland
If being the first baseball player to attain 3,000 hits, 300 home runs, 600 doubles, 100 triples, 1,500 runs batted in, and 200 stolen bases isn’t enough to be remembered for, how about a terrific temper tantrum? When third baseman George Brett of the Royals gave his team a 5-4 lead with a ninth-inning two-run home run, Yankees manager Billy Martin protested to the home plate umpire, Tim McClelland, that Brett had more than 18 inches of pine tar on his bat. After a quick measure, McClelland signaled Brett out and awarded the Yankees a victory. Brett stormed out of the dugout and had to be physically restrained from a face-to-face confrontation with McClelland.
Outcome: The Royals obviously felt robbed and protested. American League President Lee MacPhail upheld their objection, stating that an umpire could only remove the bat from the game and could not call the batter out. The remainder of the game was to be completed later in the season, beginning after Brett’s home run. The Royals would hold on for a 5-4 victory.
Number 7 Atlanta Braves vs. Minnesota Twins 1991 World Series Referee: Drew Coble
Bigger isn’t always better, but in Game Two of the 1991 World Series, Twins first baseman Kent Hrbek proved a case where it was. After Braves hitter Ron Gant singled, he took a wide turn as he rounded first base. The Twins' fielders took note of this and relayed back to first, where Gant returned safely, but slightly off balance. The 250-pound Hrbek applied a pretty fierce tag, essentially pushing the 170-pound Gant off the bag. First base umpire Drew Coble claimed that Gant’s momentum pulled him off the base and called him out.
Outcome: Gant and manager Bobby Cox vehemently protested to no avail. The Braves lost Game Two by one run and would drop the Series in seven games.
Number 6 Utah Jazz vs. Chicago Bulls 1998 NBA Finals Referees: Dick Bavetta, Dan Crawford, Hue Hollins
Michael Jordan is widely considered one of the best guards in NBA history. Armed with an explosive first step and an impeccable ability to change direction at will, Jordan could always create space for his shot. But in the 1998 Finals, with his Chicago Bulls down by one point to the hometown Utah Jazz and with less than 10 seconds remaining, Jordan clearly pushed off defender Bryon Russell’s thigh for a clean look at the basket. Russell fell to the ground and Jordan easily drained the 20-foot jumper.
Outcome: Since the Jazz failed to score on their next and final possession, Jordan’s shot proved to be the clinching shot of the series and is now one of the most memorable moments in NBA Finals history.
Number 5 Baltimore Orioles vs. New York Yankees 1996 American League Championship Series Referee: Rich Garcia
Before Steve Bartman, there was Jeffrey Maier. While both of these passionate fans sat near the live boundaries of play and interfered, Maier was the one who helped his own team. In the bottom of the eighth inning during Game One, the Bronx Bombers were trailing 4-3. Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter launched a fly ball that was going to bounce off the top of the right field wall, just inches short of a home run, but Maier stuck his glove out and helped the ball over the fence. Although right field umpire Rich Garcia rushed down the line to get a better view of the play, he missed the fan interference and ruled it a home run.
Outcome: Orioles right fielder Tony Tarasco was rightfully irate. Riding the momentum from the lucky play, the Yanks took Game One in extra innings and advanced in five games.
Number 4 Buffalo Sabres vs. Dallas Stars 1999 Stanley Cup Final Referee: Bryan Lewis, NHL Supervisor of Officials
Sometimes the right decision is a tough decision, and in Game Six of the 1999 Stanley Cup Finals between the Dallas Stars and the Buffalo Sabres, the referees lacked the guts to make the correct ruling. In the third overtime, just 23 seconds short of the longest game in Finals history, Brett Hull’s skate was clearly in the crease as the game-winning goal was scored. The rule stated that a player could not be in the crease unless the puck was already there, and Hull was undoubtedly there prior to the puck’s arrival. As the Stars poured onto the ice to celebrate, the refs briefly reviewed the play and let it stand.
Outcome: The Sabres protested in their locker room, but the murky explanation handed down by Bryan Lewis was not agreeable. Shortly after the incident, the NHL would dismiss the much-maligned “skate in the crease” rule.
Number 3 Argentina vs. England 1986 World Cup Quarter-Finals Referee: Ali Bin Nasser
They say the first time is the one you remember. For Argentinean soccer player Diego Maradona, his first goal against rival England would be the one every soccer fan would remember for life. As he challenged English goalkeeper Peter Shilton for a floating ball, he raised his hand over his head to punch the ball into the net. His nearby teammates didn't flinch, assuming the goal would be disallowed. But referee Ali Bin Nasser didn’t see the blatant handball and the Argentinean players rushed Maradona to sell the scene.
Outcome: Maradona would strike again three minutes later, leading Argentina to a 2-1 victory. They later captured their second-ever World Cup.
Number 2 Roy Jones Jr. vs. Park Si Hun 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics Referees: Bob Kasule of Uganda, Alberto Duran of Uruguay and Hiouad Larbi of Morocco
Sometimes a play is too close to call and a judge is forced into a split-second decision. On the other end of the refereeing spectrum are barefaced blunders. Three boxing judges from the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics are guilty of the latter: They awarded South Korean Park Si Hun a Gold Medal victory in front of his home crowd over Roy Jones Jr., even though the American treated him like a piñata. Jones Jr. landed 54 more punches, displaying uncanny hand speed. He would have knocked out Hun had the fight lasted any longer than three rounds, but the judges still awarded Hun a 3-2 decision.
Outcome: Jones Jr. became a Silver medalist and was perversely awarded the Val Baker award, given to the Olympics’ top boxer, while bribery conspiracies were kindled. The three judges who decided in favor of Hun were suspended, but after a lengthy International Olympic Committee investigation that concluded in 1997, no evidence of foul play was uncovered.
Number 1 St. Louis Cardinals vs. Kansas City Royals 1985 World Series Referee: Don Denkinger
Missouri’s “Show-Me State” nickname derives from the people’s devotion to believing only what they can see. But in the Show-Me Series, a World Series matchup between Missouri’s two baseball teams, a certain umpire lacked vision. In Game Six, behind 3-2 in the series, trailing 1-0 in the game, and down to what appeared to be their last three outs in the ninth inning, the Royals received some help from first base umpire Don Denkinger. Jorge Orta of the Royals nubbed a slow roller on the infield grass, which was handled by first baseman Jack Clark. He picked it up and tossed it to pitcher Todd Worrell, who was covering first base. Although Worrell beat Orta by a step, Denkinger called him safe.
Outcome: The Royals rallied in the ninth inning to win Game Six and would bludgeon the Cardinals by a score of 11-0 in the seventh and deciding game.
1
Senator Urine
ID: 141130310 Sun, Jan 28, 2007, 19:29
One call that particularly stands out in my mind was the phantom Sacramento foul on Kobe in Game 6 of the infamous series. Replays showed no Sacramento defender within feet of him.
I also remember an old Knicks-Pacers game in the mid-90s where a botched foul call on Derek Harper basically cost the Knicks the game.
2
Senator Urine
ID: 141130310 Sun, Jan 28, 2007, 19:31
And how could I forget Reggie Miller pushing Greg Anthony down during the legendary 8 points in 6 seconds game. Not to take anything away from Miller, but man. Blatant.
3
Perm Dude
ID: 130452817 Sun, Jan 28, 2007, 19:36
Regarding call #10 in post 1, Luckett made the correct call. Bettis did say "head-tails" and Luckett took the call to be heads (as it was the first one said).
4
Ref Donor
ID: 539581218 Sun, Jan 28, 2007, 19:39
Three additional plays jump out in my mind quickly:
The 1972 Olympics US/USSR Basketball Gold Medal Game where the officials gave the Soviets three chances to win the game. Under protest the three Eastern Bloc judges on the five panel board voted to deny the protest.
1990: The 5 down game at the CU/Mizzou game which ended up winning the game and ultimately splitting the National Championship.
In 1999 by Jess Kersey: The 4-point play Larry Johnson was given in Game 3 in the Knicks/Pacers NBA Playoffs game that Cost Indiana the game. Antonio Davis didn't foul him, but even if he did, he shouldn't have gotten the continuation to hit the 3. This game was huge and ultimately resulted in the Knicks advancing.
5
Ref Donor
ID: 539581218 Sun, Jan 28, 2007, 19:41
Another one might be the Jordan push of Utah's Byron Russell to win the NBA Championship.
6
Perm Dude
ID: 130452817 Sun, Jan 28, 2007, 19:44
You mean #6?
:)
7
Ref Donor
ID: 539581218 Sun, Jan 28, 2007, 19:44
The thing about officiating is that the officials are human and are going to miss plays or make mistakes, but when they happen so late in the game that the players can't overcome them they become more memorable.
Re: #2, that would be a much tougher call than the Jordan push of Russell. Reggie may have gotten away with something, but it wasn't as clear cut IMM. I thought the play where Reggie pushed Jordan a smidge to finally knock the Bulls out of the playoffs was more than that push. But still short of Jordan's push of Russell.
8
Ref Donor
ID: 539581218 Sun, Jan 28, 2007, 23:34
PD, yeah I guess I missed it! The Jordan thing did make it on the top 10. ;)
9
Ref Donor
ID: 539581218 Sun, Jan 28, 2007, 23:40
A couple other calls that were big--both in football.
The Testaverde play where he supposedly crossed the plane of the goalline which led to bringing back instant replay.
And what about Big Ben last year in the Super Bowl where he was ruled to have also crossed the goal line?
10
Ref Donor
ID: 539581218 Sun, Jan 28, 2007, 23:44
Mike Renfro ruled out of bounds Officials rule Houston wide receiver Mike Renfro is out of the end zone on a fantastic catch at Pittsburgh in the 1980 AFC championship game. Replays show Renfro was in-bounds, but officials rule the pass incomplete, and the Steelers go on to a 27-13 victory that sends them to their fourth Super Bowl
Eric Gregg's wide strike zone Umpire Eric Gregg rings up Fred McGriff to end Game 5 of the 1997 NLCS on a pitch from Livan Hernandez that appears to be a foot outside. The Marlins beat the Braves in the series and go on to win the World Series.
11
Ref Donor
ID: 539581218 Sun, Jan 28, 2007, 23:58
I was searching for some others and found that ESPN has done this before as well: link
1. Denkinger calls Royals' Orta safe at first 2. Colorado's fifth down 3. Soviets get extra time in 1972 Olympic hoops 4. Jeffrey Maier assists Jeter home run 5. Brett Hull's skate in the crease 6. Maradona's "Hand of God" 7. Thanksgiving Day coin flip flap 8. Mike Renfro ruled out of bounds 9. Eric Gregg's wide strike zone 10. Charles White's TD and fumble in 1979 Rose Bowl
Readers chime in for their picks on ESPN. I can't find a date on this ESPN thing.
The readers top pick was 1. Chuck Knoblauch's phantom tag.
12
Ref Donor
ID: 539581218 Mon, Jan 29, 2007, 12:22
More...
Hue Hollins calls foul against Scottie Pippen
Bulls vs. Knicks, Game 5, Eastern Conference finals. No call has ever been nor ever will be more heinous than this travesty of justice.
Hollins calls a phantom foul on Scottie Pippen, who cleanly contested the 3-pointer by Hubert Davis in the waning seconds of the game and the Bulls clinging to a slim lead. Had Hollins done the correct thing, Davis would have missed the shot, and the Bulls would have stolen the pivotal fifth game (without the then-retired Michael Jordan!) in the Garden. Instead, Davis made three free throws to give the Knicks the lead, wresting the game out of the Bulls' clutches.
Drew Pearson's "Hail Mary" catch How could you not even mention Drew Pearson shoving Vikings cornerback Nate Wright just before catching Roger Staubach's Hail Mary pass in the 1975 NFC playoff game?
Replays show Pearson and Wright running side-by-side, and then as Pearson "adjusts" to the underthrown ball, Wright somehow flies forward at an odd angle. After making the catch, Pearson looked back for a flag and started celebrating only when he realized he'd gotten away with the most obvious offensive pass interference in football history.
The impact of the play was wide-ranging: It knocked arguably the best Viking team ever out of the playoffs and propelled the Cowboys to the Super Bowl; Hail Mary is now a common part of football vocabulary; Staubach rode his mythical Captain Comeback thing all the way to the Hall of Fame (ahead of Tarkenton -- give me a break); and poor referee Armen Terzian -- who wasn't even responsible for the noncall-- caught a whiskey bottle in the side of the head (a better throw than Staubach's).
13
DE
ID: 520321717 Mon, Jan 29, 2007, 14:06
Raiders vs Patriots a couple of years ago...
IT WAS CLEAR THAT TOM BRADY FUMBLED!!!!!
BUT THE OFFICIATING WAS BS
and they said that it wasn't a fumble...
PATS WIN THE SUPERBOWL...
IT WAS THE BIGGEST BS CALL IN THE HISTORY
14
C1-NRB
ID: 24954318 Mon, Jan 29, 2007, 14:53
1989 Texas A&M @ Texas Tech- Late in the fourth quarter with Texas Tech trailing by four, a fumble by the Texas Tech quarterback was not ruled a fumble by the referee since when he was sacked his "forward progress was stopped." How often is a QB sacked with such force that he is disposessed (hockey term) of the ball that his forward progress ISN'T stopped? By this referee's definition, a sacked quarterback is incapable of fumbling, ever.
Texas Tech went on to score and win, 27-24.
The referee was a Texas Tech alumnus.
A rule was put into place the next year that no official could officiate a Southwest Conference game in which their alma mater was playing.
15
KrazyKoalaBears
ID: 15023167 Mon, Jan 29, 2007, 15:01
NFL Rule 3, Section 21, Article 2, Note 2: When a Team A player is holding the ball to pass it forward, any intentional forward movement of his arm starts a forward pass, even if the player loses possession of the ball as he is attempting to tuck it back toward his body. Also, if the player has tucked the ball into his body and then loses possession, it is a fumble.
Not every dropped ball is a fumble.
16
Perm Dude
ID: 130452817 Mon, Jan 29, 2007, 15:06
KKB, are you referring to #13? If so, I certainly agree.
17
KrazyKoalaBears
ID: 15023167 Mon, Jan 29, 2007, 16:33
Yeah. #14 came as I was searching for the info.
18
C1-NRB
ID: 24954318 Mon, Jan 29, 2007, 16:49
The scenario in #14 did not involve any tucking or an attempted forward pass. The quarterback had the ball in his possession as if to run (make a "football move" if you will) and was hit so as to dislodge the ball. The ruling was not "Incomplete pass" it was "Forward progress stopped" (at the moment of impact [my inflection]).
19
DE
ID: 520321717 Mon, Jan 29, 2007, 16:51
#15.
I believe they changed the rule to what you wrote after that season... Actually I believe i Listened to that rule change on Sports Center...
Check it out...
20
Frick Donor
ID: 3410101718 Mon, Jan 29, 2007, 16:55
Larry Johnson getting fouled, taking a dribble, two steps and heaving a 3 for a 4 point play against the Pacers.
I don't remember the year, but there was no way that was continuation, since he was around half-court at the time he was fouled.
21
DE
ID: 520321717 Mon, Jan 29, 2007, 16:57
Okay you are right on the rule. But the call was overturned on unclear evidence!
read the call.
http://www.cryan.com/patriots/
The tuck rule created a controversial finish to an NFL playoff game on January 19, 2002 between the New England Patriots and the Oakland Raiders. [2] In the closing moments of the game in a snowy Foxboro Stadium, with New England trailing by three points, New England quarterback Tom Brady dropped the ball after making a passing motion, his fellow University of Michigan alumnus Charles Woodson tackled Brady, and the Raiders fell on the loose football. The officials initially called the play a recovered fumble, which would have sealed the victory for the Raiders. But after instant replay, referee Walt Coleman reversed this call, declared the play an incomplete forward pass, and gave possession back to New England. In explaining the reversal to the stadium crowd and the television audience, the referee stated that the ball was moving forward at the time it was dropped,[3]. In later interviews, the referee stated that it was his explanation, not the reversal, that was in error; the ball was moving backwards when it was lost, but the tuck rule applied. In any case, Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri later tied the game with a dramatic 45-yard field goal, and the Patriots took advantage of the momentum they had seized, defeating the deflated Raiders in overtime on another field goal, eliminating them from the playoffs. Two weeks later, the Patriots won Super Bowl XXXVI.
22
Ref Donor
ID: 539581218 Mon, Jan 29, 2007, 17:47
Frick I named that too in post 4. I haven't seen it anywhere else though.
23
Tree
ID: 540242917 Mon, Jan 29, 2007, 18:38
Staubach rode his mythical Captain Comeback thing all the way to the Hall of Fame (ahead of Tarkenton -- give me a break);
how many Super Bowls did Tarkenton win? yea, that's what i thought.
24
KrazyKoalaBears
ID: 15023167 Tue, Jan 30, 2007, 13:58
DE, RE: 21 Actually, it was not "unclear evidence." In the very Wikipedia exerpt you posted, it says, "In later interviews, the referee stated that it was his explanation, not the reversal, that was in error; the ball was moving backwards when it was lost, but the tuck rule applied." (emphasis added by me)
Further, at the page you linked to, Tom Flores says, towards the end of the transcript, "Well, the arm is coming forward but that time it was coming forward but he was bring it back he was not following it through he was bring the ball back to his chest as you do in a pump motion." (emphasis added by me)
The evidence is quite clear. Brady started a passing motion, then stopped that motion to bring the ball to his chest/stomach area. In doing so, he lost the ball. By the definition of the Tuck Rule, that motion cannot result in a fumble; it is an incomplete pass.
Did Walt Coleman create a bigger stir than there should have been because he flubbed the explanation? Absolutely. But, in the end, the reversal was the correct call and a very difficult call to make. If anything, Coleman should be congratulated on even knowing/understanding the Tuck Rule. Given some of the crews that are out there every Sunday, I wouldn't have faith that even a majority of them would have correctly applied the Tuck Rule in that situation.
25
Logan47474 Sustainer
ID: 421021139 Tue, Jan 30, 2007, 14:13
Can we please add the NBA offices to this list for their suspension of Kobe?
26
Perm Dude
ID: 490513012 Tue, Jan 30, 2007, 18:27
Are you talking about when he elbowed Mike Miller in the throat? I thought the call was dead on at the time. It was an intentional foul--later, Kobe said:
"Any player that was going to come down the lane at that point in time, I was going to let him know that he just can't walk through there..."
27
Ref Donor
ID: 539581218 Tue, Jan 30, 2007, 19:21
No, he's talking about the elbow to the head of Manu. Looked to me like he was just trying to create some contact to get a foul and he wasn't trying to hurt him, but the NBA said the contact was an unnatural and intentional act. Obviously, this doesn't belong in this thread, but the officials did miss this play as it should have at least been an Offensive foul on Kobe. Obviously, the NBA thought it should be a flagarant foul penalty 2.
28
Perm Dude
ID: 490513012 Tue, Jan 30, 2007, 22:26
It was unnatural--Kobe was obviously trying to hit the guy with his arm or elbow, and he did it after he released the shot instead of before.
29
Ref Donor
ID: 539581218 Sat, Jan 12, 2008, 10:26
How about the Atlanta Hawks Stats table for the second time in a year which has resulted in the first upheld protest and a "Do-over" since 1982?
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