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Most psychologically dominating sporting performance of all time?

mikliamiklia Posts: 1,295 ✭✭✭
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
Just had a read of this post on Tyson's mental (and then physical) obliteration of a then-undefeated Michael Spinks. Between that and Kershaw's no-no it got me thinking - what do you guys think is the most psychologically dominating sports performance of all time? Some of Tyson's greatest are probably worthy of consideration, as would be a few of Tiger Woods' majors too. What else we got?
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  • itzagoneritzagoner Posts: 8,753 ✭✭
    MJ convincing the refs he wasn't traveling. image
  • wrestlingcardkingwrestlingcardking Posts: 4,555 ✭✭✭✭
    Secretariat, not really an emotional guy but to see dominance like that from a horse is quite moving.
    BUYING Frank Gotch T229 Kopec
    Looking to BUY n332 1889 SF Hess cards and high grade cards from 19th century especially. "Once you have wrestled everything else in life is easy" Dan Gable
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,742 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Secretariat, not really an emotional guy but to see dominance like that from a horse is quite moving. >>



    +1

    "He's moving like a tremendous machine!!!"


    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
  • mygottamygotta Posts: 1,652
    Pete Rose sliding head first into home base at the All-Star game colliding with Ray Fosse.
  • MrSnuffleupagusMrSnuffleupagus Posts: 689
    This Guy: (Teams knew game was over as soon as he started warming up)

    image
  • itzagoneritzagoner Posts: 8,753 ✭✭
    LMAO @ "sliding" imageimage
  • mlbfan2mlbfan2 Posts: 3,115 ✭✭✭


    << <i>LMAO @ "sliding" imageimage >>



    You beat me to it!

    Fosse wished he had slid!
  • bigdcardsbigdcards Posts: 1,188 ✭✭✭
    Leonard vs Duran
    To bigdcards: "you are right" - cpamike "That is correct" -grote15
  • PSASAPPSASAP Posts: 2,284 ✭✭✭
    Ali vs. Liston II.
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,742 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Foreman's KO of Frazier and Cosell's classic call of same: "He doesn't know where he is!!"


    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
  • dennis07dennis07 Posts: 1,842 ✭✭✭
    Bob Gibson just about every time he took the mound.
    Collecting 1970 Topps baseball
  • slum22slum22 Posts: 2,594 ✭✭✭✭
    Cannot comment on anything I didn't see. I didn't watch any Tyson fights as a kid, so I can't say for certain, but by all accounts he held a pretty major psychological edge over his opponents in the ring. The two that stand out for me: Jordan over the NBA between 1990-1998. Those six title runs were incredible. The mental edge he held over the other great players of the time, Barkley, Ewing, Malone and the rest has not been repeated since. That edge definitely helped in getting all those titles. The other athlete, was Tiger at his apex. Nicklaus may end up keeping his record for majors. But from the late 90's through his mid 2000's peak, Tiger was better than any other golfer ever. It wasn't just the titles and majors he won. It was how he won them. The record of the players who were paired in the same group with him in that time period was remarkable in its ineptitude. Pretty much every golfer paired with him was certain to shoot a score far worse than if they were paired with any other player in the field.
    Steve
  • PMKAYPMKAY Posts: 1,372 ✭✭
    This has to be top 10

    image
  • StingrayStingray Posts: 8,843 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Just had a read of this post on Tyson's mental (and then physical) obliteration of a then-undefeated Michael Spinks. Between that and Kershaw's no-no it got me thinking - what do you guys think is the most psychologically dominating sports performance of all time? Some of Tyson's greatest are probably worthy of consideration, as would be a few of Tiger Woods' majors too. What else we got? >>



    I paid for tha pay-per-view back in the day, by the time the fight started we had our share of drinks and found it hard to stay awake. Then the fight lasted like 45 seconds!! Never felt so much dissapointment in my life!!
  • perkdogperkdog Posts: 31,133 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The Boston Red Sox coming back from an 0-3 deficit and winning the 2004 ALCS
  • MooseDogMooseDog Posts: 1,946 ✭✭✭
    1) Donnie Moore giving up a go ahead HR to Dave Henderson in the 1986 ALCS. Moore was 2-2 on Henderson and one strike away from getting the Angels to their first World Series. Moore was never able to regain his form, saving only 9 games from 1987-89. One month after being released and effectively ending his baseball career, Moore, severely depressed, got into a domestic dispute with his wife, shot her three times in front of their kids then turned the gun on himself.

    2) Brad Lidge was the NLs most dominant closer in 1995, however during the NLCS - with a 4-2 lead and one strike away from sending the Astros to the World Series, gives up a single to David Eckstine, then walks Jim Edmonds to bring up Pujols with two out. Pujols connects with a monster HR that Lidge knew was gone the moment he connected. Was never quite the same after that.
  • baz518baz518 Posts: 1,253 ✭✭✭✭
    Being a Cub fan, I'm partial to Kerry Woods 20K one-hitter. I'm sure the Rocket's 20 Ks were impressive too, just didn't see it. But those Astros-- and they were great back then-- knew they were not hitting that 20-year-old's curveball. I loved Mark Grace's quote after it, he raved about the performance and ended it with "and the kid can't even go out and have a beer to celebrate."
  • Bravesguy44Bravesguy44 Posts: 18 ✭
    Randy Johnson vs. John Kruk in the All-Star game. One of the funniest things I have seen in sports.
  • itzagoneritzagoner Posts: 8,753 ✭✭
    Steve Bartman.
  • stevebaystevebay Posts: 289 ✭✭✭
    Dock Ellis takes LSD and throws no-no

    No-hitter

  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,742 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Dock Ellis takes LSD and throws no-no

    No-hitter >>



    "What happened to yesterday?" LOL!!


    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
  • BostonAmericansBostonAmericans Posts: 434 ✭✭
    Speaking of Tiger vs. Jack, I am reminded of a quote that Tome Weiskopf made - "Jack knew he was going to beat you. You knew Jack was going to beat you. Jack knew you knew he was going to beat you."
    Collecting Topps Baseball: 1966-present base sets
    Topps/OPC Hockey 1966-Present base sets
  • vols1vols1 Posts: 793 ✭✭✭
    The Tannyhill massacre was the psychologically dominating event I've ever seen.

    https://kennerstartinglineup.blogspot.com/

  • CDsNutsCDsNuts Posts: 10,092 ✭
    Balboa vs Lang II.

    You ain't so bad.
  • ashabbyashabby Posts: 471 ✭
    Bears defense in 1986 I think
  • eagles33eagles33 Posts: 2,683 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Balboa vs Lang II.

    You ain't so bad. >>



    +1
    Scans of most of my Misc rookies can be found <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://forums.collectors.com/m...y&keyword1=Non%20major">here
  • Carew29Carew29 Posts: 4,025 ✭✭

    Getting Vladimir Guerrero out!!! Pitching coach comes out to mound after Guerrero's 2nd home run and told the pitcher to "pitch it outside".
    Without missing a beat the catcher replied "Just where would that be exactly"?
  • DboneesqDboneesq Posts: 18,219 ✭✭


    << <i>Randy Johnson vs. John Kruk in the All-Star game. One of the funniest things I have seen in sports. >>


    Take a look at it here!
    STAY HEALTHY!

    Doug

    Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
  • PiggsPiggs Posts: 1,938 ✭✭✭✭
    How about the Seahawks defense in the last Super Bowl? Shut down the highest scoring offense in NFL history in a bad way. Doug
  • TabeTabe Posts: 6,160 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    2) Brad Lidge was the NLs most dominant closer in 1995, however during the NLCS - with a 4-2 lead and one strike away from sending the Astros to the World Series, gives up a single to David Eckstine, then walks Jim Edmonds to bring up Pujols with two out. Pujols connects with a monster HR that Lidge knew was gone the moment he connected. Was never quite the same after that. >>


    Lidge regained his form with Philly. He was really good in 2008.
  • TabeTabe Posts: 6,160 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Dock Ellis takes LSD and throws no-no

    No-hitter >>


    Ellis made up that story.
  • JaktJakt Posts: 573 ✭


    << <i>The Boston Red Sox coming back from an 0-3 deficit and winning the 2004 ALCS >>



    That was particularly painful to watch.
    I'm building a 1968 and a 1970 Topps set. I have lots of 1970s and 1960s to offer in trade.
  • miwlvrnmiwlvrn Posts: 4,266 ✭✭✭✭✭
    How about any team playing against Laval Voisins during the 1983-84 season? For those who aren't familiar, that is when Mario Lemieux played what might be the most statistically dominant season in sports ever by a single player.

    Regular Season Playoffs
    Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
    1983-84 Laval Voisins QMJHL 70 133 149 282 97 14 29 23 52 29
  • 70ToppsFanatic70ToppsFanatic Posts: 2,106 ✭✭✭✭
    Two that come to mind are:

    Mark Spitz 7 gold medal performance at the 1972 Olympics

    If you want to talk about an athlete who got deep into the heads
    of the opponents then you have to add Rickey Henderson's World Series
    performance when he was with the A's where he disrupted just about everyone
    each at-bat or every time he was on base


    Dave
  • bobbyw8469bobbyw8469 Posts: 7,139 ✭✭✭
    Secretariat winning the triple crown. Didn't he win by an astounding 22 lengths?
  • itzagoneritzagoner Posts: 8,753 ✭✭
    Joe Namath in Super Bowl III, er........before.
  • galaxy27galaxy27 Posts: 8,283 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Rafael Nadal at the French Open.......66-1 lifetime.

    you'll never be able to outrun a bad diet

  • MooseDogMooseDog Posts: 1,946 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Secretariat winning the triple crown. Didn't he win by an astounding 22 lengths? >>



    31 lengths in the 1973 Belmont, roughly 1/16 mile.

  • bishopbishop Posts: 2,917 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Secretariat winning the triple crown. Didn't he win by an astounding 22 lengths? >>



    Text

    Ironic that although Affirmed and Seattle Slew, the last two triple crown winners went on to have lucrative stud careers worth millions, Secretariat was a bust at stud. Also, although Affirmed won the triple crown , Alydar finished a close second in all three races in what may have been one of the greatest duels in sports history
    Topps Baseball-1948, 1951 to 2017
    Bowman Baseball -1948-1955
    Fleer Baseball-1923, 1959-2007

    Al
  • BLUEJAYWAYBLUEJAYWAY Posts: 9,552 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Foreman's KO of Frazier and Cosell's classic call of same: "He doesn't know where he is!!" >>

    image
    Successful transactions:Tookybandit. "Everyone is equal, some are more equal than others".
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,742 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Secretariat winning the triple crown. Didn't he win by an astounding 22 lengths? >>



    Text

    Ironic that although Affirmed and Seattle Slew, the last two triple crown winners went on to have lucrative stud careers worth millions, Secretariat was a bust at stud. Also, although Affirmed won the triple crown , Alydar finished a close second in all three races in what may have been one of the greatest duels in sports history >>



    After Secretariat's death from laminitis, the necropsy determined that his heart was roughly three times the size of that of a normal horse, and was still in perfect condition. He is one of the very few horses to have been buried whole, as most thoroughbred horses have just their head, heart and hooves buried.


    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
  • ssollarsssollars Posts: 933 ✭✭✭✭
    '85 Bears defense, 4 shutouts, with 2 of those in the playoffs and then a shellacking of the Pats in the Superbowl!
  • oldriversoldrivers Posts: 29
    Roger Staubach's "hail mary" in 1975, or anytime he took the field and his team was behind. Bob Gibson in the '64, '67 and '68 WS. Randy Johnson in the 2001 WS.
  • bishopbishop Posts: 2,917 ✭✭✭
    Fernando Tatis ... Two grand slams in same inning off same pitcher. Top that
    Topps Baseball-1948, 1951 to 2017
    Bowman Baseball -1948-1955
    Fleer Baseball-1923, 1959-2007

    Al
  • bishopbishop Posts: 2,917 ✭✭✭
    Mark Whiten... another Cardinal ... 4 home runs and 12 RBIs in one game
    Topps Baseball-1948, 1951 to 2017
    Bowman Baseball -1948-1955
    Fleer Baseball-1923, 1959-2007

    Al
  • PlanemonkeyPlanemonkey Posts: 543 ✭✭
    Eric Gagne's consecutive saves streak.
  • itzagoneritzagoner Posts: 8,753 ✭✭
    Jesse Owens in the '36 Olympic Games.
  • mbz430embz430e Posts: 237 ✭✭
    1980 USA Olympic hockey team defeats Russia. We not only win the gold, but win the cold war as well.
    JDRF saves lives, let not another child walk down the path of juvenile diabetes alone. Consider giving either time or money, it will come back to you. $15,800 and counting....
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,742 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I think we have strayed away from the real intent of the question by the OP in that many of these examples while impressive feats in their own right are not really by definition "psychologically dominating" performances in the vein of Tyson's demolition of Spinks or Tiger obliterating the field to win a major.


    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
  • wrestlingcardkingwrestlingcardking Posts: 4,555 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>1980 USA Olympic hockey team defeats Russia. We not only win the gold, but win the cold war as well. >>



    I don't think that was our country's work with the cold war. I'm quite sure it was Rocky Balboa when he defeated Ivan Drago and his speech after his improbable victory. It all started when "The Russian's cut!"
    BUYING Frank Gotch T229 Kopec
    Looking to BUY n332 1889 SF Hess cards and high grade cards from 19th century especially. "Once you have wrestled everything else in life is easy" Dan Gable
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