Unsung Heroes in Boston Sports
Brady, Bird, Manny, Ortiz, Schilling, McHale, Bourque
Heroes. Boston Sports Royalty. They will never have to buy a beer in Beantown again.
But what about those other guys. The other athletes who we tend to forget. The athletes who made the big play but were later forgotten by a heroic effort made by a more "popular" player. These players deserve kudos. A tribute. Maybe even a monument showcasing their extraordinary efforts. Well, this is the least I could do.
Here are my top ten favorite Unsung Heroes in Boston Sports
1. Mark Bellhorn-Red Sox-We all remember Schilling's sutured ankle and gutsy effort against the Yankees in Game 4 of the ALCS in 2004. Most people forget the 3-run homer by Bellhorn giving Schilling a small cushion. Game 1 of the World Series, Bellhorn stepped up again on a windy, blustery, cold night and belted the game winning home run which ultimately led to a Red Sox Championship. I proudly wear my Bellhorn jersey even though he struck out too much.
2. Mike Vrabel-Patriots-You would think opposing teams in the Superbowl would start covering this guy. 6 career receptions...for touchdowns. 2 in the Super Bowl. By the way, he is also one hell of a linebacker.
3. Kevin Millar-Red Sox-He drew the biggest walk in Red Sox history. Dave Roberts got the glory for stealing 2nd off Rivera, but we forget how he got to first base. Millar also carried the Sox on his back when they went on that huge winning streak in August. He opened his stance and crushed pitch after pitch during that stretch.
4. Gerard Phelan- Boston College Eagles- Flutie threw that Hail Mary over 50 yards...but who caught it? Phelan, Flutie's roomate, is possibly the greatest receiver to ever put on the BC uniform. How did he sneak behind the Miami D-backs and manage to catch that ball? Unbelievable play! Perhaps the most well-known catch in College Football History.
5. Reggie Lemelin-Bruins-He led the Bs to their greatest season in the past 30 years. Stepped up big during their playoff run, especially against Montreal. I loved the fist pumps after victories.
6. Scott Wedman-Celtics-People remember Bill Walton as the 6th man for the Celtics back in the glory years. Wedman was perhaps a better shooter than Larry Legend. In numerous big games Wedman consistently scored 12-14 points and had a near perfect field goal percentage. He had a game where he went 8-8 against the Lakers in a championship series. The guy just shot lights out.
7. Bill Mueller-Red Sox-Millar walks, Roberts pinch-runs and steals second. Someone had to knock him in. Against the greatest reliever of our time, in the 9th inning of a must win game, Mueller had the biggest clutch hit in Sox history. That summer he also hit a game winning homer in the brawl game against Rivera in extra innings. Yankee-Killer!
8. David Givens-Patriots- 2 Super Bowls and 2 Touchdown receptions. He also remains a vital weapon in Brady's arsenal. At one point he had like 20 straight receptions for first downs. An underrated player in the NFL, but a player every team would like to have.
9. Tim Wakefield-Red Sox-This knuckleballer has done it all. Starter, long relief, closer. Always good for 12-15 wins. Stepped up in the Yankees ALCS when he was needed to eat up innings in a rout. Always puts the team before himself. Does it all without complaining.
10. Josh Miller-Patriots-Ahhh, the lonely punter. Not only is he one of the best punters in the league, but he is the holder for the greatest clutch kicker of all time. Sports fans do not appreciate the art of the holder. He never lets down the Pats or their fans.
Heroes. Boston Sports Royalty. They will never have to buy a beer in Beantown again.
But what about those other guys. The other athletes who we tend to forget. The athletes who made the big play but were later forgotten by a heroic effort made by a more "popular" player. These players deserve kudos. A tribute. Maybe even a monument showcasing their extraordinary efforts. Well, this is the least I could do.
Here are my top ten favorite Unsung Heroes in Boston Sports
1. Mark Bellhorn-Red Sox-We all remember Schilling's sutured ankle and gutsy effort against the Yankees in Game 4 of the ALCS in 2004. Most people forget the 3-run homer by Bellhorn giving Schilling a small cushion. Game 1 of the World Series, Bellhorn stepped up again on a windy, blustery, cold night and belted the game winning home run which ultimately led to a Red Sox Championship. I proudly wear my Bellhorn jersey even though he struck out too much.
2. Mike Vrabel-Patriots-You would think opposing teams in the Superbowl would start covering this guy. 6 career receptions...for touchdowns. 2 in the Super Bowl. By the way, he is also one hell of a linebacker.
3. Kevin Millar-Red Sox-He drew the biggest walk in Red Sox history. Dave Roberts got the glory for stealing 2nd off Rivera, but we forget how he got to first base. Millar also carried the Sox on his back when they went on that huge winning streak in August. He opened his stance and crushed pitch after pitch during that stretch.
4. Gerard Phelan- Boston College Eagles- Flutie threw that Hail Mary over 50 yards...but who caught it? Phelan, Flutie's roomate, is possibly the greatest receiver to ever put on the BC uniform. How did he sneak behind the Miami D-backs and manage to catch that ball? Unbelievable play! Perhaps the most well-known catch in College Football History.
5. Reggie Lemelin-Bruins-He led the Bs to their greatest season in the past 30 years. Stepped up big during their playoff run, especially against Montreal. I loved the fist pumps after victories.
6. Scott Wedman-Celtics-People remember Bill Walton as the 6th man for the Celtics back in the glory years. Wedman was perhaps a better shooter than Larry Legend. In numerous big games Wedman consistently scored 12-14 points and had a near perfect field goal percentage. He had a game where he went 8-8 against the Lakers in a championship series. The guy just shot lights out.
7. Bill Mueller-Red Sox-Millar walks, Roberts pinch-runs and steals second. Someone had to knock him in. Against the greatest reliever of our time, in the 9th inning of a must win game, Mueller had the biggest clutch hit in Sox history. That summer he also hit a game winning homer in the brawl game against Rivera in extra innings. Yankee-Killer!
8. David Givens-Patriots- 2 Super Bowls and 2 Touchdown receptions. He also remains a vital weapon in Brady's arsenal. At one point he had like 20 straight receptions for first downs. An underrated player in the NFL, but a player every team would like to have.
9. Tim Wakefield-Red Sox-This knuckleballer has done it all. Starter, long relief, closer. Always good for 12-15 wins. Stepped up in the Yankees ALCS when he was needed to eat up innings in a rout. Always puts the team before himself. Does it all without complaining.
10. Josh Miller-Patriots-Ahhh, the lonely punter. Not only is he one of the best punters in the league, but he is the holder for the greatest clutch kicker of all time. Sports fans do not appreciate the art of the holder. He never lets down the Pats or their fans.
posted by Kip at 8:27 AM
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