Top 5 Games I Saw In Person

 This list basically boils down to two categories: Xaverian and Red Sox games. I’ve only been to one or two Patriots games and the Celtics, until this year, haven’t provided the opportunity for many big games. I went to a bunch of UMass Basketball games, but I can’t think of any that were worthy of Top Five status.

If anybody can think of something I’m forgetting, let me know in the Comment section and I might update the list.

5 – Xaverian Volleyball vs Whitman-Hanson (I think), 1998

A few of my friends played volleyball in high school, and the games were very entertaining. During our senior year, they had a classic five-setter in the first round of the state tournament. They lost the first two sets and then stormed back to win. Plus, I think this was the game that JT had the ball bounce off his head to end the second set. Are they called “sets”? I think so.

4 – Red Sox vs Rockies, Game Two of the 2007 World Series

A tight pitcher’s duel between Schilling and Ubaldo Jimenez, with Okajima and Papelbon pitching lights out relief. From our seats in right field, we had a great view of Papelpon’s pick-off of Matt Holliday. The only downside to this game was the terrible crowd that refused to stand up and cheer when Schilling had two strikes on the batter. It’s always fun to get in shouting matches with strangers.

3 – Xaverian vs Everett, Massachusetts Division 1 Super Bowl, 1998

How many high school championship football games have game-winning 35-yard field goals on the last play of the game? I’m guessing not many.

2 – Xaverian vs Newton North, State Tournament Basketball, 1997

Just a wild finish. The game was in Newton and their fans were chanting “It’s all over” with a few seconds left and they were at the free throw line, ahead by two. But the kid missed his free throw and Brian Daoust drilled a game-winning three-pointer as the buzzer sounded. We stormed the court and everything.

1 – Red Sox vs Yankees, Game Five of the 2004 ALCS

I doubt this one will ever be topped, but I guess I hope it is. I remember it started around 5:00, while the NLCS game started three hours later. And that game was in the 9th by the time we left Fenway. The three innings of relief by Wakefield were absolutely incredible. That kind of tension cannot be healthy.