The Beantown Countdown: Top 10 Sports Moments of the Decade

The most memorable decade in Boston sports history is drawing to a close and oh what a decade it was! 

Six Championships.

Six Victory Parades.

Historic Records.

Blockbuster trades.

The last 10 years washed away the 86-year curse of the Red Sox, saw the Patriots win three Lombardi trophies, and the Celtics raise banner number 17. Now we are just waiting for the Bruins to join the championship party.

Let’s re-live and revel in the top 10 sports moments in Boston, “The City of Champions.”

10: The Boston Bruins finally win a playoff series

Yes, it may not be a championship, but when you finally win a playoff series after 10 seasons, it’s a big deal.

The Bruins swept the hated Montreal Canadiens in the 2008-2009 NHL playoffs. This was the team’s first playoff series victory since they defeated Carolina in 1999.

Boston would go on to lose to the former “Whale” four games to three in the second round of the playoffs.

9: Tom Brady and Randy Moss have a record-setting night in New York

On Dec. 29, 2007, the Patriots faced the New York Giants for a chance at regular season perfection. There were also two records up for grabs. Tom Brady connected with Randy Moss on a 65-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Brady would break Peyton Manning’s single season record of 49 touchdowns with his 50th scoring strike. On the same play, Moss hauled in his 23rd touchdown reception to break Jerry Rice’s record.

8: Patriots have perfect regular season but lose to Giants in the Super Bowl

The Patriots defeated the New York Giants 38-35 in the regular season finale to become the first team to go 16-0 in the regular season. After defeating Jacksonville and San Diego in the playoffs, the Patriots were one win away from perfection.

New England would face the Giants again but this time in Super Bowl XLII. After taking a 14-10 lead on a Brady to Moss touchdown pass, the Giants would make some miraculous plays on their final drive.

Eli Manning avoided a certain sack and found David Tyree for the “Catch.” Soon after, Manning would find Plaxico Burress with 35 seconds left to give New York a 17-14 lead. The lead held and the Giants would hand the Patriots their only loss in the biggest game of the season.

Miami’s record was still intact.

7: The Red Sox defeat Colorado in the 2007 World Series

The Red Sox would win their second championship in four years after 86 years of futility. Boston made it interesting as they always do. They trailed Cleveland in the ALCS three games to one, before rallying to win three straight.

The Colorado Rockies were no match for the Red Sox. They swept Colorado in the World Series fueled by Series MVP, Mike Lowell. Lowell hit .400 with one homer and four RBI.

6: The Patriots win back-to-back Super Bowls

The Patriots defeated Carolina 32-39 in Super Bowl XXXVIII on the foot of Adam Vinatieri for their second championship in three years. New England would return to the Super Bowl the following year and they would be triumphant yet again.

The victim this time was the Philadelphia Eagles, who fell to New England, 24-21.

The Patriots were the first team since the 1998-1999 Denver Broncos to win consecutive Super Bowls. New England also joined an elite group of NFL dynasties ('60s Packers, '70s Steelers, '80s Niners, and '90s Cowboys) with their third championship in four years.

5 The Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers for banner No. 17

After finishing the 2006-7 season with only 24 wins the Celtics, with a re-tooled roster that included Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen, would roll through the season.

Boston would post 66 regular season wins. They would be pushed to the brink by Atlanta and Cleveland in the playoffs, but would end both series at home.

After a gritty performance against Detroit in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Celtics advanced to the NBA Finals against the hated Lakers. The Celtics took the first two games at home before succumbing to the Lakers in Game Three.

In the pivotal Game Four, the Celtics had a comeback for the ages. They would go to rally from 24 points down to defeat LA at the Staples Center. Boston had the momentum in the series and would go on to beat LA in six games for their record 17th world championship.

4 Ray Allen and KG come to Boston

After an abysmal 24-win season, the Celtics would get the fifth pick and miss out on franchise players Greg Oden and Kevin Durant. Danny Ainge would trade the pick along with forward Wally Szczerbiak and guard Delonte West to Seattle for guard Ray Allen and the pick that would become “Big Baby” Davis.

Danny Ainge was far from done wheeling and dealing.

He would acquire the final piece of the championship puzzle. Ainge would strike a deal with former Celtic teammate, Kevin McHale for 10-time All-Star Kevin Garnett. The Timberwolves received Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Al Jefferson, Theo Ratliff, Sebastian Telfair, and a 2009 first round draft pick in return.

The new “Big 3” was assembled and paid instant dividends. In their first season together, Pierce, Allen, and Garnett led the Celtics to their 17th championship.

3: The Patriots defeat the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI

After franchise quarterback, Drew Bledsoe, was injured in an early season game, a seventh round pick from Michigan would lead the Patriots on a remarkable journey. Tom Brady came off the bench to lead the Patriots to an 11-5 record after starting off 0-2. New England would go on to win their division and secure a first round bye.

In a snowstorm versus Oakland, Brady and the Patriots would rally from a 13-3 deficit and beat the Raiders in overtime. The game forever remembered for the “Tuck Rule” catapulted the Patriots and laid the foundation for a dynasty.

New England would defeat the heavily favored Steelers in AFC Championship to take on the “Greatest Show On Turf” in Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans. The Rams were the top offensive club during the season.

The upstart Patriots raced out to a 17-3 lead only to see their wilt advantage away under the Superdome lights. Kurt Warner led his team to two touchdowns which tied up the game at 17-17.

Brady had 1:30 left on the clock and no timeouts remaining. Instead of taking a knee, he went out and made history. He led the team down the field to set up a 48 yard field goal by Adam Vinatieri. The kick was good and gave New England their first Super Bowl Championship.

It was also Boston’s first of six championships in the decade.

2: The Red Sox reverse the curse by beating the Cardinals in the World Series

After the historic comeback versus the Yankees, the World Series was a bit anti-climatic. The Cardinals didn’t have a prayer, it was Boston’s time. The Red Sox would go on to sweep St. Louis for their first championship in 86 years.

It was a victory for generations of Red Sox fans past and present. It was for all the Red Sox players who got close but never achieved the ultimate goal. This championship meant more to the city of Boston and New England than all of the others in the decade combined.

The Red Sox were not just a team but part of Boston’s soul. For a city and region that suffered through the heartache and devastation year after year, but no more.

The Curse had finally been reversed.

1: The Red Sox come back from a 3-0 series deficit to defeat the Yankees in the 2004 ALCS

This series in essence was the World Series for Boston and it didn’t start out well. The Sox trailed the Yankees three games to none in the series. They just got walloped and embarrassed at home, 19-8. Yet again expectations were way too high and it was wait until next year.

Not so fast.

It aint over till it’s over (a Yankee said that, how fitting).

“The Steal” by Dave Roberts in Game Four in the bottom of the ninth off of future Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera was the spark for history.

Then the fire just grew.

David Ortiz homered in the bottom of the 12th inning to leave hope for Red Sox nation.

Then he did it again the next night with a game winning single in the 14th inning.

The Sox were now only trailing by one game going back to New York. The momentum pendulum began to swing in a very big way.

Curt Schilling and his bloody red sock pitched a game for the ages in Game Six. He went seven strong innings allowing only one run. Sox win again.

Game Seven. Winner takes all.

And the Sox did just that. They would not leave New York as losers again.

Their bats erupted and the Yankees were left in disbelief. The Red Sox had just finished the biggest comeback in baseball history. And only one of a handful of teams to do so in all of sports.

For me, this was the biggest and most defining moment of the decade in Boston Sports. You may think the World Series victory should come in first, but without the historic comeback versus the Yankees there is no reversing the curse.

Boston is spoiled rotten sports wise. How many cities can say they celebrated six championships in three major sports? None that I know of.

Now when the Patriots and Sox go a few years before another championship, cut them some slack. Enjoy what we just had and what we will have.

The Celtics should raise another banner or two before the “Big Three” retire.

The Bruins are making strides, but all will be forgiven when they raise Lord Stanley’s Cup (fingers crossed).

Be grateful you were around to witness this Boston sports dominance because you will probably never see it again.

Please share comments and thoughts on the best decade in Boston sports history.

Joe Gill is a featured blogger for Boston Sports Then and Now , Rootzoo.com , and Trufan.com