Brooks was humble hero(Miracle on Ice-25 years later)

pioneer press ^ | 2-22-05 | BRUCE BROTHERS

[Rakkasan1]

Miracle ping

[babble-on]

Herb probably thought it was a hockey game not a proxy battle of the cold war, which is really why it was so meaningful.

[Alberta's Child]

Herb Brooks also knew better than anyone else that this "miracle on ice" wasn't nearly the huge upset that people made it out to be. He had spent 18 months putting together a team with the specific intent of having them match up well against the Soviets, and even predicted before the tournament began that the U.S. would win at least a bronze medal.

[mattdono]

This, in my mind, is one of the greatest (if not, the greatest) events in the history of sports.

[Roccus]

I get the feeling that all who read this post will remember where and who they were with that morning when the USA beat the USSR. The team picture after that game was priceless. A bunch of 'mutts.' }:^)

[Rakkasan1]

you nailed it -Sports Illustated said as much, too.

[Rebelbase]

That win is the most spectatular sporting event I've ever witnessed.

[The G Man]

Except they beat Finland that morning. They beat the Soviets on Friday afternoon. :-)

It's funny, most people think they watched the USSR game live. It was actually on tape delay as it was played in the afternoon and then ABC broadcast it later. I remember my brother and I listening to it live on the radio though.

[ContraryMary]

I grew up on the Eastside of St. Paul. Herb Brooks was a legend.

[Rebelbase]

Indeed!

[Roccus]

Slippage due to age.
The picture of the team was on the covers of Time, Newsweek, Life and Sports Ill. Only three times before had that happened. Anyone remember those three subjects?

[mc5cents]

I can still remember how interminably long the last ten minutes of that game were. I thought they had slowed the clock down ala the soviet "win" in basketball. It was slow motion and I expected the soviet team to explode at any momemt. What a game!

[Rebelbase]

[Alberta's Child]

The Munich massacre in 1972 must have been one of them, but I'm not sure what the other two were -- maybe Ted Kennedy's gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle at the 1969 Chappaquiddick Olympics?

[Always Right]

Herb Brooks also knew better than anyone else that this "miracle on ice" wasn't nearly the huge upset that people made it out to be. He had spent 18 months putting together a team with the specific intent of having them match up well against the Soviets, and even predicted before the tournament began that the U.S. would win at least a bronze medal.

There is no doubt that the Americans worked their butts off and Herb molded them into a great team. The US was a very good team, but still relied on several comebacks and miraculous goals to pull it off. The Soviets were a far superior team and would have beaten the US 90% of the time. To most observers, the US was only about the 6th best team, but Herb's assessment of being one of the top three was probably closer to the truth. The whole thing was shocking and was hands down the greatest sports moment of the 20th Century.

[Fierce Allegiance]

Some have said it was the beginnning of the end for the Soviet Union.

[Roccus]

Nope.
Here's a hint. One was a man, one a woman and one an animal.

[Fierce Allegiance]

JFK
Sally Ride
Monkey in space?