To err is human, as the saying goes. Supporters had to be patient before kickoff on Tuesday night, but delays in professional sports are not a rare occurrence and reasons are as varied as they are unexpected. Impact Media presents the weirdest delays which, with time, can be looked upon with a smile.
10 cent beer night in Cleveland, 1974
Everybody can drop the ball once in a while. But we have to admit this promotion at Cleveland Stadium for the game between the Indians and the Texas Rangers was not a very good idea: 10 cents for a glass of beer that would normally sell for 65 cents, with the two teams facing each other in Texas the previous week and both benches going empty as players rushed to a summit meeting we only see in baseball. The drunken crowd gained in courage and lost in wisdom as the minutes trickled and the beer flowed, the climax coming in the ninth inning when many spectators entered the field and caused a riot. The game had to be abandoned and the Rangers won by default. With the Holiday season looming, here’s the perfect opportunity for a friendly reminder: moderation is always in good taste.
Foggy Boston Garden, 1988
The Edmonton Oilers dynasty was in Boston for the fourth game of the Stanley Cup Finals, with a chance to sweep the Bruins. Unfortunately, a power outage created a thick fog on the ice and, with the score level at 3-3, the game was suspended in the second period. It would be completed two days later, and Wayne Gretzky’s Oilers would go on to win 6-3 and hoist the cup for fourth time in five years.
Knockout in Vegas, Bowe v Holyfield, 1993
This IBF and WBA heavyweight championship fight in 1993 is surrounded by a lot of hype: it’s repeat or revenge as “Big Daddy” Bowe and “The Real Deal” Holyfield square off a year after the first episode went to the wire, Bowe taking the belts on a unanimous decision. In the seventh round of that particular evening, a parachutist lands on the Las Vegas Caesars Palace ring. Fisticuffs ensued, the saboteur being attacked by the crowd as well as by security staff. Holyfield would win the fight via split decision, but the most damage was dealt to the skydiver, unconscious and on his way to the hospital. We could say he was out of it before even jumping off the plane.
Pedro Martinez’s wet Mets debut, 2005
On his first start with the New York Mets, Pedro Martinez was drenched. Not because of an inordinate physical effort – is it really possible in baseball? – but because the infield sprinkler system is activated as Don Pedro stands on the pitcher’s mound. It is unknown if the Cy Young winner resorted to his slider more often than usual after this wet episode.
Zamboni licence revoked, Maple Leafs v Canadiens, 2007
Usually, before the shootout, the Zambonis make a quick appearance and leave. But for this game between the Leafs and the Habs at Air Canada Centre in 2007, the task was a little more complicated than that. It took more than five minutes before the middle of the ice was ready for the head-to-heads. Is coffee not supplied to Zamboni drivers in Toronto?
Fire in Columbus, 2013
A minor fire in the scoreboard at MAPFRE Stadium in 2013 delayed the start of the game between Columbus Crew SC and D.C. United for 50 minutes. Fortunately, no one was injured and the City of Columbus’ Division of Fire handled the blaze pretty fast. The players, who cooled down even with the fire burning in the stadium, had to warm up all over again. It’s since been confirmed that the Chicago Fire had nothing to do with the incident.
Super Bowl blackout, 2013
Super Bowl XLVII. The Harbaugh brothers face each other from opposite sides of the field, one leading the Baltimore Ravens, the other, the San Francisco 49ers. Shortly after half-time and Beyoncé’s show, the New Orleans Superdome goes dark. Power outage. We’d have to wait for 34 minutes before play started again. This break gave wings to the Californians, who tried to comeback from a 28-6 deficit, but it was too little, too late: Baltimore wins 34-31 and Ray Lewis ends his career in brilliant fashion. Ahem.
