📣Best Sports Calls of All Time

Do You Believe in Miracles?▲ Rising

Al Michaels' stunned question capped the 1980 U.S. hockey upset over the Soviets at Lake Placid. The call turned an amateur squad into legends and defined Olympic broadcasting. Its raw emotion still opens highlight reels.

Year: 1980Sport: HockeyAnnouncer: Al MichaelsIconic Rating: 9.8/10Duration: 4 s

added by IJR

The Giants Win the Pennant!▲ Rising

Russ Hodges exploded after Bobby Thomson's 1951 home run ended the playoff series. The call became the first coast-to-coast radio sensation in baseball. Its repetition in archives cements its place.

Year: 1951Sport: BaseballAnnouncer: Russ HodgesIconic Rating: 9.5/10Duration: 7 s

added by IJR

Holy Cow!▲ Rising

Harry Caray's exuberant trademark punctuated countless Cubs and White Sox home runs. The phrase became his signature across decades of Chicago baseball. Fans still chant it at Wrigley.

Year: variesSport: BaseballAnnouncer: Harry CarayIconic Rating: 8.9/10Duration: 2 s

added by IJRholy cow!

The Play▲ Rising

Joe Starkey's frantic description of Cal's five-lateral kickoff return against Stanford in 1982 remains unmatched. The call tracks every improbable lateral and the final band invasion. It lives on every Thanksgiving.

Year: 1982Sport: FootballAnnouncer: Joe StarkeyIconic Rating: 9.1/10Duration: 18 s

added by IJRThe Play

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Verne Lundquist's escalating call accompanied Tiger Woods' 2005 Masters chip-in on 16. The rising volume mirrored the ball's roll. It became the defining audio of that victory.

Year: 2005Sport: GolfAnnouncer: Verne LundquistIconic Rating: 9/10Duration: 8 s

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The Catch

Joe Starkey's call of Dwight Clark's leaping grab sealed the 1981 NFC Championship for the 49ers. The phrase instantly branded a new dynasty. It remains the shorthand for the play.

Year: 1981Sport: FootballAnnouncer: Joe StarkeyIconic Rating: 9.2/10Duration: 6 s

added by IJRThe Catch

Down Goes Frazier!

Howard Cosell's dramatic ringside call marked George Foreman's upset of Joe Frazier in 1973. The repeated phrase punctuated each knockdown. It defined Cosell's boxing persona.

Year: 1973Sport: BoxingAnnouncer: Howard CosellIconic Rating: 8.8/10Duration: 4 s

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It Might Be... It Could Be... It Is!▲ Rising

Harry Caray's rising home-run call thrilled generations of Cubs fans. The crescendo built anticipation before the ball cleared the wall. It became a Wrigley Field ritual.

Year: variesSport: BaseballAnnouncer: Harry CarayIconic Rating: 8.7/10Duration: 5 s

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I Don't Believe What I Just Saw!

Jack Buck reacted to Kirk Gibson's pinch-hit homer in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series. The call captured the impossible comeback against Dennis Eckersley. It still headlines every postseason montage.

Year: 1988Sport: BaseballAnnouncer: Jack BuckIconic Rating: 9.4/10Duration: 5 s

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Oh, the Band Is on the Field!

Starkey's continuation during The Play captured the final chaos of the 1982 Cal-Stanford game. The line sealed the most replayed college football moment. It remains a staple of highlight shows.

Year: 1982Sport: FootballAnnouncer: Joe StarkeyIconic Rating: 8.5/10Duration: 3 s

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The Buck Stops Here

Jack Buck's line after Mark McGwire's 1998 home run broke the single-season record. The simple closeout became the capstone of that summer's chase. It echoed across radio and TV.

Year: 1998Sport: BaseballAnnouncer: Jack BuckIconic Rating: 8/10Duration: 4 s

added by IJRin 2 rankingsThe Buck Stops Here

The Giants Are on the Move!

Russ Hodges' running description of the 1951 ninth-inning rally built unbearable tension. The call carried listeners through every pitch. It set the template for pennant drama.

Year: 1951Sport: BaseballAnnouncer: Russ HodgesIconic Rating: 8.5/10Duration: 45 s

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The Thrilla in Manila

Cosell's pre-fight hype and ringside calls framed the 1975 Ali-Frazier trilogy finale. The nickname and blow-by-blow elevated the bout. It still headlines boxing history.

Year: 1975Sport: BoxingAnnouncer: Howard CosellIconic Rating: 8.3/10Duration: 120 s

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The Immaculate Reception

Myron Cope's excited radio call named Franco Harris' deflected catch that won the 1972 playoff game for Pittsburgh. The phrase instantly branded the play. It launched Steeler dominance.

Year: 1972Sport: FootballAnnouncer: Myron CopeIconic Rating: 8.6/10Duration: 9 s

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Gibson Has Done It!

Jack Buck's follow-up to the 1988 Gibson homer confirmed the impossible. The line became the second half of the famous call. It sealed the broadcast legacy.

Year: 1988Sport: BaseballAnnouncer: Jack BuckIconic Rating: 8.3/10Duration: 3 s

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They're All Gone!

Jack Buck's call of Ozzie Smith's walk-off homer in the 1985 NLCS stunned the crowd. The simple line conveyed total surprise. It remains a Cardinals classic.

Year: 1985Sport: BaseballAnnouncer: Jack BuckIconic Rating: 8.4/10Duration: 3 s

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Unbelievable!

Al Michaels' reaction to the 1980 Miracle on Ice goal sealed the broadcast. The single word summed up the impossible. It remains the emotional peak of U.S. Olympic calls.

Year: 1980Sport: HockeyAnnouncer: Al MichaelsIconic Rating: 9/10Duration: 2 s

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Oh, What a Night!

Tom Cheek's exuberant close after Carter's 1993 homer captured Toronto's first title. The line became the city's victory chant. It still plays at Rogers Centre.

Year: 1993Sport: BaseballAnnouncer: Tom CheekIconic Rating: 7.9/10Duration: 4 s

added by IJROh, What a Night!

A Little Roller Up Along First...

Vin Scully's calm narration of Bill Buckner's error in the 1986 World Series let the moment breathe. The understatement amplified the heartbreak for Red Sox fans. It became the definitive version.

Year: 1986Sport: BaseballAnnouncer: Vin ScullyIconic Rating: 9.3/10Duration: 12 s

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It's Up! It's Out! It's Gone!

Various announcers have used this rising home-run call, but Vin Scully's versions made it classic. The progression mirrored the ball's flight. It remains the standard home-run template.

Year: variesSport: BaseballAnnouncer: Vin ScullyIconic Rating: 8.6/10Duration: 5 s

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Touch 'em All, Joe!

Tom Cheek's call of Joe Carter's 1993 World Series walk-off homer became Toronto's signature moment. The phrase invited the city to celebrate. It loops every October in Canada.

Year: 1993Sport: BaseballAnnouncer: Tom CheekIconic Rating: 8.2/10Duration: 6 s

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It's a Miracle!

Al Michaels' final exclamation after the 1980 hockey win sealed the broadcast. The phrase turned the game into permanent lore. It remains the emotional peak of Olympic calls.

Year: 1980Sport: HockeyAnnouncer: Al MichaelsIconic Rating: 8.9/10Duration: 3 s

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What a Feeling!

Al Michaels closed the 1980 hockey broadcast with this line after the final horn. It summed up the collective joy. The phrase became part of the official U.S. Olympic highlight package.

Year: 1980Sport: HockeyAnnouncer: Al MichaelsIconic Rating: 8.7/10Duration: 3 s

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The Shot Heard 'Round the World

Although originally a newspaper headline, Russ Hodges' call gave the 1951 Thomson homer its lasting audio identity. The phrase entered baseball lore immediately. It still headlines record books.

Year: 1951Sport: BaseballAnnouncer: Russ HodgesIconic Rating: 8.9/10Duration: 7 s

added by IJR

Miracle in Miami▼ Falling

The call of the 1980 U.S. hockey victory was quickly nicknamed after Michaels' line. The phrase turned the game into instant legend. It still headlines Olympic retrospectives.

Year: 1980Sport: HockeyAnnouncer: Al MichaelsIconic Rating: 8.8/10Duration: 3 s

added by IJRMiracle in Miami

The Eagles Have Landed!▼ Falling

Merrill Reese's call of the 2018 Super Bowl-winning touchdown became Philadelphia's instant anthem. The line echoed through the city after decades of heartbreak. It still plays at every Eagles home game.

Year: 2018Sport: FootballAnnouncer: Merrill ReeseIconic Rating: 8.4/10Duration: 5 s

added by IJR

Go Crazy, Folks!▼ Falling

Jack Buck's outburst after Ozzie Smith's 1985 NLCS homer energized Cardinals fans. The line became a team rallying cry. It still plays on stadium speakers.

Year: 1985Sport: BaseballAnnouncer: Jack BuckIconic Rating: 8.1/10Duration: 3 s

added by IJR