Sports Bucket List

Thanks to Johan Santana (and an umpires bad foul call), fans of the New York Mets finally witnessed something they thought they would never see.  Santana continued his very impressive return from shoulder surgery and threw the first ever no-hitter in NY Mets history.  A history that has spanned 50+ years.  With that being said, and with a special thanks to WGR's Sal Capaccio for giving me the idea, below is my Top 10 Sports Bucket list items I hope to see in my lifetime....

1. A Buffalo sports team winning a championship.  This is an easy one here.  If I were to pick either the Sabres or Bills, I think I would go with the Sabres first and then the Bills.  I know the Bills would be more noteworthy nationally, but there is something about winning the Stanley Cup that gives the Sabres the edge here.  Having it come at home, in Game 7, and as an overtime goal would be even better.  How awesome would that party be?  What parts of the city would burn down?  What would the parade route be?  Hopefully some day soon we will have answers to these questions.
2. Oakland A's winning the World Series.  It's weird having my favorite team throughout all of the major sports winning a title as #2 on my own list.  However if the A's ever do win one, there is not many A's fans in Buffalo, NY to celebrate it with.  For that reason, it's #2 here.  Yes I know the A's won a World Series in 1989, but I was 7 years old.  I can't remember a thing from those days.  There is a long way to go here though.
3. Somebody, ANYBODY, breaking Barry Bonds all time HR record (legally).  In my opinion, no record was more special than Hank Aaron's all-time HR record throughout all of the major sports.  That was until Barry Bonds and his juiced up body (allegedly) ruined it.  Hopefully some day this record will be held by someone who does it legally.
4. Somebody breaking Joe DiMaggio's 56 game hit streak.  With the way the media is today, the excitement this would bring every single day would be amazing.  Good thing Joe D didn't get a hit in that 57th game.  The day after his streak ended, he started up a 17 game hitting streak.  A hit in 73 of 74 games!  I'm pretty sure this record is safe, but could you imagine having a 74 game hitting streak?
5. Niagara University making a run to the Final Four in men's college basketball.   I'm not going to ask for a championship (don't want to get too greedy), but hey, you never know!  Just thinking about this has me all excited.  For all you NU fans out there, how amazing would this be? 
6. Watching a no-hitter or perfect game in person.  I've been to my fair share of MLB games.  I think the closest I ever came was maybe the 3rd inning. 
7. Chicago Cubs winning the World Series.  I'm not a fan of the team, but these fans have suffered long enough.  Hopefully if they ever do it, it's against a team like the Red Sox or Yankees.  Makes it a little more special.
8. A horse winning the triple crown.   I'll Have Another is the next horse to try this one.  I've seen enough horses win the first 2 races and then lose at the Belmont.  Hopefully one day a horse can finish the job.  Maybe this Saturday I can cross this one off the list.
9. The current version of the Miami Heat never winning a NBA championship.   Yes, I'm a hater.  Please Boston, finish them off tonight!
10. A MLB team calling Buffalo, NY it's home town.  The Bisons are good, but I would buy season tickets the 1st day tickets would be available if a MLB team were to move to Buffalo. 

 On the Diamond...

• Thoughts and prayers go out to Tommy Lasorda as he continues his recovery from a mild heart attack.  Nobody is a better spokesman and representative for baseball than Tommy. 
• What is wrong with Justin Upton?  Remember how good he was last season?  Good thing this guy plays in Arizona and not in a "big market". I thought this guy was going to be a Top 5 MVP candidate this year (he was 4th last year).  He is currently hitting .243, has 5 HR's and 20 RBI's.  He was also called out by his owner this week for being an "enigma" and has been benched by his coach for the last 3 games.  Not good.

On the Hardwood...

• I'm so glad the OKC Thunder won last night and will represent the Western Conference in this year's NBA finals.  How can you not root for this team?  Kevin Durant plays the game in a way I love, Russell Westbrook has matured significantly this year, and James Harden has an awesome beard.  The fans in OKC are also awesome. 
• Does it really matter who wins between the Heat and Celtics.  I know Bosh has been out, but watching the Eastern Conference finals and then watching the West, I see a huge difference in talent on the teams.  The West is so much better team basketball.  The Heat/Celtics is like watching the Spurs/Pistons of the early 2000's, only with more all-stars.  The West series was much better basketball and more exciting.  Yes, the East games have been close, but most of the game is poorly played basketball.  I don't think either team in the East have a chance against OKC. 

That's all I have today.  "Good job. Good effort."  Until next time...