Top 10 New York Sports Moments of 2009

Here are Empire Sports Now’s top 10 New York sports moments from 2009

Before you read this list, know that I tried to get a moment from each team in New York that was worthy. Some teams had more big moments than others. Feel free to comment and share your feelings on the list or come up with your own list.   

10. Daniel Murphy’s behind-the-back flip

9. Rangers go up 2-0 in ’08-’09 Conference Quarterfinals against Capitals
The Rangers came into the series as underdogs, but won games one and two and knocked Alexander Ovechkin around. Although the Rangers would lose the series, they were up 3-1 after four games before losing the last three.

8. Islanders select John Tavares with 1st overall pick in 2009 NHL Draft

7. Giants beat Cowboys 33-31 in the first game at the new Cowboys Stadium 
Lawrence Tynes hit a game-winning field goal as time expired to give the Giants a 33-31 win over the Cowboys in the first NFL regular season game at the Cowboys’ new $1.1 billion stadium. Eli Manning threw for 330 yards and two touchdowns in the game. Eli also put his signature on a wall in the visiting locker room that has caused a stir.

6. Nate Robinson wins 2008-2009 NBA Slam Dunk Contest

5. Jets select Mark Sanchez with 5th overall pick in 2009 NFL Draft/Jets beat Patriots 16-9 in Week 2

At the 1:25 mark in the video there is a Jet fan in the middle of the screen that is absolutely hating this pick. Jet fans hope Sanchez will make this guy look like an idiot one day.

4. Yankees and Mets open brand new stadiums
Citi Field cost over $900 million to build and the new Yankee Stadium cost over $1.2 billion.

3. #18 Syracuse beat #4 Connecticut 127-117 in six overtimes 
Syracuse and UConn played a game for the ages on the hardwood at Madison Square Garden in the Big East quarterfinals. Syracuse outlasted the Huskies 127-117 in six overtimes. Six players had double-doubles, eight players fouled out and the game lasted 3 hours and 46 minutes.

2. Yankees walk-off wins
The Yankees had 15 regular season walk-off wins and one postseason walk-off win.
Notable walk-offs:
- Three walk-off wins in a row from May 15-17 against the Twins.
- Mets second baseman Luis Castillo dropped a high fly ball by A-Rod in 9th inning on June 12.
- A-Rod hit a walk-off two-run home run in the 15th inning against the Red Sox on August 7.
- Mark Teixeira hit a walk-off home run in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Twins.

1. New York Yankees win the 2009 World Series
The Yankees captured their 27th World Series championship by beating the 2008 champion Phillies in six games. From Teixeira’s monster regular season to Damon’s double-steal in the World Series, the Yankees had an incredible championship season in 2009. A-Rod overcame past failures and succeeded in October and Matsui was named World Series MVP. There were so many more great moments and memories from the Yankees in 2009.