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Giants' win ranks among NY's best

Jim Baumbach

1:05 PM EST, February 4, 2008

PHOENIX

Now whenever you mention those special teams such as the 1969 Jets, 1969 Mets, 1986 Mets and the 1994 Rangers, you have to include this Giants team. They made history, and will forever be remembered and cherished for it.

Here's the debate.

There is no question the Giants' stunning 17-14 upset over the previously undefeated Patriots will go down as one of the top 10 sports championships in New York sports history.

But where exactly does it rank? Is it top five?

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This was the question a handful of Newsday reporters debated Sunday night long after the game was over, and the conclusion we came to is this: there's no easy answer. Yes, the Giants belong in the top 10. Everyone agrees on that. But what are the top five sports championships in New York sports history?

The definites are the 1969 Jets, for scoring a most improbable upset over the heavily-favored Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III in a landmark game; the 1969 Mets, for an improbable late-season run that turned them from being the lovable losers to the Amazin' Mets; the 1994 Rangers, for snapping their 54-year championship drought in dramatic fashion; and the 1986 Mets, for perhaps the most stunning comeback in World Series history.

Which Yankees team deserves a spot in the top five more?

The 1977 'Bronx is Burning' Yankees team, which was highlighted by Reggie Jackson's three home runs in Game 6? Or the 1996 Yankees, which ended the franchise's 18-year championship drought by erasing a 2-0 deficit on the road and captured the city's heart thanks to the story of Joe Torre, a Brooklyn native, whose older brother Frank received a new heart just as the Yankees won the title. Let's not forget the 1978 Yankees highlighted by Bucky Dent's memorable home run over the Green Monster in a one-game playoff at Fenway.

And how about the 1970 Knicks, a team that has forever been remembered for the dramatic Game 7 when Willis Reed limped back onto the court despite a thigh injury? His appearance inspired the Knicks and their fans to a 113-99 win over the Lakers for their first NBA title.

But top five?

Are the 1977 Yankees, 1996 Yankees and 1970 Knicks bigger than this Giants' victory, which no one could have predicted six weeks ago? That the Giants even made the Super Bowl was viewed an accomplishment, something most Giants fans probably would have been happy regardless of the outcome. That's because they were going up against the Patriots, hands-down the best team in football after winning an unprecendented 18 straight games.

But the Giants forced the Patriots into playing their game, made their uber quarterabck Tom Brady look human for a change, and Eli Manning led the Giants down the field for the game-winning score, easily the biggest drive in the history of the franchise. Co-owner John Mara, after the game, even called it the biggest win in franchise history.

The 1986 Giants and 1990 Giants both were special, too, and deserve consideration for the top 10. But this is bigger.

And of course let's not forget the Islanders' dynasty of the early 1980s, as well. They have several teams that would be definite top 10 material, especially the 1983 team that won the Stanley Cup for the fourth straight year.

After a night of thought, here's our top five.

1. 1969 Mets
2. 1969 Jets
3. 1986 Mets
4. 1994 Rangers
5. 2007 Giants

Honorable mention: 1977 Yankees, 1996 Yankees, 1983 Islanders, 1970 Knicks, 1990 Giants.

Let's hear yours.