Poll: the best position?

Absolutely pitcher. It's the only one where you have a modicum of control over what's going on. And as a former h.s. pitcher, the feeling of standing up on that mound, knowing you're about to try to torque your arm out of its socket to blow one by the guy, well, that's pretty much macho satisfaction city right there.

 

To add a specific track moment:

I want to be Michael Johnson coming off the turn of the 200 at the '96 Olympics, knowing I am the focus of everyone in the stadium and I'm in the process of destroying the World record.

 

This is the choice I was looking for among the ones listed. Knowing you need to get three outs in a one-run game to capture a title...there's your pressure situation.

Among the choices listed...QB. Birdie putt at the Masters is a close second, as I have a decent putting stroke.

 

And blissfully unaware of the ass-whipping I will soon receive from Donovan Bailey during our 150-metre match race at the SkyDome in Toronto. ;D

 

I'd like to know the feeling of battling Kobayashi dog for dog as the 10th tray of Nathan's finest arrives.

 

I chose GK in a shootout in the World Cup final, but I'd prefer to be on the other side taking the kick. I've never had a bigger adrenaline rush than when kicking in a PK shootout. The pressure in incredible.

 

This poll is missing the most obvious answer:

Taking a penalty shot in overtime of a championship game.

And I'm deking, in case you're wondering.

 

I'll add one from my experiences:

Strapping onto a bronc in the short round.

Butterflies like crazy.

 

I don't know which I'd choose. But why isn't tennis player serving for championship point in the last set at a grand slam event listed?

 

Scene: The former main school gym, State College U. The scenario: Down by a couple, last seconds of some random intramural game. I take a long inbounds pass at halfcourt, take two dribbles and let go with a long 3-pointer that I get off just before the buzzer. Nothing but net. Pandemoneum -- or as close as you can get in a gym with no spectators and only teammates celebrating. The payoff: A night of Calculus homework.

 

Actually, I've covered a handful of Yale-Harvard regattas, and although I didn't vote for being a coxswain, it wouldn't be such a bad thing. Visiting the High Top (Harvard) and Gales Ferry (Yale) training camps on the Thames River for the advance stories was always a fun day and covering the race from the officials' little motor boat wasn't so bad, either. Excellent viewing of the race from high-end party boats for Mrs. Cranberry and the other spectators.

Yale boathouse:

 

For the tennis-minded and lovers of baseball closers, I added them as choices.