heart-attack

attrib. in sports, connoting an animal, person, or group known for come-from-behind or very slight victories. Subjects: English, Sports & Recreation, Slang

Editorial Note: Especially common in phrases such as “the heart attack kids,” which has been a nickname for a variety of sports teams. Etymological Note: Directly related to the non-medical use of “heart attack” defined by Encarta as a “sudden shock.”

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Citations: 1975 Paul Attner Washington Post (Jan. 20) “Stanford’s Kelley Wins 2 for (and From) Biggies” p. D4: Louisville continues as this year’s heart-attack team. The Cardinals nosed out Drake, 55-53, in overtime Saturday on two free throws by Wesley Cox. It was the undefeated Cardinals’ second overtime, and third close victory in their last five games. 1975 Los Angeles Times (Mar. 25) “‘…And Here Comes Silky Sullivan!’” (in advertisement) p. D6: He won the Santa Anita Derby in 1958. No—he swamped The Derby in 1958. He came from 30 lengths out of it to an unbelievable victory. Of course, he won other contests zooming up from as much as 40 lengths off the pace. Between gasps, fans called him “The Showboat” and “The Heart Attack Kid.” 1986 Bob Springer (Associated Press) (Feb. 19) “Bradley University Basketball Team Giving City Something to Celebrate”: The Bradley Braves, leading the Missouri Valley Conference, “"are the hottest show in town."…The Braves, dubbed “the heart-attack kids’’ by some fans for their last-second heroics in several games, even have inspired a hard-driving, rock song. 1989 Kevin D. Teasley USA Today (Nov. 28) “Everybody wins in NCAA TV deal” p. 08A: More dribbling on CBS promises the birth of many more heart-warming stories. We all remember N.C. State’s “Heart attack kids” defeating Houston’s “Phi Slamma Jamma.” 1991 Jack Warner Atlanta Journal and Constitution (Georgia) (Oct. 27) “Anxiety hits a fever pitch” p. A10: We are a heart-attack team. I wouldn’t bet my drawers on winning tonight, but we’re going to take it because we’re a fighting city 1993 Steve Fryer Orange County Register (California) (Mar. 12) “Brethren Christian’s victory down to earth” p. D08: “We’re the heart-attack kids,” Brethren coach Richard Thomas said after the Warriors won in overtime for the third time this season to extend its winning streak to 20 and improve its record to 25-7. 1994 Allen Plyler Chicago Sun-Times (Aug. 23) “Black Determined Not to Be 2nd-Best Again” p. 72: “No Worries’ would be a different team from the “Heart Attack Kids” team of two years ago that was known for its comebacks. 1997 Mary Sansom Charleston Gazette (West Virginia) (Apr. 9) “BHS Musical Dream Team To Perform At Disney World” p. 01: Showtime has the tendency to flip on a switch in front of a crowd. They’re kind of the heart attack kids in that you never know when they’re going to flip on the switch. 1998 Paul Lomartire Palm Beach Post (Aug. 20) “A Little Serna Helps Stop Burn” p. 10C: For the second time in five days, the Miami Fusion, Major League Soccer’s heart-attack kids, won a game with a last gasp. 2007 [Aaron Kendeall] @ West Virginia University Daily Athenaeum (Morgantown, West Virginia) (Apr. 19) “Grit and glory”: If the young Pittsburgh roster (and this reporter) want to keep their beards growing through the first round, they will have to pull a ridiculous miracle: three straight wins, two of them on the road. If this happens, the heart-attack kids—as they are called in the Pittsburgh media—may become a national nickname.

Posted 25 Apr 07 | Permalink | Tell a Friend