11 Of The Toughest Ways To Lose A Game

by Evan Sporer | 3:55 pm, June 8th, 2012

Earlier today, we brought you the story of the Toronto Marlies, and this unlucky bounce that ended a Calder Cup finals game last night. It was heartbreaking stuff, but not the first time — or the last — that a team (and the fanbase of that team) had its soul forcibly removed and eaten slowly by the cruel monster they call sport. Because we’re gluttons for misery, we’ve decided to revisit some other famous instances of soul-eating.

WARNING: TO ALL SPURS, TITANS, METS, RED SOX, CAVS, ASTROS, STARS, (Spurs again), SABRES, KENTUCKY, AND TORONTO MARLIES FANS… this could be rather brutal. You may want to avert your eyes.

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1.Close, But No Cigar

Kevin Dyson was a yard away from finishing off one of the greatest comeback drives of all time. But Mike Jones made the tackle on the one-yard line, and the Greatest Show on Turf won Super Bowl XXXIV. HEARTBREAK LEVEL: Does Bambi even suffice? This is suicide-watch status.

2.McGrady's Takeover

The Spurs looked well on their way to taking this game against the Rockets in 2004. But Tracy McGrady exploded for 13 points in the last 35 seconds, including a four-point play. HEARTBREAK LEVEL: Minimal; the Spurs would live to see another day, and win championships in '05 and '07.

3.Weak At The Knees

From euphoria, to sadness, to hope, to depression. Mets fans took a roller coaster ride of emotions during Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS. Endy Chavez made his incredible catch. Aaron Heilman gave up a home run. And Carlos Beltran watched strike three, as the Cardinals advanced to and ended up winning the World Series. HEARTBREAK LEVEL: Speaking as a Mets fan, I almost jumped out the window writing this post...so...yeah.

4.Admiral Punishment

We brought this to you earlier today. Just absolutely nothing anyone on the Marlies could have done about this play. Potentially the unluckiest bounce in history. And it came in the finals. Doesn't get much worse than that. HEARTBREAK LEVEL: ...About here.

5.It Gets By Buckner

From sad Mets moments, to happier Mets moments (and really, really unhappy Red Sox moments). Mookie Wilson hit a ground ball to first base in the ninth inning of Game 6 of the 1986 World Series. You know the rest: the ball got through Bill Buckner's legs. The Mets won the game, and then they won Game 7, too. The Red Sox, meanwhile, had to wait another 18 years for their title. HEARTBREAK LEVEL: For 18 years, unbearable. But after the Sox won the '04 World Series, manageable.

6.Jordan Destroys Cleveland

Lost sometimes in the sad history of Cleveland sports is this remarkable shot by Michael Jordan to win the teams' 1989 playoff series. We feel for you Cavs fans, we truly do. HEARTBREAK LEVEL: Why don't we just light ourselves on fire?

7.Pujols' Crippling Shot

At one point, many people wondered if this home run ended the career of Brad Lidge. The former Astros closer was never quite the same after giving up this 10,000-foot home run to Albert Pujols in the 2005 NLCS - even though Houston would come back and win the series. HEARTBREAK LEVEL: For Astros fans, not terrible - their team still won the series. For Brad Lidge... not so much.

8.Stefan's Misstep

Patrik Stefan will never get a chance at an easier goal in his life. And after the then-Stars forward missed this gimme game-winner, the Oilers came down the ice and tied it. Good news, though: the Stars won the game in a shootout. HEARTBREAK LEVEL: Think this pretty much sums up Stars fans' feelings.

9.Plenty Of Time Left

Ever wonder how NBA announcers know the shortest amount of time it takes for a catch-and-shoot of an inbounds pass? Derek. Fisher. D-Fish burned the Spurs in the 2004 playoffs with this unreal buzzer-beater. HEARTBREAK LEVEL: what the hell just happened?

10.The Goal That Wasn't

Sabres fans will still tell you this goal should have never counted. Stars fans will bask in the glory of a Stanley Cup memory. In 1999, Brett Hull sent Dallas fans into a frenzy when he scored this overtime, Cup winner against Buffalo. Only problem? Replays would show Hull was parked in the crease, making the goal illegal. HEARTBREAK LEVEL: Considering Sabres fans are still infuriated by the thought of Brett Hull, pretty high.

11.Downcourt Heave

Want to know how badly this shot pissed off the Kentucky community? This year, during March Madness, the Kentucky fans asked UPS pull a television advertisement that featured the Laettner shot. Guys, it's been 20 years. HEARTBREAK LEVEL: Tell us how you really feel.

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Anonymous

Brett Hull’s goal was not illegal. The rules said you can be in the crease to try and score on a rebound. Read a book sometime
Anonymous

That rule was actually change beginning in the 1999-2000 season, after Hull’s goal was scored.

11 Of The Toughest Ways To Lose A Game

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