The Unluckiest Things in Sports

When it comes to unlucky sports moments, I hate to brag, but I'd like to think that I take the cake.

Growing up just outside Cleveland, historic sporting events such as "The Drive," "The Fumble," "The Shot" and, of course, "The Decision" have all been "witnessed" with my very own eyes.

I'm looking for a way to break these terrible streaks—stopping short of a witch casting a lucky spell or selling my soul to the devil.

Maybe creating this list will bring all sorts of positive vibes my way because it's about the last thing I can do in hope of Cleveland's first championship since 1964.

Since we've seen plenty of other crazy memories, teams and even players over the years, here are eight unlucky instances.

6. Unlucky Way to Lose: The Neverending Spin

Penalty kicks in soccer are already nerve-wracking enough. No player should ever have to live through this.

Unfortunately for Lexington High School in South Carolina, they had to find a way to accept losing in the most bizarre way ever.

After initially saving a shot in the state title game, most goalies would start celebrating as if the game ended and he just became the hero.

This kid quickly became the goat, though, as the ball had some wicked backspin on it, allowing it to roll across the goal-line for his opponents to win.

5. Unlucky Contract: The Yankees' Deal with Alex Rodriguez

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Of all the contracts in the history of sports that have been given out, the Yankees giving Alex Rodriguez a 10-year, $275 million extension back in 2007 has set the team apart from the rest.

At the time, A-Rod may have been worth the cash—after all, he did collect three league MVPs and was a surefire Hall of Fame candidate.

But after more than a few postseason struggles, along with the dark cloud of his PED investigation and pending suspension looming, to think that New York may have to pay this guy $61 million over the next few years is absolutely insane—and that's just if his suspension is upheld.

4. Unlucky Player: Nomar Garciaparra

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When one thinks of Nomar Garciaparra, they probably relate him to being a five-time All-Star shortstop with the Boston Red Sox, playing in Fenway for eight-in-a-half seasons between 1996-04.

But while Nomar earned a ton of fan recognition and became the Derek Jeter of the city, he never got a World Series ring, being the key name traded in a 2004 swap that helped the Red Sox get more depth to break the 86-year curse of the Bambino.

Now I don't want to rub it in or anything, but Boston's gone on to win three titles in the 10 years since, too, adding a little salt to Nomar's wound.

3. Unlucky Sports City: Cleveland

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As I mentioned earlier, I'm from just outside Cleveland, so I know a few things about being unlucky.
Sure, there were some good times in my life that saw my hometown teams like the Browns, Cavs and Indians win, but those were even followed up with moments that are remembered for choking, rather than victory.

Jose Mesa blows the '97 World Series.

The Browns play it safe and squander a 17-point, fourth quarter lead in the team's last playoff appearance.

The Cavs don't win a single title in the years with LeBron James—and then had to watch him take his talents elsewhere because of it.

We're fortunate to have gotten there, but of any sports city, the Cleveland franchises really have always been the bridesmaid and never the bride.

2. Unlucky Fan: Steve Bartman

While I call this guy unlucky, some may just admit he was flat-out cursed—before getting cursed out—for his famous moment from the 2003 NLCS.

We all know the story.

Bartman—the headphone-blaring, turtleneck wearing, diehard Cubs fan—reached out and grabbed a foul ball that was presumably catchable by then Cubs left fielder Moises Alou with the North Siders just five outs from the World Series.

Of course, the aftermath led to Bartman getting escorted out by police thanks to the abuse he was taking as the Cubbies blew their lead and, ultimately, the series.

Bartman, on the other hand, is still just a ghost—even a decade later.

1. Unlucky Franchise: Oakland Raiders

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I don't give a darn what has happened with other franchises, when it comes to futility and embarrassment, the Oakland Raiders are the cream that rises to the top.

With seven head coaches in 12 years, they've proved to be the most unstable team in all of sports, lacking any sense of leadership and stability.

The Raiders may be one of the NFL's most famous organizations and a founding AFL team, but they seem to be more about the "acceptance of losing" rather than the "commitment to excellence" over the years.

Failed draft picks, a coaching carousel and a depleted, rundown stadium makes the Raiders just about as unlucky as you can get.