Things in Sports That Seemed to Last Forever

People are often saying that nothing lasts forever.

In sports, though, that doesn't always seem so fitting, does it?

There have been a ton of instances where fans are reminded that, some things, just never come to an end—and not all of them are too great.

As much as we want to think that these instances would just stop, they have proven to be like the Energizer Bunny—they just kept going and going and going.

Pittsburgh Pirates' 20-Year Postseason Drought

Every single sports fan deserves a chance to celebrate their favorite team winning some sort of title, division, conference or world championship.

In the case of the Pittsburgh Pirates, though, their supporters were locked onto nothing memorable for 20 years, as they failed to even reach the postseason from 1993-2012.

While two decades worth of below-average play might have felt like a lifetime, at least the team has earned back-to-back playoff appearances, so the team seems to be making up for lost time.

River City Relay

It might just be the longest play in NFL history when it comes to time ticking off the clock, but it probably felt like an even longer eternity for those Jacksonville Jaguars fans who had to watch the miracle lateral play from the New Orleans Saints back in 2003.

Known as the River City Relay, this play eclipsed the 20-second mark, at least, even though the game clock read just seven seconds when the ball was snapped.

No one would have imagined it would take a team that long to gain 75 yards, but, it happened.

Thankfully for Jags fans, the heart attack was just a bit of a scare, as the Saints missed the extra point to tie the game.

Anthony Young's 27-Game Losing Streak

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While any losing streak into double digits is pretty bad, one that occurs when it's a single individual is a hell of a lot worse.

Unfortunately, for former New York Mets pitcher Anthony Young, he was on the losing end of 27 straight games, setting an MLB record in the process.

The bad luck for Young started in May 1992 and ran until July 1993, giving him a yearlong losing streak that will almost never be broken.

Young actually had a stretch of 23 straight scoreless innings—and still had the bad luck to lose as many games in a row as he did—which had to make any time he trotted out to the mound seem a little bit longer for him than anyone else in MLB history.

This David Ortiz Home Run Trot

Most future Hall of Fame players typically talk about not enjoying their career accomplishments until they finally call it quits, looking back on everything with grace and happiness.

For Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz, though, he started a little bit early during one of his home run trots last season.

Ortiz has been called out by opposing pitchers in the past for admiring his long balls a little bit too much, but seeing it take him 30-plus seconds to touch each base after this one might be the worst of them all.

Cleveland Cavs' 26-Game Losing Streak

As I mentioned earlier with the 27-game losing streak that former MLB pitcher Anthony Young had to experience, Cleveland Cavaliers fans had to suffer a 26-game run with their team scoring less points than their opponents.

Playing in their first season without departed star LeBron James, the Cavs lacked leadership and talent. While losing was expected, doing it 26 straight times was a bit much.

Sure, the streak lasted "only" about eight weeks, but it had to have felt like an eternity to both players and fans.

Cam Janssen vs. Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond

Has there ever been a hockey fight that lasted as long as this one?

I don't know. What I do know, though, is that the brawl between Cam Janssen and Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond during the 2010 season just wouldn't stop, with both players trading blows to one another in hopes of ending it.

The two-and-a-half minute punch fest tested the stamina of both players, as neither wanted to end as the loser.

For reference, boxing rounds last two minutes, so I'm sure that these guys were just showing they had the guts to go in the ring with someone like Floyd Mayweather Jr., right?

New England Patriots' Dynasty

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I know, I'm absolutely going to play the hater card on this one.

But, hey, I'm a Cleveland Browns fan, so, of course, I'm going to be jealous of the New England Patriots.

After quarterback Tom Brady took over the starting role in 2001, he and head coach Bill Belichick have found themselves in the postseason in 12 of 14 seasons, making them the gold standard for NFL teams.

Making matters worse for opposing teams and fans, the Pats seem to always, somehow, grab home-field advantage in the playoffs, making them even more difficult to defeat.

Just when we all thought the ship was sinking earlier this year, they went on a streak that grabbed them the No. 1 seed in the AFC and home-field advantage throughout.

Of course they did.

San Antonio Spurs' Dynasty

Just like the aforementioned New England Patriots postseason streak, the NBA's San Antonio Spurs have one that's even more impressive—and it isn't going to end this season, either.

Reaching the playoffs the past 17 seasons, the Spurs have built around Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili to win five championships in that span, making every fan jealous and skeptical of how they've done it.

Even as the Spurs get older each year, they remain strong under head coach Gregg Popovich, leaving them with a chance to always make a deep run in the playoffs.

These guys must have discovered the fountain of youth, because their run is ridiculous.

The Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals

Over 20 minutes.

That's how long it took for the Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals to complete a 20-round shootout that was the longest in NHL history on Dec. 16, with the Panthers coming out on top.

Playing the equivalent of an additional period, the two teams traded goals and misses as the thing went on, giving fans a show, but also leaving them wondering when the thing would end.

It might have gone on for a long time, but it was definitely a cool scene to see during a regular-season contest.

Boston Red Sox's 86-Year World Series Drought

I don't need to remind Boston Red Sox fans just how long the 86 years between World Series titles felt, because, well, they all have gray hairs and high blood pressure from living through it themselves.

With close calls on a number of different occasions, kids in 1918 turned to adults who turned into grandparents who turned over in their graves until 2004 came along.

And, while the 86-year drought convinced everyone that the Curse of the Bambino was real, seeing the team win three titles in 10 seasons since has, probably, made the long drought they endured before well worth it.

OK, maybe not.

Brett Favre's Career

Seriously, has there ever been an athlete who flip-flopped as much as former NFL quarterback Brett Favre?

After a successful run with the Green Bay Packers for 16 years that included three league MVPs, two Super Bowl appearances—one win—and numerous team and league passing records, Favre did the unthinkable by retiring from the Packers and then returning a few months later with the New York Jets.

And, just when we all thought he was done after a season in New York, he shocked the world by playing for the Minnesota Vikings, joining forces with one of the biggest rivals the Packers have.

With each indecision, fans grew frustrated with Favre, wondering when the dude would finally, legitimately, hang them up.

He did so, for good, in 2010.

Washington Nationals vs. San Francisco Giants

Going 18 innings, the Washington Nationals and San Francisco Giants tied the longest game in MLB postseason history, giving fans in attendance the treat of, in hindsight, the equivalent of an additional game.

And, boy, did this thing drag on.

After tying the game at one in the top of the ninth inning, there wasn't much excitement or many scoring opportunities for either side, with the final run coming from Brandon Belt of the Giants, who hit a solo homer in the top of the 18th to secure the victory.

I know the concessions stop selling beer after the seventh inning, but, good lord, I would have needed a couple brews to get through this marathon of a game.

Indiana Pacers' Win over Portland Trail Blazers

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No one enjoys to get blown out.

Unfortunately, routs happen a lot in sports.

And, back in 1998, one of the worst occurred to the Portland Trail Blazers, as they got run off the court by the Indiana Pacers by the score of 124-59, nearly setting or matching a few league records in the process.

Can you believe that an NBA team actually got more than doubled up by an opponent?

With the Pacers leading 59-29 at halftime, I wonder if the Blazers legitimately contemplated even coming out for the second half, because, sitting through another 24 minutes of the disaster seemed miserable.

Adding just 30 points in the half, players probably looked up at the scoreboard a lot to hope that there was an accelerated clock, because they couldn't have wanted to get out of the arena fast enough after that type of performance.

Chicago Cubs' 105-Year World Series Drought

This is one that, in fact, actually has lasted a lifetime.

With the Chicago Cubs not winning a World Series title since 1908, there are few people on the planet left to have even witnessed the thing, leaving a number of generations wondering what it would be like for the North Siders to finally earn one.

Losing their last seven appearances in the Fall Classic—a MLB record—the Cubbies and their fans have literally never seen better days, as parents tell their kids about the same heartbreak the current era is witnessing.

Who knows, though, maybe the team will run off a decadelong streak like the Boston Red Sox did once they finally broke their streak, winning three World Series titles since 2004.