Most Disappointing Sports Matchups Since 2000
The Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao fight was a letdown to some, but was it the most disappointing matchup since 2000?
Disappointment occurs when a matchup is really hyped, for whatever reason. It could be two rivals meeting on a big stage, or it could be that one or both parties have something to prove. Whatever the reason for the hype, these matchups failed to deliver.
Mets vs. Yankees, 2000
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The Subway Series showcases one of baseball's classic crosstown rivalries between the New York Mets and New York Yankees. In 2000, the world was treated to this matchup on the biggest of stages—the World Series.
This series was interesting because each of the games was incredibly close. No game was decided by more than two runs. Still, despite the nail-biting nature of each contest, there were only five games total, and the Yankees took home their fourth title in five years. Great for Yankee fans, boring for everyone else.
Heat vs. Spurs, 2014
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In 2013, the Miami Heat defeated the San Antonio Spurs in seven games to win its second straight NBA title. In 2014, the rematch everyone wanted to see happened.
Unfortunately, the rematch didn’t have anywhere near the drama of the original. Tim Duncan and co. dispatched the Heat in just five games, looking dominant. Each of the team's four wins came by 15 points or more.
Rangers vs. Kings, 2014
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New York and Los Angeles hadn't faced off in a major sports championship since the 1981 World Series and never in hockey. Then came the highly anticipated Stanley Cup Final matchup between the New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings. New York vs. L.A., East Coast vs. West Coast, the top American media markets going head to head—this one had all the best storylines.
Unfortunately, the series itself was a letdown. After taking the first two games in close, overtime thrillers, the Kings cruised, losing just once and eventually taking the Cup in five games.
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Belmont Stakes, 2012
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This is the matchup that wasn't. The Triple Crown of horse racing is one of the most elusive achievements in sports. It hasn't been done since Affirmed swept the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes in 1978.
Since 2000, many horses have come close, including War Emblem in 2002 and California Chrome in 2014. Perhaps none was more disappointing, however, than I'll Have Another's bid for the crown in 2012. Listed as a 4-5 favorite the morning of the Belmont Stakes, I'll Have Another was scratched due to a minor tendon injury.
Fox News reported Dale Romans, the trainer of the horse with the second-best odds, said, "It's devastating. I thought this was going to be one of the greatest races in history, and I wanted the opportunity to be part of it. But this is bigger than that. This is terrible news."
Ohio State vs. Florida, 2007
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No one likes a blowout. In 2007, Urban Meyer and the Florida Gators were set to face Ohio State for the college football national championship. Ohio State was the favorite, an undefeated Big Ten champion with a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback at the helm.
Very few could've predicted what happened. The one-loss Gators rolled, 41-14, holding the Buckeyes to just 82 total yards.
Tigers vs. Giants, 2012
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Sweeps are never fun to watch. In 2012, the Detroit Tigers and San Francisco Giants won their respective divisions. The Tigers dispatched the Oakland Athletics in the Division Series and then swept the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series. The Giants had a tougher route, going to five and seven games with the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals, respectively. On paper, it should've been a great World Series.
Instead, the Giants swept the Tigers in four games. Cy Young winner Justin Verlander improbably gave up five earned runs in Game 1, and Detroit never recovered.
Giants vs. Patriots, 2008
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Super Bowl XLII represented an opportunity for football fans to see something they hadn't since the 1972 Miami Dolphins—a perfect season. Unfortunately, the epic feat was not to be.
The New England Patriots were 18-0 and heavily favored heading into the contest with the New York Giants. The game was much closer than anyone expected, however, and thanks to some late-game heroics from David Tyree’s helmet, the Giants eked out a victory, 17-14.
U.S. Men's Basketball vs. the World, 2004
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The USA men's basketball team had won three straight Olympic gold medals, dating back to 1992 and the original Dream Team. The run of international dominance was probably a big reason why the 2004 campaign in Athens was such a letdown.
In its first game, the U.S. was stunned by Puerto Rico, 92-73. The team later lost games to Lithuania and Argentina before salvaging a bronze medal. Despite some semblance of success, it was by all accounts, a big disappointment.
Steve Springer of the Los Angeles Times reported that Dwyane Wade later said, "We weren't rooting for each other. We were fighting against each other because everybody wanted to play. I was fighting for five minutes a game. I loved all the guys on the team, but it just wasn't the right combination for an Olympic team."
Nets vs. Lakers, 2002
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This series was simply set up for disappointment. In 2002, two of the best teams in the NBA were the Los Angeles Lakers and the Sacramento Kings. Unfortunately for basketball fans, those two teams had to meet in the Western Conference Finals, instead of the championship. The result was an epic, seven-game battle that no Finals matchup was ever going to live up to.
So it was no wonder the series sweep that followed in the NBA Finals was decidedly lackluster. The Lakers took care of business against the New Jersey Nets, capping their 2000-02 three-peat.
Germany vs. Brazil, 2014
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The 2014 World Cup was held in Brazil, and the host nation was an early favorite to win it all. That's why the heavyweight semifinal matchup with Germany was so hyped.
It's also why it was so incredibly shocking when Germany flattened the Brazilians, 7-1. It was one of the most unexpected, lopsided and disappointing defeats in recent memory.
Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao, 2015
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There are some who believe the fight of the century was a massive letdown. However, it would be hard for any sporting event to live up to that kind of insane hype. The fight went the full 12 rounds, and Mayweather won by unanimous decision.
Fans were disappointed in the excitement level of the fight. Some felt Mayweather's methodical defense made the fight boring. Pacquiao attacked, Mayweather defended and both fighters stayed fairly true to their predicted strategies.
The fight wasn't the most exciting bout by a long shot, but as it turned out, Mayweather and Pacquiao "are who we thought they were."
Seahawks vs. Broncos, 2014
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Super Bowl XLVIII was one of the most highly anticipated championship matchups in recent memory. The stifling defense of the Seattle Seahawks vs. Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos high-powered offense looked to be, on paper, an instant classic.
It was not to be. Seattle ended up crushing Denver 43-8 in a game that was never close. After the loss that made some question Manning's legacy, the legendary quarterback said, "Certainly to finish this way is very disappointing. It's not an easy pill to swallow. I don't know if you ever really get over it," according to The Associated Press, via ESPN.
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