Buckner, Bartman, and Buffalo: 30 Most Painful Losses Since 1980 (Video)

My only athletic success growing up occurred in the Summer Basketball League for Camp Nubar, a sleepaway camp for Armenians aged seven through 15. Because the league started when I was 14, I had two years of sheer athletic prime, dropping dimes and raining threes against kids mostly younger than me (there was only one league in which every age played).

In the 2003 quarterfinals, my team (Heat) led the Kings 49-47 with three seconds left in the first overtime period. My teammate inbounded the ball to me, and in an effort to kill the clock, I jumped as high in the air as I could, hoping time would run out.

Unfortunately my vertical is as high as a dollar stack of quarters, so I was called for an up-and-down. I wish this was a joke. I've always been somewhat of an unrealistic idealist.

On the following play, the Kings' best player made a fallaway 18-footer to send the game into the second overtime.

Once there, my team fell into a big hole, but I hit two three-pointers to bring us within two points. We got the ball back down 58-56, and needed a two to tie and a three to win. I went for the contested three.

If the rim was as big as, say, a ground-up pool, it would have went in.

What's the point? I still remember the pain, and it still hurts that my one chance at hitting a buzzer-beating shot in a game with at least some meaning fell hopelessly flat, and yet I'm the only person today that cares or remembers about this game.

Bill Buckner isn't that lucky. Steve Bartman isn't that lucky. Cleveland fans who live through torture on a sickening cyclical basis certainly aren't that lucky.

Seeing The Drive or The Tuck Rule on television will never encapsulate that emotional hurt fans and goats feel.

Because I lived through a lifetime of anonymous athletic pain, it's now time to count down the 30 most painful sports losses in major American team sports history (pro and college football, pro and college basketball, baseball, and hockey) in the last 30 years.

The first 25 games are in chronological order in the calendar year they happened, followed by the top five most painful games counting down from five to one.

Why 30 years? It takes into account three whole decades, and I have to make a cutoff somewhere. Plus, do I really have any credibility talking about the Red Sox's two losses to the Yankees at the end of the 1949 season?

No, the 1980's will be hard enough.

The Prerequisites

Playoffs? We Talkin' About Playoffs?

The game needs to have playoff implications, because it hurts just a little more when your team's hopes die. If the Seattle Mariners' 15-14 loss to Cleveland in 2001—in which the M's blew a 14-2 lead—happened in Game Seven of the ALCS, it would have been the worst loss ever. Since it occurred during the regular season, the game is largely forgotten.

Extenuating Circumstances

Did the referee blow a horrific call? Did the losing team have a cursed history? Did a player talk about letting a groundball go under his legs a week prior on television before doing just that to lose a World Series game?

Success Eases Pain

I'm a Yankees fan, and Game Seven of the 2001 World Series was awful, but knowing that I had just watched four World Series-winning teams made life a little easier. Also, I don't really feel bad for Patriots fans that just watched 18 consecutive wins and three Super Bowls.

Without further ado, the list.

1980: NLCS Game Five, Phillies at Astros

The Situation

The Astros held a 5-2 lead at home in the eighth inning of the deciding Game Five (until 1984 Championship Series were decided in five games). Nolan Ryan was on the mound.

Then the Von Ryan Express began to derail. Philadelphia scored five in the top of the eighth, two of which came on a Manny Trillo triple, to give the Phils a 7-5 lead. Houston responded with two runs in the bottom of the eighth on four singles, tying the game.

Those would be the Astros' last hits and runs of 1980. The Phillies scored the game-winning run in the top of the 10th on a Garry Maddox RBI double.

Did You Know?

This series can lay claim to being one of the best in baseball history. Games Two through Five went to extras, and Game Four was almost an exact foreshadowing of Game Five. Houston took a 2-0 lead into the eighth inning again, only to see that evaporate with three Phillies runs. The Astros tied the game at three in the bottom of the ninth, but back-to-back RBI doubles in the top of the 10th from Greg Luzinski and Manny Trillo helped seal a 5-3 win.

Greg Luzinski also hit the only home run in the series, a two-run shot in Game One.

Speaking of home runs, the Astros hit only 75 that year, but that didn't stop them from accruing a 3.10 team ERA on their way to a 93-70 record and the NL West title, won in a 7-1 one-game playoff over the L.A. Dodgers.

Video

This shows the final out of the NLCS, plus the immediate aftermath.

1982: NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship Game, UNC-Georgetown

The Situation

Down 63-62 with under 10 seconds remaining, Georgetown guard Fred Brown mistakes Eric Smith for James Worthy and throws the ball away.  You've all seen the clip a million times. Have another look.

This game goes into the “What Might Have Been” category. What happens if Fred Brown doesn’t turn the ball over? Honestly, I think Georgetown forces up a rushed shot anyways and still loses. The ball would not have found itself in Ewing’s hands given the time.

Brown takes too much blame for this game. Georgetown should have done a better job getting hands in Michael Jordan’s face when he took the game-winning shot, and one of Brown’s teammates should have come in for a hand-off when he picked up his dribble to bail him out.

Did You Know?

Five future NBA All-Stars and 10 future NBA players were in this game. This will never, ever happen again.

Contrary to popular belief, Georgetown actually had one more shot to win after the Brown gaffe. James Worthy missed both free throws after getting fouled, and a decent outlet pass led to a good look from just beyond half court, but the shot fell well short.

The game never should have come down to the wire. UNC went a paltry 13-of-22 from the line. Worthy, despite 28 points on 13-17 FG, made only two of seven free throws.

Michael Jordan was UNC’s leading rebounder with nine. Ewing grabbed 11 of Georgetown’s 20 boards on the night. You think Ewing needed help on the glass?

No. 1 UNC almost never made it out of the second round, barely defeating No. 9 James Madison 52-50.

 

Video

This shows the Brown turnover. Yellow court? Gross.

1984: Orange Bowl, Nebraska Vs. Miami

The Situation

This game was the de-facto national championship. No. 1 Nebraska came into the game as 10.5 point favorites over No. 5 Miami, but was losing 31-30 after scoring a touchdown with 48 seconds left. If the Cornhuskers had converted an extra point, and ended up tying the game, they would have won the title.

That thought never crossed Nebraska Head Coach Tom Osborne's mind, because the Cornhuskers stayed right on the field and went for two.

Good decision? Better to win with honor than tie with your tail between your legs. Playing Monday Morning Quarterback, I wonder why Osborne would opt for a pass instead of an option run, though.

The game is a very bitter pill to swallow after Nebraska had averaged 52 points per game during the year, and came almost all the way back from a 17-0 first quarter deficit. What a way to lose.

Did You Know?

Down 31-24, Nebraska scored on fourth-and-eight on a 24-yard option play from quarterback Turner Gill to reserve I-back Jeff Smith, who replaced starter Mike Rozier when he went down with a bruised ankle.

Irving Fryar dropped a sure touchdown pass on first down on Nebraska's last down series. If Smith doesn't convert that TD, he becomes a Buckner-esque goat. Funny how fate works.

 

Video

This game featured a fumblerooski, where Turner Gill intentionally placed on the ball on the ground for left guard Dean Steinkuhler, who ran for a 19-yard touchdown. This move is now illegal. That touchdown brought Nebraska within 17-7.

1985: World Series, Royals Vs. Cardinals

The Situation

The Cardinals led 3-2 in games and 1-0 on the scoreboard in Game Six of the 1985 World Series. With Cardinals' reliever Todd Worrell on the mound in the bottom of the ninth, the Royals were in trouble.

Worrell threw a pitch to Jorge Orta, who rolled a slow grounder to first baseman Jack Clark. He tossed the ball to Worrell in time for the hypothetical out, but umpire Don Denkinger called Orta safe.

The Cardinals entered into meltdown mode. Clark dropped a foul pop that should have been caught off the bat off Steve Balboni, who promptly hit a single. 

Eventually pinch hitter Dane Iorg laced a two RBI single to win the game.

The next day Denkinger was behind the plate for the Cardinals' 11-0 loss. An irate Whitey Herzog and Joaquin Andujar were thrown out of the game.

Did You Know?

The Cardinals hit .185 in the World Series.

The Royals lost the first two games of the World Series, at home no less.

Don Denkinger is a big proponent of instant replay.

A Quick Note

It's easy to get really mad at umpires, but I've walked a mile in their shoes. I was a referee for four years in college as well as the Student Commissioner for Intramural Sports. It's really damn hard. What you can blame umpires and referees for is not knowing the rules. But we'll get to that later.

Video

The play is eerily reminiscent to the Armando Galaragga play from earlier this season, isn't it?

1986: ALCS Game Five, Boston at California

T.G. Higgins/Getty Images

27 Oct 1986: Dave Henderson makes contact with a pitch during the Red Sox 8-5 loss to the New York Mets in game 7 of the World Series at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York. The Mets won the series 4 games to 3. Mandatory Credit: T. G. Higgins /Allsport

The Situation

Leading the ALCS three games to one, the Angels had a 5-2 lead in the top of the ninth inning. Angels starting pitcher Mike Witt had two strikes on Don Baylor, a runner on base, and one out.

Then it all went to hell.

Baylor hit a two-run home run, scoring Bill Buckner. After Witt got Dwight Evans to pop out, manager Gene Mauch took Witt out and brought in left-handed Gary Lucas to face left-handed batter Rich Gedman, who had homered, doubled, and singled off the right-handed Witt.

Gedman was promptly hit in the helmet.

In comes closer Donnie Moore, and out goes a two-run homer from Dave Henderson.

The Angels scored one in the bottom of the ninth (more on this later) to bring the game into extras. In the 11th Henderson hit a sacrifice fly to score Baylor, the winning run. California went down meekly in the 11th to lose the game, sending the seres back to Fenway.

It's commonplace for fans to place unfair blame on one singular goat in these games (see: Buckner, Bill; Brown, Fred; Bartman, Steve). Donnie Moore is no exception. He was brought in a terrible mid-inning spot (Why not just bring him in to start the ninth?) and deserved to be put in a better chance to succeed by Mauch.

 

Did You Know?

The Angels failed to score the winning run in the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded, one out, and the score tied at six. Doug DeCinces lofted a shallow fly and Bobby Grich lined out to pitcher Steve Crawford to end that rally.

The Angels scored two runs in the top of the first inning of Game Six. From that point on, the Red Sox outscored California 18-3 in Games Six and Seven.

Dave Henderson's Gave Five home run was his only hit of the series.

If Doug DeCinces hits that sac fly, Red Sox fans are probably talking about the team's inability to hold a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the ninth in Game Four with Roger Clemens on the mound. The tying run scored after Calvin Schiraldi hit Brian "The Incredible Hulk" Downing with the bases loaded and two outs. A Bobby Grich 11th inning RBI single won the game, 4-3.

 

Video

Can't find a YouTube video to embed, except of this guy looking into a camera talking about the game. Sorry. Little help?

1987: AFC Championship, Denver at Cleveland

The Situation

Have you ever watched ESPN? If so, you know The Drive by now. No explanation necessary.

Did You Know?

The Browns never forced a fourth down on the Broncos' game-tying drive, but John Elway convered a third-and-18 from the Browns' 48-yard line after finding Mark Jackson for a 20-yard gain.

Rich Karlis, who was the Broncos' kicker, was the last barefoot kicker in the NFL.

Video

This is the NFL Films clip that has been shown 1,454,321 times since it occurred. Seriously, I want to know how many times it has been portrayed on the ESPN family of networks, along with The Catch and Buckner's error.

1988: AFC Championship, Cleveland at Denver

The Situation

The Fumble. Cleveland was down 38-31 with just over a minute left. Broncos D-Back Jeremiah Castille strips running back Earnest Byner of the ball as he's running in for the game-tying touchdown. The Broncos recover, take an intentional safety, and knock down a last-ditch Cleveland Hail Mary for the win.

Did You Know?

Byner had a great game, accruing 187 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns.

Cleveland was down 21-3, but QB Bernie Kosar threw four TD's in the second half to tie the game at 31.

The other 1987 Championship Game just missed this list, a 17-10 Redskins victory over the 8-7 Vikings in which Darrin Nelson dropped a game-tying touchdown.

Video

This is the original NBC broadcast of the game. Fast forward to about 6:30 to see the fumble.

Browns head coach Marty Schottenheimer placed the blame on WR Webster Slaughter, who failed to block Castille on the play.

1992: NLCS Game Seven, Pittsburgh at Atlanta

The Situation

Pittsburgh blew a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the ninth against the Atlanta Braves following a Ron Gant sac fly and a Francisco Cabrera two-run single, the latter with two outs.

Did You Know?

Francisco Cabrera had 92 hits during his entire career and 10 in the 1992 season, none more important than this one.

The Atlanta Braves went on a 77-37 tear to finish the regular season. They almost blew a 3-1 NLCS series lead, however.

Video

Fast forward to about 1:50 to see Cabrera's at-bat.

1993: AFC Wild Card, Houston at Buffalo

The Situation

The greatest comeback in NFL history. Buffalo trailed 35-3 early in the third quarter, took a 38-35 lead, and held on for the 41-38 overtime win. Backup QB Frank Reich led the Bills by going 21-for-34 for 289 yards and four touchdowns.

Did You Know?

Reich is no stranger to comebacks. He came off the bench to lead the University of Maryland to a 42-40 win over Miami in 1984 after being down 31-0 at halftime, going 12-of-15 and scoring four touchdowns.

Kicker Steve Christie recovered his own onside kick with the Bills down 35-10.

Video

Probably my favorite video found, because it's the original NBC postgame recap.

1999: NFC Championship Game, Atlanta at Minnesota

The Situation

Gary Anderson, perfect all year, misses a 38-yard kick just before the two-minute warning that would have given the Vikings a 30-20 lead. The Falcons respond with a quick touchdown, and Morten Andersen kicks a 38-yard field goal in overtime to win.

Did You Know?

The Vikings were 16-1 up until this point, and arguably had one of the best NFL single-season teams assembled, losing their only game 27-24 to Tampa Bay after blowing a fourth-quarter lead. 

Video

This is part four of the Missing Rings series. Fast forward to 8:20 to find the kick. Part five can be found on YouTube.

1999: Stanley Cup Game Six, Buffalo at Dallas

The Situation

Brett Hull scores a controversial goal in the crease to give the Dallas Stars a 2-1, triple overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres to clinch the Stanley Cup four games to two.

Tortured city plus controversial goal plus triple overtime to lose Stanley Cup=sheer pain.

Did You Know?

The question wasn't whether Brett Hull had his skate in the crease. He was allowed to do so if he had possession of the puck. Whether you think Hull had "possession" when he kicked the puck to himself for a self one-timer is another story. Odd rule.

The Sabres were a seventh seed that year, and allowed the second-fewest goals in the NHL to...the Dallas Stars.

Video

This gives a good explanation and replay of the in the crease rule.

2000: AFC Wild Card, Buffalo at Tennessee

The Situation

The Bills led 16-15 after a Steve Christie field goal with little time left.

Cue the Music City Miracle. Neal to Wycheck to Dyson. Titans win.

Karma would come crashing down on them soon.

"There are no flags on the field!"

Did You Know?

This game's referee, Phil Luckett, was also the ref for the infamous 1998 Thanksgiving Day game between Detroit and Pittsburgh, when he misheard Jerome Bettis and got the coin toss call wrong.

Video

It was a lateral. How about that?

2000: Super Bowl XXXIV, Tennesse Vs. St. Louis

The Situation

One Yard Short. Tennessee comes back from down 16-0 to tie the game at 16 only to see Kurt Warner respond with a 73-yard TD pass to Isaac Bruce. From the 12-yard line, Steve McNair leads his team to the 10-yard line and throws a slant pass to Kevin Dyson, who is tackled on the one-yard line by Mike Jones.

I wonder where Dyson and Jones are today. Maybe their signing photos of that play for money like Mookie Wilson and Bill Buckner.

Did You Know?

The Rams had gone 4-12 the previous season, while the Titans were 8-8.

Video

This video shows the last drive of the game.

2000: NBA Western Conference Finals Game Seven, Blazers at Lakers

The Situation

The Trail Blazers led L.A. 75-60 in the fourth quarter, but a 15-0 Lakers run helped give L.A. a 89-84 win. FUnny enough this isn't the only comeback from a basketball team down 75-60 on this list.

Did You Know?

Portland missed 13 consecutive shots during the fourth quarter.

Shaquille O'Neal is known for the bugged-eye spasm attack after his alley-oop dunk gave the Lakers a late six-point lead, but surprisingly he only took nine shots in this game.

This is the biggest fourth-quarter comeback in a Game Seven in NBA playoff history.

Video

Fast-forward to 5:10 for the Shaq dunk.

2002: AFC Divisional Round: Oakland at New England

The Situation

The Tuck Rule. Second life. Adam Vinatieri kicks a miraculous 45-yard field goal to send the game to overtime, and wins it with a 23-yarder in O.T.

Did You Know?

The Patriots converted a fourth-and-four from the Raiders' 28-yard line in overtime after Tom Brady threw a six-yard pass to David Patten.

Oakland was winning 13-3 in the second half.

Video

Not the best quality in the world, but watch the first minute and see how the Tuck Rule worked against the Pats earlier in the season.

2002: NBA Western Conference Finals Game Seven, Lakers at Sacramento

The Situation

This game is more painful because of events prior to Game Seven, even though the deciding game was hard enough after the Kings simply choked in overtime, losing 112-106. The Lakers won Game Four off a Robert Horry three-pointer that never should have been taken after Vlade Divac unintentionally tipped the ball to him. Furthermore, Samari Walker made a half-court three-pointer in that game that was clearly after the buzzer, but this was prior to instant replay. 

Game Six is cited as one where Dick Bavetta's officiating crew called a horrible game. The Lakers shot 40 free throws to the Kings' 25. You be the judge of that.  

In Game Seven, the Kings made only 16-of-30 free throws and made numerous errors down the stretch to lose that game, including a Hedo Turkoglu bad pass with the Kings down two late in the extra session.

Did You Know?

Mike Bibby had 16 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter and overtime.

Video

More of a highlights package here again.

2002: World Series Game Six, San Francisco at Anaheim

The Situation

The Giants were winning 5-0 in the bottom of the seventh with a hot starter and a great bullpen. Dusty Baker took out Ortiz after he put two runners on, but let Ortiz keep the game ball.

Bad karma?

Scott Spiezio hit a three-run home run, and in the following inning, Darin Erstad hit a solo shot and Troy Glaus hit a two-run double to give the Angels a 6-5 lead. The Angels won Game Seven behind a great performance from rookie John Lackey.

Did You Know?

The Giants have never won a World Series in San Francisco.

Video

The Angels aren't helping me with video here. This is a shot from the stands of Kenny Lofton's fly ball to end the Series.

2003: NFC Wild Card, New York at San Francisco

The Situation

The Giants blew a 38-14, late third quarter lead after the Niners scored 25 consecutive points led by best friends Jeff Garcia and Terrell Owens. Regardless the Giants still had a chance with a 41-yard field goal attempt with under 10 seconds left. Off-the-street snapper Trey Junkin's snap was poor, and holder Matt Allen rolled out to look for left guard Rich Seubert, an eligible lineman downfield, for a touchdown. 49ers DE Chike Okeafor speared Seubert for an obvious pass interference call, but referee Ron Winter called Giants lineman Tam Hopkins for being downfield!

Look, the special teams situation was so horrible for the Giants in 2002 that they may have blown a second chance if the refs called offsetting penalties, but this was inexcusable.

Did You Know?

The Giants were 6-6 and in seventh in the NFC, looking up at the 8-3-1 Falcons and 8-4 Saints in the Wild Card spots. Somehow they finished fifth after winning their last four games.

Junkin retired right after the game.

Video

Krispy Kremes....

2003: NFL Regular Season, Minnesota at Arizona

The Situation

This is the only regular season game that deserves to be on this list.

The 9-6 Vikings strolled into the friendly confines of Arizona for a date with the 3-12 Cardinals, needing a win to clinch the NFC North.

The Cardinals had more motivation to lose, because with a loss they would have clinched the No. 1 Draft pick.

Trailing 17-12 and facing a fourth-and-25 from the Vikings' 28-yard line with four seconds left, QB Josh McCown rolled to his right and found Nate Poole for a TD in what is now an illegal play. Poole put one foot down and then was pushed out of bounds. Back then players were allowed to get one foot down if they were being forced out of bounds by an opponent at the same time.

With the loss, the Vikings needed a Packers loss to squeak in, but Brett Favre and Co. did not help because they were in the process of finishing up a 31-3 win over Denver.

Did You Know?

The 2003 Vikings, 1978 Washington Redskins, and the 2009 Denver Broncos have each started the season 6-0 only to miss the playoffs.

The 2003 Vikings lost to every team that had finished 4-12 that season (Giants, Cardinals, Raiders, Chargers).

Daunte Culpepper now plays for the UFL's Sacramento Mountain Lions. Tickets are still available.

Video

This shows the play in question.

"CAUGHT! TOUCHDOWN! NOOOOOOO!"

2005: AFC Divisional Round, Jets at Steelers

The Situation

The Jets nearly pull off a huge upset of the 15-1 Steelers, but Doug Brien missed field goals from 47 and 43 yards in the last 2:02 of the game en route to a 20-17 overtime loss. The 47-yarder hit the corner of the left upright and crossbar, while the 43-yarder flew through the air as time ran out of the fourth quarter.

Did You Know?

The Jets would have won that game without scoring an offensive touchdown, as Santana Moss scored on a punt return TD and Reggie Tongue had a pick-six.

Head coach Herman Edwards deserves much of the blame for playing way too conservatively after David Barrett intercepted a Roethlisberger pass following Brien's first miss. He could never manage a clock, and that showed here.

Video

How many more inches did Brien need to make that first field goal? Six?

2005: NCAA Men's Basketball Elite Eight, Illinois Vs. Arizona

The Situation

Illinois was down 75-60 with under four minutes left and came back to win in overtime. Deron Williams is the most underrated basketball player in the NBA, period.

Did You Know?

Illinois had won every game but two that season: a one-point loss in February to Ohio State after a Matt Sylvester three-pointer and an 85-80 loss to North Carolina in the Championship Game.

Video

This starts with Arizona holding a 60-57 lead over Illinois. Fast forward to 1:45 for the beginning of the comeback.

2008: NCAA Championship Game, Memphis Vs. Kansas

The Situation

I suppose it's all water under the bridge now, because Memphis would have had to vacate its title, but this was still painful for one particular fan who may or may not have won $500 from a lucrative pool had the Tigers won.

With two minutes left, one-loss Memphis was leading 60-51. Their Achilles Heel all season, free throws, did them in. Chris Douglas-Roberts missed four freebies, including the front end of a one-and-one, while Kansas got hot down the stretch. Regardless, Derrick Rose still had a chance to put the game away with 10 seconds left, but he only made one-of-two free throws, giving Kansas one last chance down 63-60.

Nowadays Mario Chalmers is the starting point guard on the NBA's most infamous team. Back then he was the SI cover man after making the shot of the tournament, a smooth three from the wing to tie the game.

Kansas scored the first six points of OT and never led by fewer than three in the extra session, winning 75-68.

Did You Know?

2008 was the only time four No. 1 seeds advanced to the Final Four of the NCAA tournament.

Video

Highlights package from midway through the second half. Fast forward to 1:45 to see Chalmers' shot.

2009: Super Bowl XLIII, Pittsburgh Vs. Arizona

The Situation

The Cardinals finally make a NFC Championship Game, and Super Bowl, but lose in dramatic fashion. Down 20-7, the Cardinals roar back to take a 23-20 lead on a Larry Fitzgerald 64-yard TD catch. The Steelers immediately marched down the field and scored on Santonio Holmes' tip toe six-yard TD catch following his 40-yard catch after a D-Back slipped.

The most painful part of the loss has to be Warner's last-ditch effort. I imagined Warner tossing one last 20-yard out to Fitzgerald, and the Cards having two shots from the 25 before time ran out. Alas, it wasn't meant to be.

Did You Know?

Little-know fact: James Harrison probably doesn't score on his 100-yard interception return if Antrel Rolle doesn't bump Larry Fitzgerald...while he was out-of-bounds.

Video

Full highlights package here.

2010: NFC Championship Game, Vikings at Saints

The Situation

The Vikings commit five turnovers en route to a 31-28 overtime loss in the NFC Championship Game. Minnesota had a first-and-10 on the New Orleans 33 with time winding down, but a couple plays later Brett Favre throws an interception to Tracy Porter. Saints kicker Garrett Hartley kicked a 40-yard field goal after New Orleans was the beneficiary of two defensive penalties.

I argue that the Minnesota Vikings have the most tortured fanbase in the NFL. Four lost Super Bowls in the 1970s, eight losses in the NFL Divisional Round, and four losses in the NFC Championship Game. The 1987 and 2000 NFC Championship losses were pretty close to making this list.

Did You Know?

There were nine fumbles in the game.

Brett Favre threw an interception as the last throw in both the 2007 and 2009 NFC Championship Games.

Tracy Porter intercepted Peyton Manning for a pick-six in Super Bowl XLIII, giving the Saints a 31-17 lead.

Video

The video contains the entire highlights package.

2010: NHL Eastern Conference Semifinals Game Seven, Phila. at Boston

The Situation

Probably the most ironic of painful losses, Boston held a 3-0 lead in games, and then a 3-0 lead in Game Seven, before losing the deciding game and series 4-3.

Did You Know?

Three NHL teams have blown 3-0 series leads: 1942 Detroit Red Wings, 1975 Pittsburgh Penguins, 2010 Boston Bruins. A baseball team blew a 3-0 series lead as well, but I don't know how to Google so I can't find that answer for you.

Video

I hate Philadelphia sports teams, but this video package is incredible. It shows highlights of all seven games.

No. 5: 2003 ALCS Game Seven: Red Sox at Yankees

The Situation

Grady Little. Pedro. Aaron Boone. 5-2 lead gone in the blink of an eye.

This game falls in the shadow of 2004 nowadays, but Grady Little was killed for leaving Pedro Martinez in. Honestly, it's way too easy to blame the manager. If it worked, no one would have cared. If Pedro had "nothing left," he wouldn't have gone to two strikes on four consecutive batters. Plus, for goodness sakes Alan Embree wasn't Rivera.

The more subtle heroes on this night include Jason Giambi (2 HR), Mike Mussina (three scoreless innings of relief), and Mariano Rivera (absolutely shut down Boston through innings 9-11).

Did You Know?

Pedro Martinez had two strikes on Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, Hideki Matsui, and Jorge Posada in the eighth inning, but let up three doubles, a single, and eventually three runs.

Video

This starts with Pedro Martinez's meltdown in the eighth inning.

No. 4: 1991: Super Bowl XXV, New York Vs. Buffalo

The Situation

Buffalo begins a decade of absolute sports hell with Scott Norwood's 47-yard field goal miss in Super Bowl XXV in the closing seconds, losing 20-19. 

Did You Know?

Contrary to popular belief, the game did not end after the kick. The Giants killed the clock with one kneeldown.

QB Jeff Hostetler made the play of the game...when he took a safety. Down 10-3, he somehow held onto the football with one hand as DE Bruce Smith tackled him in the Giants' end zone.

The Giants won with a starting QB and RB that were backups on the team in Super Bowl XXI. Phil Simms was lost for the season with an injury during a regular season contest against Buffalo.

The Giants won the previous week on a last-second field goal from Matt Bahr, who drilled five field goals in a 15-13 upset of the then four-time Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers.

The Bills were defeating the L.A. Raiders 41-3 at halftime in the AFC Championship en route to a 51-3 win.

A great time of possession gameplan led the Giants to victory on this day. New York held the ball for 40:33, thanks in part to OJ Anderson's 102 rushing yards on 21 carries.

Video

Fast forward to about 0:50 to watch the kick.

No. 3: 2003 NLCS Game Six, Florida at Chicago

The Situation

Bartman. Eight runs in the eighth inning.

Did the guy prevent an out? Looking at the trajectory of the ball, probably. However, I don't believe in the supernatural, but that funky hop Miguel Cabrera's grounder took on Cubs shortstop Alex Gonzalez was not from this planet. That's a double play ball more often than not, with the Cubs taking a 3-1 lead into the ninth instead of a 8-3 deficit. Then Bartman becomes a distant memory.

Did You Know?

Your winning pitcher in Game Six? The talented Chad Fox.

In a eerie similarity to the 1986 Red Sox, the Cubs held a mid-inning lead in Game Seven (5-3), only to lose by three runs (9-6).

Video

Just the foul ball.

No. 2: 1997: World Series Game Seven, Cleveland at Florida

The Situation

It's the best World Series no one remembers. Cleveland led 2-0 in the seventh inning of Game Seven before Bobby Bonilla (Bobby Bonilla???) hit a home run to cut the deficit in half. In the ninth inning, a Craig Counsell sac fly scored Moises Alou to tie the score, and in extras Edgar Renteria singled home Counsell for the winning run.

Did You Know?

This World Series featured the highest-scoring ninth inning, 11 runs in all, in Florida's Game Three 14-11 win.

The Indians had a chance to score insurance runs in the top of the ninth, with runners on the corners and one out. Marquis Grissom grounded out to shortstop, forcing Sandy Alomar Jr. at home, and Brian Giles flied to left.

Video

I apologize for the Gloria Estefan song.

No. 1: 1986: World Series, Game Six: Boston at New York

The Situation

"Little roller up along first. Behind the bag! It gets through Buckner! Here comes Knight and the Mets win it!"

Did You Know?

With the score tied at three, the Mets had runners on first and second with no one out in the bottom of the ninth. Manager Davey Johnson had backup infielder Howard Johnson attempt to bunt. When that failed after the first pitch, Davey Johnson changed his mind and had Howard Johnson swing away. HoJo struck out, then Lee Mazzilli and Lenny Dykstra flew out to end the inning.

The Red Sox led Game Seven 3-0 in the sixth inning before allowing eight runs and losing 8-5.

Like 2009 World Series MVP Hideki Matsui, Mets 3B Ray Knight won the 1986 World Series MVP...and was not offered a contract by Mets GM Frank Cashen the next season.

Video

I think Buckner beats Wilson to the bag, or tosses it to a waiting Stanley in time, but my money's on the Mets winning it in the 11th or 12th anyways if the out is recorded.