The 50 Strangest Decisions in Sports History
The outcome of a sporting event often comes down to series of decisions. These decisions can range from play-calling to roster creation to substitution strategy.
Most of the time these decisions are somewhat predictable. We're logical, coaches are logical, and the decisions are logical and safe.
But, every once in a while, a coach, player or organization makes a decision, either in a game or on whether or not to sign or play a particular individual, that makes us stop, turn and say, "What in the...did they just? They did!"
This list is devoted to the strangest decisions in sports history. They might turn out great, they might blow up in the team's face, but they all made us go, "What were they thinking?"
You may see some names more than once (you may see one name as many as four times), and there will obviously be names that don't appear on the list.
Without further ado, let's get to the weirdness.
50. Slide!!!
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When It Happened: The 2001 ALDS pitting the New York Yankees against the Oakland A's.
What Happened: The A's led the five-game series 2-0, heading into Game 3. The Yankees clung to a 1-0 lead late, and then, on a seeing-eye single from Terrence Long, the plodding Jeremy Giambi began a trek from first to home. Rather than sliding into home plate, Giambi tried to cross standing up after Derek Jeter had just made one of the most incredible plays in baseball history, flipping the ball behind his body to his catcher.
The Logic: Giambi thought he had the run scored, so why slide? Besides, he was never the most graceful player in history.
How’d It Work: Terribly. He was out, Jeter was the hero, and the Yankees went on to win three straight games and the series.
Crazy Meter: 3/10. It made sense; only Jeter would make a play like that, and even then, the odds of getting the out were slim. But the decision not to slide was still an odd one, and one that has haunted A's fans ever since.
49. Fourth-and-2
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When It Happened: During the 2009 NFL regular season, when the New England Patriots took on the Indianapolis Colts.
What Happened: The Patriots led 34-28 with just over two minutes remaining, and faced a fourth-and-2 on their own 28-yard line. Head coach Bill Belichick called a short out to running back Kevin Faulk.
The Logic: The last thing Belichick wanted to do was to give the ball to Indianapolis, who had been picking the Pats defense apart all night long. The only way to prevent the comeback was to get the first down.
How’d It Work: They didn't get it, and the Colts wound up winning 35-34.
Crazy Meter: 3/10. I agreed with the call at the time, and I agree with it now. But seriously? An out to Kevin Faulk? Yeesh.
48. Sorry, Sweetness
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When It Happened: Super Bowl XX, in 1986, pitted the Chicago Bears against the New England Patriots.
What Happened: The Bears were leading Super Bowl XX 37-3 and had the ball on the Patriots 1-yard line. Running back Walter Payton, one of the NFL's best players of all time, had waited his entire career for the chance to score a touchdown in the Super Bowl, and it looked like he was going to get the chance. Instead, it was lard-ball offensive lineman William "Refrigerator" Perry who blasted into the end zone. Payton never scored.
The Logic: Ditka had used plays like that all season, and Perry hadn't scored all season. So, he gave the fat man the football.
How’d It Work: Well, Payton didn't get his touchdown, and was robbed of the chance to score in a Super Bowl.
Crazy Meter: 3/10. More confusing than crazy or weird. Why not reward Sweetness for all the work he'd put in over the years?
47. A Loooong Field Goal Try
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When It Happened: September 14, 2008.
What Happened: Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski was ordered onto the field just before halftime of Oakland's game against the San Diego Chargers, to kick a field goal. The catch? It was a 76-yard attempt, and the wind was against them.
The Logic: Not entirely sure, although if anyone can hit that kick, it's Janikowski.
How’d It Work: Obviously, the kick was well short of it's intended target, and head coach Lane Kiffin was blasted in the media.
Crazy Meter: 4/10. Janikowski has the leg to hit that, but why try it into the wind?
46. The Mad Hatter Strikes Again
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When It Happened: November 6, 2010, when the LSU Tigers squared off against the Alabama Crimson Tide.
What Happened: LSU and head coach Les Miles, a.k.a The Hat, faced a fourth-and-1 in the fourth quarter, trailing the Crimson Tide 14-13. So what did The Hat do? He went for it, with a reverse.
The Logic: Not sure with Les. He never says.
How’d It Work: Splendidly. The Tigers got 23 yards on the play, and kept a drive alive that ultimately put them in the lead.
Crazy Meter: 4/10. Compared to some of the things The Hat has done, this was tame. But for us sane human beings, it was pretty strange, even if it did work.
45. Sweet Lou Doesn't Get It
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When It Happened: The entire 2010 season.
What Happened: Pinella had a glut of outfielders in 2010, of varying skill levels. One of them, Tyler Colvin, was a young prospect who showed a ton of promise at the plate. Another, Kosuke Fukudome, was an aging fielder with poor range, and lackluster batting skills. Despite this, Pinella opted to have them split at-bats down the middle.
The Logic: I guess that Fukudome was making too much money to be a bench player?
How’d It Work: OK, I suppose. Colvin hit well, Fukudome continued to underperform, and the Cubs stunk out loud for most of the year.
Crazy Meter: 4/10. Why give 358 at-bats to Fukudome, when half of those could have gone to a better player in Colvin? I think Sweet Lou was a little senile by the end.
44. Flea-Flicker
7 of 50When It Happened: The 2005 Holiday Bowl.
What Happened: Pinned in their own end zone, the Oregon Ducks coaching staff pulled a page out of their trickeration playbook, calling a flea-flicker, a play where the running back takes the handoff, then tosses back to the quarterback, who tosses a bomb downfield.
The Logic: They'd never expect it in the end zone.
How’d It Work: Better than it could have. Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon got the ball out half a second before he would have gotten drilled, and the pass fell incomplete.
Crazy Meter: 4/10. Pinned in your own end zone, you call a slow-developing play against an Oklahoma defense that you know is gunning for a sack? Go figure.
43. Super Blunder
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When It Happened: Super Bowl XXXIII, in 1999.
What Happened: Atlanta Falcons star safety Eugene Robinson, who had received the Bart Starr Award for his "high moral character" the day before, was arrested for soliciting an undercover officer disguised as a prostitute—the night before the Super Bowl. He spent the night in jail, and yet, head coach Dan Reeves started him.
The Logic: Robinson was the team's best safety, and Reeves didn't really have an able replacement for him.
How’d It Work: Robinson got flat-out smoked on an 80-yard touchdown pass.
Crazy Meter: 4/10. Clearly, playing a guy who'd been up the whole night before the Super Bowl, the biggest game of your career, was the right move, right? Oh, wait.
42. The Reds Blow It
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When It Happened: After the 2000 season.
What Happened: The Cincinnati Reds, fresh off of back-to-back winning seasons, decided it was the perfect time to fire manager Jack McKeon, because he was too old. They replaced him with Bob Boone, a guy who was baseball's equivalent of a legacy student at a college. He'd gotten all of his jobs because of his last name, rather than his credentials.
The Logic: Boone was a big name, and McKeon was getting old.
How’d It Work: Bombed. Who would've guessed that a guy who bombed horribly in his only other managerial gig would do it again? The Reds went from 86 wins in 2000 to 66 in 2001, despite maintaining a very similar team to the previous year.
Crazy Meter: 4.5/10. I'd just like to point out that McKeon won a World Series with the Marlins in 2003, while Boone hasn't managed in major league baseball since he was fired in 2003.
41. Vinny Del Negro and Joakim Noah
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When It Happened: The 2010 NBA Playoffs, and the end of the regular season.
What Happened: Chicago Bulls center/forward Joakim Noah had been battling a nagging injury, and head coach Vinny Del Negro continued to play him. Then, suddenly, he cut Noah's minutes significantly, and rumors began spreading that GM John Paxson had ordered Noah's minutes cut. Throughout the end of the season, management dictated to Del Negro how many minutes the injured forward was allowed to play, despite being in the heat of a playoff race.
The Logic: The Bulls had invested quite a bit in Noah, and didn't want to damage him over the long term.
How’d It Work: Noah's playing better than ever, but Paxson got into a confrontation with Del Negro and ultimately fired him after the Bulls fell to the Cavs in the playoffs.
Crazy Meter: 4.5/10. Clearly, things worked out okay for the Bulls, but it was definitely confusing as it went down.
40. The Cleveland Browns' Love Affair with Jake Delhomme
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When It Happened: The 2010 NFL regular season, preseason and training camp.
What Happened: The Browns, desperate for a quarterback to lead their offense, signed Jake Delhomme, who was fresh off a two-year stretch during which he threw 30 interceptions in 27 games. Delhomme started the season as Cleveland's starting quarterback.
The Logic: Hey, maybe it was just because Carolina stinks!
How’d It Work: It wasn't. Delhomme threw four picks in two starts this season, and both Seneca Wallace and rookie Colt McCoy have had higher levels of success than the erratic veteran.
Crazy Meter: 4.5/10. This one made no sense, and continues to make no sense. What were they thinking? Were they trying to sew up the first overall pick in next year's draft?
39. Coaches Punt Late
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When It Happened: All the time, at all levels of college football.
What Happened: A team is trailing with less than three minutes left in the game. They have the ball, but it's fourth down. So what does the coach do? Punt away, and try to get it back with five seconds left, to make a desperate Hail Mary pass.
The Logic: The defense will totally stop them, right?
How’d It Work: It seldom does. The defense can never stop the offense, and the punting team loses.
Crazy Meter: 4.5/10. Let's give up our last chance to score and win this game, by giving the ball voluntarily back to our opponents. What a wonderful idea!
38. Isiah Thomas
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When It Happened: Between 2006 and 2008, and potentially again in the near future.
What Happened: The Knicks, despite overwhelming evidence that Thomas had been a disaster in his other basketball-related ventures (like coaching the Pacers), hired him to be the coach and president of basketball operations.
The Logic: He was a great player, so he knows how to build a team, right?
How’d It Work: Wrong. The Isiah Thomas years were some of the worst in Knicks history, marred by terrible cap management, exorbitant contracts, and worst of all, some of the worst basketball in the history of the franchise. Add to that a sexual harassment scandal, and Thomas couldn't have been worse for the Knicks.
Crazy Meter: 4.5/10. How does hiring a guy who has failed as a head coach and a personnel guy in the past make any semblance of sense?
37. Baylor Fumbles Away a Win
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When It Happened: September 11, 1999.
What Happened: Baylor led UNLV 24-20 late in the fourth quarter of this one. They had the ball on UNLV's 1-yard line, and a knee would have ended the game. Instead, head coach Kevin Steele opted to run the ball up the gut with running back Darrell Bush.
The Logic: Steele claimed he was trying to give the moribund Bears program "attitude".
How’d It Work: Bush fumbled, and a UNLV defender returned the ball 99 yards for the game-winning score.
Crazy Meter: 5/10. KNEEL THE FOOTBALL!
36. Belichick Gets Busted
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When It Happened: During the 2007 season.
What Happened: The New England Patriots were caught videotaping the sideline signals of the New York Jets.
The Logic: To get an advantage, duh.
How’d it Work: Horribly. The Pats got slapped with some pretty severe punishment, and haven't been quite the same since.
Crazy Meter: 5/10. It's not the spying that was strange; it was the getting caught part. How sloppy do you have to be?
35. Sean Payton Rolls the Dice
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When It Happened: Super Bowl XLIV, in February 2010.
What Happened: The New Orleans Saints attempted an onside kick coming out of halftime of the biggest game in the franchise's history.
The Logic: They'll never see it coming.
How’d It Work: The Colts didn't, and the Saints recovered the kick and went on to win the game.
Crazy Meter: 5/10. It was definitely a gutsy call by Saints coach Sean Payton, and one that would have gotten him blasted in the media if it hadn't worked.
34. Eric Mangini's Wild Ride
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When It Happened: During the 2009 NFL season.
What Happened: To start the 2009 season, Cleveland Browns head coach Eric Mangini named young quarterback Brady Quinn the starter. After just two games as the starter, Mangini benched him for Derek Anderson. However, Quinn was back starting in Week 10, and he and Anderson would continue to split starts for the rest of the year.
The Logic: No clue.
How’d It Work: The Browns were 5-11 last season and finished dead last in the AFC North. Neither quarterback was able to make much of an impact.
Crazy Meter: 5/10. To switch quarterbacks that many times is odd. To switch between such crappy quarterbacks is downright perplexing. Someone get Charlie Frye on the phone!
33. Jim Caldwell Takes a Dump on History
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When It Happened: The 2009 regular season.
What Happened: The Indianapolis Colts were 14-0, and winning their division handily. They looked like a mortal lock to finish the regular season undefeated. But head coach Jim Caldwell and GM Bill Polian had other ideas, opting to bench starters to give them rest before the postseason.
The Logic: The rest would allow the Colts stars to get fully healthy before the playoffs got underway.
How’d It Work: The Colts made it to the Super Bowl, but lost that, along with the last two games of the regular season, keeping them from making history.
Crazy Meter: 5/10. Nice to see those extra weeks of rest paid off with a titl—oh, never mind.
32. The Mad Hatter Catches a Break
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When It Happened: October 2, 2010.
What Happened: The undefeated Tigers were in deep trouble. Down 14-10 to an underperforming Tennessee team, The Hat had the ball at the Tennessee 1-yard-line. But the Tigers let the clock run down, before calling a poorly thought out play.
The Logic: There was none.
How’d It Work: The Tigers fumbled the snap, seemingly ending the game. But a penalty on the Vols for having too many men on the field gave LSU another chance, and The Hat called a winner, punching in the go-ahead touchdown.
Crazy Meter: 5.5/10. This one was ridiculous. Illogical, nonsensical and flat-out lucky.
31. John Starks
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When It Happened: June 22, 1994.
What Happened: Game 6 of the NBA Finals. The Knicks need a win over the Houston Rockets to stay alive in the series. Starting shooting guard John Starks is shooting horribly, going two-for-eight in the game's first three quarters, and starts just as cold in the fourth, failing to hit a shot. Despite this, Knicks coach Pat Riley leaves Starks in the game.
The Logic: Starks was as reliable of a shooter as you could find in the NBA at that point. If anyone could get rolling, it was him.
How’d it Work: Disastrously. Starks finished 0-for-10 in the fourth quarter, and the Knicks lost the game 86-84.
Crazy Meter: 5.5/10. Why would one of the better coaches in NBA history leave Starks in the game? This has baffled Knicks fans to this day.
30. The Mad Hatter Fakes It
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When It Happened: October 9, 2010.
What Happened: The LSU Tigers had blown a 26-14 lead over the Florida Gators, and trailed 29-26 late in the fourth quarter. The Hat sent the kicking team onto the field, for what would be the game-tying field goal. Or was it? The play was actually a fake, in which the holder flipped the ball to kicker Josh Jasper.
The Logic: No one would be expecting it.
How’d It Work: Beautifully. The Tigers got the first down, and ultimately scored on the drive.
Crazy Meter: 5.5/10. This one made people wonder if The Hat was brilliant, crazy or both.
29. Red Right 88
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When It Happened: January 4, 1981.
What Happened: It was an AFC divisional playoff game between the Cleveland Browns and the Oakland Raiders. The Browns trailed 14-12 with under a minute remaining, and had possession of the football on Oakland's 13-yard line. Head coach Sam Rutigliano called a pass play known as Red Right 88, and told quarterback Brian Sipe that if the play was anything less than wide open, to throw the ball into Lake Erie. Remember, a field goal wins the game.
The Logic: The kicker had missed two field goals and was beaten up pretty badly that season, and Sipe had been told to throw it away if no one was open.
How’d It Work: Another disaster in the annals of Cleveland sports. Sipe fired to a covered Ozzie Newsome, and the pass was picked off by defensive back Mike Davis.
Crazy Meter: 5.5/10. In this situation, just take the points and move on. Run the ball up the gut, and kick the field goal. Don't get cute.
28. The Mad Hatter Pulls One Out of His Hat
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When It Happened: October 20, 2007.
What Happened: Miles and the Tigers trailed Auburn 24-23, with 32 seconds on the clock. LSU had the ball on the Auburn 22-yard line. The Hat opted to let the clock tick down until 8 seconds remained before the ball was snapped. Quarterback Matt Flynn was looking to the end zone.
The Logic: Take a stab at the end zone, then kick if there's nothing there.
How’d It Work: Perfectly. Flynn found Demetrius Byrd in the end zone, and The Hat had another wild win.
Crazy Meter: 5.5/10. You do know you only needed a field goal to win, right, Les?
27. Dusty Baker and Mark Prior
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When It Happened: The 2003 season.
What Happened: Dusty Baker was the manager of the Cubs in 2003. He had one of the most promising young pitchers in all of baseball in right-hander Mark Prior. Most managers would carefully monitor Prior's workload, to avoid causing his arm undue stress. Not Dusty; he pitched Prior 211 innings in the regular season and playoffs, more than 100 innings more than he'd pitched in any other season of his career.
The Logic: If he's there we might as well use him. Plus, the Cubs were in the race in the NL Central and needed all the arms they could get.
How’d It Work: Prior's out of baseball, after battling injuries the rest of his career. The Cubs made the NLCS and lost to the Florida Marlins, and haven't come close to that level of success since.
Crazy Meter: 5.5/10. Have fun when Homer Bailey's arm falls off, Reds fans!
26. Nebraska Runs the Spread
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When It Happened: 2004-2007.
What Happened: Nebraska was always synonymous with smashmouth football. They ran the ball down your throat, they stuffed your offense with a suffocating defense, and they weren't changing. Until Bill Callahan, former Raiders head coach, came to town. Bill was going to bring the 'Huskers into the 21st century. He was going to open up the offense and run a spread.
The Logic: It was the offense Callahan knew, and he was trying to change the culture in Lincoln.
How’d It Work: A 27-26 record in four seasons, an offense that couldn't keep the ball and a defense that couldn't stop much. Callahan not only pissed off every Nebraska fan in history by changing things, he didn't win games.
Crazy Meter: 6/10. Yes, let's take a pass-heavy offense and force it down the throats of a team designed to run the ball. What a great idea!
25. Bill Self Can't Beat UNI
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When It Happened: March 20, 2010.
What Happened: The Kansas Jayhawks had a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament and squared off against the Northern Iowa Panthers in the second round. The Panthers were an excellent defensive team, but lacked the size necessary to compete with KU on the interior. So what did head coach Bill Self do? Order his team to fire up 23 three-pointers, and play a perimeter-oriented game.
The Logic: KU did have better athletes. But that was more or less it. Plus, whenever Bill Self falls behind in a game, his teams jack up three-pointers like they're going out of style.
How’d It Work: The Jayhawks played right into the Panthers' hands, and fell 69-67. KU hit just six of their 23 three-pointers.
Crazy Meter: 6/10. How does this make any sense to anyone, least of all a coach at one of the most prestigious basketball schools in the country?
24. Larry Bird Iso's Travis Best
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When it Happened: Game 4 of the 2000 NBA Finals.
What Happened: The Pacers and Lakers are tied near the end of regulation of Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Rather than going to one of the most clutch shooters of all time—Reggie Miller—Pacers head coach Larry Bird draws up an isolation play for 5'11" point guard Travis Best.
The Logic: They'd never see it coming, mostly because Best is so short.
How’d It Work: Best was doing great, until he ran into Shaquille O'Neal under the basket. Guess who didn't make the shot? The Lakers went on to win the game and the series.
Crazy Meter: 6/10. Drawing up a play wherein a 5'11" guard has to take on a 7'1" behemoth is typically a bad plan.
23. Jordan vs. Byron Russel, Part Deux
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When it Happened: Game 7 of the 1998 NBA Finals.
What Happened: After marking Michael Jordan with Byron Russell and losing when the Bulls guard hit the game-winner the previous year, Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan was faced with a similar situation in Game 7 in 1998.
The Logic: Not sure, exactly.
How’d it Work: You know how it ends: Jordan shoves Russell, hits the game-winner, Bulls take home their third straight title.
Crazy Meter: 6/10. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice...
22. Avery Johnson vs. Warriors
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When It Happened: The 2007 NBA Playoffs series between the Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors.
What Happened: Johnson was the head coach of the top-seeded Mavericks in 2007, and squared off against the eighth-seeded Golden State Warriors, coached by Johnson's mentor Don Nelson. The Mavs had lost all three regular-season games to the Warriors, so many assumed that the unassailable Dallas club would make adjustments heading into the playoffs. They were wrong.
The Logic: If it ain't broke, why fix it?
How’d It Work: The Mavs became the first one seed in NBA history to lose to an eighth seed in a seven-game series, and Johnson was outcoached the entire series as Dallas was swept.
Crazy Meter: 6/10. Clearly, they had your number in the regular season. Why not try something different with them in the playoffs?
21. The Hat Blows One
30 of 50When It Happened: 2009.
What Happened: Ole Miss led the Tigers 25-23, and many assumed that The Hat would have a trick or two up his sleeve. Instead, the Tigers squandered almost 20 seconds off the clock, and attempted to spike the ball with one second remaining and the ball deep in Ole Miss territory.
The Logic: Not sure, exactly.
How’d It Work: Awfully. You cannot spike the ball with one second on the clock, and the Tigers lost the game.
Crazy Meter: 6/10. Who doesn't know how to run a two-minute drill with timeouts in hand?
20. Charlie Weis Can't Count
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When It Happened: 2007, when Notre Dame faced off with Navy.
What Happened: The Midshipmen hadn't beaten the Irish in over 40 years, but the game sat tied at 28-28 with 45 seconds to play. Notre Dame facde fourth-and-8 at the Navy 24-yard line, and a field goal would tie the game. Instead, head coach Charlie Weis called for a pass play.
The Logic: Not sure, exactly.
How’d it Work: Quarterback Evan Sharpley was sacked on the play, and the Midshipmen went on to beat the Irish in triple overtime.
Crazy Meter: 6/10. It's not tough math; when the game is tied, a field goal puts you in the lead. ND fans still haven't forgiven Weis for this, or many other blunders during his tenure.
19. Grady Little Leaves Pedro In
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When It Happened: Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS.
What Happened: The Boston Red Sox held a slim lead over their arch-nemeses, the New York Yankees, in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS. Pitcher Pedro Martinez had pitched seven stellar innings, but had shown signs of fatigue. Rather than take him out, manager Grady Little allowed Martinez to continue pitching.
The Logic: He was more reliable than the relievers in the bullpen, at least in Little's mind.
How’d It Work: Martinez let the Yankees tie the game in the eighth, and the Yankees went on to win the series.
Crazy Meter: 6/10. Little trusted Martinez, but anyone could see that the pitcher was tired. Why couldn't Grady?
18. Mike Singletary Benches Alex Smith...Except He Doesn't
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When It Happened: October 10, 2010.
What Happened: The 49ers were losing badly to the Philadelphia Eagles, and head coach Mike Singletary wanted to make a change. So he decided to bench quarterback Alex Smith in favor of backup David Carr. Until protestations from Smith and other teammates convinced him not to, at least.
The Logic: Listening to the players is typically a smart move.
How’d It Work: Better than expected. Smith threw a pair of touchdown passes to get the Niners back into the game, but San Fran ultimately fell 27-24.
Crazy Meter: 6/10. Make a decision and stick with it. Don't be an Eric Mangini.
17. The Interception
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When It Happened: The 2010 NFC Championship Game.
What Happened: The Minnesota Vikings were tied with the New Orleans Saints late in the NFC Championship Game. They held the ball at the Saints 38-yard line, still within kicker Ryan Longwell's range. All they needed to do was run the ball up the middle and kick a field goal to win the game. Instead, coach Brad Childress and quarterback Brett Favre opted to pass.
The Logic: The Vikings were trying to get as many yards as they could to shorten the field goal for Longwell.
How’d It Work: Terribly. Favre's pass was picked off, and the Saints went on to win the NFC title and ultimately the Super Bowl.
Crazy Meter: 6.5/10. Why not run the ball? Even if you get stuffed, you're still in field-goal range.
16. The Game's Worst Decision
35 of 50When It Happened: The 2009 Harvard-Yale game.
What Happened: Yale led Harvard 10-7 late in the fourth quarter, and faced fourth-and-22 at their own 25. Rather than kick away, as is standard procedure, Yale did this.
The Logic: They'd never see it coming.
How’d It Work: Harvard came back to win 14-10, largely because of the fake punt.
Crazy Meter: 7/10. Seriously? Fourth-and-22, and you expect the punter to pick up the first down? Yale deserved to lose the game after that call.
15. Joe Maddon Starts James Shields
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When It Happened: Game 2 of the ALDS between the Tampa Bay Rays and Texas Rangers.
What Happened: After dropping Game 1 of the series to the Rangers, Rays manager Joe Maddon penciled in James Shields as the starter. Shields had a 5.14 ERA in 2010.
The Logic: No one's really sure.
How’d It Work: Disastrously. Shields was chased after just 4.1 innings, and the Rays lost the game and the series to the Rangers.
Crazy Meter: 7/10. You have so many young, talented arms in Tampa; why go with James Shields in Game 2?
14. Where's John Harkes?
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When It Happened: Before the 1998 World Cup.
What Happened: After previously being named "Captain for Life" by Team USA head coach Steve Sampson, defender John Harkes was left off the World Cup roster in 1998, for reasons that remained unclear until this year.
The Logic: Harkes had reportedly been having an affair with forward Eric Wynalda's wife, so the coach cut him.
How’d It Work: Team USA was gone from the World Cup after finishing dead last in 1998.
Crazy Meter: 7.5/10. This one baffles me. What do someone's sexual habits have to do with their ability to play soccer?
13. Phil Jackson Ignores Scottie Pippen
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When It Happened: May 13, 1994, Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
What Happened: The Chicago Bulls trailed the New York Knicks 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Game 3 was tied 102-102 with 1.8 seconds left. In the huddle, Bulls coach Phil Jackson designed the final play for rookie Toni Kukoc, instead of superstar Scottie Pippen, who had carried the Bulls to that point.
The Logic: No one would see it coming.
How’d It Work: Kukoc hit the shot, but the Bulls lost the series, and Pippen never really got over being given the shaft.
Crazy Meter: 7.5/10. Who bypasses one of the greatest players ever to give the last shot of a crucial playoff game to Toni Kukoc?
12. Mike Holmgren Hands Broncos the Super Bowl
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When It Happened: Super Bowl XXXII, in 1998.
What Happened: The Packers and Broncos were tied 24-24 with under two minutes to go in Super Bowl XXXII. The Broncos had the ball at the Packers' 1-yard line, and Green Bay head coach Mike Holmgren told his team to let the Broncos score.
The Logic: Holmgren assumed the Broncos would score anyway, and he wanted as much time on the clock as possible for his team to come back.
How’d It Work: The Broncos scored, but the Packers couldn't answer, and handed the Broncos the Super Bowl.
Crazy Meter: 7.5/10. When is it ever OK to let the other team score? Especially in the Super Bowl? In the words of Herm Edwards, "You play to win the game"!
11. McNamara Pulls Clemens
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When It Happened: Game 6 of the 1986 World Series between the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets.
What Happened: The Red Sox led the Mets 3-2 in the World Series, and were winning Game 6, 3-2. Ace Roger Clemens was pitching brilliantly, but Red Sox manager John McNamara opted to pull him from the game in the eighth inning, replacing him with pinch-hitter Mike Greenwell.
The Logic: According to McNamara, Clemens asked out of the game with a blister on his finger.
How’d It Work: Terribly. The Red Sox went on to lose the game and the series.
Crazy Meter: 7.5/10. Pulling one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball for Calvin Schiraldi, when the ace is still feeling good, is still one of the strangest decisions of all time.
10. Greg Ryan Thinks It's Still 1998
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When It Happened: The 2007 Women's World Cup.
What Happened: Hope Solo was a burgeoning young goalie for the American national team, and clearly one of the top 'keepers in the world. So it came as quite a shock when head coach Greg Ryan benched her for the team's semifinal match against Brazil, in favor of backup Brianna Scurry, the 36-year old former star who hadn't played a full match in three months.
The Logic: Ryan stated that Scurry had been more successful against the Brazilians in the past.
How’d It Work: Disastrously. Scurry couldn't do the job, as the Americans lost 4-0, ending a 51-match undefeated streak. Ryan clashed with players throughout his tenure, and was fired shortly after the World Cup.
Crazy Meter: 8/10. Ryan benched one of the world's best goalkeepers to play the percentages? The World Cup is not the time to pull that kind of stuff.
9. France's 2010 World Cup
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When It Happened: The 2010 World Cup.
What Happened: First, France kept controversial manager Raymond Domenech, who kept much of an aging team intact. Then, the team announced that after the tournament, Domenech would be fired, regardless of the result.
The Logic: Domenech wasn't a great coach, so why keep him around? No logic here, other than continuity.
How’d It Work: France was a disaster at the 2010 World Cup, the portrait of disharmony, discord and terrible play.
Crazy Meter: 8/10. Everyone knew Domenech was a whack-job who the players couldn't stand; so why'd they keep him?
8. Bill Parcells Blows It for the Jets
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When It Happened: December 21, 1997.
What Happened: The Jets had gone from 1-15 the previous season to 9-6 heading into their season finale against the Detroit Lions. A win puts them in the playoffs. Trailing 13-10 late in the fourth quarter, the Jets drive to the Lions' 9-yard line. A touchdown wins the game, a field goal puts it in overtime. Bill Parcells, the Jets head coach, calls an option pass from running back Leon Johnson.
The Logic: No one would see it coming, and Neil O'Donnell wasn't the most reliable passer on the face of the Earth.
How’d It Work: Interception and season over for New York.
Crazy Meter: 8.5/10. Seriously, with your season on the line, you throw a pass with Leon Johnson? Why not throw with the person who's paid to throw the ball on the biggest play of the season?
7. Denny Green Loses the Keys to the Offense
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When It Happened: The 1999 NFC Championship Game.
What Happened: The Vikings had one of the best offenses in football in 1999. Randy Moss and Cris Carter were slicing and dicing, and quarterback Randall Cunningham was throwing the ball with aplomb. Minnesota sat tied with the Atlanta Falcons late in the NFC Championship gGame, but rather than unleashing his offense, head coach Denny Green had quarterback Randall Cunningham take a knee, opting for overtime.
The Logic: Why risk an interception and big return, when you can get them in OT?
How’d It Work: The Vikings lost the coin toss, and the game, as the Falcons kicked the game-winning field goal on the first possession of overtime.
Crazy Meter: 8.5/10. So you have one of the NFL's best offenses, and you sit on the ball at the end of the game? In what universe does that make any semblance of sense?
6. Tikhonov Benches Tretiak
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When It Happened: The Miracle on Ice game, 1980.
What Happened: The Soviets were tied with the Americans 2-2 after two periods of hockey. They had one of the most dominant goalies in history in Vladislav Tretiak. So it came as quite a shock when head coach Victor Tikhonov benched the star for the third period.
The Logic: No one knows.
How’d It Work: Well, we might not have the Miracle on Ice if Tretiak hadn't been pulled.
Crazy Meter: 9/10. Pulling the world's best goalie in a tight game makes no sense to anyone, even to this day.
5. Shanahan Benches McNabb
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When It Happened: October 31, 2010.
What Happened: The Washington Redskins were trailing the Detroit Lions 30-25 late in the fourth quarter. Head coach Mike Shanahan benched franchise quarterback Donovan McNabb in favor of backup Rex Grossman.
The Logic: Maybe, because it was Halloween, Shanahan thought Grossman was dressed up as a competent NFL quarterback.
How’d It Work: Grossman lost a fumble on his first play under center, and the Lions won 37-25.
Crazy Meter: 9/10. I realize McNabb's not the most clutch quarterback in the NFL, but Rex Grossman isn't good early in games, much less late.
4. Marty Takes the Wind
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When It Happened: In 2002, during a game between the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions.
What Happened: The moribund Lions found themselves tied with the Chicago Bears in Chicago heading into overtime. When they won the toss, head coach Marty Mornhinweg decided to have his team kick off, despite it being sudden-death.
The Logic: Mornhinweg was playing the wind. He wanted the wind at his back, in case he needed to kick a field goal.
How’d It Work: The Bears scored on their first possession, and Marty's been the subject of ridicule ever since.
Crazy Meter: 9/10. IT'S SUDDEN-DEATH, MARTY! If they score, you lose!
3. McNamara Leaves Buckner in the Game
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When It Happened: Game 6 of the 1986 World Series.
What Happened: After pulling pitcher Roger Clemens too early, Red Sox manager John McNamara left defensively challenged first baseman Bill Buckner in the game too long. His ankles were going, but McNamara didn't make his usual substitution of Dave Stapleton in the 10th inning.
The Logic: McNamara wanted Buckner on the field for the final outs of the World Series.
How’d It Work: I think you know.
Crazy Meter: 9.5/10. Let's leave a first baseman with bad leg joints in the game for the biggest outs in franchise history. On what level does this make sense?
2. Wade Phillips Benches Doug Flutie
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When It Happened: January 8, 2000, the AFC Wild Card playoff game between the Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans.
What Happened: Doug Flutie was a hero. The quarterback had led the Buffalo Bills to an improbable playoff berth and 10-5 record as a starter. Flutie's thanks? Head coach Wade Phillips benched him in favor of the immortal Rob Johnson prior to the team's playoff clash with the Tennessee Titans.
The Logic: Johnson was the starter, until he got hurt, so he should get his job back.
How’d It Work: Not well. Johnson stunk up the joint, but the Bills still led 14-10. That is, until the karma gods punished the Bills with the Music City Miracle. Buffalo hasn't sniffed a playoff win since.
Crazy Meter: 9.5/10. Rob Johnson is never better than Doug Flutie. EVER.
1. The Miracle at the Meadowlands
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When It Happened: November 19, 1978.
What Happened: The New York Giants led the Philadelphia Eagles 17-12 late in the fourth quarter of their game at the Meadowlands. New York held the ball, and had to run one more play to run out the clock. Everyone in the stadium knew they were going to kneel on the ball. Everyone, that is, except offensive coordinator (and overall terrible coach) Bob Gibson, who called a run by back Larry Csonka.
The Logic: Gibson said after the game he hated sitting on the ball to win games, and head coach Jim McVay said his headset was malfunctioning and he hadn't heard the play call, or he'd have changed it. The players believed Gibson was on a power trip when he called the play.
How’d It Work: About as well as you can expect. Csonka fumbled the ball, which was scooped up by Eagles defensive back Herman Edwards. Edwards took the ball 26 yards to the house, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. Gibson was fired after the game.
Crazy Meter: 10/10. When your decision is so strange, so stupid, that you have to create an entirely new formation (the victory formation) to prevent anyone from making the same decision again, you have earned the top spot on this list. Congratulations, Mr. Gibson. At least you were good at making bad decisions.
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