MLB Wild Card Race: The Most Exciting Finishes in Wild Card History

Has there ever been a year with more exciting Wild Card finishes than this year?

There certainly hasn't been any in recent memory.

It is almost unbelievable how both the AL and NL Wild Card races have shaped up, both coming down to literally the last day of the season.

See where these two rank all time, and if they really are the two best.

4. NL 2008: Mets vs. Brewers

One year after the Mets' historic collapse in 2007, they were looking to redeem themselves by making the playoffs in 2008.

At the trading deadline that year, the Brewers acquired CC Sabathia, and you could debate that he was the difference maker in the National League playoff race down the stretch.

The Cubs were the best team in the Central throughout the entire year, so the Brewers basically had their eyes on the Wild Card.

However, the Mets, who were in another tight race with the Phillies in the East, also had their eyes on the Wild Card in case they didn't win the division.

Well, thanks to CC Sabathia, the Brewers won the Wild Card by one game, causing the Mets to come up just short once again.

3. NL 2007: Rockies, Mets and Padres

Who could forget how the NL Wild Card race shaped up at the end of the 2007 season?

First of all, you had the Mets' historic collapse in the East, which led to the Phillies eventually winning the division.

Not only did the Mets lose their division, they also lost a shot at the Wild Card by not having a better record than the Padres or Rockies.

What's even more amazing than the Mets' collapse, though, is what the Colorado Rockies did.

They were left for dead in late August, and came storming all the way back just to force a one game playoff with San Diego.

The one game playoff was historical as well.

Everybody remembers Matt Holliday's controversial call at home plate, regarding whether he was safe or out.

Either way, the Rockies went on to win that game and swept their way to the World Series.

2. NL 2011: Braves vs. Cardinals

How can this year's National League Wild Card race not be one of the best ever?

A few weeks ago, it looked like the race was basically over, as the Braves seemingly had it wrapped up.

In fact, the race was rather boring almost the entire year, as the Braves had a comfortable lead from early on.

The Cardinals had been in realistic contention in the Central for most of the year, until the Brewers pulled away and solidified themselves as the best team in that division.

After that happened, the Cardinals dropped off so much that at one point they were struggling just to stay above .500.

Well, what they've done in September is beyond amazing, as they have come all the way back to win 90 games and perhaps put themselves in position to actually win the Wild Card.

The Braves, on the other hand, have had a historic collapse, as nothing has gone right for them in September. In their defense, losing Tommy Hanson to injury was a huge blow.

Perhaps the reason the Cardinals have come storming back is because of what they did at the trading deadline.

Not many people talked about their moves, but getting Edwin Jackson has paid off in a big way, and both Octavio Dotel and Marc Rzepczynski have been huge contributors out of the bullpen.

They also got rid of Colby Rasmus, which just might have been a good thing.  Albert Pujols finally heating up was also a big plus.

At this point, we still don't know if the Cardinals are going to win the Wild Card outright, or have to fight for it with the Braves in a one-game playoff.

1. AL 2011: Red Sox vs. Rays

Is it really fair to put both of 2011's Wild Card races as the best ever?  Maybe, maybe not.  If they're not the best, they are certainly right near the top.

You could debate that the AL's Wild Card race has been even better than the NL's.

About midway through the year, Boston solidified themselves as the clear-cut Wild Card leader, and maintained that lead.

The Rays, on the other hand, were consistently over .500, but still nowhere near the playoff picture.

In fact, that was still the case up until a few weeks ago.

Boston went on a massive collapse, while the Rays began to get hot.

What that led to was Tampa Bay closing the gap on Boston, but still not looking like they would be able to actually overtake them.

Well, on the second last day of the season, Tampa Bay finally caught them.

Heading into the last day, what both teams did would determine if there would be a one-game playoff or not on Sep. 29.

Whoever does win the Wild Card will go on to play the Rangers in the first round.