# Games Lost By a MAJOR, Bone-Headed Blunder **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [November 4, 2013, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-lost-by-a-major-bone-headed-blunder/673079 "2013-11-04T18:32:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![HongKongFooey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c4cdca/32.png) [@HongKongFooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HongKongFooey)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2013, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-lost-by-a-major-bone-headed-blunder/673079/41 "2013-11-05T21:08:39Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > How the hell did he do that? It looks like he’s a little behind the goal opening when he tries to clear it. Did it go in off the goalie’s stick or something? I think it must have. I was rooting for the Flames in that series but felt so bad for him. It was his birthday too. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2013, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-lost-by-a-major-bone-headed-blunder/673079/42 "2013-11-05T21:22:15Z")
In the 1986 World Series, Red Sox manager John McNamara kept Bill Buckner on the field, even though he’d been putting in a defensive substitute for Buckner (who had bad ankles) during the regular season. It didn’t work out. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2013, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-lost-by-a-major-bone-headed-blunder/673079/43 "2013-11-05T21:25:12Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > I wonder how often that happens to rookies in the NFL since the rule is different between the NFL and NCAA. It’s probably easy to forget at first that you’re not down in the NFL unless you’re touched. I can only remember the one instance that I mentioned. It’s not often a player goes down untouched or isn’t immediately touched while down. ---
**Author:** ![G0sp3l](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c68b51/32.png) [@G0sp3l](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G0sp3l)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2013, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-lost-by-a-major-bone-headed-blunder/673079/44 "2013-11-05T21:39:25Z")
The GREATEST World Series EVER!!! The worst-to-first Twins vs. the worst-to-first Braves. Game 7, no one out Lonnie f-ing Smith on first, Terry Pendleton doubles to left. Lonnie f-ing Smith, imitating a 3rd grader gets fooled into thinking the SS has the ball and pulls up, only makes it to third. Twins win in 10. Even Mighty Casey was shaking his head. ☹ STILL ☹ ---
**Author:** ![lisiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2013, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-lost-by-a-major-bone-headed-blunder/673079/45 "2013-11-05T21:41:27Z")
> [@That\_Don\_Guy](#): > > You remind me of another one that didn’t exactly cost a team a game, but cost them a championship. It was in New Zealand’s domestic competition (I think it was called the Shell Trophy back then), back in 1988; Auckland and Otago were neck and neck going into the final match. I am not 100% sure of the details, but I think what happened was something like, Auckland determined that they would win the championship on a total season runs per wicket tiebreaker if they scored a certain number of runs while losing only a certain number of wickets, and when they reached their target, they claimed that it was too dark to continue, and the umpires agreed. One small problem: Auckland’s calculation was based in part on a newspaper report of an Otago match where the number of wickets lost by Otago was actually one less than reported, and Auckland actually stopped a few runs short of the number they really needed. New Zealand domestic cricket has had some terrible tournament formats over the years, leading to all sorts of weird games. \*Needing to score a result [Otago deliberately bowled terribly](http://www.espncricinfo.com/newzealand/content/story/100368.html)to Northern District to inflate the ND score and entice the batsmen to go for the target rather than batting out for a draw. \*[Wellington used the same tactic](http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/451716.html)against Canterbury, conceding 77 runs in one over to try and win a match. ---
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2013, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-lost-by-a-major-bone-headed-blunder/673079/46 "2013-11-05T22:45:01Z")
> [@HongKongFooey](#): > > '86 NHL playoffs, Steve Smith tried to clear the puck from in front of the net [and scored on his own goal.](http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2DbP7wqCwq8&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D2DbP7wqCwq8) One of the first things the kids get taught in Mite hockey is “don’t pass the puck across the front of your own net.” High level players continue to do it thinking “I’m experienced enough that it won’t blow up on me.” Still, every once in awhile it does. From Wiki: > [@](#): > > The deciding goal of game seven between the Oilers and Flames was scored five minutes into the third period when Edmonton’s Steve Smith attempted a cross-ice pass from the side of his own net and the puck struck goaltender Grant Fuhr’s leg and went in the Edmonton goal. This is significant because it eliminated the Oilers from the playoffs and prevented them from possibly winning a third straight Stanley Cup. The series was the Flames’ only playoff victory over the Oilers in the Battle of Alberta (Edmonton beat Calgary in 4 other playoff series), but significantly fueled the rivalry between the teams. > Date Away Score Home Score ---
**Author:** ![Andrew\_21](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bcef8e/32.png) [@Andrew\_21](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andrew_21)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2013, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-lost-by-a-major-bone-headed-blunder/673079/47 "2013-11-05T23:50:52Z")
In game 4 of the 1941 World Series, the Dodgers were leading the Yankees 4-3 in the top of the ninth. With two outs and the bases empty, Tommy Henrich swung and missed for strike 3. The pitch got past catcher Mickey Owen; Henrich reached first base. That started a four run rally. > [@That\_Don\_Guy](#): > > I’m not 100% sure about this one, but the version I remember was, it was an NFL game sometime in the 1980s; I think it was the 49ers and Dolphins. The Dolphins had something like a 4-point lead late in the game, with the ball, and the 49ers were out of timeouts, so the Dolphins just kept taking a knee. One small problem: with about 10 seconds left, they took a knee on fourth down, and that stops the clock until the next snap; Joe Montana threw a touchdown pass and the 49ers won. Could that have been San Francisco vs. Cincinnati in [1987](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Hail_Mary_passes_in_American_football)? “Leading 26–20, with 0:06 remaining, Bengals coach Sam Wyche inexplicably called a 4th-down running play instead of a punt. The 49ers stopped the runner with :02 seconds left, giving them possession and a stopped game clock (a de facto time out due to the Bengals’ losing the ball on downs). On the game’s final play, 49ers quarterback Joe Montana threw a touchdown pass to Jerry Rice as time expired, giving San Francisco a 27–26 win.” ---
**Author:** ![Human\_Action](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@Human\_Action](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Human_Action)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-lost-by-a-major-bone-headed-blunder/673079/48 "2013-11-06T00:22:35Z")
1984 NBA Finals, Game 2. With the game tied and 13 seconds left, the Lakers inbound the ball the Magic Johnson. Johnson either loses track of time or is unable to make a decision, [dribbling out the clock](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQ1bd2g3p1Y) without a shot or a pass until time had expired. The Lakers lose in overtime, and go on to lose the series. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-lost-by-a-major-bone-headed-blunder/673079/49 "2013-11-06T00:36:23Z")
**kenobi** -The Van de Velde debacle was at the (British) Open. ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-lost-by-a-major-bone-headed-blunder/673079/50 "2013-11-06T00:45:26Z")
Another game very similar to the OP’s scenario happened in an SEC game between Tennessee and Arkansas in 1998. Arkansas had a late lead and just had to take a knee, but they decided to run a real play, and the QB fumbled. Tennessee scored a touchdown a few plays later and would end up winning the national championship. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-lost-by-a-major-bone-headed-blunder/673079/51 "2013-11-06T00:45:50Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > One example that comes to mind is in football, where someone runs for a long touchdown and then starts showboating a few yards short of the goal line and then loses the ball. It’s happened before (I’d be surprised if it doesn’t happen two or more times per season), but I don’t know if it ever cost a game. I thought Sean Smith was going to pull this stunt in the Chiefs/Bills game this weekend. He intercepted a pass on the goal line and ran it all the way back for a TD, but he was high-stepping and showboating the last ten yards and there was a Bills player coming up from behind awfully fast. Since it was in the third quarter it probably wouldn’t qualify as a game-loser, although that play certainly did swing the momentum in the game in the Chiefs favor. Has anyone mentioned the 1993 National Championship game? Michigan is down by two and Chris Webber calls time out, except Michigan has no more time outs, so a technical foul is called. North Carolina gets two free throws and the ball, icing the win. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-lost-by-a-major-bone-headed-blunder/673079/52 "2013-11-06T00:48:58Z")
\*\*Shoeless-\*\*Post #2 ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-lost-by-a-major-bone-headed-blunder/673079/53 "2013-11-06T02:02:02Z")
I must have skipped right past that one and on to Leon Lett. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Teuton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teuton/32/3864_2.png) [@Teuton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teuton)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-lost-by-a-major-bone-headed-blunder/673079/54 "2013-11-06T10:01:30Z")
> [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](#): > > There have been a couple of cricket entries, but the the best one hasn’t been mentioned. > > [West Indies vs England in 2009](http://www.espncricinfo.com/wiveng2009/content/story/396061.html) > > The West Indies were narrowly losing when the light began to fade. It was so dark that the West Indies were were asked if they wanted to end the match due the encroaching darkness. The coach voluntarily ended the match while they were losing. :smack: I remember that game! As I recall, they were in a winning position at the start of the over, but then lost a wicket, putting them behind the score. I remember Chanderpaul on the balcony explaining to the coach (was it Bob Woolmer?) in exasperation that they’d lost three wickets, not two. ---
**Author:** ![Andrew\_21](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bcef8e/32.png) [@Andrew\_21](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andrew_21)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-lost-by-a-major-bone-headed-blunder/673079/55 "2013-11-06T12:09:50Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > In the 1986 World Series, Red Sox manager John McNamara kept Bill Buckner on the field, even though he’d been putting in a defensive substitute for Buckner (who had bad ankles) during the regular season. It didn’t work out. McNamara had also used a defensive replacement for Buckner during the World Series, in games 1, 2 and 5. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-lost-by-a-major-bone-headed-blunder/673079/56 "2013-11-06T13:43:36Z")
Probably the most tragic blunder would be Andrés Escobar scoring on his own goal in the [1994 World Cup](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFjke_ahBYY). That goal may very well have been the cause of Escobars’ murder shortly after the event. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-lost-by-a-major-bone-headed-blunder/673079/57 "2013-11-06T13:50:25Z")
> [@Andrew\_21](#): > > McNamara had also used a defensive replacement for Buckner during the World Series, in games 1, 2 and 5. The story came out that McNamara wanted Buckner to be on the field for the celebration of winning the Series, in recognition of his contributions. The odds that he’d actually muff the winning play were minuscule. I won’t call that a boner on McNamara’s part. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-lost-by-a-major-bone-headed-blunder/673079/58 "2013-11-06T13:56:36Z")
Not exactly the OP, since it didn’t clearly change the game from a win to a loss, but since it was recent: Game 4 of the 2013 World Series. The game ended with the Cardinals down two runs and a runner on first, and the runner got picked off for the third out. The runner had no reason to take a lead when down two runs, since in any situation where the second run scored, the runner would also score easily without needing a lead off of first. It was half bone-headedness (taking just a tiny bit too big a lead), and half bad luck/execution (his foot slipped when he tried to get back to first). But it did end the game, so almost fits the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-lost-by-a-major-bone-headed-blunder/673079/59 "2013-11-06T17:23:01Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > [JR Hildebrand hitting the wall in the final turn while in the lead at the Indianapolis 500](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0zbVfTH9QE) takes the cake for me. Is there a clip that hasn’t been butchered? (I hate it when people think they can improve a video by hamfistedly editing in a lame caption.) ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-lost-by-a-major-bone-headed-blunder/673079/60 "2013-11-06T17:37:51Z")
> [@Human\_Action](#): > > 1984 NBA Finals, Game 2. With the game tied and 13 seconds left, the Lakers inbound the ball the Magic Johnson. Johnson either loses track of time or is unable to make a decision, [dribbling out the clock](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQ1bd2g3p1Y) without a shot or a pass until time had expired. The Lakers lose in overtime, and go on to lose the series. In 1976, the Golden State Warriors lost to the Phoenix Suns when GSW’s best player, Rick Barry, stopped shooting for over a quarter in the second half [because he was pouting](http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1310&dat=19761008&id=LuVVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4OADAAAAIBAJ&pg=6816,1929178) that his teammates did not come to his defense in a 1st quarter fight he had with Rickey Sobers. And, really… [they didn’t.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uxyYkNCNUM) The video isn’t that great, but you can see a lot of yellow-shirted players (Barry’s teammates) just standing around. In related news, Barry wore a wig throughout the 1976 season and was probably the single most disliked NBA player (by his peers) of his era. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-lost-by-a-major-bone-headed-blunder/673079.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-lost-by-a-major-bone-headed-blunder/673079.md?page=4)