How about coming up with a version of jumping the shark as it relates to the sports world. Perhaps “biting the ear” for Mike Tyson. Some type of phrase that is recognizable to sports fans that will convey the point at which your team, sport or individual athlete “jumped the shark”.
The St. Louis Browns’ first game. 
Zev Steinhardt
Tyson “jumped the shark” long before his ear-biting incident.
The Knicks bit the ear when they signed Houston to such a large contract despite no other comparable offers.
The Cowboys bit the ear when Jerry Jones became the GM.
The Red Sox bit the ear when the owner was more interested in producing a theatrical production than keeping Babe Ruth.
I have no Hockey annecdote.
Hockey bit the ear when they opened the “Mighty Ducks” franchise.
When the score a goal…there’s a quack.
“Bit the lobe” sounds better.
Except for the titles. And I hate the god-forsaken cowboys, so don’t think i’m defending that poser.
Wayne Gretzky bit the ear when he left the Kings, although the hosers here on the board may say it was when he joined the Kings.
Baseball in general bit the ear after the strike of '94, when it became clear what it was all about.
Well, the original American Associate Browns were a pretty good team, finishing 2nd in the first year, 1883. The AL Browns were probably the best team in the league in 1922, but it was pretty much all downhill from there. So date it from George Sisler’s eye infection in 1923.
The Brownies finished 2nd in the American League in 1902, their first season after moving from Milwaukee. But yeah, after that, it was pretty much all downhill (save for 1922 & 1944).
For a more modern take: The Tampa Bay Devil Rays’ first game.
How about some version of “bet on his team” or “paid the bookie”. After all, no one has gone from bright baseball story to pathetic whiner quite like Pete Rose.
Joe Jackson comes to mind. As does Eddie Cicotte (who was a pretty good pitcher too). At least Jackson had the courage to admit that what he did was wrong.
Zev Steinhardt
Back to the OP might I suggest, “Played for the Cubs.”
“Billing the Buckner”
D’oh! :o
I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hijack this thread. I misunderstood the OP and thought he was asking for sports “Jumped the Shark” moments, not for a replacement of the phrase “Jumped the Shark.”
My apologies TexasPlayboy.
Zev Steinhardt
That’s okay, I was kind of looking for both. Moments of “shark jumping” in sports and comparable phrases, perhaps coming to a consensus on a new phrase as it relates to sports.
Maybe “trading the Babe” for the Red Sox, or some thing to that affect.
I guess I should say “traded the Babe”.
The Texas Rangers “traded the Babe” when they hired Alex Rodriguez and gave up on pitching.
A hockey one… “put a glow on the puck”
“traded the Babe” is my favorite so far
Heh … I was going to mention that. There was always the hope that someday the Sox might break “the coise” and actually win the Series, but after Buckner blew that play, you just knew it was never going to happen.
Yeah! That’s great. Maybe “bootin’ the grounder.”
Maybe something based on the kicker for the Bills (Norwood?) who shanked that field goal in the Super Bowl.
How about, “McMahon’ed”? Let’s face it, the guy had the World Bodybuilding Federation and the XFL Football League. The association seems to fit with a dying franchise.
For example, the Bucs “McMahon’ed” at this past superbowl.