Welcoming Company
In 1969, baseball introduced the 5-game LCS (which was later changed to the best-of-seven format in 1985).
The first team to ever win the first two games of a 5-game LCS and then “choke” it by losing the next three games in a row was the 1982 Angels. The next team to do this was the 1984 Cubs in the NLCS.
Actually, in 1981, because of the work stoppage that year, baseball had a 5-game divisional play-off prior to the LCS that season. And, in that divisional play-off, the Houston Astros also blew a 2-0 lead in their series (by losing the next three games in a row).
Baseball later introduced the 5-game LDS series in 1995. And, in that year, the Yankees had a 2-0 lead in their LDS which they lost to Seattle (losing three straight games). Since then, the 1999 Indians, 2001 A’s and 2003 A’s have all “choked” away a 2-0 lead in a 5-game LDS series.
I wonder how many baseball fans on the street, prior to last year, would have picked the 1981 Astros or 1982 Angels in terms of being the greatest “choke” in baseball post-season history? After all, they just needed 1 win and had 3 chances to get it.
Of course, many now like to say that the 2004 Yankees are the greatest “choke” in post-season history (with their needing one game to win the LCS – and having four games to get it).
I wonder how close those same folks (who refer to the 2004 Yankees as having the greatest “choke”) would place the 1981 Astros or 1982 Angels to the top of the “choke” list?
It’s probably not that high – because those two teams have company now (thanks to the 1984 Cubs, 1995 Yankees, 1999 Indians, and the A’s of 2001 and 2003).
Therefore, I predict that once a few more teams do what the Yankees did in 2004, we will hear less and less about the “greatest choke in post-season history”. It might take 20 years or so for this to happen – but, it will happen. It’s only the greatest when it’s done once. As soon as more than one does it, it’s not so great.
Yeah, you might be dead, but it’ll happen.
lol
Dude, you killing me off at 63?
Steve- you might be right- but you never forget your first!
For me, the sting of last year was gone on Opening Day 2005: Each new season creates brand new challenges, and you are only as good as your last performance.
How would success in this year’s playoffs (we all know what that means) make me feel about last year? Like it never happened.
If we start dwelling on events from years past, then we become Red Sox fans.
Plus- the fact that it was the Red Sox gives it much more staying power.
If it was any other team- it might be lessened a bit.
Perhaps – that and the fact that it ended “The Curse.” Could be…….
If we win the World Series this year, 2004 never happened. I wasn’t around in 1955 but I’m sure that people back then were freaking out that the Dodgers beat the Yanks. Now, no one even remembers it. Ditto the Scum Sox 2004 in 50 years.