What is the Biggest MLB Pennant-Race Choke Job of the last 25 years? Poll coming.
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That's the post-season. I'm talking about pennant races.2004's Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees come to mind. Never saw a 3-0 comeback like that, especially when the Yankees were favoured to win the AL Pennant.
Oh my bad. I misread what you meant.
As for what you really wanted. 2011's Red Sox comes to mind. The Sox had something like a 9-game lead in the AL East and had the best record in the AL, but went 7-20 in the final stretch. Nothing is more memorable than the final day when the Sox lost to Orioles and Rays lost to Yankees, which not only solidified the playoff chances for the Yankees, but completely decimated the Sox. There was also the 2009 Tigers who had a 3 game lead with 4 games left over the AL Central. Twins chased them to a tie and forced a playoff. Ultimately the Tigers lost and Twins made it. Of the two, the Sox collapse stands out because of how huge the collapse was, and how much the final game mattered.
2007 mets and 1995 angels
Oh my bad. I misread what you meant.
As for what you really wanted. 2011's Red Sox comes to mind. The Sox had something like a 9-game lead in the AL East and had the best record in the AL, but went 7-20 in the final stretch. Nothing is more memorable than the final day when the Sox lost to Orioles and Rays lost to Yankees, which not only solidified the playoff chances for the Yankees, but completely decimated the Sox. There was also the 2009 Tigers who had a 3 game lead with 4 games left over the AL Central. Twins chased them to a tie and forced a playoff. Ultimately the Tigers lost and Twins made it. Of the two, the Sox collapse stands out because of how huge the collapse was, and how much the final game mattered.
2007 Mets
1993 Giants should not be on this list. How can you be called a choking bunch when you win 103 games? They got out-awesome'd. I mean, yeah they did have an ill-timed 8 game losing streak, but 103 games!
I am going to go with the 2011 Red Sox. Everyone was convinced they were going to win the WS (or at least get there vs the Phillies) and then the bottom just completely fell out.
The most shocking thing to me about that (and the following year's collapse) is that Jerry Manuel stayed on as manager until 2010. You would think after one let down like that they would fire him, nevermind two.
Curse of the Andino.
What was even better was that the Yankees were up like 7-0 or something over the Rays. And the Rays walked it off in the 9th or something.