The 10 Worst Losses in (Recent) Sports History by Jason Nehmer (my good friend)

As a huge Washington Capitals fan, and a fan of hockey in general, I sat and watched last night as one of the most dominant teams in NHL history fell in the first round of the playoffs to a team in the last-place playoff slot. The Capitals lost due to a number of factors: Jaroslav Halak was clutch in net, lack of defense at key points, failure to capitalize on scoring opportunities, and yes, even a questionable call from the referee (the disallowing of Ovechkin’s goal that would have tied the game). As I sit and mourn my favorite team, I realize that this may be the worst loss ever by a DC-area sports team. Ever. I tried to think of worse losses, and a few that came to mind were the heavily favored Redskins losing to the Raiders in the 1983 Super Bowl, the Orioles losing to the Yankees in the ALCS due to a 12-year-old interfering with play, the Maryland Terrapins blowing a 10-point lead over Duke in less than a minute, and, that same year, the Terrapins losing to Duke in the Final Four after being up by 22 points. Still, in each of those cases, the teams were able to go fairly far in their respective playoffs, and in some of the cases, reach the finals or equivalent. The Capitals’ epic choke job has to be the worst, because never before in the DC area has a team had such high expectations going into the playoffs and delivered such poor results.

So, keeping in mind that I was born in 1985, here is my list of the 10 Worst Losses in (Recent) Sports History (the major sports):

1. 2003 - Red Sox lose to Yankees in ALCS after being up 3-0 on Aaron Boone’s walk-off HR
2. 1986 – Ball goes through Bill Buckner’s legs and the Red Sox lose the World Series
3. 1992 – Kentucky loses to Duke after Christian Laettner’s buzzer beater
4. 2007 – Patriots fail to complete the “Perfect Season” by losing to the underdog Giants in the Super Bowl
5. 2010 - #1 Washington Capitals and their high-powered offense go 1/33 on the power play and lose in Game 7 of the first round of the playoffs to the underdog Montreal Canadiens
6. 1991-1994 – Buffalo Bills reach the Super Bowl 4 straight years and fail to win even once (I realize this isn’t one loss, but if you’re a fan of Buffalo, it’s just heartbreaking)
7. 2008 – Michigan football loses opener to Appalachian State
8. 2004 – USA Basketball settles for the Bronze in the Olympics
9. 1980 – Soviet Union’s superior hockey team falls to a bunch of college kids from the U.S. in the Olympics
10. 2001 – Maryland basketball loses to rival Duke after holding a 10-point lead with less than 1 minute on the clock

4/27/2010 Bird flies away with victory!
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Another packed house last night at Tin Roof. Drake was in town and we all now how rich white folk love their rap music. Anyway Tin Roof was off the chain. We had a maxed out tournament that featured some new teams and of course some regulars, all of which trying to capture the $100 cash prize. Bird (Wes and Charlie) showed up to play thats for sure. After a 5-0 start they found themselves in the championship game against Mike Pig (Matt and Kyle) who lost to Bird in the winners bracket championship game. The rematch was set but Mike Pig seemed to stall out when they really needed cups. Charlie and Wes' consistency proved too much and landed then the victory. It was another successful tournament in the books for kybeerpong. Thanks to everyone who is making this possible. I already can't wait til next week. I hope to see everyone back!

This is brought to you by www.kybeerpong.com

I bring this to your attention because the Kyle of Matt and Kyle (Mike Pig) is me. Matt being my buddy. great thing they have goin on at the Tin Roof and at kybeerpong.com Check it out and Ill keep ya updated on my participation.

Kevin Garent has been suspend for one game. The pushing match that happened at the end of game one may cost the Celtics there season. You don't want to give the other team and D-WADE xtra motivation. This was a close to call series in the first place and this moment could be the deciding factor. Personally Ive taken worst elbows while playing at the local YMCA. But the league doesn't put up with that stuff today, and KG knows this.

On Saturday night the journey begins. Some say the NBA playoffs are to long. Maybe a 2 1/2 month playoff is a bit long like the directors cut of Lord of the Rings but, it is one of my favorite sporting spectacles. Between TNT, ABC and ESPN there is a double header every night (and you usually pay double for that kind of action)! In the past I would simply give my round by round picks at the beginning and never revisit them, unless they make me look good. So this year I will give you a preview of each match up. I will go on the record of picking The Orlando Magic to beat the Dallas Mavericks in 6 games to win the NBA title. Not a popular pick but a pick none the less. We will start in the West...

Lakers v. Thunder
Interesting match up here. The duranchula in his first playoff series versus the champs. The Lakers are struggling as the playoffs begin. Kobe is banged up, Bynum will be a non factor if he even plays, and what is Ron-Ron doing with his hair? Phil Jackson has already started on the refs saying Durant gets to many calls. This will be a high energy entertaining series. But the Lakers will win in the end. Kobe is still Kobe but will be tested. The Lakers have a bunch of question marks but will escape in 6. Thunder would beat a lot of teams in these playoffs, just not Kobe. OKC is a team on the rise and will be a major factor in years to come.

Jazz v. Nuggets
The west gives us another great first round match up. Two great point guards with D-Will and some guy named Chancey. The Nuggets are the tougher team with guys like K-mart and Nene. Utah can fill it up with the best of them, and we all know when you play the (Carlos) Booze you lose! Normally Id take the defensive team with the former NBA champ point guard but....the Nuggets are also a team that can get out of control with the Birdman flying around out there. So Ill go with the slight upset, Utah in 7. Great series. Don't forget that Utah always gets beat by the Lakers in the playoffs and went to the Western Finals 2 years ago. Another disappointing playoff appearance by Melo. The lose of George Carl is to much to over come.

Suns v. Just-Blaze
Great story here with the Suns. Amare was out the door to Cleveland and the rebuilding process was to begin in PHX. Trades fell through and before you knew what hit ya the Suns are the 3 seed. I feel like Nash gave a "Major League" like speech, "Lets just win the whole f#cking thing" at some point in the season. Steve Nash with another MVP like season and Amare is one of the best 5 players in the league. The X-factor is the development of the bench. The Suns don't have the best parts but are one of the best and hottest teams at the end of the season. I cry for the Blazers. No Brandon Roy or Greg Oden and they still make the playoffs.I love there young talent and if they were healthy Id pick em in a second. But like Sam Bowie, the Blazers will be sitting at home watching Durant push the Lakers to the limit. Maybe next year Portland. I fell for ya. Suns n 5.

Dallas v. Spurs
I love Dallas this year. Adding guys like Sean Marion and Caron Butler to a second round team were the best moves all year. The Mavericks have everything you want in a team to make a run to the Finals. There arch rivals are there to welcome them in the playoffs and a lot of experts are putting the Mavs on up-set alert. I disagree big time! The Spurs are leaning on past successes. The Mavs have retooled and don't have that haze hanging over them from the D-Wade/Warriors years. Mavs spank the Spurs in a sweep.

Unlike the top to bottom greatness of the west, the east is chalk. The top 4 teams in the east are really good but the rest....not so much. Off to the East...

Cavs v. Bulls
LeBron and Shaq aren't messing around here. Just a better team top to bottom than the Bulls. Bulls pushed the Celtics to 7 last year in one of the great all time playoff series. But this year, no Ben Gordon to make the big shots. Bulls give it a good effort but get swept. Just not much to analyze here. Classic 1 v. 8 seed mismatch. Looking forward to Shaq back in the playoffs!

C's v. Heat
No doubt about it, this is the hardest to read series in the east. Are the Celtics really done that quickly after winning the title? On paper Miami doesn't have a chance. But much like the Spurs, Boston living on past successes here. If D-wade returns to his Finals self, Heat win. But like the sitcom "Joey" I just don't like the supporting cast and D-Wade will wait till next year when he gets a Chris Bosh to run with. Rondo with a few aging stars have just enough. C's in 7

ATL v. Fear the Deer
The ATL is a scary team for anyone to face in the playoffs. The most young talent in the league and now they have a few playoff years under there belt and home court. The Deer are excited to just be here. The injury to Boget was harder on the team than it was to watch ( and it was ugly). ATL in 5. Hawks are scarier than any Freddy Kruger remake.

Magic v. Bobcats
Well I have the Magic winning the NBA title so of coarse I have them beating the Bobcats. Charlotte is a fun team to watch but its just not happening. Magic aren't the one seed but are just as good as Cleveland. Ill give Larry Brown and MJ a game, Magic in 5.

Brandon Knight will be the John Wall of next year. He signed his national letter to go to the University of Kentucky today. He is a great fit for the CATS and the first big signing for the 2010-2011 season. Much to replace in the bluegrass with 4 freshman leaving early. I will update as this roster fills out. Exciting times for college hoops fans.

Brandon Marshall to the Dolphins. Looks like the Jets aren't the only AFC East Team that sees the Patriots as vulnerable. The Broncos received two 2nd rnd picks for the WR. I love Marshall for my fantasy team, but for my real life NFL team....no thanks. WR are the most replaceable position on the field. Ultimately we will all have to wait to see who the Broncos get with those picks before we can really see who came out on top of this deal. I think both teams will be better. If I'm Marshall, I'm not sure about Chad Henne as an upgrade from Kyle Orton. Very interesting off-season for the NFL continues. Draft week from Thursday. Twitter me!