MLB history is littered with blunders. From players kicking the ball around in the outfield to pitchers overthrowing the first baseman from ten feet away. Heck, even the umpires have made mistakes that have cost teams the game.
Of all the gaffes that have occurred in Major League Baseball, we have decided to highlight the three worst. Continue reading to find out which major blunders made our list.
#1: Bill Bucker’s Nutmeg at First
Unfortunately, Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner was the one fans blamed for the team’s choke job during game 6 of the 1986 World Series against the New York Mets. However, it was a series of mistakes by the entire defense that truly cost the Red Sox the game.
Mets’ Mookie Wilson chopped a dribbler to first base that Buckner let go through his legs and into leftfield. This allowed Ray Knight to sprint around third base and score the winning run. The Red Sox had already blown a 5-3 lead so placing the blame on Buckner for the loss is completely unfair.
#2: Umpire Jim Joyce Botches Final Call
Detroit Tiger’s starting pitcher Armando Galarraga was one out away from a perfect game in 2010. With two outs in the top of the ninth, Cleveland’s Jason Donald stepped up to the plate.
With the count sitting at 1-1, Donald flicked an opposite-field grounder to second base. First baseman Miguel Cabrera moved to his left, fielded it cleanly and threw back to the bag where Galarraga was covering. The ball beat Donald to the bag by a full stride.. “Safe!” umpire Jim Joyce exclaimed.. The crowd, the entire Tigers’ dugout and the announcers were stunned. Joyce had just robbed Galarraga of a perfect game.
#3: Fred Merkle’s Bonehead Play
It has been over 111 years since Fred Merkle’s infamous “boner play” from 1908. The New York Giants and Chicago Cubs were battling it out at the top of the National League with just two weeks remaining in the season. With the score tied 1-1, the Giants had runners at first and third with two outs.
The Giants’ Al Bridwell lined a single into right field to score the winning run from third. As the fans stormed the field in celebration, the players tried to escape the mayhem as quickly as possible by heading for the clubhouse.. However, Cubs second baseman Johnny Evers had other plans. After Bridwell’s single scored the winning run, he noticed that Merkle, who was at first base, never touched second. Evers grabbed a ball, appealed to umpire Hank O’Day and stepped on the bag.. O’Day called Merkle out, nullifying the winning run. Because the sun had set and there were no lights on the field, the game ended in a tie due to darkness. Since the two teams finished the season tied, they had to play a makeup game. The Cubs would end of winning the game and the pennant.