In which Complex Sports tackles the issues of the day, in 100 words or fewer.
Biggest baseball collapse of all time?
On September 3, the Red Sox had a 99.6% chance of making the playoffs. Boston went 6-18 for the rest of the month, and last night choked themselves right out of the postseason.
In 2007, the Mets had a 99.8% chance of making the playoffs when they began their swoon.
During the 2004 ALCS, the Yankees took a commanding 3-0 lead and had, according to baseball history, a 100% chance of making the World Series—until losing four straight games to the Red Sox. Now that’s what you call a collapse!
John September 29th, 2011 at 03:59 PM
Well actually no, the yankees lost in 04 was a big collapse but lets put it like this ny choked for like a week, this year the sox choked for a entire MONTH...
Jose September 29th, 2011 at 04:27 PM
So, the Yanks' choking for one week, during the postseason and staring the World Series in the eye is NOT worse than a team that struggles to win games in order to make the playoffs? Hell, the Sox could've been bounced in the first round but at least they weren't teased into thinking that they had a chance at the chip.
Jon Doer October 4th, 2011 at 04:33 PM
NOPE. According to a probability expert (not a flunkie like you), the 2004 Yankees had a 93.75% chance of beating the Red Sox in that series after winning the first three games. The Red Sox rule -- the biggest collapse ever -- from 99.6% chance of making it to the playoffs to 0%. LOL Source: http://www.waswatching.com/archives/2007/10/2004_yankees_vs.html