October 14 - Steve Bartman

October 14, 2003- Holding a 3-0 lead in the eighth inning over the Florida Marlins with only 5outs standing between them and their first World Series appearance since 1945,the Cubs fall apart after a fan, sitting along the left-field foul line atWrigley Field, tries to catch a foul ball that is about to be caught by Cubs'outfielder Moises Alou for the second out of the inning. TheCubs argued for interference, but umpire Mike Everitt ruled there was no faninterference because the ball had broken the plane separating the field of playfrom the stands.  The Cubs lead proceededto disintegrate; fueling the Wrigley faithful’s ire at this fan who would haveto be escorted from the park for his own safety. Lost in all of this is theerror by, the usually sure handed shortstop Luis Gonzalez, that would haveresulted in an inning ending double play which would have allowed the Cubs toescape the eighth with a two run lead. The Marlins would go onto score 8 runsand win the game.  The Cubs also would lose the seventh andfinal game of the NLCS. October 14, 1975 - The Cincinnati Reds take a 2-1 lead inthe World Series with a controversial 6 - 5, 10-inning victory over the BostonRed Sox in Cincinnati. In the 10th inning, Reds pinch-hitter Ed Armbristerattempts a sacrifice bunt and bounces the ball in front of the plate. Boston catcherCarlton Fisk, in an attempt to field the ball, collides with Armbrister andthrows the ball into center field attempting to force Cesar Gerónimo at secondbase. Gerónimo goes to third base and later scores the game winner. Home plateumpire Larry Barnett rules there is no interference despite heated protests bythe Red Sox.