Mark Madden: The 5 most agonizing losses in Pittsburgh sports history

Because big-time American sports had not been played for 100 days, last week I alleviated the boredom by listing the Top 5 biggest wins in the history of Pittsburgh sports.

Now, at 103 days, it’s the same old story. So, I once more try to alleviate the boredom by listing the city’s Top 5 worst losses. It’s either this or watch cornhole. Or worse yet, the ESPYs.

1. Pirates lose Game 7 of the 1992 National League championship series at Atlanta, 3-2. This wound won’t heal. This loss left Pittsburgh in an extended funk more than any other. The tangible is bad enough: The Pirates blew a 2-0 ninth-inning lead with a trip to the World Series at stake. Ex-Buc Sid Bream slides in with the winning run ahead of Barry Bonds’ lackluster throw. But beyond that, you could feel the team disintegrate. Bobby Bonilla was already gone. Bonds would leave. It was the Pirates’ last best chance.

2. Steelers lose 1994 AFC championship game to San Diego, 17-13. The Steelers were at home and favored by 11. But overconfidence took its toll, as evidenced by the Steelers planning a Super Bowl rap video. San Diego linebacker Junior Seau made 16 tackles and forced a fumble. Chargers tight end Alfred Pupunu got so open he could have run 2 or 3 miles beyond the 43 yards required to score. This was a devastating defeat, and by far the most stunning upset in Pittsburgh sports history.

3. Penguins lose Game 7 of the 1993 Patrick Division final to the New York Islanders, 4-3. The Penguins have plenty of bad beats that involve the Islanders. The worst was ’93, when David Volek’s goal from a sharp angle ended the series in overtime. The Penguins finished the regular season with an NHL-record 17 straight wins and were favored to win a third straight Stanley Cup. Lost playoff revenue hastened the team being dismantled. The NHL was denied a Mario Lemieux vs. Wayne Gretzky Stanley Cup final.

4. Penguins lose Game 7 of the 1975 quarterfinals to the Islanders, 1-0. Only one team had previously blown a three-games-to-none edge in a Stanley Cup playoff series. The Penguins were convincing en route to that series lead. But a two-day break before Game 4 imbued them with overconfidence or alcohol, maybe both. Perhaps it was fear of playing criminally maniacal Philadelphia in the semis. The result scarred one 14-year-old kid for life, that’s for sure. I can still hear Pierre Larouche’s shot clang off the post. (Then, a few weeks later, the Penguins declared bankruptcy.)

5. Steelers lose at Oakland in the 1976 AFC championship, 24-7. The two-time defending champs started 1-4 and quarterback Terry Bradshaw got hurt in Week 5. But rookie backup Mike Kruczek won six straight and the Steelers ended the regular season winning nine straight. The defense allowed just 28 points in those nine wins, posting five shutouts. But running backs Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier were hurt for the AFC final. Backup Boobie Harrison didn’t deliver. That might have been the best Steelers team ever. Linebacker Jack Lambert called this loss his career’s most painful.

There was plenty of additional heartbreak to consider:

• Pitt football lost to Penn State, 48-14. It was Pitt’s only loss in 1981 and almost certainly cost the Panthers the national title. (They finished No. 2 in the coaches poll, No. 4 in the AP poll.) The Panthers had a 14-0 lead, then crumbled.

• The Penguins lost Game 7 to Florida’s clutching and grabbing in the 1996 Eastern Conference final. Lemieux was denied one more Stanley Cup final.

• The Penguins lost Game 5 (of a best-of-five) to (who else?) the Islanders in 1982 after leading 3-1 in the third period. This marked the only time the Islanders were extended to an elimination game during their four straight Stanley Cups. Mike Bullard hit the post in OT.

• The Pirates lost Game 5 of the best-of-five National League championship series at Cincinnati in 1972. The Pirates led 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth but Johnny Bench hit a game-tying home run, then Bob Moose’s wild pitch allowed the winning run. This was Roberto Clemente’s final game: He died in a New Year’s Eve plane crash.

• The Steelers lost Super Bowl XXX to Dallas following the 1995 season. The Cowboys were favored by 13½, but a winnable game was sabotaged by two second-half interceptions thrown by Steelers quarterback Neil O’Donnell to Dallas defensive back Larry Brown.

• The Steelers were 0-3 against New England featuring coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady in playoff games. That’s called getting put in your place.

This list is by no means complete. Pittsburgh sports fans have endured a lot of heartbreak. But these leap to mind. Any loss you have to look up wasn’t that bad.