The first happened in the 1986 American League Championship Series between the Boston Red Sox and the California Angels. The Angels entered Game 5 up three games to one and looking to end the series at home and go to the World Series for the first time in franchise history. In the ninth inning, Angels closer Donnie Moore came in to face the Red Sox Dave Henderson. With two outs, Moore was one strike away from ending the game but Henderson hit a two run homer to put Boston up 6-5. The game eventually went to extra innings where Boston would prevail. They would win the next two games to move on to the World Series.
In that same World Series, the Red Sox faced the New York Mets. In Game 6 and with a three games to two lead in the series, Boston led 5-3 going to the bottom of the 10th inning. New York rallied to tie the game and were down to their last out with Mookie Wilson at the plate. After working the count, Wilson hit a slow grounder to first base. Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner was there to field it but the ball went through his legs to score the winning run for the Mets. New York would win the title in Game seven.
In 2003, the Chicago Cubs faced the Florida Marlins in the National League Championship Series. The Cubs were up three games to two on the Marlins and had a 3-0 heading into the eighth inning and were only five outs from going to their first World Series since 1945. With a runner on second base and one out, the Marlins Luis Castillo hit a foul ball toward the left field wall. The Cubs' Moises Alou came toward the wall to make the catch but as he leaped to get it, Cubs fan Steve Bartman tried to get it and the ball bounced off his hands. Fan interference was pleaded but not granted and the at-bat continued. Castillo then walked on a wild pitch which advacned Juan Pierre to third. What proceded was the Marlins scoring eight runs in the inning to take a 8-3 lead and eventually win the game. They would go to win Game 7 and advance to the World Series.
All three of these single plays dramatically altered the fate of the three teams involved. The Angels never made the playoffs again until 2002 when they did win the whole thing. Boston's struggles continued as the "Curse of the Bambino" lived on until 2004 when the Red Sox had a miracle of their own when they beat the New York Yankees in the ALCS and eventually won the World Series. The Cubs have not been as lucky as their struggles still continue and they have not won a playoff game since then.
If Donnie Moore gets that last strike, the Angels face the Mets in that World Series and not the Red Sox. 2002 maybe never happens. In the same respect, if its the Angels advancing, then Buckner's error doesn't happen. If Buckner does field that ball, the Red Sox would have already ended the curse and 2004 never happens (or isn't as special). As for the Cubs, if Alou does catch the ball, then there are two outs. The game would be tied as Jeff Conine's sac fly is just a fly out and its anyone's game from there. Who is say though that Alou could have really caught that ball in the first place.
One play that will forever live in baseball history and forever be celebrated by one team, and cursed by the other.
