OTHER BIG OOPS

CHRIS WEBBER 1993

The announcer said it before the game-deciding moment even happened: “Remember, the Wolverines are out of timeouts.” Well, Michigan’s Chris Webber didn’t remember. After dribbling into a corner with 11 seconds left in the championship, surrounded by defenders, Webber called a timeout. Automatic technical foul. North Carolina hit two free throws, then two more to seal it. Michigan lost 77-71. It was the last time the Fab Five played together, as Webber went to the NBA 0-2 in NCAA finals appearances. Even legends make mistakes. During Game 2 of the NBA Finals, Magic Johnson lost track of time. His Lakers and the Celtics were tied with 13 seconds left in regulation. Johnson got the ball. For some reason, he ran out the clock, not passing it until it was too late for his teammate to put up a shot. Boston won that game 124-121 in overtime and ultimately took the series in seven games. The nickname “Tragic” Johnson was thrown around after that. There are no shortcuts in steeplechase. And during the World Championships, Beatrice Chepkoech accidently tried to make one. Just two laps into the 3,000-meter event, Chepkoech completely missed a water jump. The bypass forced her to backtrack and trail her competitors. She ultimately made up a lot of ground and finished fourth. The Kenyan distance runner had been in the lead. Runners were on second and third in a regular season game. The Giants hit a fly ball into the outfield, where Mets left fielder Benny Agbayani makes the catch. Three outs. Or so Agbayani thought. Agbayani jogged to the stands, handed the baseball off to a kid and started to run to the dugout. Only then did he realize his mistake — there were only two outs — and took the ball back from the fan. The giveaway was ruled a two-base error and both runners crossed home. The Mets still came out on top 3-2.