1962 Los Angeles Dodgers
Brooklyn’s collapse in 1951 may be more famous, but after the team relocated to Los Angeles in 1958, the West Coast fans got a taste of bitter September disappointment. Los Angeles, led by Sandy Koufax embarking on the first of his five consecutive ERA titles and Maury Willis stealing a then-league record 104 bases, actually put together a seven-game winning streak in the weeks leading up to their final eight games. They were red-hot and held a four game lead over those pesky Giants.
Over those last ten games, however, the Dodgers limped to a 2-6 record. They lost each of their final four, allowing Willie Mays and the Giants to force a three-game playoff once again. The teams split the first two games, setting up a winner-takes-all game at Dodger Stadium.
Los Angeles was in control for most of the game, heading into the ninth inning up 4-1. However, the Giants were able to put together a rally in the top half of the frame. 10 batters came to the plate that inning as the Giants were able to push four runs across, the last of which happened on an error. The Dodgers were unable to get anything going in the bottom of the ninth and were left dumbfounded in their own ballpark as to how they could have gotten so close yet only to watch their World Series disappear right before their eyes.
Next: No. 2