The 25 most controversial calls in sports history

Contents

Cody Eakin’s major penalty rescues the Sharks, sinks Vegas Don Denkinger’s blown call turns the 1985 World Series on its ear

There might not be a sentiment that unifies more sports fans than the idea that the referees, officials or umpires cost their team a victory because of a bad call or non-call. No matter how successful your favorite team or teams have been, chances are you’ve become enraged by what you felt was a bad call. While most of the time those feelings are sour grapes, there are plenty of examples throughout sports history when fans of a particular team were right to feel that their guys got jobbed. Let’s take a look at the 25 most controversial calls — and non-calls — in sports history.

1 of 25

Cody Eakin’s major penalty rescues the Sharks, sinks Vegas

Icon Sportswire/Contributor

Officiating in hockey is always a hot-button issue, typically because it’s so often terrible. This was the case in this year’s Western Conference first-round series between the Vegas Golden Knights and San Jose Sharks. The Sharks trailed 3-0 in Game 7, with about half the third period gone. Cody Eakin cross-checked Sharks captain Joe Pavelski after a faceoff, and Pavelski tripped over another Vegas player and was knocked unconscious. At first no signal for a penalty was given, but after the officials conferred they gave Eakin a five-minute major and a game misconduct. San Jose scored four goals during the ensuing power play and went on to win the game in overtime.

2 of 25

Don Denkinger’s blown call turns the 1985 World Series on its ear

Bettmann/Contributor

The St. Louis Cardinals were up 1-0 in Game 6 of the 1985 World Series, three outs away from a title. Kansas City’s Jorge Orta led off the ninth with a slow roller that Jack Clark fielded and tossed to pitcher Todd Worrell, who stepped on first base a clear half-step ahead of Orta. One problem: Umpire Don Denkinger called Orta safe. There were no…

Read the full article HERE

Cody Eakin’s major penalty rescues the Sharks, sinks Vegas

Don Denkinger’s blown call turns the 1985 World Series on its ear

Share this:

Join Us!