I Swear, My Hand-Eye Coordination Is OK! Quiz

Answer: Carlos Martinez

Canseco was a member of the Texas Rangers at the time. They were playing the Cleveland Indians when Martinez hit a long fly ball to the warning track. What should have been a routine out, ended up being one of the most bizarre homers ever hit when Canseco helped it out of the park. Martinez retired with only 25 career homers over parts of seven seasons with three different MLB clubs.

Answer: Eagles

DeSean Jackson was a rookie, playing in his first game in the famed Cowboys/Eagles rivalry series. He caught a pass and scorched the defense for 60 yards before he spiked the ball in celebration of his touchdown. Unfortunately for Jackson, he spiked the ball about a yard short of the endzone. It was ruled a fumble after review. The Eagles did score on the next play, but went on to lose the game.If only he'd used his eyes to see where the goal line was!
The game was played on 15th September 2008.

Answer: Roberto Baggio

Baggio had been arguably the best player in the 1994 World Cup prior to that missed kick. His Italian team had played Brazil to a 0-0 tie in the final when it was forced to go to kicks. With his team trailing by a single sore in the last round he misjudged the kick and sent his shot flying over the top of the goal, securing the victory for Brazil.

Answer: Jim Marshall

Jim Marshall was an outstanding member of the Minnesota Vikings defense that was nicknamed the "Purple People Eaters" in the 1960s. Marshall might have wanted to have his eyes checked in 1965 when they faced the 49ers though. He snapped up a fumble and barreled 66-yards for what he thought was a touchdown. After tossing the ball to the ground, and out of bounds, he realized that he had ran to the wrong end and actually scored a safety for the other team. His squad ended up with the 27-22 victory though.
The game was played on 25th October 1964.

Answer: The Open

Jean van de Velde was a 12-year veteran on the professional golf tour, so his blunder can't be chalked up to rookie nerves. Instead he misjudged a couple of hos shots and ended up taking a triple bogey on the 18th hole of The Open. He needed only to double bogey or better to win, instead he hit his second shot into the knee high rough, and his third into a water hazard. After a one stroke drop penalty he hit into a bunker and eventually chipped onto the green before tapping in a putt.

He lost in the playoffs to Paul Lawrie. A pair of glasses might have helped him cut one stroke off that last hole, but we'll never know.

Answer: Yes

Lindsey Jacobellis ended up with the silver medal at the Turin games, losing to Tanja Frieden. She had a full three second lead heading into that fateful jump. Her eyes deceived her and she misjudged the landing. She caught the heelside edge of her board on the ground, which caused the tumble.

Answer: University of North Carolina

Webber, one of the best basketball players of the 1990s and 2000s era made a momentary lapse of judgement when he failed to look up and see if his team had any time outs left. He failed to check, which may have cost his Michigan Wolverines a championship.

His team was trailing by 2 points with 11 seconds left in the 1993 title game, when he called the time out, it cost the team a technical foul and possession of the ball. He just needed to use his eyes and check the scoreboard.

Answer: Cubs

Bartman reached into the playing field to snag a fly ball that would otherwise have been an out during the 2003 National League Championship Series. The Cubs at the time were five outs away from beating the Marlins and moving on to the World Series. When Bartman interfered with Moises Alou catching the ball, it spurred a 8-run inning for the Marlins who won the game. The Marlins then won game 7 of the series to advance to the World Series.
Bartman later claimed that he didn't see Alou.

Answer: Bill Buckner

The Mets won the game 6-5 in 10 innings, after they scored three runs in the bottom of the inning. Buckner, never known as a defensive stalwart, misjudged a ground ball and allowed it to get through his legs and trickle into the outfield. There were two outs at the time. Maybe if Buckner had a good pair of glasses or an eye exam the Red Sox wouldn't have had to wait another 18 seasons to win a World Series crown.

Answer: Edmonton

Stefan was skating down the ice toward an empty net, with less than a minute to play. Unfortunately he wasn't watching where he was headed, and instead slipped on the ice, and missed an open net shot. An Edmonton player grabbed the puck and they scored to force overtime. The Stars did manage to win the game in a shootout though, letting Stefan off the hook.