Greatest Runner-Ups

Merry Christmas to all as “The Grandeur” celebrates its 25th column, the silver edition, a time to look at some of sports all-time best silver medalists: the runner-ups.
Starting off, the Buffalo Bills. Four times they made a trip to the Super Bowl and four times they watched someone else take home the trophy. Scott Norwood missed “that field goal” in 1991 to lose the Giants and the snowball began to roll. A loss to the Redskins the next year and then two against the Cowboys. Despite the losses, this is an impressive run, especially to teams who have never even made it there.
So they finally broke the curse in 2004, but for years the Boston Red Sox seemed to have incredible knack for not winning it all. Four times they made it to the World Series after winning it 1918 without success and numerous other times coming ever so close just be knocked out by the New York Yankees. The most notable torch holder now is the Chicago Cubs finishing second seven times since successes in 1907 and 1908.
The pick-n-roll, synonymous with one of basketball’s greatest duos. Karl Malone and John Stockton were some of the game’s best and probably should have notched a couple of NBA Championships if not for a certain #23 from Chicago. Twice they lost to the Bulls in some classic Finals and as you marveled in the greatness of Jordan you also wondered if these two would ever have another shot. Alas they didn’t and they now find themselves on this column.
In his second year in the league, Dan Marino made his first trip to the Super Bowl where he took on the San Francisco 49ers. Marino finished runner-up that night in his only Super Bowl appearance earning his place on this list. He set numerous records, some of which have been broken since, in his time that included most career completions, touchdowns and passing yards in his Hall-of-Fame career but unfortunately will always be a runner-up.
The Netherlands have assembled many fine teams through the years, but the 1974 version was one of the best the soccer world as seen. Yet they came just short in their World Cup Final in a 2-1 defeat to West Germany. Johan Cruyff, Jonny Rep, Rudd Krol and Johan Neeskens were a group of wonderful players but were denied in cruel fashion of their ultimate goal. Four years later they reached the Final again before falling to hosts Argentina.
But let us not look down upon these runner-ups, for even though they did not win, they ran as to win the race. They gave us memories we will never forget not because of their results but of their talent, dedication and desire for greatness. And when one who has struggled for so many years, when that victory is finally achieved, it is ever so sweet. John Elway winning his pair of Super Bowls after 14 seasons. The Boston Red Sox winning the World Series easing over 80 years of pain. Phil Mickelson winning his first major and Roy Williams taking home his first NCAA basketball championship with North Carolina. We learned that it’s not how many times you fail, but how many times you get up.