By Jordan Heller
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — 2010 was a no banner year in New York sports: no titles, no glory and no satisfaction for Manhattan sports fans. From the closing of the Brooklyn Banks — a favorite skate spot for Manhattan skateboarders — to the Knicks missing out on King James; from the death of George Steinbrenner to the Giants' epic collapse against their turnpike rivals on Dec. 19, 2010 has been the year of the lowlight.
Herewith, the 10 most heartbreaking New York sports moments in 2010.
10. Jan. 3, 2010: The New York Giants complete their 2009-2010 regular season with a 44-7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings and miss the playoffs for the first time in five years. This, just two years after Eli Manning and the G-Men upset Tom Brady and the New England Patriots for a Super Bowl title. Some blame Eli, calling him the lesser of the Manning brothers and dismissing his '08 heroics as a fluke.
9. Jan. 24, 2010: The New York Jets may have exceeded expectations by making it to the AFC championship game but, again, New York sports fans are foiled when Eli Manning's brother Peyton and the Indianapolis Colts put an end to Gang Green's Cinderella story. After Jets QB Mark Sanchez took his team into the half up 17-13, New York's offense went to sleep and ultimately lost the game 30-17. To add insult to injury, Eli was spotted in the stands rooting for his big brother.
8. April, 11, 2010: The New York Rangers are eliminated from playoff contention on the last day of the regular season with a loss to the Philadelphia Flyers — the first of many times during the year that the City of Brotherly Love would stick it to the City of Gotham. It would be the first time since 2004 that the Rangers would fail to make the playoffs.
7. June 8, 2010: The Brooklyn Banks closes; a mecca for skateboarders worldwide. Since the 1970s, the brick-faced banks under the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge have served as a beloved skate spot for pros and beginners alike. The iconic spot was featured in the 1985 cult skater classic film "Future Primitive" as well as in multiple editions of the Tony Hawk videogame series. Unfortunately, due to a reconstruction project that will bring much-needed repairs to the Brooklyn Bridge, the plaza will be closed for at least four years.
6. June 12, 2010: The I.S. 289 Cougars baseball team, the pride of Battery Park City middle schoolers, fall to I.S. 61 from Queens in the city's middle school championship game. To add to the heartbreak, the school's baseball program hits the chopping block after the city slashes the grant that funds the team. Less than three weeks later, the city restores the grant, but with budget woes continuing to plague city coffers, public school athletes remain on edge.
5. July 8, 2010: The Decision: in perhaps the biggest snub in Gotham sports history, LeBron James opts NOT to become a New York Knick. After 10 years of little to cheer about and a 2009-2010 season that saw the orange and blue failing to win 30 games, Knicks fans were counting on King James to save New York basketball. Everyone from Mayor Bloomberg and Alec Baldwin to Chris Rock and Donald Trump tried to publicly lure the Ohio native to MSG, but in the end, LeBron chose to take his talents to South Beach.
4. July 13, 2010: The end of an era. George Steinbrenner, the contentious, controversial, win-at-all-costs owner of the New York Yankees, dies after leading the team through four decades and seven World Series titles. Despite his belligerent image and questionable behavior through the years — like a short-lived ban from baseball for harrassing outfielder Dave Winfield — New York collectively mourns the passing of one of Gotham sports' most outsized personalities.
3. Aug. 11, 2010: In 2010, the New York Mets didn't need any help embarrassing themselves, posting a losing record for the second consecutive year. Apparently, their fiery relief pitcher, Francisco Rodriguez, didn't think so and, after a Mets loss to the Colorado Rockies on Aug. 11, punched his girlfriend's father in the Citi Field clubhouse. K-Rod was suspended from baseball, brought up on assault charges and, from there, the Amazin's unravelled, leading to manager Jerry Manuel being fired and general manager Omar Minaya being reassigned.
2. Oct. 22, 2010: The Yankees' dream of a return trip to the Fall Classic — considered inevitible in the middle of the season — is dashed when the upstart Texas Rangers win the ALCS and advance to the World Series. Though the season was over, the Bombers would go on to lose face over messy contract talks with the face of the franchise, Derek Jeter, and the inability to sign star free agent Cliff Lee, who took less money to pitch for the Philadelphia Philles.
1. Dec. 12, 2010: The Harlem Jets come up one point shy of taking home a national youth football title. It was a long road for the 12-and-under team, who struggled to come up with the money to get to Orlando in the first place. The team solicitated donations on the streets and online, and used money from the organization's operating budget. Despite the heartbreaking results, Coach Stefan Romero said it was worth it. "It's not the last time they'll see the Jets down there," he said.
Extra (Dis-)Credit. Dec. 19, 2010: The Giants blow a 21-point lead over the Philadelphia Eagles and the top spot in the NFC East. Not since the Mets ceded first place to the Phillies in 2008 has New York experienced such an epic collapse. With the Giants up 31-10 with only eight minutes left to play, Michael Vick led the Eagles to a stunning 28 points, a victory, and sole possession of first place in the division. After the game, Giants coach Tom Coughlin told reporters, "I've never been around anything like this in my life."
