Ok, so I'm preparing a little speech of sorts. I'm looking for a (preferably) well known instance of someone making a mistake or a bad decision, then that was all they are known for going forward. Something/someone well known is preferable, because if I'm going with obscure people, I have plenty of those types of things in my own life lol.
Thanks in advance.
"Probably should have skipped the play." -Abraham Lincoln
Somewhat back in the recent cultural memory you could use Anatoly Dyatlov at Chernobyl.
Benedict Arnold was an American Hero until he wasn't. And you could argue that it was the mistakes of the Continental Congress that motivated him to become synonymous with betrayal and turncoattery.
Butt Fumble - in football if you are unaware.
Blockbuster not buying Netflix.
Read my lips - no new taxes.
Chaney's got a gun: https://youtu.be/aV_TlAz_kro
General George Custer springs to mind.
In reply to Johnboyjjb :
I almost suggested both of the Russia invasions, but figured maybe that was too dark. Besides, both Napoleon and Hitler are still known for other things.
GWB once said something to the effect of "I signed off on the Sammy Sosa trade when I owned the Rangers". Basically gave away one of the top 2 sluggers of the 90s and early aughts.
Decca records had the chance to sign the Beatles.
Napolean decided to start a land war, with Russia, in the winter.
Blockbuster could have bought Netflix.
The White Sox hired Tony LaRussa. Twice.
Kodak stuck with film instead of pumping capital into its digital camera.
Ronald Wayne and Apple.
Bill Buckner was a fine first baseman for the Red Sox, but all he's known for is one play in '86.
Gary Webb dared speak the truth.
Seward's folly?
The Fonz jumping the shark
Seahawks calling for a pass at the 1 yard line instead of giving the ball to Lynch in Super Bowl 49?
In reply to Puddy46 :
Thanks all! I appreciate the brain storming. They are all good, but I think Bill Buckner fits the bill perfectly!
Pete Rose.
Rose is the all-time MLB leader in hits (4,256), games played (3,562), at-bats (14,053), singles (3,215), and outs (10,328). He won three World Series, three batting titles, one Most Valuable Player Award, two Gold Gloves, and the Rookie of the Year Award. Rose made 17 All-Star appearances at an unequaled five positions (second baseman, left fielder, right fielder, third baseman, and first baseman).
But he also bet on games, including betting on his own team in games he played in and managed.
In 1989 Rose was penalized with permanent ineligibility from baseball amidst accusations that he gambled on baseball games. This meant he was banned from baseball, and was ineligible for indoctrination into the Hall of Fame.
He is now 82 years old, and has spent more than 30 years trying to clear his name. No one has ever broken his records, but he will never be officially recognized for his achievements in the MLB Hall of Fame.
Im pretty sure that fits the bill.
Teddy Roosevelt started life rich and then went broke trying to ranch bison in the Dakotas.
Then, after that, he turned it around again and became president.
mtn said:GWB once said something to the effect of "I signed off on the Sammy Sosa trade when I owned the Rangers". Basically gave away one of the top 2 sluggers of the 90s and early aughts.
Decca records had the chance to sign the Beatles.
Napolean decided to start a land war, with Russia, in the winter.
Blockbuster could have bought Netflix.
The White Sox hired Tony LaRussa. Twice.
Kodak stuck with film instead of pumping capital into its digital camera.
Ronald Wayne and Apple.
The Charlotte Hornets traded away Kobe Bryant to the Lakers.
Trailblazers pick Greg Oden instead of Kevin Durant.
In reply to DrBoost :
Happy to help!
I'd go with an older, historical decision versus one that's current news. As we've noticed here, old events might spark discussion, but new events can start a flame war or cause hard feelings.
The Donner Party, above, may be a good example.
A slightly less dark example is Napoleon invading Russia during the winter.
Brett_Murphy (Agent of Chaos) said:I'd go with an older, historical decision versus one that's current news. As we've noticed here, old events might spark discussion, but new events can start a flame war or cause hard feelings.
The Donner Party, above, may be a good example.
A slightly less dark example is Napoleon invading Russia during the winter.
You know what Stalin said about Dark Humor, right?
"Is like food, not everyone gets it."
The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919
I am not finding the citation, but was told in a college engineering class that the actual cause of the tank failure that it was designed using the specific gravity of water, not that of molasses, which is significantly higher.
I'm pretty sure the captain of the Titanic would take a mulligan if he could.
Charles Boycott was a landowner who refused to lower rents, and we still boycott things to this day.
Ford conducted numerous focus groups and decided that a second door on the Aerostar was unneeded, Dodge just added one to the Caravan and quickly outsold Form by a lot.
I declined a call from Anna de Armas, assuming it was a prank, but she was probably really trying to ask me out.
Vizzini assumed that he could outsmart the Dread Pirate Robert.
I should be writing a marketing plan, but I am doing this.
OJ Simpson?
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