Worst fictional coaching decision in movie/TV show

[mpcincal]

I have to give credit on this to a reader of Athlon Sports, the monthly insert I get in my paper, who asked this question in the magazine's Q&A section. The reply cited Mr. Burns' decision to pinch-hit Homer Simpson for Darryl Strawberry in classic "Homer at the Bat" episode of the "The Simpsons," and Coach Nickerson's decision to run a play instead of taking a safety at the end of the game, which led to the loss at Walnut Heights, in "All the Right Moves."

My nomination, although it worked out in the end, is Indians' interim manager Jake Taylor intentionally walking whathisname with two outs to pitch to Jack Parkman. What's worse is that he did it because that's what Ricky Vaughn insisted on. You're the manager, Jake; overrule the punk and remind him you're one out from the World Series. Like Harry Doyle said, "I don't know what the hell he's thinking."

What examples can all of you come up with?

 

[SportsHack1818]

How about Nuke LaLoosh's debut pitching outing in Bull Durham? According to the postgame chat between the manager and pitching coach, he both struck out 18 and walked 18, setting new league records. Even if we assume all the Ks were of the three-pitch variety and all the walks were of the four-pitch variety, that's 126 pitches right there, and surely he threw some balls in the Ks, strikes in the walks, and had other outcomes with other batters. Even back in the 80s, who let's a bonus baby throw that many pitches in his pro debut?

 

[Starman]

That's why Nuke blew his arm out at age 22 after going 16-6 and 19-9 his first two seasons.

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

Coach Dale wanting to use Jimmy Chitwood as a decoy on the last play.

 

[Shropshire Slasher]

And Nuke went from Class A straight to the show.

 

[The Big Ragu]

Wilford Brimley left Roy Hobbs on the bench way too long and was about to send him down to the minors!

 

[Jake_Taylor]

All the Right Moves was the one I was going to bring up.

 

[mpcincal]

Coach Dale wanting to use Jimmy Chitwood as a decoy on the last play.

True, but at least he was astute enough to see his players' body language telling him that was a stupid-ass decision.

 

[LongTimeListener]

The real dumbass move in Hoosiers was the South Bend coach having his team shoot the ball with a 40-36 lead and no shot clock.

 

[HandsomeHarley]

Technically, the "crane technique" was an illegal move and should have awarded Johnny a point and the championship. But it wasn't a coach's decision (although Miyagi clearly was cheering on the move).

 

[HandsomeHarley]

Oh, and Rocky should have thrown in the towel in Apollo vs. Drago.

 

[Mystery Meat II]

Homer never should have started Bart over Nelson at QB.

 

[Steak Snabler]

Coach Dale wanting to use Jimmy Chitwood as a decoy on the last play.

Or the South Bend Central coach not going to a Box-and-1 at some point.

 

[Huggy]

Reg Dunlop telling the Chiefs bench that Nick Brophy was plastered and would **** all over himself if somebody hit him into the boards - which Ned Braden proceeded to do.

 

[dixiehack]

Reg Dunlop telling the Chiefs bench that Nick Brophy was plastered and would **** all over himself if somebody hit him into the boards - which Ned Braden proceeded to do.

Not as bad as Dunlop wanting to play it clean against Syracuse in the title game.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

Norman Dale using four guys on the floor.

Mickey training Rocky to switch to fight right-handed, then waits until the 15th round when he's getting killed to tell him to switch back to southpaw, only to have Rocky argue with him.

Mickey allowing Rocky 11 title defenses despite that bad eye, which magically got better.

 

[cyclingwriter2]

Bad New bears: coach turner slapping his starting pitcher. That kid would have shut down the Bears.

Air Bud: every coach who didn't throw a cat on the field to **** with the dog.

 

[LongTimeListener]

Coach Taylor benching Saracen for McCoy. Never let the ******* high school fan base choose your starting quarterback. They win state if Matt's still starting.

 

[Huggy]

Not as bad as Dunlop wanting to play it clean against Syracuse in the title game.

True. Reg also questioned Joe McGrath's astute acquisition of the Hansons. Turned their whole season around.

 

[heyabbott]

Sweep the leg