Chicago Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa plays in 1999.
A season removed from their epic post-season, Steve Bartman-induced collapse, the Chicago Cubs jumped out to a 22-15 record and first-place in the National League Central in 2004. But, oh, how things changed with two violent sneezes in the San Diego clubhouse. “Slammin’ Sammy” sneezed so hard he triggered back spasms. In turn, the spasms resulted in a sprained ligament in the slugger’s lower back that sent him to the disabled list. Already battling the injury bug — Mark Prior, Mike Remlinger, Mark Grudzielanek, Alex Gonzalez and Kerry Wood had already missed time when Sosa went down — Chicago didn’t dive to last in the standings but the Cubs were never able to stay healthy enough to break from the pack, finishing behind the eventual pennant-winning St. Louis Cardinals and the Houston Astros.