1980 Boston Red Sox

The late 1970s had been a time of unfulfilled hope for the Boston Red Sox. After reaching Game 7 of the 1975 World Series, the Red Sox seemed to be a rising dynasty in the making. But that was followed with underachievement in 1976, a close pennant race loss in 1977, a devastating loss in 1978, and modest slipback in 1979. The 1980 Boston Red Sox completed the decline, falling to mediocrity and ending a short era in franchise history.