Times Square isn't the only place where the ball drops around here. Difference is, when it happens in the stadiums and playing fields of New York, with pigskin and horsehide instead of the 12-foot diameter geodesic sphere plummeting on New Year's Eve, you're not always looking to celebrate afterward.

There have been some notorious "drops" in NYC sports history, moments that have helped derail championship hopes, besmirched reps and provided endless video low lights for the type of person who can't look away from a wreck.

In some cases, one New York team has benefited from another's folly -- Luis Castillo's drop, anyone? In others, it's been nothing but heartbreak.

It all adds to local sports lore, though. With that in mind, here's our countdown of the nine biggest drops in New York sports history.

9. Yogi's Second Chance

On Sept. 28, 1951, Allie Reynolds of the Yankees was one out away from completing a no-hitter against the Red Sox when he got Ted Williams to hit an easy foul pop. But Yogi Berra bungled it, giving maybe the greatest hitter who ever lived another shot at spoiler. Reynolds induced another foul pop.

This one, Berra caught, clinching an 8-0 victory and Reynolds' second no-no of the season. The win also clinched the American League pennant for the Yankees.

8. Windy City, Indeed

It probably wasn't all Sean Landeta's fault, but disputing that idea must feel like yelling into the wind to the Giants punter. On Jan. 5, 1986, a sudden gust carried the football away from Landeta's foot in the first quarter of a divisional playoff game against the mighty Bears. The ball was picked up and returned for a touchdown by, perhaps appropriately, Shaun Gayle (get it?), an unforgettable moment in the Giants' 21-0 loss to the eventual Super Bowl champs.

7. Snap, Bobble, Drop

At one point, the Giants were ahead, 38-14, in their playoff game against the 49ers, but there they were, at the end, trying a field goal to overcome a deficit in their NFC Wild Card Game on Jan. 5, 2003. Trey Junkin made a poor snap and holder Matt Allen couldn't corral it in time for Matt Bryant to try the kick. Allen ended up lofting a desperation pass that fell incomplete. Oh, and pass interference probably could've been called on the throw, which would've given the Giants another kick. It didn't happen and all that remains is bitter memories of a huge blown lead.

6. A Boatload of Drops

Right or wrong, there are those who will blame the Giants' 38-13 playoff loss to the Packers on Jan. 8, 2017 on the infamous boat trip some players, including star receiver Odell Beckham Jr., took on a day off that week. Beckham had several drops during the game, including a potential TD pass that hit him in the hands. In fairness to Beckham, it would've been a nifty catch. But it was also a ball he should've snared. He finished with only four catches for 28 yards and was targeted 11 times at frigid Lambeau Field.

5. Fly to Snodgrass Hits the Grass

In Game 8 of the 1912 World Series (the New York Giants and the Boston Red Sox had played to a 6-6 tie in Game 2, so a deciding Game 8 was needed), Giants center fielder Fred Snodgrass dropped a fly ball to start the 10th inning with New York ahead, 2-1. History has blamed Snodgrass for the Red Sox ensuing comeback, something he disputed in "The Glory of their Times" by Lawrence S. Ritter.

He might have a case. The next batter blasted what looked like a sure extra-base hit, but Snodgrass made a terrific catch for the first out. After a walk, Christy Mathewson got Boston's Tris Speaker to hit a catchable foul pop, but neither first baseman Fred Merkle nor catcher Chief Meyers could make the play. Speaker drove in the tying run with a single and Larry Gardner knocked in the winner with a sac fly.

4. Subway Flub

Alex Rodriguez slammed his bat on the dirt after hitting the popup, sure that he'd just made the final out of a Subway Series game with the tying and go-ahead runs on base. Turns out, it was a walk-off drop (Or drop-off? Never mind). Castillo drifted back for what should've been an easy catch, but botched it. Derek Jeter scored the tying run and Mark Teixeira never stopped running, scoring from first to become a living illustration of the benefits of hustling.

An error to end a 9-8 Yankee victory on June 12, 2009 is probably not the way Castillo wants his Mets days remembered, but it's an unforgettable play in the crosstown rivalry.

3. Mickey's Miss

The 1941 Brooklyn Dodgers might've been the Bums we remember to this day had Mickey Owen caught the third strike that would've ended Game 4 and evened the World Series. Instead, the Dodgers' sharp-fielding catcher dropped the wicked Hugh Casey curve that Tommy Henrich of the Yankees had missed. Henrich raced to first and the Yanks eventually scored four times in the ninth to take a 3-1 Series lead. The next day, the Yankees won the Series and also beat Brooklyn in 1947, 1949, 1952 and 1953. Finally, 1955 was Brooklyn's "Next Year."

2. The Butt Fumble

It's probably the most embarrassing moment in Jets history. In a Thanksgiving Day, 2012 game against the Patriots, Mark Sanchez tried to salvage a busted play by scrambling. But he collided with the, um, backside of right guard Brandon Moore. Sanchez fumbled and Steve Gregory of the Patriots recovered it and ran 32 yards for a touchdown.

It was the signature play of a 49-19 Jets loss and it's stuck with Sanchez throughout his career. Sanchez displayed a keen sense of dubious history this season - while playing for Washington, he recovered a fumble by pinning it against his, well, butt. Sanchez later showcased strong humor chops by deadpanning, "I'm not following," when asked about the original play. Yes, it's a hilarious curiosity, but it really didn't impact anything more significant than Sanchez's reputation. And Moore's tushy.

1. The Miracle at the Meadowlands

One of the single worst plays in NFL history, it drives us to ask: Anybody in blue heard of just taking a knee? In the final seconds of a Nov. 19, 1978 shoulda-been-a-win against the Eagles, Giants quarterback Joe Pisarcik muffed a handoff. Philadelphia's Herm Edwards scooped up the fumble and returned it for a touchdown for a surprise victory, making Edwards famous in these parts long before he was Jets coach and uttered the quote, "You play to win the game."

Why does this top the Butt Fumble? It helped launch a rival into the playoffs and guided Big Blue toward Giant changes that led to the prosperity of the 1980s. Influenced the advent of "victory formation," too. Still tough to watch.

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