Always the Bridesmaid Never the Bride

      That proverb is used to describe someone who is good but not the best, but who is sporting greatest runner-up? 

      When asked this question it really does test the sporting knowledge of a person.  By looking at a persons answer you can also see what they claim as greatness.

      When I said the greatest runner-up I do not mean the best performance in a single sporting event that ended up coming second.  What I am looking for is the over all time what person or team over time has finished 2nd so many times it doesn't even matter if they won on the odd occasion?


       Well the name that will come into mind of alot of people is probably,' the Great White Shark', Greg Norman.  Greg Norman won the Open Championship twice in 1986 and 1993 and 331 weeks as world number 1 but is more remembered for finishing second 7 times, twice at the PGA, twice at the US Open and thrice at the Masters.  Also in the world of golf we have Colin Montgomerie who never won a Major, finished second 5 times and his highest ever world ranking was number 2.

       Their are many other examples of an individual who finished second many times.  Like 'the Whirlwind' Jimmy White he reached the World Professional Championship Final on six occasions (1981, 1984, 1990–1994) but failed to win the sport's most prestigious title.  He was also world number two for 2 years.

       There are also unfortunate teams now and then always finish second best.  This year Somerset lost the Twenty20 final, the Pro40 final and finished second by 1 point in the County Championship but that is only one season.  The true runners-up in the team sports has to be the England's Women's Rugby Team, they have now lost the Women's Rugby World Cup Final to New Zealand three times in a row.  The Women's Rugby World Cup happens every four years so over and eight year period many different players will have played but they still are second best.

      I am now in a dilemma, which out of a single sports star who has finished his career and has a second place dominated career or a team which continues to finish second is the greatest runner-up.  I can't decided but they all are very unlucky.  I would love to hear your greatest runners-up too so please comment your ideas.