The Biggest Baseball Upsets in History
Since baseball began in the mid-19th century, it has become a significant part of American culture. “America’s favorite pastime” has a rich history and has been the stage for countless unforgettable moments, including dramatic underdog victories and unexpected triumphs.
From the Miracle Braves of 1914 overcoming long odds to win the World Series to the 1969 Mets team capturing a championship against all expectations, baseball’s legacy is studded with upsets that have captivated fans and defied expert predictions.
Opening Day Upsets
As winter blues thaw, baseball fans flock to stadiums on opening day to enjoy the first throws of the season. While Major League Baseball is the highlight for many, college baseball also has its fair share of unpredictable moments. 2022 was a big year for opening day upsets at the collegiate level. Long Beach State beat reigning champs Mississippi State, Illinois State shut down Arkansas, and Vanderbilt crushed Oklahoma State 3-0.
Summer Olympics
College and the major leagues aren’t the only arenas for baseball upsets. The Summer Olympics offer a platform for the most prominent names across the country to fight for the world title.
2000 Summer Olympics
In the 2000 Summer Olympics gold medal game, Cuba was predicted to beat the U.S. easily—and in the preliminary round, they did. But in the race for the medal, pitcher Ben Sheets threw a three-hit shutout over the Cuban team for a quick win.
2004 Summer Olympic Qualifiers
Before a team can compete in the official Olympics, they have to qualify. It would seem that the country that invented baseball would be assumed champion at the worldwide competition, but in 2004, the American roster couldn’t even make it to the arena. They quickly passed through the preliminary games, but the team couldn’t pull out a win against Mexico in the Quarterfinals.
World Series
As one of the biggest sets of games in baseball, it’s fair to assume some of the most memorable moments have happened during World Series games. The yearly bout, which takes place in October or November, depending on the season, is a fall highlight for baseball fans. From total shutouts to seven-game battles, the World Series is where the elite teams clash for ultimate glory.
1988 World Series
The 1980s were a wild time in baseball, as showcased by the 1988 World Series. One of the sport’s biggest names, Jose Canseco, and his Oakland Athletics took on Orel Hershiser and the Los Angeles Dodgers. The California battle was expected to be a heated series, but the Dodgers quickly handled the Athletics and won in just four games.
1966 World Series
Another shutout series happened back in 1966, with the Baltimore Orioles handily defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers four games to none. Star pitcher Sandy Koufax and the Dodgers seemed to be a shoo-in for the title, but the Orioles dominated and swept the series, allowing the Dodgers only two runs in the whole set.
2003 World Series
In 2003, the New York Yankees were first on the list for many sportsbooks to win the World Series, but anyone betting with casinos.com would have been sorely disappointed with the outcome. Although the team put up a fight, the Florida Marlins ended up winning after six games.
1924 World Series
One of the sport’s earlier championship bouts saw a seven-game fight between the Washington Senators and the New York Giants. The Giants seemed likely to win because they had won multiple World Series in the past few years. The last game went into extra innings, but the Senators ended up scoring the game-winning run in a stunning upset.
1969 World Series
After easily winning in 1966, the Baltimore Orioles were the predicted champs of the 1969 World Series, as they were fielding almost the exact same roster. But the Mets succeeded, especially when they had the home-field advantage, and ended up defeating the Orioles in five games.
1906 World Series
The Chicago Cubs are a team known for greatness, which appeared to be the case in the 1906 World Series. But the other Chicago team won after six games, and the White Sox became the first underdogs to capture the title.
1954 World Series
Back in 1954, the Cleveland Indians were one of baseball’s best teams. They had two Hall of Famers on the roster but were no match for the San Francisco Giants. The game is most remembered for Willie Mays’ renowned catch, from which the Indians were never able to recover.
2019 World Series
Just a few years ago, the Washington Nationals upset the Houston Astros in an epic fight for the crown. After easily winning the first two games, Washington dropped the next three games on the Astros turf. But when Howie Kendrick hit a home run off a foul pole in the last game, the Nationals won their first World Series.
Conclusion
These unforgettable moments in baseball not only highlight the unpredictable nature of the game but also embody the spirit of perseverance and belief that defines the sport. As we reflect on these iconic events in baseball history, it’s clear that this tradition of surprising outcomes and underdog victories is here to stay.
