In honour of Sportsnet Magazine’s The Big Book of Sports Lists, we look back at the 10 greatest upsets and underdog moments.
Watch the special Sportsnet Magazine’s The Big Book of Sports Lists: Upsets and underdog moments on Thursday night first on Sportsnet Ontario and East at 11:00 p.m. ET (check local listings).
GREATEST UPSETS AND UNDERDOG MOMENTS
Super ’Nova No. 8 Villanova defeated the Patrick Ewing–led No. 1 Georgetown Hoyas in the final, 66–64, to win the 1985 NCAA championship. Former Toronto Raptor Ed Pinckney was the game’s MVP.
FCS champions (the FCS is the lower tier of Div. I) Appalachian State Mountaineers beat No. 5 (in Div. I) Michigan 34–32 in 2007.
Super Bowl III New York Jets 16, Baltimore Colts 7. The reason Joe Namath is, and always will be, a legend in New York City.
Breaking the “Curse of the Bambino” The 2004 Boston Red Sox, down 3–0 to the Yankees, rally to win the series, then go on to win the World Series.
The Miracle on Ice: The U.S. defeats the legendary U.S.S.R. in Lake Placid in the 1980 Olympics.
The Oakland A’s (103-59), heavily favoured to repeat as World Series champions, were swept by the Cincinnati Reds (91-71) during the 1990 World Series.
Downing Dirk: The eighth-seed Golden State Warriors (42-40) defeat the first-seed Dallas Mavericks (67-15) 4–2 in the 2007 NBA playoffs.
Oil Leak: The L.A. Kings (24-41-15, 63 points) defeat the Edmonton Oilers (48-17-15, 111 points) three games to two in the 1982 NHL playoffs.
The Miracle Mets: The 1969 New York Mets upset the Baltimore Orioles 4–1 to win the World Series. Despite winning 100 games that year, they were 100-1 underdogs to win the World Series.
The New York Giants defeat the powerhouse 2007 New England Patriots to win Super Bowl XLIV and end the Pats’ perfect season.
Hard Luck Franchises
Buffalo Bills 0-4 in Super Bowls
Buffalo Sabres (skate in the Crease)
Minnesota Vikings Herschel Walker Trade
Chicago Cubs (no World Series since 1908)
Cleveland Indians since 1948
Worst Uniforms in Sports
1976 White Sox ……Shorts?
Vancouver Canucks 1978-85: The Graduation Gowns
Manchester United 1995: The Invisible Kit
Islanders 1995-97: The Old Man and the sea
Pittsburgh Pirates: 1976-86 Painters Caps?