Who Saw This Coming? The Biggest Surprise Champs in Sports
We've all had a few days to let it sink in: the Denver Nuggets and the Vegas Golden Knights are your 2023 NBA and NHL champions. Who saw that coming at the beginning of the season? Underdog stories are always the most captivating, regardless of your level of interest in sports. Seeing a team or individual go from being the least likely to win to emerge victorious is something that we all crave to see. Over the last few decades, we have witnessed numerous upsets in various sports. In this blog post, we are going to highlight some of the most unlikely teams that have won championships in their respective sports.
'69 Mets
The New York Mets were considered a mediocre team since their creation in 1962, but something magical happened in 1969. A team of underdogs led by pitchers Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman, and catcher Jerry Grote, went from last to first, winning the National League pennant and then defeating the powerhouse Baltimore Orioles to win the World Series. This year is considered one of the greatest upsets in sports history, and the Mets remain one of the most beloved teams in baseball history.
Leicester City FC
In 2015/16 season, Leicester City, a mid-table team with no previous Premier League titles, shocked the world by winning the English Premier League trophy. Led by a resilient coach and talismanic goalscorer Jamie Vardy, the Foxes defied all expectations and held off challenges from teams like Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea. The stars aligned for Leicester City this season, and they stunned the world by becoming champions of England’s top-flight football competition against all odds.
'91 Twins
The Minnesota Twins won the World Series in 1991 after finishing the 1990 season last in their division. The Twins' lineup and pitching staff was filled with unheralded players. The unlikely stars of their championship-winning team included light-hitting shortstop Greg Gagne and first baseman Kent Hrbek, along with pitchers Jack Morris and Scott Erickson. The Twins went on to upset the vaunted Atlanta Braves in one of the greatest World Series of all-time, and this championship remains one of the biggest upsets in baseball history.
'04 Red Sox
In 2004, the Boston Red Sox were widely believed to be cursed and had not won the World Series since 1918. After coming from three games down to the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series, they stunned everyone by winning their first championship in 86 years. Despite a rocky season, led by the bats of Manny Ramirez and the pitching of future Hall-of-Famer Pedro Martinez, the Red Sox became one of the most improbable title winners in sports history.
Miracle on Ice
The 1980 US men's Olympic hockey team may not be a professional team, but they still pulled off one of the most unlikely victories ever seen. A group of young American college kids came together to challenge the Soviet Union, considered the best team in the world at the time. The US team battled through the tournament, setting up a semi-final showdown with hockey superpower the Soviet Union. The Americans defied all odds, winning 4-3 in what has become known as "The Miracle on Ice." They then went on to beat Finland in the gold medal match to complete an unimaginable victory.
Underdogs have always inspired us to dream and have hope. The above teams showed us that anything is possible if you fight hard enough. The thrill of unexpected victories makes sports one of the most exciting things to follow. However, as much as these teams are considered to have been unlikely champions, they all gave their all and made history. The above stories prove that whether you are a rookie or a seasoned pro anything is possible if you believe and work hard towards it. Sport is not always about money, power, or even fame; it is sometimes about good ol’ fashioned grit.