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The 10 greatest upsets in sports history
by Eric Moneypenny
After the eighth-seeded Golden State Warriors knocked out the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the NBA playoffs, I'm starting to think that 2007 may go down as "Year of the Upset".
If not, this year could make the short list. '07 started with one of the most improbable college football victories of all time in the Fiesta Bowl. Days later, Florida destroyed a heavily favored Ohio State in the BCS Championship Game.
Over the past couple months, even UFC watched the two biggest upsets in its history with Matt Serra's inconceivable welterweight title win over Georges St. Pierre, and enormous underdog Gabriel Gonzaga's incredible first-round KO of world-famous MMA heavyweight fighter Mirko Cro Cop.
Naysayers may argue that 2007 also delivered a ho-hum Super Bowl and a pedestrian, nearly Cinderella-free NCAA tournament. Well, I'm thinking more surprising upsets are on the docket for this year, especially after Golden State's nearly impossible outcome over Dallas on Thursday night.
Since I've got upsets stuck on the brain, here are my Top 10 Greatest Sports Upsets of All-Time.
10. Warriors eliminate Mavs in first round of 2007 NBA playoffs
One of the best regular seasons by a team in NBA history is quickly ruined in six games, bombed with big shots by a fearless, fun, loose group of castoffs and underachievers that barely snuck into the playoffs.
9. Patriots 20, Rams 17 in Super Bowl XXXVI
Bill Belichick's no-name, no-nonsense Patriots entered the game as a two-touchdown underdog, poised for crushing by the "Greatest Show on Turf." When you factor in the Pats' incredibly controversial AFC semifinal win over the Raiders, many argue that this particular matchup should've never even taken place. Either way, Pats kicker Adam Vinatieri nailed a 48-yard FG as time expired, the most dramatic ending of any Super Bowl.
8. Reds sweep A's 4-0 in 1990 World Series
Oakland's stacked lineup boasted two 20-game winners, the Bash Brothers, Rickey Henderson, Willie McGee, Dave Henderson, Harold Baines and baseball's best closer, Dennis Eckersley. The defending world champs won 104 regular-season games, but were no match for the Reds' "Nasty Boys" pitching staff, or hitters Chris Sabo and Eric Davis. Reds starter Jose Rijo won MVP honors with a 2-0 record and 0.59 ERA, and the A's excellent young combo of Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco failed to show up at the plate, hitting a combined .154 with 1 HR and 2 RBI for the series. In four games, the 91-71 Reds outscored the A's 22-8.
7. Boise State tricks Oklahoma 43-42 in ‘07 Fiesta Bowl
Even though Boise entered the game undefeated, nobody really thought they'd win the Fiesta Bowl, much less jump out to an 18-point lead, blow it, then come back twice to beat the more talented Sooners in overtime.
Boise's upset even earned style points, running a "hook and ladder" to tie the game with :07 left, and a "statue of liberty" two-point conversion in OT, marking the first time those two trick plays have ever actually worked in short succession outside of a backyard pickup game. Just when you thought the major upset couldn't get any wilder, it got 100 percent woolier as the live telecast ended with a marriage proposal. Truly a game, and upset, for the ages.
6. U.S. surprises England 1-0 in 1950 World Cup
Called the "Kings of Football," the English roster boasted many of the world's top soccer players. On the other hand, the Americans used only one professional player, and lost their seven previous matches by a combined score of 45-2. With those factors in place, it looked like a long day on the pitch for the Yanks, right up until Joe Gaetjens' surprising first-half header put the U.S. on top for good in soccer's all-time biggest upset.
5. Chaminade shocks #1 Virginia 77-72 in 1982
In the annals of men's college basketball history, Villanova's 1985 win over Georgetown might be the biggest upset in an NCAA championship game, while NC State's 1983 title victory over Houston is certainly the most dramatic. However, college basketball may never see a bigger upset than when some obscure NAIA school from Honolulu, HI, knocked off the #1 team in the country.
Two days before Christmas, the Chaminade Silverswords appeared no match for the top-ranked Cavaliers, who represented a university with almost 21 times more students.
On paper, Virginia's 7-foot-4 center Ralph Sampson probably should've beaten the small school in a game of one on five. Fortunately, the Silverswords wielded a secret weapon in 6-foot-7 Tony Randolph, one of Sampson's old high school adversaries back in Staunton, VA. Even though the mighty Ralph stood nine inches taller, Randolph dominated, outscoring the All-American 19 to 12 as Chaminade shocked the sports world on Dec. 23, 1982.
4. Jets jolt Colts 16-7 in Super Bowl III
If you thought "Broadway Joe" looked pretty ridiculous in pantyhose commercials, or wearing a giant fur coat on the sidelines, he probably never looked sillier than the time he guaranteed victory on the Thursday before Super Bowl III. The Colts had the NFL's top defense, second-highest scoring offense, and were coming straight off a 34-0 thrashing of Cleveland in the NFL Championship Game.
Meanwhile, the Jets squeaked by Oakland 27-23 in the AFL Championship, and were lucky to land in Super Bowl III. By all appearances, this looked to be the most lopsided match-up between rival leagues in the young history of football's biggest game.
The AFL was famous for pass-happy offenses, but surprisingly, the Jets won by cramming the ball down the Colts' throats. Fullback Matt Snell rushed 30 times for 121 yards and a TD, and Namath received MVP honors after passing for 206 yards in the most important game in pro football history.
3. USA wrestler Rulon Gardner defeats Alexander Karelin in 2000 Olympics
A real life Rocky IV moment in a post-Cold War world. Although Russian heavyweight wrestler Alexander Karelin wasn't as well known worldwide as Michael Jordan or Lance Armstrong, he was quite possibly the most dominant athlete of the 1990s. Heading into the Sydney Games, the 6-foot-3, 286-pound Karelin hadn't lost in international competition since 1987, while holding competitors scoreless for several years.
In the end, it was a former University of Nebraska grappler who finished fourth in the 1993 NCAA Championships that finally scored a point on Karelin. One point was enough, as Gardner defeated the invincible Russian wrestling machine 1-0, bringing home a gold medal in Greco-Roman style competition.
2. Buster Douglas knocks out Mike Tyson in Tokyo, 1990
On a Saturday night in February ‘90, most sporting fans in the United States were probably more curious about the outcome of the NBA Slam Dunk Contest than a glorified Tyson sparring session on HBO. Yet another Tyson knockout victory appeared so certain that only one Las Vegas casino (The Mirage) accepted wagers on the fight, closing bets with the indestructible champ as an overwhelming 42-1 favorite.
The 5-foot-11 Tyson struggled mightily against the 6-foot-4 Douglas, but by the end of the eighth round, the 37-0 champ appeared to knock out the journeyman fighter. Saved by the bell and a controversial "slow count" disputed to this day, Douglas fought back for two more rounds before blasting Tyson with a sick right uppercut. Boxing had a new world heavyweight champion, and if you missed that night's dunk contest to watch the fight ... Dominique Wilkins won.
1. U.S. hockey team defeats the Soviet Union 4-3, 1980
If not for the "Miracle on Ice", the 1980 Soviet Union hockey team might have gone down as one of the greatest Olympic squads of all time. In a 1979 exhibition series at Madison Square Garden, the Soviets defeated the NHL All-Stars twice in a three-game series, embarrassing the pros 6-0 in the final game. Later that year, the Red Machine easily won the World Championships, and in an exhibition before the 1980 Olympics, they creamed the U.S. Olympic team 10-3.
The two teams met again in the first game of the medal round, and American goalie Jim Craig turned into a national hero overnight, blocking a relentless barrage of Soviet shots. As the final horn sounded in Lake Placid, Al Michaels shouted one of the most famous lines in TV history, and the world experienced the most improbable victory in all of sport. In a truly surreal moment, a group of college hockey players upset the best team in the world.
The U.S. would win Olympic gold, the only time that a Russian team failed between the years 1964 and 1992.
HONORABLE MENTION...
USSR 51, USA 50 in 1972 Olympic Basketball
Soviets heave pass length of the court for buzzer beating layup in highly controversial ending, snapping U.S. streaks of 63 consecutive Olympic wins, and seven consecutive Gold Medals.
Villanova 66, Georgetown 64 in '85 NCAA BB final
GU's punching bag punches back on April Fools' Day.
NCAA FB: Navy 14, Army 2 in 1950
Midshipmen, with 2-6 record, end Army's 28-game winning streak.
Milan High 32, Muncie Central High 30 in 1954
Indiana H.S. basketball championship inspired Hoosiers.
UFC: Gabriel Gonzaga KOs Mirko Cro Cop in 2007
27-year-old stops renowned MMA fighter in first round.
NC State 54, Houston 52 in '83 NCAA BB final
Ironically, Phi Slamma Jamma loses on last-second dunk.
Browns 27, Colts 0 in 1964 NFL Championship
Sports Illustrated ditches planned Colts cover story to avert "Dewey Beats Truman" level error.
Man O' War loses, 1919
America's all-time greatest race horse drops only race of career to stallion named "Upset".
#8 seed Nuggets beat #1 seed Sonics 3-2 in 1994
Dikembe's bunch battles back from 2-0 deficit.
Mets defeat Orioles 4-1 in 1969 World Series
"Amazin' Mets" make short work of 109-game winners.
Eric Moneypenny is a frequent contributor to FOXSports.com.
by Eric Moneypenny
After the eighth-seeded Golden State Warriors knocked out the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the NBA playoffs, I'm starting to think that 2007 may go down as "Year of the Upset".
If not, this year could make the short list. '07 started with one of the most improbable college football victories of all time in the Fiesta Bowl. Days later, Florida destroyed a heavily favored Ohio State in the BCS Championship Game.
Over the past couple months, even UFC watched the two biggest upsets in its history with Matt Serra's inconceivable welterweight title win over Georges St. Pierre, and enormous underdog Gabriel Gonzaga's incredible first-round KO of world-famous MMA heavyweight fighter Mirko Cro Cop.
Naysayers may argue that 2007 also delivered a ho-hum Super Bowl and a pedestrian, nearly Cinderella-free NCAA tournament. Well, I'm thinking more surprising upsets are on the docket for this year, especially after Golden State's nearly impossible outcome over Dallas on Thursday night.
Since I've got upsets stuck on the brain, here are my Top 10 Greatest Sports Upsets of All-Time.
10. Warriors eliminate Mavs in first round of 2007 NBA playoffs
One of the best regular seasons by a team in NBA history is quickly ruined in six games, bombed with big shots by a fearless, fun, loose group of castoffs and underachievers that barely snuck into the playoffs.
9. Patriots 20, Rams 17 in Super Bowl XXXVI
Bill Belichick's no-name, no-nonsense Patriots entered the game as a two-touchdown underdog, poised for crushing by the "Greatest Show on Turf." When you factor in the Pats' incredibly controversial AFC semifinal win over the Raiders, many argue that this particular matchup should've never even taken place. Either way, Pats kicker Adam Vinatieri nailed a 48-yard FG as time expired, the most dramatic ending of any Super Bowl.
8. Reds sweep A's 4-0 in 1990 World Series
Oakland's stacked lineup boasted two 20-game winners, the Bash Brothers, Rickey Henderson, Willie McGee, Dave Henderson, Harold Baines and baseball's best closer, Dennis Eckersley. The defending world champs won 104 regular-season games, but were no match for the Reds' "Nasty Boys" pitching staff, or hitters Chris Sabo and Eric Davis. Reds starter Jose Rijo won MVP honors with a 2-0 record and 0.59 ERA, and the A's excellent young combo of Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco failed to show up at the plate, hitting a combined .154 with 1 HR and 2 RBI for the series. In four games, the 91-71 Reds outscored the A's 22-8.
7. Boise State tricks Oklahoma 43-42 in ‘07 Fiesta Bowl
Even though Boise entered the game undefeated, nobody really thought they'd win the Fiesta Bowl, much less jump out to an 18-point lead, blow it, then come back twice to beat the more talented Sooners in overtime.
Boise's upset even earned style points, running a "hook and ladder" to tie the game with :07 left, and a "statue of liberty" two-point conversion in OT, marking the first time those two trick plays have ever actually worked in short succession outside of a backyard pickup game. Just when you thought the major upset couldn't get any wilder, it got 100 percent woolier as the live telecast ended with a marriage proposal. Truly a game, and upset, for the ages.
6. U.S. surprises England 1-0 in 1950 World Cup
Called the "Kings of Football," the English roster boasted many of the world's top soccer players. On the other hand, the Americans used only one professional player, and lost their seven previous matches by a combined score of 45-2. With those factors in place, it looked like a long day on the pitch for the Yanks, right up until Joe Gaetjens' surprising first-half header put the U.S. on top for good in soccer's all-time biggest upset.
5. Chaminade shocks #1 Virginia 77-72 in 1982
In the annals of men's college basketball history, Villanova's 1985 win over Georgetown might be the biggest upset in an NCAA championship game, while NC State's 1983 title victory over Houston is certainly the most dramatic. However, college basketball may never see a bigger upset than when some obscure NAIA school from Honolulu, HI, knocked off the #1 team in the country.
Two days before Christmas, the Chaminade Silverswords appeared no match for the top-ranked Cavaliers, who represented a university with almost 21 times more students.
On paper, Virginia's 7-foot-4 center Ralph Sampson probably should've beaten the small school in a game of one on five. Fortunately, the Silverswords wielded a secret weapon in 6-foot-7 Tony Randolph, one of Sampson's old high school adversaries back in Staunton, VA. Even though the mighty Ralph stood nine inches taller, Randolph dominated, outscoring the All-American 19 to 12 as Chaminade shocked the sports world on Dec. 23, 1982.
4. Jets jolt Colts 16-7 in Super Bowl III
If you thought "Broadway Joe" looked pretty ridiculous in pantyhose commercials, or wearing a giant fur coat on the sidelines, he probably never looked sillier than the time he guaranteed victory on the Thursday before Super Bowl III. The Colts had the NFL's top defense, second-highest scoring offense, and were coming straight off a 34-0 thrashing of Cleveland in the NFL Championship Game.
Meanwhile, the Jets squeaked by Oakland 27-23 in the AFL Championship, and were lucky to land in Super Bowl III. By all appearances, this looked to be the most lopsided match-up between rival leagues in the young history of football's biggest game.
The AFL was famous for pass-happy offenses, but surprisingly, the Jets won by cramming the ball down the Colts' throats. Fullback Matt Snell rushed 30 times for 121 yards and a TD, and Namath received MVP honors after passing for 206 yards in the most important game in pro football history.
3. USA wrestler Rulon Gardner defeats Alexander Karelin in 2000 Olympics
A real life Rocky IV moment in a post-Cold War world. Although Russian heavyweight wrestler Alexander Karelin wasn't as well known worldwide as Michael Jordan or Lance Armstrong, he was quite possibly the most dominant athlete of the 1990s. Heading into the Sydney Games, the 6-foot-3, 286-pound Karelin hadn't lost in international competition since 1987, while holding competitors scoreless for several years.
In the end, it was a former University of Nebraska grappler who finished fourth in the 1993 NCAA Championships that finally scored a point on Karelin. One point was enough, as Gardner defeated the invincible Russian wrestling machine 1-0, bringing home a gold medal in Greco-Roman style competition.
2. Buster Douglas knocks out Mike Tyson in Tokyo, 1990
On a Saturday night in February ‘90, most sporting fans in the United States were probably more curious about the outcome of the NBA Slam Dunk Contest than a glorified Tyson sparring session on HBO. Yet another Tyson knockout victory appeared so certain that only one Las Vegas casino (The Mirage) accepted wagers on the fight, closing bets with the indestructible champ as an overwhelming 42-1 favorite.
The 5-foot-11 Tyson struggled mightily against the 6-foot-4 Douglas, but by the end of the eighth round, the 37-0 champ appeared to knock out the journeyman fighter. Saved by the bell and a controversial "slow count" disputed to this day, Douglas fought back for two more rounds before blasting Tyson with a sick right uppercut. Boxing had a new world heavyweight champion, and if you missed that night's dunk contest to watch the fight ... Dominique Wilkins won.
1. U.S. hockey team defeats the Soviet Union 4-3, 1980
If not for the "Miracle on Ice", the 1980 Soviet Union hockey team might have gone down as one of the greatest Olympic squads of all time. In a 1979 exhibition series at Madison Square Garden, the Soviets defeated the NHL All-Stars twice in a three-game series, embarrassing the pros 6-0 in the final game. Later that year, the Red Machine easily won the World Championships, and in an exhibition before the 1980 Olympics, they creamed the U.S. Olympic team 10-3.
The two teams met again in the first game of the medal round, and American goalie Jim Craig turned into a national hero overnight, blocking a relentless barrage of Soviet shots. As the final horn sounded in Lake Placid, Al Michaels shouted one of the most famous lines in TV history, and the world experienced the most improbable victory in all of sport. In a truly surreal moment, a group of college hockey players upset the best team in the world.
The U.S. would win Olympic gold, the only time that a Russian team failed between the years 1964 and 1992.
HONORABLE MENTION...
USSR 51, USA 50 in 1972 Olympic Basketball
Soviets heave pass length of the court for buzzer beating layup in highly controversial ending, snapping U.S. streaks of 63 consecutive Olympic wins, and seven consecutive Gold Medals.
Villanova 66, Georgetown 64 in '85 NCAA BB final
GU's punching bag punches back on April Fools' Day.
NCAA FB: Navy 14, Army 2 in 1950
Midshipmen, with 2-6 record, end Army's 28-game winning streak.
Milan High 32, Muncie Central High 30 in 1954
Indiana H.S. basketball championship inspired Hoosiers.
UFC: Gabriel Gonzaga KOs Mirko Cro Cop in 2007
27-year-old stops renowned MMA fighter in first round.
NC State 54, Houston 52 in '83 NCAA BB final
Ironically, Phi Slamma Jamma loses on last-second dunk.
Browns 27, Colts 0 in 1964 NFL Championship
Sports Illustrated ditches planned Colts cover story to avert "Dewey Beats Truman" level error.
Man O' War loses, 1919
America's all-time greatest race horse drops only race of career to stallion named "Upset".
#8 seed Nuggets beat #1 seed Sonics 3-2 in 1994
Dikembe's bunch battles back from 2-0 deficit.
Mets defeat Orioles 4-1 in 1969 World Series
"Amazin' Mets" make short work of 109-game winners.
Eric Moneypenny is a frequent contributor to FOXSports.com.
, but, damn those 'Commies'!
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