Biggest Upset in Sports History?

[nameless]

Whats the greatest upset in Sports History? Buster Douglas defeats Tyson imo.

[nameless]

Pro Wrestling counts

[HOF Yankees]

1980 Team USA Hockey VS Soviet Union, USA goes on to win gold

[39special]

'69 Jets beat the Colts in Super Bowl III

[nameless]

Nice posts.

[sycks22]

"Do you believe in Miracles? Yes!" Al Michaels said it best.

[Jlighter]

Originally Posted by 39special

'69 Jets beat the Colts in Super Bowl III

This!

[brian1961]

I almost agree with the 1980 Winter Olympics Team USA upset of the Soviet Union. I saw that on TV when it happened. I was on the edge of my seat the whole game!

However, the biggest upset involved a different Team USA versus Soviet Union---in Track & Field. Held at the Los Angeles Coliseum in 1964, DEEP in the Cold War. Specifically, it was the mens' 10,000 meter race. USA runners had always gotten run into the ground. With 24 laps around the 400 meter track, confusion over how many laps a lapped runner had actually run inevitably occurred. A hapless American runner was ordered to run an extra lap, the official convinced he'd only run 23 laps. The Russians cleaned up every time; it was humiliating. THEY saw it as an example of how lazy, weak and blase we were as a nation.

So imagine their thoughts as Gerry Lindgren, 5'6", still in high school, walked to the starting line. He made quite a sight, compared to the much stronger, taller, mature-looking Russians. They chuckled. Shook their heads. Sending a boy against Olympic caliber Russian athletes. Was this a joke? SEND YOUR BEST AGAINST US, YOU HEATHEN AMERICAN WEAKLINGS, SO WE CAN RUN YOU OFF YOUR FEET AGAIN!

Lindgren stayed with the top two Russians for four miles, which unnerved and puzzled them. Two miles still to go. Then, without warning (though Gerry and his coach had planned this, for which Gerry trained especially hard to pull off this tactic), he blasted around them and ran the next lap in about sixty seconds, ten seconds faster than the race pace had been. The crowd was screaming with awe, delight, and a "this time we're gonna getcha!" Back then the Cold War was very real and very personal. We hated Russia, and they loathed us.

Now Gerry had a lead of perhaps 8 seconds. The screaming never stopped. The two Russians got a little closer to Gerry, but then the gap stayed about the same. They had nothing inside them to catch up to the kid. Up in the stands, Bobby Kennedy was so moved at this unprecedented spectacle, he was in tears. Gerry Lindgren just kept on forcing himself, to stay ahead.

All this time, he had refused to allow himself to look back, not an easy thing to do in a distance race. Finally, as he began his final sprint after the last turn, he looked back. The closest Russian was just entering the last turn, broken. Gerry Lindgren went on to break the tape and win the 10,000, against some top level Soviet Union runners who would not have given him one chance in a zillion to beat them.

The story made headlines across the country. The significance weighed on people. Americans were so proud of their Gerry Lindgren. One of the most remarkable sport stories ever, and the greatest of all upsets.

But you know, I guess I have to back off and say "one of the greatest upsets". Not to be wishy-washy, but there have been so many great upsets. I mean, later on that year in the '64 Olympic 10,000, Billy Mills pulled off what is considered to be one of the greatest Olympic upsets, defeating world-record holder Ron Clarke. Clarke tried his hardest, but Mills out-sprinted him and some other guy. Asked about Mills, Clarke said he'd never even heard of Billy. Whatever. Incidentally, Lindgren had defeated Mills in the Olympic qualifying race, then injured himself shortly before the Games. Gerry briefly led the 10K, but could not hold the pace with his injury and placed a very respectable ninth. Mills insists Gerry may have won had he not been injured, but that's the breaks in which all sports share. I know, leave it alone. I had my say. Another day.

Cheers. -------------Brian Powell

[RTK]

Originally Posted by HOF Yankees

1980 Team USA Hockey VS Soviet Union, USA goes on to win gold

Absolutely, a group of college kids cobbled together versus a veteran team of seasoned pro's with arguably, the greatest goalie in hockey history.

[Bored5000]

WRT to the Tyson-Douglas fight, I just finished reading Tyson's amazing autobiography. He obviously talks extensively about that fight in the book. He wrote that he was so into partying and his crazy private life at the time that he had no idea Douglas' mother died shortly before the fight or that Douglas was motivated for the fight.

Tyson's training team told him repeatedly in Japan that they saw Douglas out running in his combat boots and seemingly working like a dog every day to get in shape for the fight. But Tyson was dismissive of the stories because past history had shown that Douglas was a slob who would quit as soon as things got tough in the fight.

Tyson wrote that he was such an "arrogant prick" during his prime that if he had heard the story about Douglas' mom dying, Tyson probably would have said that Douglas was going to join her after the fight. Tyson also wrote that Douglas fought a hell of a fight, but Tyson knew it was a one-time occurence. As soon as Tyson saw how fat Douglas was for his title defense against Evander Holyfield, Tyson knew that Holyfield would knock out Douglas in short order.

Compared to some of the fighters Tyson extensively praises in the book, he doesn't seems have to have much respect for Douglas because Douglas got the one giant payday against Holyfield and couldn't be bothered to get into even semi-decent shape for that fight.

[Runscott]

Hard to pick upsets for MLB, but the Twins and Braves just playing each other in the 1991 World Series was an amazing 'upset' of sorts.

I will go with the 1980 U.S. Hockey team, and Villanova over Georgetown.

All of the Dallas Cowboys Superbowl losses were hugely upsetting to me.

[novakjr]

Originally Posted by nameless

Pro Wrestling counts

If you're willing to include pro-wrestling. Fixed outcomes aside, I'd almost have to count the "Montreal Screwjob".

quick rundown from wiki

"A week before Survivor Series, Hart, who had performed for the WWF since 1984, signed a contract to perform with WCW beginning in December 1997. McMahon sought to prevent Hart from leaving the company as the champion, but Hart was unwilling to lose the title to Michaels – with whom he had a long feud both on-screen and off – at Survivor Series in his home country. Hart, Michaels, and McMahon came to an agreement where the Survivor Series match would end with a disqualification, which under normal rules would result in Hart retaining the title; Hart would then forfeit the title to McMahon on Monday Night Raw the following day. However, McMahon decided without Hart's knowledge that Michaels would win the title at Survivor Series. Accounts differ as to who exactly was involved in the plan and the extent of their involvement. The plan was executed when match referee Earl Hebner, on direct order from McMahon, ended the match as Michaels held Hart in the Sharpshooter submission hold, Hart's signature finishing move, even though Hart had not submitted. Michaels was declared the victor by submission and crowned as the new WWF Champion."


Now as far as actual sports upsets, I always tend to look at them from "in-game situations". To me the 2011 World Series game 6 fits that criteria better than any.

The Rangers blew a two run lead with 2 outs and a 1-2 count to Freese in the 9th that would've clinched a championship. Then regained a two run lead in the 10th, and were 1 strike away(yet again), only to blow it again..

And as we all know, the Cardinals went on to win that game and game 7..

THAT to me, is an upset..

[tiger8mush]

Originally Posted by novakjr

Now as far as actual sports upsets, I always tend to look at them from "in-game situations".

The Bills were down 35-3 to the Oilers in a playoff game early in the 3rd quarter and came back to win something like 41-38. I'd say that was a pretty big in-game upset

[digdugdig]

Originally Posted by tiger8mush

The Bills were down 35-3 to the Oilers in a playoff game early in the 3rd quarter and came back to win something like 41-38. I'd say that was a pretty big in-game upset

And if I'm not mistaken, that was with Frank Reich at QB, not Jim Kelly.
I gotta go with the kid's from the '80 Olympics...that Gold Medal game against Finland was kinda anti-climatic after upsetting a team that gave NHL all-stars fits!! Al little over looked was Bill Baker's late game tying goal vs. Sweden in game 1.

[Mikehealer]

Francis Ouimet 1913 U.S. Open.

[EvilKing00]

Originally Posted by novakjr

If you're willing to include pro-wrestling. Fixed outcomes aside, I'd almost have to count the "Montreal Screwjob".

quick rundown from wiki

"A week before Survivor Series, Hart, who had performed for the WWF since 1984, signed a contract to perform with WCW beginning in December 1997. McMahon sought to prevent Hart from leaving the company as the champion, but Hart was unwilling to lose the title to Michaels – with whom he had a long feud both on-screen and off – at Survivor Series in his home country. Hart, Michaels, and McMahon came to an agreement where the Survivor Series match would end with a disqualification, which under normal rules would result in Hart retaining the title; Hart would then forfeit the title to McMahon on Monday Night Raw the following day. However, McMahon decided without Hart's knowledge that Michaels would win the title at Survivor Series. Accounts differ as to who exactly was involved in the plan and the extent of their involvement. The plan was executed when match referee Earl Hebner, on direct order from McMahon, ended the match as Michaels held Hart in the Sharpshooter submission hold, Hart's signature finishing move, even though Hart had not submitted. Michaels was declared the victor by submission and crowned as the new WWF Champion."


Now as far as actual sports upsets, I always tend to look at them from "in-game situations". To me the 2011 World Series game 6 fits that criteria better than any.

The Rangers blew a two run lead with 2 outs and a 1-2 count to Freese in the 9th that would've clinched a championship. Then regained a two run lead in the 10th, and were 1 strike away(yet again), only to blow it again..

And as we all know, the Cardinals went on to win that game and game 7..

THAT to me, is an upset..

if your going with "fake" I would say any time the harlem globetrotters loose a game. I think they have just over 22,000 wins and 345 losses in their history.

[novakjr]

Originally Posted by EvilKing00

if your going with "fake" I would say any time the harlem globetrotters loose a game. I think they have just over 22,000 wins and 345 losses in their history.

"Fake" is a pretty harsh term. I'd much prefer the use of "kayfabe"

I'd say if there was a game that the Globetrotter "weren't" supposed to lose, that they somehow ended up losing, then yes, I'd put that on the same level as the "Montreal Screwjob"...

[glenv]

Originally Posted by novakjr

Now as far as actual sports upsets, I always tend to look at them from "in-game situations". To me the 2011 World Series game 6 fits that criteria better than any.

The Rangers blew a two run lead with 2 outs and a 1-2 count to Freese in the 9th that would've clinched a championship. Then regained a two run lead in the 10th, and were 1 strike away(yet again), only to blow it again..

And as we all know, the Cardinals went on to win that game and game 7..

THAT to me, is an upset..

For an in-series situation, it's hard to beat the Red Sox in the 2004 ALC. Yankees were one inning away from a four game sweep and had Rivera on the mound...

[maniac_73]

Greece winning the 04 Euro Cup soccer


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[glenv]

USA Hockey!

Runner up - Fresno state winning the NCAA baseball tournament/championship in 2008. People said it was a huge upset when George Mason made the basketball final four as an 11 seed. Fresno was like a 13-16 seed and won it all!

[Jcfowler6]

1903 World Series
1960 World Series
Miracle on Ice
Douglas over Tyson
Immaculate Reception

Are all good ones.

[digdugdig]

I think we lost track a little bit on this thread between great upsets and great comebacks.
Great comebacks would be a great thread as well.
Some great posts either way, enjoying them all, keep 'em coming.
Personally, great comebacks...I remember watching the Bills rally behind Frank Reich against the Oilers.
And how about the "Heidi game", of course no one saw that one !!

[teetwoohsix]

Originally Posted by nameless

Whats the greatest upset in Sports History? Buster Douglas defeats Tyson imo.

I'd have to go with this one off the top of my head, as well as David's Spinks beating Ali.



Sincerely, Clayton

[travrosty]

Corrie Sanders beating w. klitschko for the wbo crown. one of the biggest boxing upsets. See my avatar.

[ALR-bishop]

This is just my personal favorite, which only another Cardinals fan would appreciate

[HRBAKER]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

This is just my personal favorite, which only another Cardinals fan would appreciate

+1

[Ease]

Originally Posted by travrosty

Corrie Sanders beating w. klitschko for the wbo crown. one of the biggest boxing upsets. See my avatar.

+1. It was like David beating Goliath.

A more obscure one: when the Galaxxy Warrior Nate Campbell beat Juan Diaz, in Mexico, by split decision a few years ago.

[t206trader]

Speaking for college sports two things come to mind

1.) 2007 Fiesta Bowl (When Boise State pulled out all the stops)

2.) 2011 Indiana Hoosiers over the Number 1 Kentucky Wildcats (Wildcats would go on to only lose one more game and win the national championship with I believe 7 NBA players)