Mount Rushmore Monday: Modern Era World Series Upsets

Dive into the Top 4 Modern Era upsets with some honorable mentions

We’re diving back into Mount Rushmore Monday with World Series upsets to keep this offseason fun. Shoutout Walter for requesting this one, as an Orioles fan, I’m not sure he’s going to like it. In the modern era of baseball, certain World Series upsets have stood out for their unexpected outcomes and dramatic backstories. Here are my top four, along with some honorable mentions:

😭 Top 4 World Series Upsets:

1. 1969 - New York Mets vs. Baltimore Orioles (Mets won 4-1)

   • Why a Major Upset: The Mets, nicknamed the "Miracle Mets," completed their seventh season in existence by winning the World Series. They had never finished above .500 before 1969. The Orioles, on the other hand, had a dominant season, winning 109 games. The Mets' victory was a stunning turnaround and is still remembered as one of the greatest Cinderella stories in sports history.

2. 1990 - Cincinnati Reds vs. Oakland Athletics (Reds won 4-0)

   • Why a Major Upset: The Athletics were heavy favorites, having won the World Series the previous year and boasting stars like Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire. The Reds, however, swept the A's in a shocking fashion, led by their dominant bullpen nicknamed "The Nasty Boys."

3. 2003 - Florida Marlins vs. New York Yankees (Marlins won 4-2)

   • Why a Major Upset: The Yankees, with their star-studded lineup and a history of success, were expected to easily handle the wild-card Marlins. However, the Marlins' young, talented team, managed by Jack McKeon, defied expectations with exceptional pitching and timely hitting.

4. 2016 - Chicago Cubs vs. Cleveland Indians (Cubs won 4-3)

   • Why a Major Upset: While the Cubs were not underdogs in the traditional sense, the significance of their victory, breaking a 108-year championship drought, was monumental. The Indians, leading the series 3-1, looked poised to win their first title since 1948, but the Cubs made a historic comeback.

Honorable Mentions:

• 1988 - Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Oakland Athletics (Dodgers won 4-1): Despite the heroics of Kirk Gibson and Orel Hershiser, this upset didn't make the top list because the Dodgers, while underdogs, were a balanced and talented team.

• 2001 - Arizona Diamondbacks vs. New York Yankees (Diamondbacks won 4-3): The Diamondbacks, in only their fourth season, defeated the three-time defending champion Yankees. This series was more about the dramatic fashion in which the Diamondbacks won rather than being a massive upset.

These series stand out not only for the surprise element but also for the memorable performances and historic implications they brought to the game of baseball. Let’s hear any below that you think I missed!

Today marks the 53rd birthday of Jason Giambi, the former MVP who hit 440 taters in his career. He played a crucial role in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS, hitting two homers off Pedro Martinez to score the only two runs the Yankees had until the 8th inning. This helped the Yankees make a comeback and win the game, ultimately securing their place in the World Series, and eventually finding themselves on our list above.