Texas Baseball Rangers Claim World Series Title, Solidifying Status as Unexpected Champions in MLB History
Title: Unforgettable Underdogs: World Series Champions With Long Odds
Congrats to the 2023 Texas Rangers on their well-deserved World Series win! After being a longshot of +5,000, the Rangers showed everyone what they were made of, enduring a grueling seven-game ALCS against the Houston Astros. They even managed to win all 11 of their road games in the playoffs, including a Game 5 clincher against the Arizona Diamondbacks, despite being no-hit through six innings.
The Incredible Comeback of Texas Rangers
In 2023, the Rangers weren't the only organization beating the odds. Here's a look at four other teams that defied expectations and made history:
1991 Minnesota Twins (+?)
Finishing last in the American League West the previous year, the Twins weren't expected to challenge for a championship. But they went 95-67 in 1991, shattering preconceptions. In the World Series, they took down the Atlanta Braves, the team that also finished last the year prior, in a thrilling seven-game series.
Kirby Puckett's heroics in the ALCS and World Series made him a household name. In Game 6, he robbed Ron Gant of a homer with the Twins down three games to two and hit a game-winning home run in the bottom of the 11th inning to send the series to a Game 7. 2003 ESPN ranked the 1991 World Series between the Twins and Braves as the greatest of all time.
2003 Florida Marlins (+?)
With MLB having instituted the Wild Card playoff spot in 1994, the 2003 Marlins made it into the postseason. They were powered by young stars, including Dontrelle Willis, Brad Penny, Josh Beckett, and Miguel Cabrera, whom rookie season began in 2003. Despite being underdogs in the World Series against the New York Yankees, they managed to clinch the title in six games. Interestingly, the Marlins have the lowest winning percentage among active franchises, but they tucked away two World Series victories in their first decade of existence.
1987 Minnesota Twins (+5,000)
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, nobody seemed to believe in the Twins. And for good reason—they only won 85 games in 1987, the second-lowest total by a World Series champion in a non-shortened season since 1961. Despite an underwhelming season, they upset the Detroit Tigers, who had the best record in the majors, in the ALCS, and went on to defeat the Cardinals in seven games in the World Series.
Losing more runs than the St. Louis Cardinals during the regular season, the Twins still triumphed in the World Series. A testament to the old adage that it's not how you start, but how you finish.
Each of these underdog teams exemplifies resilience, talent, and a refusal to let the odds dictate their fate. Their stories serve as a reminder that sometimes, the biggest victories come from the most unexpected places.
- In the world of sports, the 1991 Minnesota Twins, following a disappointing 1990 season, defied expectations by shattering preconceived notions, winning 95 games and claiming the World Series against the Atlanta Braves.
- Much like the 2023 Texas Rangers, the 2003 Florida Marlins, with a young and talented roster, surprised many by clinching the World Series title despite being underdogs against the New York Yankees.
