Upsets can be defined many ways.
When you think of upsets in American sports you will probably think of the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” where the upstart men’s college hockey team defeated the alien USSR for the gold medal in the winter Olympics.
In major league baseball, there are no upsets like that.
During the regular season that word isn’t even mentioned. Teams go through hot and cold spells, face all sorts of pressures and expectations from sources that are never seen or heard from, and in general play for the marathon, not a single series.
That’s why to look at upsets you have to look at the postseason.
Think about it.
What teams upset the apparent dominating teams? What teams blew past the best pitcher in baseball? What pitcher mowed down the most powerful lineup? What fan interfered with the Cubbies pursuit of glory in the 2003 NLCS?
For myself, and the focus of this article, I’m looking at the entire series when determining the depth of the upset; weighing the expectations of each team, the history, the players, and what that upset has done to the organization since.
Take a look, don’t be shy.
I’m sure by the end you’ll at least agree to disagree.