Top 10 Disrespected or Forgotten Sports Champions
Every year, there is a champion in every sport. But the chances of people remembering everyone are pretty slim. Some have been forgotten more than others and that tends to be disrespectful. These are champions that people have not remembered or have disrespected.While the Cubs get the love for winning the World Series after 108 years, the 2005 White Sox are often overlooked. National media outlets have often ignored them because they don't get as much pub like their northern neighbors. Like the Cubs, the White Sox also ended a title drought, but it was 88 years. But the White Sox won 99 games in a division they were predicted to finish fourth in. Then they won the World Series winning 11 of 12 games while beating the defending champion Red Sox, the Angels (with help from a controversial call) and the Astros.
While the Rockets won back-to-back titles to make history, an argument of them doing so because Michael Jordan was retired overshadows this unfairly. But Houston would've beaten the Bulls as they were 7-3 against them from 1991-95. Another key element is that the Rockets won the NBA Finals in 1994 while much of America was watching the OJ Simpson saga develop. Then in 1995, the Rockets were the sixth seed, which remains the lowest seed to win a title as they defeated four fifty plus-win teams without homecourt advantage to win the title. Don't ever underestimate the heart of a champion.
Winners of 99 games, the A's defeated the Blue Jays in five before sweeping their Bay Area neighbor Giants in the World Series. But when one thinks of the 1989 World Series, the first thing that comes to mind is the earthquake that halted the series for ten days
Today, the Warriors are among the most elite of sports franchises in the world. But in 1975, no one would've expected or remembered the Warriors winning the NBA Championship, especially in a sweep over the Washington Bullets. The 1970's had strong teams like the Celtics, Bucks, Lakers, and Trailblazers to name a few. But the 1975 team often gets overlooked.
This team won the Stanley Cup in 1989 defeating the Montreal Canadiens. They often get overlooked because they were caught in between eras of dynasties (Canadiens, Islanders, Oilers) and repeat victors (Penguins, Red Wings). But it was the final game for Lenny McDonald, who went out a champion finally.
In a lockout-shortened season, the Spurs finished with the best record at 37-13. They defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 3-1 in the first round before sweeping the Lakers and Trailblazers to reach the finals. At the time, the Spurs won 12 straight playoff games following two wins against the Knicks in the finals. That was a record, which was maintained for another two years. The Knicks won Game 3 before the Spurs finished them off in five. This was the first title for a soon-to-be dynasty. But in an era when the Chicago Bulls dominated and finished their run a season prior, the Spurs can be overlooked.
Of the four titles the Red Sox won in the 21st century, the second one in 2007 gets overshadowed. The Red Sox won the AL East with a 96-66 record. After sweeping the Angels in the ALDS, Boston overcame a 3-1 deficit to the Cleveland Indians. Then, the Red Sox swept the Colorado Rockies in four straight.
In 1950, the World Cup was held in Brazil where the finals were round robin. Host team Brazil entered their match against Uruguay needing a tie to be champions. But their fans were so confident that it became a celebration before the game started. Brazil took an early 1-0. But then, Uruguay shocked the heavily-favored Brazilian squad with two goals to win. While Uruguay won the title, Brazil fans have blamed goalkeeper Moacir Barbosa for allowing the go-ahead score.
North Carolina finished the regular season 34-4 and won the regular season ACC championship with a 14-2 record. Despite losing the conference title game in the tournament, the Tar Heels went on a big run to win the NCAA Championship over Michigan led by the Fab Five. But they get forgotten because of the national title game being remembered for Chris Webber calling a timeout when the Wolverines had none.
This team went 11-3, defeated the Jets and Raiders in two road games, then defeated the Minnesota Vikings 23-7 in Super Bowl 4, the final game between an AFL and NFL team. People remember the Jets' upset of the Colts from the Super Bowl the year before as the game that merged the two leagues. But the Chiefs stamped the confirmation with a convincing win. This was also in an era the Chiefs were one of the best teams. Since then, they have been snakebit.