Last Updated: October 15th, 2026 by Matthew Brown
World Series champions have come in all shapes and sizes. Like any sport around the world, the MLB playoffs are all about who is playing their best for that number of games after the regular season is over. It doesn't necessarily mean it's the team with the best record throughout the year.
Don't lose this article. Enter your email below, and I'll send it to you right now. Plus, we'll send you other unbelievable stories from baseball's past.
That being said, the best player for a season isn't always the best career player playing that year. In this list, we want to talk about the underdogs. Whether it's great teams or great players, we hope this list just puts some inspiration in you as you read.
16. The Miracle Mets Shock the World (1969)
Probably the most classic example, the 1969 Mets were as improbable a World Series team as any in history. They hadn't even finished better than ninth in seasons prior.
Somehow, these longshots looked as talented as any championship team in history at the perfect time of the season. By the time it was over, the Orioles didn't even know what hit them.
15. From Teacher to Big Leaguer: The Jim Morris Story
This is probably many teachers' dreams. I remember going to school and seeing a legendary high school baseball coach be my middle school math teacher.
I think that's why it wouldn't surprise me if there are a number of school professionals who wish they had the life of Jim Morris. Even if he didn't last very long, the fact that he made it is legendary enough.
14. Down 0-3: The 2004 Red Sox Miracle
There is a reason why the Curse of the Bambino still can be mentioned today, because the only way it could have been broken was for something to happen that had never happened before.
Being down 0-3 in a seven-game series is as hard as it gets in sports. The Red Sox found a way to do so, against the Yankees, no less. After that series, the World Series seemed like, and probably was, a breeze.
13. The Knuckleball Redemption: R.A. Dickey
There was never really a second thought given to R.A. Dickey during his career. Most fans saw him as a fun pitcher to watch with his knuckleball that floated to the plate. Nobody thought that his knuckler could turn him into an award winner.
Also, Dickey didn't even start throwing the knuckleball until he was 31, so he was even more unremarkable before that. Then 2012 came, and Dickey earned an improbable Cy Young.
12. From Last to Wild Card: 2019 Nationals
Any turnaround can be impressive, but one that wins the World Series is incredible. The Washington Nationals were an afterthought in the beginning portion of 2019.
Everyone counted them out when their superstar, Bryce Harper, left for greener pastures. Then they got hot, snuck their way into the playoffs via the Wild Card, and played great baseball on their way to a championship.
11. The $1 Wonder: Daniel Nava
While playing pro baseball for the non-affiliated Golden Baseball League, the Red Sox came calling, offering his team just $1 to sign him away. From there, he worked his way through the minors and got his big opportunity in Boston.
Boy, did he take advantage, hitting a grand slam on the first MLB pitch he saw. He eventually won a championship with the franchise, a dream come true.
10. Worst to First: 1991 Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins were such a pleasant surprise in 1991. Everyone knew about Kirby Puckett and some of the other regulars. But they had just gotten Jack Morris for the season and had some newfound belief as the year went on.
It took some magical moments to complete the run, but by the end, they went from worst to first.
9. The Hamilton Redemption
One of the more inspiring stories of his time, Josh Hamilton battled addiction throughout the first part of his baseball life. Then, it was like he had not only been rehabbed, but reborn.
Hamilton won the MVP in 2010, becoming a premier slugger in the MLB. Before long, he was one of the most feared hitters in baseball, capping off a remarkable turnaround.
8. Tampa Bay’s Impossible Dream (2008)
The Tampa Bay Rays have always been a conundrum to me. Their budget limits have made it nearly impossible to create a perennial contender. That being said, when they show life and make a playoff run, they're one of the more fun teams to watch.
That's how it felt in 2008. Riding on the talent of their mix of young players and seasoned vets, they won 97 games and gave everyone in Tampa hope.
7. The Rick Ankiel Renaissance
I will always mention that I remember Rick Ankiel's first go-around in the major leagues. He was a pitcher that I always thought was a perfect one to hit a home run off of. He also caught a case of the "yips" after a while, so a change was needed.
The result of that change was definitely a surprise. From a pitcher who gave up home runs to an outfielder who hit home runs himself, Ankiel completed an amazing transformation.
6. Miracle Braves Sweep to Glory (1914)
If you asked me who won any World Series in the 1910s, I would probably guess the Athletics or Red Sox since this was before Babe Ruth got traded. Somehow, a random year in the middle of that decade saw the Boston Braves go from being last place in July to World Series champions.
This is even more impressive knowing that there were no other playoff rounds back then, and you had to be in first place in your league in the regular season to even get to the World Series.
5. Perfect Game from an Imperfect Man
David Wells was always a character to me. A little on the heavier side and on the older side by 1998, Wells was probably the last pitcher anyone thought would pitch a perfect game.
Yet, he did, and he etched his name in history forever. I also think that one game lengthened his career by a handful of years.
4. The Joey Bats Transformation
It's pretty cool how Jose Bautista elevated his career in 2010. I think he can be seen as part of the very beginning of the launch-angle revolution we saw by the end of the decade.
Sometimes it takes a major adjustment to make a major difference. It wasn't just the physical part of the swing itself, but the mental part of adjusting his approach at the plate that made him a premier slugger.
3. Gibson’s Impossible Homer (1988)
One of the most legendary moments in World Series history, Kirk Gibson is the perfect inspiration for anyone who is battling something in life to come up big in a clutch moment.
The way he hobbled to the plate as an improbable pinch-hitter and then made an impossible swing cemented his legacy in Los Angeles forever.
2. The Small Market Royals (2015)
Kansas City has always had a passionate fanbase. Usually, that fanbase can be seen most proudly at football games. But in 2015, they absolutely packed Kauffman Stadium and willed their underdog team on.
I'm sure if you asked any random person walking down the street in that city to name a Royal from 2015, they'd give you 10.
1. Mazeroski Slays the Yankees (1960)
As much of a David vs. Goliath story as there has ever been in baseball, the 1960 Pirates slayed the Yankees thanks to an iconic Game 7 home run. Bill Mazeroski is actually a deserving Hall of Fame player with his great defense and contact hitting.
But power wasn't really a part of his game. That's what makes this even more of an underdog story and a perfect entry to round out this list.
