Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Matthew Brown
In baseball, it’s never over until it’s over. From impossible playoff scenarios to single-game miracles, these comebacks remind us why we keep watching until the final out. They’re the moments that had us jumping off our couches, hugging strangers in the bleachers, and believing in the impossible. Here are ten times when teams looked defeat in the eye and refused to blink.
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Down 0-3: The ’04 Red Sox Rewrite October History
No team had ever overcome an 0-3 deficit in postseason history. Then came Dave Roberts’ steal, David Ortiz’s midnight heroics, and Curt Schilling’s bloody sock. Four straight wins against their bitter rivals didn’t just break the Curse of the Bambino – it changed what baseball fans believed was possible.
Mets ’86: From Two Outs, Two Strikes to World Series Glory
Game 6, two outs, bottom of the 10th. The Red Sox were one strike away from ending their curse when the Mets staged perhaps the most famous comeback in World Series history. Three straight singles, a wild pitch, and then that little roller up along first that went through Buckner’s legs. Baseball can be a cruel game.
The ’29 A’s: Down 8-0 in Game 4 to Win the Series
Connie Mack’s Athletics seemed finished in Game 4 of the ’29 Series, trailing the Cubs 8-0 in the seventh. Then came a 10-run explosion that included Al Simmons’ homer and Jimmie Foxx’s clutch hitting. The comeback demoralized the Cubs so thoroughly that they lost Game 5 the next day, giving Philadelphia the title.
Cubs-Phillies ’79: When 23-22 Wasn’t Just a Football Score
On a windy May day at Wrigley, the Cubs trailed 21-9 heading into the bottom of the fifth. What followed was the highest-scoring game in modern National League history, with Dave Kingman’s three homers leading an improbable comeback, but the Phillies ultimately winning the game. The final score looked more like a Bears-Eagles NFL game than a baseball one.
Cleveland’s 12-Run Mountain: The Night Seattle Fell (2001)
Against a 116-win Mariners team, Cleveland faced a 14-2 deficit in the seventh inning. Jolbert Cabrera’s walk-off single capped a 15-14 victory that stands as the largest comeback in modern MLB history. The few thousand fans who stayed at Jacobs Field witnessed baseball magic that August night.
Sandberg Game: Cubs Turn 9-3 Deficit into Wrigley Legend
June 23, 1984: Ryne Sandberg hit game-tying homers in the ninth and tenth innings off Bruce Sutter, one of baseball’s most dominant closers. The Cubs’ 12-11 victory became known simply as “The Sandberg Game,” and announced Chicago’s return to contention after years of futility.
Tigers ’68: Down 3-1, McLain and Lolich Save the Series
Facing elimination against Bob Gibson’s Cardinals, Detroit mounted one of the greatest World Series comebacks ever. Mickey Lolich won Games 5 and 7 on two days’ rest, while 31-game winner Denny McLain found his groove in Game 6. The Tigers became the third team to win a Series after trailing 3-1.
Phillies vs. Dodgers ’90: Hollywood Couldn’t Script This One
Down 11-1 in the eighth inning, the Phillies staged what seemed impossible at Dodger Stadium. John Kruk and Von Hayes led a furious rally that turned into a 12-11 victory, sending the few thousand remaining fans into a state of delirium. The comeback remained the largest in Phillies history for over three decades.
Miracle Mets ’69: From Lovable Losers to Amazing Grace
Nobody gave the Mets a chance when they trailed the Cubs by 9½ games in mid-August. Led by Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman, they mounted an incredible surge that carried them past Chicago, through the playoffs, and to a World Series title. The transformation from perennial losers to world champions earned them the “Miracle Mets” nickname that endures today.
Pirates ’60: Mazeroski’s Shot Caps Ultimate David vs. Goliath
The mighty Yankees outscored Pittsburgh 55-27 in the 1960 World Series, yet somehow found themselves tied in Game 7. Bill Mazeroski’s walk-off homer – the first ever to end a World Series – capped a stunning performance against a team many considered unbeatable. The image of Maz waving his helmet as he rounded the bases remains one of baseball’s most enduring symbols of the impossible becoming possible.