Wednesday, May 28, 2014

1960s: A Decade of Sports Upsets-- Part 2

NORTHERN DANCER--  Fifty years ago in May, the Canadian-bred horse defeated the heavily-favored Hill Rise at the Kentucky derby by a neck and pounded his way into racing history by finishing the race in a record two minutes.  The thoroughbred not only claimed the 1964 Derby title, but also became on eof the most successful studs in history.


JOE NAMATH--  "The Jets will win on Sunday.  I guarantee it," Jets quarterback Joe Namath famously boasted in 1969--even though the NFL's Baltimore Colts were the overwhelming favorite.  But Super Bowl III made an honest man out of Broadway Joe as he and his AFL Jets dominated the whole game--and MVP Namath exited the stadium, right index finger raised to the sky.  (Who's No.1.  Was he heading to Disney World?)


MIRACLE METS--  Being a Cubs fan, this one is a bit hard for me, but...  The New York Mets were the butt of jokes for the first seven years of their existence.  They became the Miracle Mets in 1969 by making a late run to the National league pennant, then upsetting the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series.  (Boy, was that a rough season at the end for the Cubs.)

--Cooter

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