Cinderella (sports)
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In United States sports, a Cinderella refers to a team or player who advances much further in a tournament than expected, any of them are lower seeds during tournaments or playoffs. Cinderellas tend to gain much media and fan attention as they move closer to the championship game at the end of the tournament. The term comes from the end of the fairy tale Cinderella, and its idea is that one can unexpectedly achieve success after a period of obscurity.
In the United Kingdom, by contrast, a Cinderella team is one which usually underachieves (for example the Spanish football team), or is overshadowed by more successful neighbours (for example, Tranmere Rovers by Liverpool and Everton). This refers to the early part of the Cinderella fairy tale, where the heroine is downtrodden. A U.S.-style Cinderella team would be a surprise package or surprise packet, and their success would be termed a fairy-tale run.
A related concept is the giant-killer, which is widely used for those who think naming a male team a "Cinderella" too feminine: a lesser competitor who defeats a favorite. The name reflectes such stories as David and Goliath, and Jack the Giant-Killer. However, the concepts are distinct: a first-round giant-killer may lose in the very next round; conversely, a lesser competitor may progress very far by defeating only other lesser competitors, especially if seeding is not used in the competition.
Recent Examples of (US-style) \"Cinderellas\"
- Edmonton Oilers (2006)
- Holy Cross 2006 Men's Hockey Team
- Calgary Flames (2004)
- Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2003)
- Minnesota Wild (2003)
- Carolina Hurricanes (2002)
- Florida Panthers (1996)
- Vancouver Canucks (1994)
- San Jose Sharks (1994)
- Los Angeles Kings (1993)
- 1980 American national men's hockey team
- Pittsburgh Steelers (2005)
- Carolina Panthers (2003)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1979, 2002)
- New England Patriots (1985, 2001)
- New York Giants (2000)
- Tennessee Titans (1999)
- Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams (1979, 1999)
- Atlanta Falcons (1991, 1998,2002)
- Denver Broncos (1977, 1997)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (1996)
- Indianapolis Colts (1995)
- San Diego Chargers (1981, 1994)
- Houston Oilers (1992)
- Detroit Lions (1991)
- Seattle Seahawks (1983)
- San Francisco 49ers (1981)
- Oakland Raiders (1980)
- New York Jets (1968)
- Milan (Indiana) High School (1954; see also Hoosiers, a classic 1986 movie loosely based on this team's story)
- Texas Western (1966)
- Indiana State (1979)
- NC State (1983)
- Villanova (1985)
- LSU (1986)
- Navy (1986)
- Providence (1987)
- Loyola Marymount (1990)
- Chattanooga (1997)
- Rhode Island (1998)
- Valparaiso (1998)
- Weber State (1995, 1998)
- Gonzaga (1999)
- Indiana (2002)
- Kent State (2002)
- Butler (2003)
- Georgia Tech (2004)
- Nevada (2004)
- Xavier (2004)
- Milwaukee (2005)
- George Mason (2006)
- 1951 New York Giants
- 1954 New York Giants
- 1967 Boston Red Sox
- 1975 Boston Red Sox
- 1979 California Angels
- 1980 Houston Astros
- 1986 Boston Red Sox
- 1987 San Francisco Giants
- 1993 Philadelphia Phillies
- 1993 San Francisco Giants
- 1995 Colorado Rockies
- 1995 Seattle Mariners
- 1997 San Francisco Giants
- 1999 Arizona Diamondbacks
- 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks
- 2002 Anaheim Angels
- 2002 San Francisco Giants
- 2005 Houston Astros
- Chicago Cubs (1984, 1989, 2003)
- Boston/Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves (1914, 1982, 1991)
- Cincinnati Reds (1990, 1999)
- Baltimore Orioles (1989)
- Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers (1955, 1988)
- Florida Marlins (1997, 2003)
- Minnesota Twins (1987, 1991, 2002)
- Kansas City Royals (1985, (2003))
- Toronto Blue Jays (1985, 1989)
- San Diego Padres (1984, 1998, 2005)
- Chicago White Sox (1983, 1990)
- Milwaukee Brewers (1982)
- Oakland Athletics (1981)
- Montreal Expos (1981, 1987)
- Pittsburgh Pirates (1960, 1979, 1990)
- New York Mets (1969, 1973, 1999)
- Oregon State (2005 College World Series)
- *Going into the 2005 season, the Beavers had not gone to the CWS since 1951 and had suffered through six straight losing seasons in Pac 10 play. After a two-and-out performance in the 2005 CWS, they would return the following year and win the national title.
- Turkey (2002; third place)
- Korea Republic (2002; fourth place)
- Steaua Bucuresti (1985-86 winners)
- Artmedia Bratislava (2005-06, group stage)
- FC Thun (2005-06, group stage)
- Blyth Spartans (1977-78 FA Cup fifth round - the furthest an amateur team has ever reached)
- Marcos Baghdatis (2006 Australian Open finalist)
References
- http://people.howstuffworks.com/march-madness5.htm
- http://www.gazette.uwo.ca/2004/March/26/sports2.asp
See also
- Pittsburgh Steelers (2005)
- Carolina Panthers (2003)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1979, 2002)
- New England Patriots (1985, 2001)
- New York Giants (2000)
- Tennessee Titans (1999)
- Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams (1979, 1999)
- Atlanta Falcons (1991, 1998,2002)
- Denver Broncos (1977, 1997)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (1996)
- Indianapolis Colts (1995)
- San Diego Chargers (1981, 1994)
- Houston Oilers (1992)
- Detroit Lions (1991)
- Seattle Seahawks (1983)
- San Francisco 49ers (1981)
- Oakland Raiders (1980)
- New York Jets (1968)
- Milan (Indiana) High School (1954; see also Hoosiers, a classic 1986 movie loosely based on this team's story)
- Texas Western (1966)
- Indiana State (1979)
- NC State (1983)
- Villanova (1985)
- LSU (1986)
- Navy (1986)
- Providence (1987)
- Loyola Marymount (1990)
- Chattanooga (1997)
- Rhode Island (1998)
- Valparaiso (1998)
- Weber State (1995, 1998)
- Gonzaga (1999)
- Indiana (2002)
- Kent State (2002)
- Butler (2003)
- Georgia Tech (2004)
- Nevada (2004)
- Xavier (2004)
- Milwaukee (2005)
- George Mason (2006)
- 1951 New York Giants
- 1954 New York Giants
- 1967 Boston Red Sox
- 1975 Boston Red Sox
- 1979 California Angels
- 1980 Houston Astros
- 1986 Boston Red Sox
- 1987 San Francisco Giants
- 1993 Philadelphia Phillies
- 1993 San Francisco Giants
- 1995 Colorado Rockies
- 1995 Seattle Mariners
- 1997 San Francisco Giants
- 1999 Arizona Diamondbacks
- 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks
- 2002 Anaheim Angels
- 2002 San Francisco Giants
- 2005 Houston Astros
- Chicago Cubs (1984, 1989, 2003)
- Boston/Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves (1914, 1982, 1991)
- Cincinnati Reds (1990, 1999)
- Baltimore Orioles (1989)
- Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers (1955, 1988)
- Florida Marlins (1997, 2003)
- Minnesota Twins (1987, 1991, 2002)
- Kansas City Royals (1985, (2003))
- Toronto Blue Jays (1985, 1989)
- San Diego Padres (1984, 1998, 2005)
- Chicago White Sox (1983, 1990)
- Milwaukee Brewers (1982)
- Oakland Athletics (1981)
- Montreal Expos (1981, 1987)
- Pittsburgh Pirates (1960, 1979, 1990)
- New York Mets (1969, 1973, 1999)
- Oregon State (2005 College World Series)
- *Going into the 2005 season, the Beavers had not gone to the CWS since 1951 and had suffered through six straight losing seasons in Pac 10 play. After a two-and-out performance in the 2005 CWS, they would return the following year and win the national title.
- Turkey (2002; third place)
- Korea Republic (2002; fourth place)
- Steaua Bucuresti (1985-86 winners)
- Artmedia Bratislava (2005-06, group stage)
- FC Thun (2005-06, group stage)
- Blyth Spartans (1977-78 FA Cup fifth round - the furthest an amateur team has ever reached)
- Marcos Baghdatis (2006 Australian Open finalist)
References
- http://people.howstuffworks.com/march-madness5.htm
- http://www.gazette.uwo.ca/2004/March/26/sports2.asp
See also
- Texas Western (1966)
- Indiana State (1979)
- NC State (1983)
- Villanova (1985)
- LSU (1986)
- Navy (1986)
- Providence (1987)
- Loyola Marymount (1990)
- Chattanooga (1997)
- Rhode Island (1998)
- Valparaiso (1998)
- Weber State (1995, 1998)
- Gonzaga (1999)
- Indiana (2002)
- Kent State (2002)
- Butler (2003)
- Georgia Tech (2004)
- Nevada (2004)
- Xavier (2004)
- Milwaukee (2005)
- George Mason (2006)
- 1951 New York Giants
- 1954 New York Giants
- 1967 Boston Red Sox
- 1975 Boston Red Sox
- 1979 California Angels
- 1980 Houston Astros
- 1986 Boston Red Sox
- 1987 San Francisco Giants
- 1993 Philadelphia Phillies
- 1993 San Francisco Giants
- 1995 Colorado Rockies
- 1995 Seattle Mariners
- 1997 San Francisco Giants
- 1999 Arizona Diamondbacks
- 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks
- 2002 Anaheim Angels
- 2002 San Francisco Giants
- 2005 Houston Astros
- Chicago Cubs (1984, 1989, 2003)
- Boston/Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves (1914, 1982, 1991)
- Cincinnati Reds (1990, 1999)
- Baltimore Orioles (1989)
- Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers (1955, 1988)
- Florida Marlins (1997, 2003)
- Minnesota Twins (1987, 1991, 2002)
- Kansas City Royals (1985, (2003))
- Toronto Blue Jays (1985, 1989)
- San Diego Padres (1984, 1998, 2005)
- Chicago White Sox (1983, 1990)
- Milwaukee Brewers (1982)
- Oakland Athletics (1981)
- Montreal Expos (1981, 1987)
- Pittsburgh Pirates (1960, 1979, 1990)
- New York Mets (1969, 1973, 1999)
- Oregon State (2005 College World Series)
- *Going into the 2005 season, the Beavers had not gone to the CWS since 1951 and had suffered through six straight losing seasons in Pac 10 play. After a two-and-out performance in the 2005 CWS, they would return the following year and win the national title.
- Turkey (2002; third place)
- Korea Republic (2002; fourth place)
- Steaua Bucuresti (1985-86 winners)
- Artmedia Bratislava (2005-06, group stage)
- FC Thun (2005-06, group stage)
- Blyth Spartans (1977-78 FA Cup fifth round - the furthest an amateur team has ever reached)
- Marcos Baghdatis (2006 Australian Open finalist)
References
- http://people.howstuffworks.com/march-madness5.htm
- http://www.gazette.uwo.ca/2004/March/26/sports2.asp
See also
- 1951 New York Giants
- 1954 New York Giants
- 1967 Boston Red Sox
- 1975 Boston Red Sox
- 1979 California Angels
- 1980 Houston Astros
- 1986 Boston Red Sox
- 1987 San Francisco Giants
- 1993 Philadelphia Phillies
- 1993 San Francisco Giants
- 1995 Colorado Rockies
- 1995 Seattle Mariners
- 1997 San Francisco Giants
- 1999 Arizona Diamondbacks
- 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks
- 2002 Anaheim Angels
- 2002 San Francisco Giants
- 2005 Houston Astros
- Chicago Cubs (1984, 1989, 2003)
- Boston/Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves (1914, 1982, 1991)
- Cincinnati Reds (1990, 1999)
- Baltimore Orioles (1989)
- Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers (1955, 1988)
- Florida Marlins (1997, 2003)
- Minnesota Twins (1987, 1991, 2002)
- Kansas City Royals (1985, (2003))
- Toronto Blue Jays (1985, 1989)
- San Diego Padres (1984, 1998, 2005)
- Chicago White Sox (1983, 1990)
- Milwaukee Brewers (1982)
- Oakland Athletics (1981)
- Montreal Expos (1981, 1987)
- Pittsburgh Pirates (1960, 1979, 1990)
- New York Mets (1969, 1973, 1999)
- Oregon State (2005 College World Series)
- *Going into the 2005 season, the Beavers had not gone to the CWS since 1951 and had suffered through six straight losing seasons in Pac 10 play. After a two-and-out performance in the 2005 CWS, they would return the following year and win the national title.
- Turkey (2002; third place)
- Korea Republic (2002; fourth place)
- Steaua Bucuresti (1985-86 winners)
- Artmedia Bratislava (2005-06, group stage)
- FC Thun (2005-06, group stage)
- Blyth Spartans (1977-78 FA Cup fifth round - the furthest an amateur team has ever reached)
- Marcos Baghdatis (2006 Australian Open finalist)
References
- http://people.howstuffworks.com/march-madness5.htm
- http://www.gazette.uwo.ca/2004/March/26/sports2.asp
See also
- Oregon State (2005 College World Series)
- *Going into the 2005 season, the Beavers had not gone to the CWS since 1951 and had suffered through six straight losing seasons in Pac 10 play. After a two-and-out performance in the 2005 CWS, they would return the following year and win the national title.
- Turkey (2002; third place)
- Korea Republic (2002; fourth place)
- Steaua Bucuresti (1985-86 winners)
- Artmedia Bratislava (2005-06, group stage)
- FC Thun (2005-06, group stage)
- Blyth Spartans (1977-78 FA Cup fifth round - the furthest an amateur team has ever reached)
- Marcos Baghdatis (2006 Australian Open finalist)
References
- http://people.howstuffworks.com/march-madness5.htm
- http://www.gazette.uwo.ca/2004/March/26/sports2.asp
See also
- Turkey (2002; third place)
- Korea Republic (2002; fourth place)
- Steaua Bucuresti (1985-86 winners)
- Artmedia Bratislava (2005-06, group stage)
- FC Thun (2005-06, group stage)
- Blyth Spartans (1977-78 FA Cup fifth round - the furthest an amateur team has ever reached)
- Marcos Baghdatis (2006 Australian Open finalist)
References
- http://people.howstuffworks.com/march-madness5.htm
- http://www.gazette.uwo.ca/2004/March/26/sports2.asp
See also
- Steaua Bucuresti (1985-86 winners)
- Artmedia Bratislava (2005-06, group stage)
- FC Thun (2005-06, group stage)
- Blyth Spartans (1977-78 FA Cup fifth round - the furthest an amateur team has ever reached)
- Marcos Baghdatis (2006 Australian Open finalist)
References
- http://people.howstuffworks.com/march-madness5.htm
- http://www.gazette.uwo.ca/2004/March/26/sports2.asp
See also
- Marcos Baghdatis (2006 Australian Open finalist)
References
- http://people.howstuffworks.com/march-madness5.htm
- http://www.gazette.uwo.ca/2004/March/26/sports2.asp
See also
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