Curious what the strangest sports stories are on record? Regardless if you’re sitting on the bleachers or actually playing on the field, professional sports remains one of the most entertaining industries worldwide. But with so many different sports and the sheer number of competitions played each year, coincidences are bound to happen every now and then.
For all of you out there who are die-hard fans of one sport or another, we have compiled a list of the 7 most bizarre coincidences that have ever happened in the history of professional sports. Enjoy!
No. 7: Denis Times Three
Photo Credit: RicLaf
Back in 1977 in Quebec, Canada, the Montreal Juniors, a local hockey team, fielded three players by the name of Denis. Well, so what you may say. Maybe Denis is as common in Canada as Smith is in the US. However, the long line of similarities between the three players doesn’t end here. The three sportsmen were childhood friends, who had grown up in the same neighbourhood, playing hockey together. And they were all born on the very same date, February the 4th, 1961. Imagine that!
No. 6: The Red Sox and the 17 to 1 Winning Streak
Photo Credit: Boston Public Library
June 17, 1953: Boston Red Sox v. Detroit Tigers. The Red Sox shamelessly defeat the Tigers by a painful 17 to 1 final. The very next day, the Tigers lose the rematch when Red Sox once again manages to score 17 runs. What’s most spectacular is that all runs were scored in 1 inning, the most ever in any American League baseball game.
See the rest of the strangest sports stories on record:
No. 5: Junior and Young
Photo Credit: Gabriel Saldana
In 1994, the San Francisco 49ers drafted a fellow by the name of Bryant Young. The following year, they took on Junior Bryant. Granted, while their names might generate some confusion, they are not exactly the same. However, their career track trends to be even more alike. The two were both defensive lineman, had played at the same college, Notre Dame, and they both nearly missed being drafted in the NFL. Young and Junior also played their entire professional careers for San Francisco.
No. 4: Jack Nicklaus and a series of Fortunate Events
Photo Credit: Torrey Wiley
Golf pro Jack Nicklaus won the Masters in 1965. In the very same year, the Montreal Canadiens took home the Stanley Cup, the NBA Championship was won by the Celtics, and Willie Shoemaker won the Kentucky Derby. In 1986, Nicklaus won his last Masters. Subsequently, all three major sports events mentioned before happened once more. Déjà vu to say the least!
No. 3: The Redskins Rule
Photo Credit: Keith Allison
For every presidential election between 1940 and 2000, the result obtained by the Redskins in their final game managed to accurately predict the outcome. Every time the Redskins won the final game, the party that had won the previous elections would win again. Every time the team lost, the opposing party would win.
No. 2: The Devil is in the Numbers
Photo Credit: cool13902008
Mark Sanchez, New York Jets quarterback, has received quite a lot media attention. But his playing skills and personality are not today’s focus. Sanchez, who wears the no. 6 shirt, started on Monday Night Football’s 666th broadcast, on week 6 of the 2012 season. His statistics at that time? Interceptions: 6, touchdowns: 6, longest completion: 66 yards, quarterback rating: 66.6.
No. 1: The King of Comebacks
Photo Credit: Russ Walker
In 1984, quarterback Frank Reich recorded the most impressive comeback in the history of college football, when he led his team, University of Maryland, to defeat the Miami Hurricanes after they were 31 points down.
Fate would have that, 9 years later, the Buffalo Bills, who were 32 points down in their game against the Oilers, subbed an injured player for Reich, who came on the field to lead his team to the greatest comeback in professional football. Talk about doing the impossible. Twice.
