Cinderella (sports)

In sports, the terms Cinderella, "Cinderella Story", and Cinderella team are used to refer to situations in which competitors achieve far greater success than would reasonably have been expected.[1][2] Cinderella stories tend to gain much media and fan attention as they move closer to the championship game at the end of the tournament.[3] The term comes from Cinderella, a well-known European folk tale embodying a myth-element of unjust oppression/triumphant reward. The title character is a woman living in unfortunate circumstances that are suddenly changed to remarkable fortune. In a sporting context the term has been used at least since 1939, but came into widespread usage in 1950, when the Disney movie came out that year, and in reference to City College of New York, the unexpected winners of the NCAA Men's Basketball championship also that year.[4] The term was used by Bill Murray in the 1980 hit movie Caddyshack where he pretends as the announcer to his own golf fantasy: "Cinderella story. Outta nowhere. A former greenskeeper, now, about to become the Masters champion."[5]

Referring somewhat inaccurately to the plot details of the classic Cinderella story, the media will debate whether the given "Cinderella" team or player will "turn into a pumpkin," i.e. fail to win the prize and then return to its former obscurity.[6] In the fairy tale, it was the carriage that turned into a pumpkin at midnight, not Cinderella herself. Another popular term is "strike midnight," when a Cinderella team does finally get beaten.[7]

Prior to the widespread use of "Cinderella" in this way, the more common term for unexpected and dramatic success was "Miracle," as in the "Miracle Braves" of 1914, the "Miracle of Coogan's Bluff" in 1951, the "Miracle Mets" of 1969, and the "Miracle on Ice" in 1980.[8]

Cinderella teams are also referred to as a surprise package or surprise packet, and their success would be termed a fairy-tale run.[9]

A related concept is the giant-killer, which refers to a lesser competitor who defeats a favorite, reflecting the story David and Goliath.


Examples of "Cinderellas"

Many teams are considered "Cinderella teams" when they seemingly overachieve. For example, the Tampa Bay Rays and the Arizona Cardinals went all the way to their respective leagues' championships in 2008 only to "turn into a pumpkin" at the end. This list is largely confined to "Cinderella teams" that won championships.

American football

NFL

College

Association football

Baseball

MLB

College

Basketball

College

Professional

Canadian football

Ice hockey

Motorsport

Formula One

Examples of Cinderellas that did not win the championship

These Cinderellas made it to the finals in their respective leagues.

Association football

Baseball

Basketball

College

European

NBA

Ice hockey

College

NHL

Rugby league

Tennis

References

  1. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=list/cinderellastories
  2. Kim, Suzie (26 March 2004). "Cinderella stories: Battling from the bottom up". The Gazette. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  3. Bonsor, Kevin. "How March Madness Works". HowStuffWorks.com. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  4. ESPN (2009). ESPN College Basketball Encyclopedia: The Complete History of the Men's Game. New York: ESPN Books. p. 28.
  5. "Soundclip of Bill Murray in Caddyshack". MovieSoundsCentral. Retrieved 2007-02-26.
  6. See, for instance, http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Sports/2013/0322/March-Madness-2013-Is-Harvard-the-next-Cinderella "...hopeful that Cinderella's magical carriage won't turn into a pumpkin just yet."
  7. See, for instance, http://www.wric.com/story/4714251/clock-strikes-midnight-for-cinderella-team-george-mason "Clock Strikes Midnight For Cinderella Team George Mason"
  8. http://twicetoldarchive.wordpress.com/2010/11/04/miracle-on-ice/
  9. 1 2 Brewer, Jerry (October 26, 2003). "Marlins Stun Yankees for Title; Josh Beckett Pitched a Gem as Florida Completed a Fairy-Tale Run". Orlando Sentinel. p. A1.
  10. Anderson, Dave (January 13, 1969). "Jets Upset Colts by 16-7 for Title in the Super Bowl". New York Times. p. 1.
  11. "Football's Super Star; Joseph William Namath". New York Times. January 13, 1969. p. 32.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 Rank, Adam (18 March 2013). "Greatest Cinderella stories in NFL history". NFL.com. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  13. "Oakland Raiders Glory Year: The 1980 Cinderella Story". BleacherReport.com. 13 May 2009. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
  14. Martel, Charles (5 November 2014). "Rams Mid-Season Report Card: Quarterback". turfshowtimes.com. SB Nation. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
  15. Shaughnessy, Dan (February 4, 2008). "History derailed: Giants ruin Patriots' quest for perfection with 17-14 stunner". Boston Globe. p. A1.
  16. Ferguson, Mike (6 December 2013). "ACC Flashback Friday: 2006 Wake Forest Demon Deacons". collegesports.net. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  17. "The Jon Abbate Story to Become Motion Picture". WakeForestSports.com. Wake Forest Football. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  18. Forde, Pat (2 January 2007). "Broncos earn respect with improbable victory". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  19. Dvorak, Todd (1 December 2011). "Class of 2006 leaves big imprint on Boise State". Yahoo Sports. Associated Press. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  20. Jones, Mark (17 January 2014). "Football's 7 Greatest Cinderella Stories of All Time". BleacherReport.com. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  21. Kadiyala, Vishnu (2 December 2013). "The Danish Fairy Tale". Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  22. Rayner, Gordon; Brown, Oliver (2 May 2016). "Leicester City win Premier League and cost bookies biggest ever payout". News. The Telegraph. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  23. Granados, Nelson (3 May 2016). "Leicester City Wins English Premier League And Takes Over Social Media". Forbes.com. Forbes. Retrieved 4 May 2016. On Monday, Leicester City was crowned champion of the English Premier League. The biggest Cinderella story in soccer and sports had the happiest of endings, and the social media party has taken off.
  24. 1 2 Sullivan, Paul (October 22, 2008). "Amazin' turnabout; Rays' rise evokes memories of Mets' gripping run to '69 title". Chicago Tribune. p. 4.
  25. Collier, Clayton (14 June 2013). "Frank Robinson Still Swears Miracle Mets Scuffed Ball In Game 5 Of 1969 World Series". Mets Merized Online. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  26. Greenstein, Teddy (October 26, 2003). "Happy ending to fish tale; Beckett ices Yanks with 5-hit shutout". Chicago Tribune. p. 1.
  27. Sheinin, Dave (October 26, 2003). "King Fish; Beckett Blanks Yanks, Cinderella Marlins Stun New York in World Series, 4-2". Washington Post. p. E1.
  28. "Greatest best-of-7 comeback ever". whowins.com. WhoWins. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
  29. Shaughnessy, Dan (6 April 2006). Reversing the Curse: Inside the 2004 Boston Red Sox. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN 9780547346939. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  30. "Fresno State reaches historic postseason heights". ESPN.com. 2008-06-23. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
  31. Associated Press (2008-06-25). "Fresno State shocks Georgia for first CWS championship". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
  32. Fry, Jason (26 Jun 2008). "Fresno State Writes Happy Ending to Cinderella Story". wsj.com. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  33. Botkin, Trey (22 February 2010). "Reliving The Memories: 1966 Cinderella Texas Western". BleacherReport.com. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  34. Arnett, Autumn. "Glory Road". Black Sport the Magazine. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  35. Weinberg, Rick. "N.C. State dunks Houston in NCAA final". ESPN.com. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  36. Hollis, Randy (23 March 2010). "N.C. State was team of destiny in 1983". Deseret News. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  37. 1 2 "Top 10 Cinderella Runs in NBA Playoff History Include 2011 Memphis Grizzlies, 1969 Boston Celtics". NESN.com. 2 May 2011. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  38. Brunt, Stephen (2 October 2012). 100 Grey Cups: This Is Our Game. Random House LLC. ISBN 9780771017469. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  39. http://www.greatesthockeylegends.com/2008/04/1930s-hawks-had-american-dreams.html
  40. Fitzpatrick, Jamie. "Miracle on Ice: American Hockey's Defining Moment". About.com. Retrieved 2009-02-09.
  41. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1218100-la-kings-complete-cinderella-run-to-claim-stanley-cup-glory
  42. http://sports.blog.terra.com/2012/06/12/los-angeles-kings-finish-cinderella-run-with-rout-to-end-title-drought/
  43. http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nhl/story/_/id/8040622/los-angeles-kings-first-stanley-cup-was-long-time-coming
  44. Honda withdraws from Formula One racing from the International Herald Tribune
  45. Cary, Tom (2009-02-27). "Honda buy-out gets green light". The Daily Telegraph (London). Retrieved 2010-05-04.
  46. "Honda Announces Sale of the Honda Racing F1 Team" (Press release). Honda. 6 March 2009. Archived from the original on 16 May 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  47. Brilliant Button wins on Brawn debut.2009-03-29.eurosport.co.uk
  48. Button heads all Brawn front row|2009-03-27|ITV-F1.com
  49. Button gets dream win|2009-03-29|BBC Sport
  50. Classy Button wins abandoned race|2009-04-05|BBC Sport
  51. Benson, Andrew (26 April 2009). "Brilliant Button wins at Bahrain". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 April 2009.
  52. "Another Brawn 1–2 as Button takes arms". Autosport 196 (7): 30. 14 May 2009.
  53. "Ferrari powerless to stop Brawn". Retrieved 2009-07-04.
  54. Vettel flies home with RBR maiden win ITV-F1.com. 2009-04-19. Retrieved on 2009-04-19
  55. "Button halts Red Bull charge". Retrieved 2009-07-04.
  56. "Vettel charges to dominant win". Retrieved 2009-07-04.
  57. "Murray Walker answers questions".
  58. "Allen's star of qualifying".
  59. "Where everyone finished when Webber won at last".
  60. "Hamilton takes first win of 2009".
  61. Carline, Peter (2009-10-18). "Brazilian Grand Prix: Jenson Button seals world title with brilliant drive". Daily Mail (London). Retrieved 2009-10-22.
  62. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/147975-brawn-gp-win-has-brought-credibility-back-to-f1-but-old-guard-follow-near
  63. Collins, Sam (2009-10-18). "Brawn BGP-001: record breaker". Racecar Engineering. Retrieved 2009-10-21.
  64. http://championshiptalk.com/2010/12/08/fa-cup-upsets-and-cupsets-vol-1-barnsley-vanquish-liverpool-and-chelsea-in-2008/
  65. "Barnsley 1-0 Chelsea". BBC Sport (BBC). 8 March 2008. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  66. Skillen, Charlie (8 March 2013). "Where are they now? Barnsley's historic quarter-final win over giants Chelsea in 2008". Mail Online. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  67. Livingstone, Seth (October 23, 2008). "'Bossman,' DickieV boost Rays' Upton". USA Today. p. C4.
  68. Cafardo, Nick (October 30, 2008). "A great finish saved face". Boston Globe. p. C2.
  69. Robbins, Josh (October 30, 2008). "Phils end Rays' magic". Orlando Sentinel. p. D8. This Cinderella season did not end happily ever after...The Tampa Bay Rays' Cinderella season is over.
  70. 1991 International Year Book. Macmillan Educational Company. 1990. p. 447.
  71. "1989-90 Basketball Team Is Celebrated at LMU". 31 January 2010. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  72. http://www.ballineurope.com/national-teams/macedonia-angola-olympic-qualifiers-8884/
  73. http://www.businessinsider.com.au/bo-mccalebb-macedonia-2011-9
  74. "Suns: 1975-76". http://www.nba.com/suns/history/00521693.html. External link in |work= (help)
  75. Wise, Mike (June 26, 1999). "Knicks' Magic Ride is Over". New York Times. p. D1. After a moment of disbelief had passed over the crowd, they began clapping and saluting this implausible Knicks run that began with a miracle in Miami, swept through Atlanta, somehow overcame Indiana and ended with a four games to one loss in the league championship series.
  76. Roberts, Selena (June 26, 1999). "Spurs Win Title as Knicks ' Dream Ends". New York Times. p. A1. It was quite a finish to an improbable and enchanting playoff run for the Knicks.
  77. Albright, David (March 28, 2010). "RIT downs UNH, reaches Frozen Four". Retrieved November 15, 2011.
  78. Robinson, Alan (June 5, 2002). "Carolina canes Detroit, forcing fans to stow brooms". Associated Press. Carolina finished 25 points behind Detroit in the regular season, the largest gap in the Finals since the Rangers' 27-point edge over Vancouver in 1994.
  79. Marrapese-Burrell, Nancy (June 5, 2002). "Hurricanes do Damage; They Stun Wings by Winning in OT". Boston Globe. p. F1. The impressive Cinderella team continued its giant-killing ways at Joe Louis Arena last night, beating the Red Wings at the 58-second mark of overtime, 3-2, and capturing Game 1 of this best-of- seven series.
  80. Gallagher, Tony (June 10, 2010). "Cinderella ultimately a bridesmaid; Philly can't escape the noose this time". Vancouver Province. p. A60.
  81. Carchidi, Sam (June 10, 2010). "Sudden Death; Flyers' unforgettable run ends as Hawks win Cup". Philadelphia Inquirer. p. C1.
  82. http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/flyers/Remembering_the_2009-2010_Flyers.html
  83. Latham backs 'Cinderella-story' Cowboys - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
  84. Fearless Cowboys round up the Dogs - League - smh.com.au
  85. Cowboys shut out Broncos in NRL semi - League - smh.com.au
  86. Ready Roosters end Cows' dream run - League - www.smh.com.au
  87. Tigers maul Cowboys 50-6 in NRL - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events
  88. Tiger cubs savage Broncos - League - Sport - www.smh.com.au
  89. Dragons dream over as Tigers roll on - League - Sport - www.smh.com.au
  90. Fairytale for Wests Tigers - League - Sport - theage.com.au
  91. Wests Tigers win battle of the Cinderellas - League - Sport - theage.com.au
  92. "Drought finally broken as Dragons reign in Roosters in wet". Sydney Morning Herald. 4 October 2010. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  93. "Pearce the Roosters' main man: Carney". ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). 27 September 2010. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  94. Jancetic, Steve (1 October 2010). "Subplots galore as rivals chase glory". NRL.com. AAP. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  95. "Carney wins Dally M from Farah". Sydney Morning Herald. 7 September 2010. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  96. Unseeded Tsonga blows away Nadal to reach Australian Open final | Mail Online
  97. Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee - Australian Open 2008 - Tennis - Sport
  98. Battling Djokovic outlasts Tsonga – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Thursday, May 05, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.