How exciting was it to watch this year’s 18 horses compete in the Kentucky Derby? The longshot Golden Tempo ran from dead last to crossing the finish line first, with odds of 23-1. Equally impressive was the first winning female trainer. True underdogs! And, congrats to another underdog, the World Series champ Milwaukee Brewers!
Where did the term “underdog” come from? In the 1800s, there were dog fights, and when a dog was pinned down by the winning dog on top, the terms “underdog” and “top dog” were coined. Now, the term “underdog” refers to a person or team that is likely to lose.
If we are not familiar with players in a competition, how do we choose? For over ten years, I participated in March Madness and picked college basketball teams based on statistics, locales, and even a couple of mascots. And then each year, I picked one or two based on a potential underdog win. When watching the games on television, I often cheered for an underdog over my high-ranking, picked team. Who doesn’t like the unexpected thrill of seeing a Cinderella beat a #1 or #2-ranked team? Let’s spread that victory and joy around!
The sports arena has a myriad of unexpected winners. The 1980 Olympics showcased the grit of the U.S. hockey team, beating Russia, and against all odds, the determined Jamaican bobsled team managed to compete in the 1988 Calgary Olympics.
Research suggests that youngsters tend to side with stronger, more dominant individuals as a reflection and preservation of self-interests. But if the stronger person uses force or bad behavior to get their own way, they might switch sides. As children mature, they may then develop moral values of justice and equality, with the underdog effect taking hold. An underdog gives us hope that we, too, may achieve unexpected success.
There are many examples of underdogs rising above expectations. One of the earliest stories is in the Bible. The shepherd, David, slew the giant warrior, Goliath, with only a stone and a slingshot. In business, look at other David and Goliath stories. How many of us stay in short-term rentals for trips these days? Airbnb and VRBO now challenge the expensive, old-fashioned hotel industry. In the beverage industry, do we order a Coors or Budweiser anymore? Today, it’s all about craft beer. Many successful corporations started in their humble garages, like Amazon, Google, HP, and Apple.
Some movies feature the underdog theme such as Rudy, Cinderella, Pretty Woman, Legally Blonde, and The Shawshank Redemption. The iconic 1976 movie, Rocky, began with a $1 million budget and earned over $225 million, receiving a Best Picture Oscar to boot!
Rags-to-riches exemplifies the Great American Dream. People like Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Carnegie and Dolly Parton defied all odds by rising from poverty and overcoming obstacles to achieve success and greatness. Playing on an emotional bias, in politics, a candidate might tout being raised by a single mom in a trailer park with hopes of aligning with potential, down-to-earth voters. People want a fair playing field that is often pitted against the well-oiled, wealthy establishment. A disadvantage might arouse a sense of injustice and empathy.
Why do we champion the “little guy?” A YouTuber has thoughts; are you in agreement? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIuRHEd-c5A
I can empathize with the “little guy;” I’m only 5’1”! All joking aside, I admire those who give us hope and optimism. Some in my generation might remember, “There’s no need to fear, Underdog is here,” from the ‘60s Saturday morning cartoon, Underdog. If we put in the intelligent hard work and perseverance, we have the possibility and opportunity for success and good fortune.
Who do you root for? What against all odds stories inspire you?
Bit by bit, that’s all she wrote…