Underdog

An underdog is a person or team who is expected to lose in a contest or conflict. Though they are expected to lose, some time they will pull off the upset. In all three of the books I just read, there is a common theme of an underdogs being successful because they are determined to win.

In the book “Moneyball” by Michael Lewis, the theme of being an underdog is really demonstrated. The Oakland A’s had baseball’s second lowest payroll in the league, compared to the New York Yankee’s having the highest payroll in 2001. However, the A’s had 102 wins and 60 loses in contrast to the Yankee’s 95 wins and 65 loses. They were able to do this by signing up-coming rookies and under rated older players. That way the A’s were able to manage their payroll without having a superstar. The A’s payroll to wins ratio was half a million dollars, which is lower than any other team in major league baseball, and proved that with good money management you can win lots of games on a budget.

The “Hunger Games” series by Suzanne Collins is another underdog story. The Series tells the story of Katniss, Peeta, and the thirteen districts fighting against the capital for their freedom.  The capital has better trained men, more money, and the position of power. Katniss and company are fighting with a poorly trained and lesser equipped district. What the districts do have is the will to fight for freedom, like the colonist in the American Revolutionary War.

“April Morning” by Howard Fast, is a novel about the American Revolutionary War. The main character is a teenager named Adam Cooper who lived in Lexington, Massachusetts. When the British wanted to destroy supplies and stop the training of militia in concord. They marched though Lexington, until they met armed resistance. Adam cooper fought on the side of the militia against the British. The militias were the clear underdog in conflict, fighting with few supplies and lacking military training.

                                                                   

“April Morning” is just like the “Hunger Games” series and “Moneyball”, in that the underdog can defeat a wealthier, well equipped, and better trained opponent. What the underdogs do have in common is the determination to succeed.