Expert: Tom Schott - 10/6/2007

Question
Hi, Tom. Has there ever been a year in which all the winners of the playoffs swept their opponents? Going into today (Saturday), it's still possible that that event could happen, with everyone standing at 2-0 in their series. Thanks in advance!

Answer
Diane,

  Since the beginning of the (insane) wild card playoffs in 1995, it's never happened; it's never been close. The only sweeps occurred early in the league championship series playoffs, when there were only best three of five series to determine the pennant in both leagues. It happened three times then:

1970    Baltimore 3  Minnesota 0
       Cincinnati 3 Pittsburgh 0

1971    Baltimore 3  Oakland 0
       Pittsburgh 3 San Francisco 0

1975    Boston 3  Oakland 0
       Cincinnati 3 Pittsburgh 0