Fansided

20 biggest sports scandals of all-time

By Josh Criswell

Mar 10, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants former outfielder Barry Bonds in the dugout prior to the game against the Chicago Cubs at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants former outfielder Barry Bonds in the dugout prior to the game against the Chicago Cubs at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 24, 2014; South Williamsport, PA, USA; A general view of the stadium during the game between the Asia-Pacific Region and the Great Lakes Region at Howard J. Lamade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 24, 2014; South Williamsport, PA, USA; A general view of the stadium during the game between the Asia-Pacific Region and the Great Lakes Region at Howard J. Lamade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

17. Danny Almonte and the 2001 Bronx Little League team

In 2001, the Rolando Paulino All-Stars from the Bronx took America by storm, led by a dominant pitcher named Danny Almonte.

Almonte quickly became the star of the Little League World Series. He recorded the first perfect game in the tournament’s history, striking out 16 batters. He topped out at 76-MPH on the radar gun, equivalent to 103-MPH at the MLB-level.

It was evident that the 5-foot-9 lefty had talent beyond his years. Unfortunately, it turns out that there was a good reason behind this.

Sports Illustrated uncovered that Almonte was actually two years too old to play Little League Baseball.

According to birth records in the Dominican Republic, where he was born, Almonte’s father registered his son’s birth for a second time in March of 2000. This time, he changed his birth year from 1987 to 1989. The registration occurred just weeks before Almonte would move to the states and become a Little League sensation.

Head coach Rolando Paulino and Almonte’s father had worked in conjunction in attempting to gain the competitive advantage. As a result, all of the team’s records, including their third-place finish and Almonte’s perfect game, were erased from the Little League record books.

Next: 16. Tonya Harding — Nancy Kerrigan

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