Yogi Berra once said, “It’s not over until it’s over.” But history says it’s basically over.

The New York Yankees lost the first three games of the 2024 World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers, facing a 3-0 deficit that no team in the history of the Fall Classic has been able to overcome.

Sorry, Yogi, but the whole one-game-at-a-time mantra has yet to work in the World Series. Still, the Yankees are doing their best, winning 11-4 in Game 4 on Tuesday to avoid a sweep.

“We’re trying to play a game tomorrow,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters after Monday’s Game 3 loss when asked about his team’s chances. “That’s where our focus is. Hopefully we can tell this amazing story and shock the world. But right now it’s about trying to get a lead, win a game and then force another one.”

Coming back from even a 2-0 deficit in the World Series is rare, and history shows that coming back from a 3-0 deficit is nearly impossible. But for the Yankees, it’s now one down and three to go.

Has any team ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in the World Series?

No. No team has been able to come back from a 3-0 deficit in the World Series to win the championship, or even force a Game 6.

Of the 24 teams to take a 3-0 lead in the World Series prior to this season, 21 completed the sweep in Game 4. The 1970 Cincinnati Reds, who lost to the Baltimore Orioles, were the last team to forced a Game 5. after trailing 3-0 in the Fall Classic.

Has any team ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in the MLB playoffs?

Just one, and Yankees fans don’t need a reminder of this right now, but…

The 2004 Yankees blew a 3-0 series lead over the Boston Red Sox in the American League Championship Series. The Red Sox won four consecutive elimination games, including Game 6 and Game 7 on the road at Yankee Stadium to advance to the World Series.

There they defeated the St. Louis Cardinals to capture their first championship since 1918 and end “The Curse of the Bambino”.

Of the 40 MLB teams that took a 3-0 lead in a best-of-seven playoff series, 31 completed the sweep and five won the series in five games. Four teams trailing 3-0 reached a sixth game and two forced a decisive seventh game, according to MLB.com.

Has there ever been a sweep in the World Series?

There have been 21 World Series sweeps, the most recent in 2012 when the San Francisco Giants defeated the Detroit Tigers in four straight games.

The Yankees have been swept in the World Series three times.

How many teams have come back from 3-0 down in sports history?

Coming back from a 3-0 deficit in the postseason is rare in all sports.

It’s never been done before in the NBA. Four teams in NHL history have succeeded: the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs, the 1975 New York Islanders, the 2010 Philadelphia Flyers and the 2014 Los Angeles Kings.

Sara Gore talks to California Live’s Jessica Vilchis about the upcoming World Series between the New York Yankees and the LA Dodgers. They make a friendly bet and Sara samples some festive treats from Dough Donuts, Fortunato Brothers, Schmackary’s Cookies, Breads Bakery, Zaro’s Family Bakery and Junior’s.