Fooled them

Rosie Ruiz

Onlookers were amazed when Ruiz won the 1980 Boston Marathon by hardly dropping a bead of sweat. Ruiz’s reign at the top was cut short when race officials learned she entered the race in the final half-mile.

Danny Almonte

Almonte threw a perfect game in the 2001 Little League World Series for his team from the Bronx. It was an impressive feat until officials confirmed that Almonte was a 14-year-old, two years over the Little League age limit.

Sidd Finch

The creation of Sports Illustrated writer George Plimpton, who said Finch could throw 168 mph accurately. Some readers failed to realize the article ran in the April 1 edition of the magazine.

Dave Bresnahan

Catcher for the double-A Williamsport Bills. Bresnahan attempted to pick off a runner at third during a game, only his throw sailed over the third baseman’s head. Unfortunately for the runner, Bresnahan had not thrown the ball, but rather a potato, and tagged the runner out as he trotted home. Bresnahan was released the next day by the Bills’ parent club, the Cleveland Indians.

Aurelio Rodriguez

The former Angels third baseman got a batboy to replace him on the photo shoot of his 1969 rookie card. The error was never corrected.