15 Amateurs Who Got Called Up to the Big Leagues

In the words of now Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Marshall Mathers, “You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow. This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, Yo.” We can daydream about “our shot” all we want, but when the time comes, will we step up, or will mom’s spaghetti step up? These amateurs, as nervous as we’re sure they were, heeded the call, and suited up.

Movies will have you believe it happens pretty often, but it’s so incredibly rare for someone to be plucked out of obscurity and thrown into the limelight. For example, since the NHL began using emergency backup goalies, almost 10,000 NHL games have been played, and only 5 EBUGs (as they’re called) have been used. An insurance salesman, and a Zamboni driver did some stretches and actually faced shots from NHL players. 

And don’t worry, this list isn’t all about sports. We’ve got plenty of complete nobodies with zero acting ambitions who were (in one case) discovered on their front porch. Whether in the realms of sports or entertainment, here are 15 complete amateurs who were called up to the big leagues.