Hoaxes have a strange way of slipping into history, especially when they come wrapped in believable detail and strong storytelling. Over time, many completely fictional people have fooled experts, institutions, and the public. Here are some of the most convincing invented figures who managed to pass as real and leave a lasting impression.
#1: Sidd Finch, Baseball’s Impossible Pitcher
On April Fools’ Day 1985, George Plimpton created Sidd Finch, a pitcher who could throw impossibly fast. Published in Sports Illustrated, the story fooled fans and media alike. It reflected both baseball’s popularity and how easily authority and detail can make fiction seem real.
