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|  | | | | 'We're Not Number One!' — The Worst Franchises In Pro Sports | | | | | found on ESPN
written by chiaboy, edited by Humberto (Plastic) [ read unedited ]
posted Thu 6 Mar 2:45pm | | | | |
 | "We've discussed the best, now what about the worst?," asks chiaboy. "The Los Angeles Clippers fired their 24th coach this week and top Jim Armstrong's list of '10 worst franchises in pro sports'. As top-ten lists are intended to do, this one has its fair share of notable omissions and arguable points. No Boston Redsox, cannon fodder for New York? No Chicago Cubs and their cheery, beery, woefulness? What is 'worst' anyways? Is it worse to choke when it really matters or to play consistently half-heartedly? And while we take a moment to remember the 20 year anniversary of the USFL, let's not limit ourselves to the 'Big 4' leagues. Seriously, what are the worst pro-sports franchises?"
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[ more plastic... ] |
| | | | | | | | | 2. Wrong Detroit Team. | | | | by Saige |  | | | at Thu 6 Mar 3:13pm | score of 1.5 helpful | | | | | | |
The Tigers made the list, but not the Lions?? The Tigers won the world series multiple times. They may suck, and have sucked for quite a while, but they were champions in the past.
The Lions, on the other hand, are well known for being able to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Heck, the Bengals are on there, and they have actually been to the Superbowl. What are they thinking? How many NFL teams have never made it to the big game? Not that many...
Hehe, I guess you could look at it as they're so bad, they even lose out when people are looking at the worst teams. :)
--'ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge' - Darwin
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| | | | | | 3. Re: Wrong Detroit Team. | | | | by Remo1 | | | | at Thu 6 Mar 3:22pm | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 2 | | | | | |
Hehe, I guess you could look at it as they're so bad, they even lose out when people are looking at the worst teams. :)
Yes, I am in awe of the Lions ability to stink up a stadium. But my O's will get there! Just you wait!
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| | | | | | 5. I think it should be obvious to anyone concerned.. | | | | by tlon_uqbar | | | | at Thu 6 Mar 3:49pm | score of 1.5 obnoxious | | | | | | |
All franchises located in Phoenix are, by the very nature of their location and the fans in the area, the worst franchises on the planet. This includes not only the Cardinals and Suns, but also the Coyotes, Diamondbacks, whatever Arena League team they have and any other franchises. I'd even bet their bowling leagues suck. Hell, look at the number one pro golfer out of Phoenix, Phil Mickelson...if he isn't the poster boy for suckage, I don't know who is.
As I noted in the sub-Q, everything about Phoenix sucks...but this applies in particular to their professional sports. The Cardinals are only Exhibit A in the city's long history of athletic failure. Bidwell is without a doubt the worst owner in the history of sports and will do nothing to ever make that team competative. Not that the "fans" in the city would ever care, they're all Dallas Cowboy fans...well, they're probably now all Buckaneer fans or whoever is the team d'jour for bandwagoners. Let's just say that the city and Bidwell deserve each other.
But what about the Diamondbacks, you ask? Yeah, they won a world series a couple years back...actually they bought it. Jerry Colangelo (who was unable to make it in a real city like Chicago) moved out to Phoenix and bought himself a world series ring. But even that wasn't enough to keep the franchise from teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. Not that it matters how the DBacks do, since everyone from Phoenix is a Dodger fan (or whoever is winning; see above)
So all you people out in Phoenix (and I use "people" in the loosest possible sense), it's best to simply resign yourself to the ineptitude of your teams, much as you've probably resigned yourself to the ineptitude of your sorry, pathetic lives.
-- gh
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| | | | | | 15. Re: I think it should be obvious to anyone | | | | by JET24 |  | | | at Thu 6 Mar 4:51pm | score of 2.5 brilliant | | in reply to comment 5 | | | | | |
Wow. You have a lot of hostility toward Phoenix. Now, allow me to retort:
Bidwell is without a doubt the worst owner in the history of sports and will do nothing to ever make that team competative (sic).
No doubting you there. I think the Cardinals belong on the top of this list, or at least close to the Clippers. The NBA isn't doing as well as it has in the past, but the NFL is America's Sport (tm). To screw it up, year after year, and establish such apathy in the process takes a real amazing amount of ineptitude.
But what about the Diamondbacks, you ask? Yeah, they won a world series a couple years back...actually they bought it.
Actually, they didn't buy it, they won it fair and square in one of the most competitive and exciting World Series events in the history of the sport. According to these links here, there were 7 MLB teams with a higher payroll that year and a couple others that were within $5 million. In addition, some of their highest paid players (Matt Williams, Jay Bell, Todd Stottlemeyer) weren't even big factors in their success that year. To say the D'Backs "bought" the World Series is grossly unfair and completely inaccurate. They spent enough money to compete and beat a Yankees team that had a payroll nearly $20 million higher that year.
Not that it matters how the DBacks do, since everyone from Phoenix is a Dodger fan (or whoever is winning; see above)
You obviously have not been here for many years. The D'Backs have taken over the loyalties of most fans here. There are still some Cubs fans (transplants from Chicago) and some Giants fans (the AAA Firebirds were the Giants' farm club here for many years prior to the D'Backs). Also, there are 10 or 12 teams here for Spring Training every year, and that builds a fan base for other teams as well. Still, the vast majority of residents here would list the D'Backs as their favorite team. And the Dodgers are NOT well-liked...they aren't here for spring ball, and they compete against the D'Backs.
So all you people out in Phoenix (and I use "people" in the loosest possible sense), it's best to simply resign yourself to the ineptitude of your teams, much as you've probably resigned yourself to the ineptitude of your sorry, pathetic lives.
This is just obnoxiously mean and completely wrong. If our lives were so sorry and pathetic, no one would want to live here, right? So why is that our area is the second-fastest in new residents in the nation? The fact is, Phoenix is a very nice place to live 8 months out of the year. The winters are very enjoyable, it's one of the cleanest large cities you'll see, and the people tend to be very nice. My one large complaint is the lack of culture or tradition...and I hope that will come with time. Until then, keep your ridiculous generalizations to yourself.
Religion don't mean a thing; it's just another way to be right. - Spoon
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| | | | | 17. Re: I think it should be obvious to anyone | | | | by shadarr | | | | at Thu 6 Mar 4:59pm | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 15 | | | | | |
The Cardinals can't be at the top of the list because they play in the same league as the Bengals. You could make a case that the Bengals and Cardinals should be 1-2, but no way can the Cards be number one. The Cardinals are merely mediocre, they don't have the history of total failure that the Bengals have to draw on when pushing fans and free agents away.
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| | | | | 33. Re: I think it should be obvious to anyone | | | | by eeksypeeksy | | | | at Fri 7 Mar 6:31am | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 15 | | | | | |
If our lives were so sorry and pathetic, no one would want to live here, right?
Maybe the place attracts sorry and pathetic people. It could be the bug light for sorry and pathetic people.
(But I'm kidding you. I've never been there.)
(Because I'm not sorry and pathetic.)
(Heh.)
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| | | | | 23. Re: I think it should be obvious to anyone | | | | by rombuu | | | | at Thu 6 Mar 6:55pm | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 17 | | | | | |
I'm sorry, the Bengals are bad, but the simply don't have the force of history behind them that the Cards do, be it the Arizona, St. Louis, or Chicago versions. We are talking about a team that has won one playoff game since 1947, and its not like they have a great history before then. Give the Bengals another 40 years of futility and they might start to approach Cardinal levels of suckness.
http://drlunch.com The site that helps you decide where to go to lunch!
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| | | | | 25. Re: I think it should be obvious to anyone | | | | by OmnipotenceNet | | | | at Thu 6 Mar 7:23pm | score of 1.5 informative | | in reply to comment 5 | | | | | |
whatever Arena League team they have
Actually the Phoenix Rattlers Arena Football team is one of the best franchises in the AFL, with two championships out of the league's twelve years.
Secondly, be assured that those of us who live in the Phoenix metro area are homo sapiens just like you, except that our women are better looking than yours.
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| | | | | 32. Re: I think it should be obvious to anyone | | | | by tdahnsn |  | | | at Fri 7 Mar 6:28am | score of 0.5 irrelevant | | in reply to comment 5 | | | | | |
Y'know, if anyone ever lets me get going with my plan to plow worthless hell-holes like Albany into the ground, I think we can definitely make a deal for Phoenix.
Why? What's the most callous thing you've said today?
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| | | | | 48. What's wrong with Albany, New York? | | | | by Pseydtonne | | | | at Fri 7 Mar 9:21am | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 32 | | | | | |
How in the blazes did the capital of a state 2500 miles from Phoenix even wind up in this discussion? We're talking about sucky teams. Albany only has some minor-league hockey and baseball and a college football team. How is that germane?
Relevance, dude! C'mon!
I miss Albany sometimes. My cousin runs a great burrito shop there. I have a friend moving there right now. Oh sure, I live in Boston now. I still miss that haven of bureaucracy and multi-million dollar boondoggles, Albany. I miss the Capital Mall, a plaza no one wants to use but looked so modern when I was 5 back in 1980. I miss Lark Street. I miss the record shops and the ever-widening expressways.
Oh, for the record: I'm glad Boston got left out of the stack. The writers at ESPN are partly biased (cuz they're in Connecticut, but that state is the rogue state of New England so it's still nice of them so stay schtum) but they understand epic drama. The Red Sox get going in April, making other teams worry that perhaps teamwork may actually help a team. Then July comes and all the black magic shows up. How many broken wrists was it in 2001? Gah.
So leave Albany out of this. The home of the song "I Wanna Be a Lifeguard" did nothing wrong to sports. If you need an upstate NYS city to hate, blame Syracuse for being home of the 24-second shot clock. Boy did that ever ruin the amazing defense strategies of basketball... tee-hee...
-area code 518 in the hizow, Ps/d
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| | | | | 56. Re: What's wrong with Albany, New York? | | | | by tdahnsn | | | | at Fri 7 Mar 10:42am | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 48 | | | | | |
Oh, you must have missed my rambling posts in another discussion about plowing Albany into the ground, along with a great many other places that really shouldn't be allowed to go on...
As for relevance and remaining on topic...I ain't never been good on that.
Why? What's the most callous thing you've said today?
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| | | | | 62. Re: What's wrong with Albany, New York? | | | | by n0her0es | | | | at Fri 7 Mar 11:32am | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 48 | | | | | |
Okay, I'll make Albany-bashing relevant. 3 words- Capital. Region. Pontiacs. A bunch of dumbshit car dealers from the area bought our CBA team and made them into a living, basketball-playing commercial.
No matter how bad the AZ Cardinals or Bengals might be, at least they're not shilling for a bunch of guys with bad tans in ugly suits.
I don't think they even lasted a full year as the Pontiacs.
518 represent-
Tim
Who's got the real anti-parent culture sound?
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| | | | | 64. Re: What's wrong with Albany, New York? | | | | by cpg | | | | at Fri 7 Mar 1:32pm | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 62 | | | | | |
In a previous discussion, an idea was advanced not to plow under, but to flood the Capital District.
This would have the effect of putting Albany, Schenectady, and downtown Troy out of misery, while keeping RPI intact (under my plan, we stop the flood waters at the bottom of the Approach).
Since RPI has the only successful sports team in Capital District history, the RPI Engineers NCAA Division I ice hockey team, winners of two NCAA championships (alas, 2002-03 has not been a good year), such an action will solve all our CD problems, sports related or otherwise.
Sic hoc adfixum in obice legere potes, et liberaliter educatus et nimis propinquus ades.
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| | | | | 40. Re: I think it should be obvious to anyone | | | | by nmiguy | | | | at Fri 7 Mar 7:41am | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 5 | | | | | |
The Diamondbacks do NOT belong in this conversation. The team has got players with heart, Schilling & Randy etc.
They are a good team and their franchise is not in the lowly caliber of say the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
The Detroit Lions belong on the list.
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| | | | | | 6. The Cinn. Bungles Still a Contender for worst team | | | | by Philosawyer | | | | at Thu 6 Mar 3:56pm | score of 1 | | | | | | |
Although this story ran back in October, not much has changed to make the Bengals look much better. a www.plastic.com link I remain a faithful fan despite their complete ineptness.
The marketing division of the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation defines a robot as "Your plastic pal who's fun to be with."
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| | | | | | 27. Re: The Cinn. Bungles Still a Contender for worst | | | | by StratKat | | | | at Thu 6 Mar 8:56pm | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 6 | | | | | |
I too, have suffered. I was a loyal Houston Oiler fan, until they moved. That ended my suffering, or so I thought. Now I'm a Texans fan, (could never bring myself to embrace Dallas), and looking forward to many more years of suffering. At least I don't have to look at Bud Adams anymore though.
But I have the utmost respect for loyal loser team fans. I deeply respect Chicago Cubs fans as well. I wonder if it's just a psychological bonding with fellow travellers in the world of self-flaggelation.
You take the slide rule, I'll take the bottleneck....
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| | | | | 38. The Sports Martyr Complex | | | | by Philosawyer | | | | at Fri 7 Mar 6:51am | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 27 | | | | | |
Sticking with a complete loser is a form of martyr complex. Sticking with your team through thick and thin feels more authentic as opposed to rainy day fan who change allegiances to go with winners. It also is consistent with a wish to pull for the underdog.
If for example, the Bengals completely turned everything around and became great and popular, I would be among the true fans and not those jumping on the bandwagon. I also have supported the Seatle Seahawks because I could be fan from the very start. Unfortunately, the Bengals may never turn their game around or at least not until long after my death.
The marketing division of the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation defines a robot as "Your plastic pal who's fun to be with."
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| | | | | | | 18. Re: The Cardinals (football) | | | | by chiaboy | | | | at Thu 6 Mar 5:00pm | score of 1.5 funny | | in reply to comment 8 | | | | | |
My favourite Arizona Cardinal moment was on MNF when Rod Tidwell made that catch in the endzone and we all thought he was paralyzed. Then he got up and danced and jumped into the crowd. Good times...
Can a puma challenge a lion for king of the jungle?
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| | | | | 53. Best Sobriquet Ever | | | | by Phaedrus | | | | at Fri 7 Mar 10:13am | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 8 | | | | | |
Whenever the writer of The Tuesday Morning Quarterback column on Slate has to refer to Arizona's team, he will invariably write it out as: "The Arizona (WARNING: MAY CONTAIN FOOTBALL-LIKE SUBSTANCE) Cardinals."
He also calls the Washington Redskins "The Chesapeake Watershed Region Indigenous Persons," but that's another issue, for another thread.
"And what is good, Phaedrus,And what is not good-Need we ask anyone to tell us these things?""
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| | | | | | 9. Buffalo Bills | | | | by Billbill | | | | at Thu 6 Mar 4:24pm | score of 1 | | | | | | |
A team that always manages to grasp defeat from the jaws of victory. Stomped in the Super Bowl 4 years in a row, then trade your best players? A truly subtle plan at work, no doubt. Build an 80,000 seat stadium in a city of 300,000, thereby ensuring no tv coverage. Oh, and build the stadium on the edge of Lake Erie. With an average snowfall of 93 inches, make sure to leave off a roof, otherwise you might have to host a Super Bowl.
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| | | | | | 11. Re: Buffalo Bills | | | | by chiaboy | | | | at Thu 6 Mar 4:27pm | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 9 | | | | | |
yeah, I have to agree with you. Woeful ineptitude you just sort of get used to it. But it doesn't break your heart. This year my favourite football team (the Raiders) and my favourite baseball team (the Giants) both went to the Big Dance. Both got crushed. I don't think I have hurt this much in a single pro-sports season in my life.
Can a puma challenge a lion for king of the jungle?
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| | | | | 13. Re: Buffalo Bills | | | | by Misch | | | | at Thu 6 Mar 4:37pm | score of 2 informative | | in reply to comment 9 | | | | | |
Well, I saw all but two of the games last year on TV (and I live in their blackout range). The capacity of the stadium has actually been reduced to about 74,000. And the population figure of 300,000 is only for the city proper. You're forgetting all the outlying suburbs. Erie county has a population of roughly 968,000 (1990 census).
The team attracts fans from Erie PA, Rochester, and Syracuse. Each game week, Amtrak runs special trains and buses from these cities to service the games. When Cleveland lost their team many years ago, the Bills had special games and brought fans over to see the team.
The bills owner Ralph Wilson is practically a genius in how he keeps the team running every year. They went 8-8 last season after a dismal 3-13 year.
Sure, we don't get to host a super bowl, but you know what? Oh well! We'll take the weather advantage and the ability to open the door in the back of the tunnel and cause a little extra turbulence while the other team is trying to kick a field goal. ;-)
A lot of those other teams are on that list because they suck and don't have a community to support them. That's why the Bills succeed where others fail.
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| | | | | 50. Re: Buffalo Bills | | | | by PeteDMeat | | | | at Fri 7 Mar 9:52am | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 13 | | | | | |
Sure, we don't get to host a super bowl, but you know what? Oh well! We'll take the weather advantage and the ability to open the door in the back of the tunnel and cause a little extra turbulence while the other team is trying to kick a field goal. ;-)
Your not going to get any Superbowls in cold, snowy locations. Ok, Minnesota had it once, but never again. The reason? Think about all the activities leading up to the Super Bowl. All the corporate executives flying out to watch the game. These people don't like cold weather. Cold weather during the Super Bowl is bad for the Super Bowl.
Last words are for fools who haven't said enough.
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| | | | | 34. Another way to look at those 4 Super Bowls | | | | by alumshubby | | | | at Fri 7 Mar 6:32am | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 9 | | | | | |
I'm reminded of the time that Brian Sipe (QB of the "Kardiac Kids" Cleveland Browns under Sam Rutigliano) threw that famous ""Mistake on the Lake" and the Browns didn't advance to the Super Bowl in 1980. There was going to be a victory party afterward, and when Sipe walked in and looked around at all the long faces, he said "C'mon, guys. If you knew at the beginning of this season that we'd get this far, wouldn't you actually have been happy about it?" Everybody pondered that for a minute. They looked around at one another, they grinned sheepishly, and then they smiled broadly. The funereal atmosphere turned triumphal as they celebrated an amazingly successful and fun year.
In that light, I salute the Bills for having the consistency to make it to the Super Bowl four years in a row -- a feat no other team has matched before or since. Especially so because I think it's harder to get to the Super Bowl than to overcome all the hype and win the damn thing anyway. (Ever notice how often the favored team gets upset?)
"How many light bulbs does it take to change a person?"
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| | | | | 51. Re: Another way to look at those 4 Super Bowls | | | | by OSULugan | | | | at Fri 7 Mar 10:04am | score of 1.5 funny | | in reply to comment 34 | | | | | |
(Ever notice how often the favored team gets upset?)
IIRC, it was a 0% rate when the Bills were on that 4-year streak.
The best part of that streak was the year when the NFL decided to just replay the Cowboys beating the snot out of the Bills on T.V., instead of actually having a Super Bowl that year..
And God says, "No, that's not right." Yeah. Well. Whatever. You can't teach God anything.
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| | | | | | 14. Sometimes it's the players | | | | by thatdawg | | | | at Thu 6 Mar 4:42pm | score of 1.5 astute | | | | | | |
that make a team suck. Sometimes its the coach, although with the Clippers, I think he played the fall guy.
Too many times though, it's the owner and the upper management. The point is, that if an owner and company are making money (which they are in the case of the Clippers, believe it or not) they may not be inclined to do something like going out and hiring a group of really good players, because good players cost money. Instead, you stick with the youngsters, the up-and coming, and the has-beens. Then when they fail, you blame the team for not playing hard enough.
So, you have an owner who could really care less about going for a championship, and upper management who could care less about what the team is doing, as long as the bottom line comes out in the black. So what is a team to do?
Oddly, the Dallas Mavericks were in the same type of death spiral the Clippers are in, until Mark Cuban bought the franchise. Now look where they are.
Oh Blinding Light/ Oh light that blinds/ I cannot see/ Look out for me...
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| | | | | | 16. Re: Sometimes it's the players | | | | by chiaboy | | | | at Thu 6 Mar 4:54pm | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 14 | | | | | |
no doubt that owners/management make all the difference in the world. (your Mark Cuban example is right on target. They were doormats...)
I read a story about the worst owners in sports a while back and they were talking about Clippers owner Donald Sterling who is notoriously cheap. (and how his ways steep down through the Clip's culture) After games they have a spread of food for the players and he used to go through afterwards and wrap up and take home the leftovers. (In a way I respect the frugality) The players were certainly less than inspired. After the story came out, he no longer does this.
Can a puma challenge a lion for king of the jungle?
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| | | | | 39. Re: Sometimes it's the players | | | | by eidilon | | | | at Fri 7 Mar 7:22am | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 14 | | | | | |
I agree completely. Take a look at the Kansas City Royals. Everyone complains about the Yankees and teams not being able to compete without the money. Now there is a revenue sharing agreement of sorts in baseball but what do the Royals do when they're handed a check for several million dollars from the Yankees? They cut payroll to put that money directly in the owners' pockets.
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| | | | | | | 73. Re: Worst. Team. Ever. | | | | by Nagash | | | | at Fri 7 Mar 6:25pm | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 19 | | | | | |
Actually, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of 1976 (inaugural season) in the NFL went 0-14 and only scored 125 points. Ouch.
Another horrible showing by a team in their first season was the 1974-75 Washington Capitals in the NHL. They played 80 games and lost 67 winning 8, with 5 ties for only 21 points. They scored a measly 181 goals (2.26 a game).
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| | | | | | 20. Back when I was growing up... | | | | by MAYORBOB | | | | at Thu 6 Mar 5:38pm | score of 1 | | | | | | |
...the most hated sports franchise among my friends was always the New York Yankees. This was because, during the period of my youth, when I was following baseball, they won everything. Except for 1959 when my beloved White Sox beat them. Damn Yankees!
Tending to final details.
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| | | | | | | 22. Re: Worst franchises in pro sports? | | | | by miles | | | | at Thu 6 Mar 6:23pm | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 21 | | | | | |
I think a dog ate my post.
You do have some bad ones, there in Chicago. Really bad. Now. However, you had many seasons of glory with the Bulls & MJ, only a few years ago.
For long term all-sport futility, I don't think there's a city that can compete with my native Philadelphia. It's been 20 years since the last championship was won by any Philly team - the Sixers over the Lakers in '83.
I was only 5, and have no memory of it. I have been a sports fan pretty much ever since, loyal in my allegiences through moves to L.A., D.C., and now Boston, and have never experienced one of "my" teams winning a championship.
Being around here when the Patriots won, last year, was a remarkable experience; it was very cool, feeling the mob-ecstasy of the crowd where I was watching, just people going nuts, hugging strangers, screaming. But. It kind of made me realize what I'd been missing, going without all these years.
this is an experiment designed to elicit an emotional response
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| | | | | 24. Re: Worst franchises in pro sports? | | | | by HavDog | | | | at Thu 6 Mar 7:03pm | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 22 | | | | | |
As a fellow devoted Philly sports fan of around the same age, I would have to good-naturedly disagree. While the best years of Philly sports were our toddler years, you have to admit that the teams have put on an interesting show at times. The 1993 Phillies, three straight good seasons for the Eagles, a Stanley Cup Finals run (albeit sweep) for the Flyers and the Sixers making the NBA Finals 2 years ago. Ya, they have just been teasing us, but we've seen all but the Eagles in their sports championships in our teens and 20's. Its been fun, and we've got the Sixers and Flyers playoff runs to look forward to, and a promising baseball team (that could admittedly fold pretty quickly) for the first time in a while. It ain't so bad.
HavDog
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| | | | | 43. The Curse of Billy Penn | | | | by lifeform | | | | at Fri 7 Mar 7:58am | score of 1.5 interesting | | in reply to comment 22 | | | | | |
No major Philadelphia sports franchise has won a championship since the Sixers won in 1983 -- the same year that the city changed its zoning laws to allow contractors to build taller than the statue of William Penn, which sits atop Philadelphia's City Hall.
In an effort to break the curse, then-Mayor Ed Rendell, an avid Philly sports fan, authorized a giant Phillies cap to be constructed and placed upon Billy Penn's head during the Phils 1993 World Series appearance. I am not making this up. The Phillies lost to Toronto in six games.
Several years later, a giant Flyers jersey was placed on the statue when the hockey team made it to the Stanley Cup Finals, only to be swept in four games by the Red Wings.
I understand that that the Sixers specifically asked the city not to give the statue a similar treatment when they reached the NBA finals two years ago. No matter, they lost to the Lakers 4-1.
Much to my chagrin, the Curse of Billy Penn is now 20 years old. Here's hoping the Thome-led Phillies can break the spell.
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| | | | | 58. Re: Worst franchises in pro sports? | | | | by fresh hobo | | | | at Fri 7 Mar 11:07am | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 22 | | | | | |
I was born and raised in Southeast Pennsylvania, and I have the advantage/disadvantage of a few years on you. Advantage because I witnessed most of those good 70s-80s Philadelphia teams. 1980 was such a great year! I was eight years old, and all 4 Philadelphia teams made the finals.
My favorite personal memory is 1983, when the Sixers acquired Moses Malone and dropped the big elbow on everyone, sweeping the Celtics and the Lakers. Finally, revenge for all of the curbings given to them over the past 3 seasons.
The disadvantage is that as a youngster I thought it would be like that always, a naivety I had knocked out of me by the time I was 12.
Come down off the cross, we can use the wood. - Tom Waits
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| | | | | 54. Re: Worst franchises in pro sports? | | | | by PeteDMeat | | | | at Fri 7 Mar 10:18am | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 21 | | | | | |
Now being a loyal Chicago sports fan, I have to disagree!
Sure, we've had our bad years. Quite a bit of em. But then we have the good ones too.
Da' Bulls: First off. The Jerry's should be shot. I don't care how much he's asking for, you pay it to MJ. Hell, give him part ownership of the team. MJ is the one person who could beat Daley for Mayor if he ever decided to. They'll be in the doldrums for the next 5 or so years, but I see an eventual turnaround.
Da' Bears: See, there is actually some promise with them in the next 3 or 4 years. They released Jim Miller & Big Cat, and have picked up some free agents. They'll probably make the playoffs this year. Their two biggest problems. The McCasky's. The horrendous bastardization of Soldiers Field. Ugh...
Da' Hawks: In serious need of an overhaul. Fun to watch, but they dont have particularly winning ways.
Da' Cubs: Have a great farm system going. Expect some playoff success within the next 3 or so years. Now that Wrigley is more and more looking like its going to be put on the Register of Historical Places, I think the Cubs are set. I think the Tribune Company should buy the "houses" out on Waveland that overlook the feild and convert them back to actual apartments. Then allow the owners to rooftop it again, and require no cover charge. The rooftops just have such great mystique that I think its a shame they are trying to block them.
Thats my view on all the relevant Chicago sports franchises.
Last words are for fools who haven't said enough.
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| | | | | 68. Re: Worst franchises in pro sports? | | | | by irrahe | | | | at Fri 7 Mar 2:25pm | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 54 | | | | | |
Pete - you live on "da" North Side, donchya?
You borrowed da classic Chicago dialect without mentioning da udder baseball team in town. Da one dat talks like dis and dat - Da' White Sox. Or does your caveat of 'relevant Chicago sports franchises' lump them in wit da Wolves, da Fire, and da whuddayacallit indoor areana football team?
I know, they're easy to forget, and the stadium is... well... would best be used to house a landfill than play ball. Some would suggest that it is doing just that right now tho...
So, what's your take on Da' Sox?
Intergalactic Planetary
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| | | | | 69. Re: Worst franchises in pro sports? | | | | by PeteDMeat | | | | at Fri 7 Mar 3:32pm | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 68 | | | | | |
I'm actually a south sider.
A FAR south-east sider.
Far enough to technically be a Northwesterner.
I was a White Sox fan in my youth. And then, there was the Baseball strike season. Remember that year? The Sox were doing awesome. Playoff bound, and good things were said for em. Then there was the strike. After that point, I became a North Sider at heart.
My dad has an office in a factory that overlooks Comi....oh, sorry, U.S. Cellular Field. I remember when I first saw it. I hate that park. I remember going to a baseball game and being at the top of the upper deck. Lets talk pointless!
Every time I think the Sox might do well, they horribly horribly melt down. Didn't they have the best record in Baseball last year? Didnt they get swept in the first round?
Morally, I cannot root for the Sox. Too much deep seeded hatred.
Last words are for fools who haven't said enough.
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| | | | | | 26. Vikes ... | | | | by thomp | | | | at Thu 6 Mar 8:12pm | score of 1 | | | | | | |
Vikings are 0-4 in Super Bowls, and always seem to choke at the worst time regardless of who's playing and/or coaching. Has there been a season yet where at least one player didn't end up in jail? Heck, even coach Denny Green had the police hauling his ass down to the station. And, finally, two more words: Les Steckel.
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| | | | | | | 28. You Made Me Love You- I Didn't Want to Do It | | | | by tightlikethis | | | | at Thu 6 Mar 9:13pm | score of 1.5 astute | | | | | | |
This brings up an ongoing discussion I've had with fellow sports fans- whether it is worse to be a fan of a team that never comes close to competing or a team that comes close to winning it all yet falling short. Having grown up in Cincinnati (where the Bengals have not competed in well over a decade), it doesn't take too much effort to follow the Bengals since they never come close to competing- there's no emotional investment in a season that's virtually over before it's begun.
Ah, but to be a Red Sox fan (or Vikings, say), that's a different sort of disappointment and a more profound one- because it's about going to the playoffs, getting to the final game, sometimes the final play or out, and blowing it, often in spectacular fashion. That's an operatic sort of disappointment that must really test a fan's patience. There's an entire season of investment there, only to be jerked away at the last minute. But at least they're competing...
The worst franchises are the ones that never put their fans in the position of caring, whether because of incompetence (Bengals) or seeming stinginess (Cubs).
"Fake is as old as the Eden Tree." - Orson Welles
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| | | | | | 31. Re: You Made Me Love You- I Didn't Want to Do It | | | | by helper monkey | | | | at Fri 7 Mar 12:24am | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 28 | | | | | |
Being from Pittsburgh, I gotta say it's much better to be a Steelers fan than a Pirates fan. Sorta like how it's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved before.
Of course, as an Iowa Hawkeyes fan, I also know the suckage of watching helplessly as your team chokes in what should have been the pinnacle of its greatness.
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| | | | | 46. Re: You Made Me Love You- I Didn't Want to Do It | | | | by tightlikethis | | | | at Fri 7 Mar 8:46am | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 31 | | | | | |
Funny you should mention the Iowa Hawkeyes, as I now live in Iowa City...which choking are you referring to: the collapse of the footaball team in its bowl game or the basketball team's continual 2nd half meltdowns?
Also, I think one of the frustrating things about being a sports fan isn't just coming close and failing, but coming close and failing several times. I know that growing up in the Cincinnati area in the 1970's, I was reared to expect a certain amount of success from the Reds. That's what made the 80's all the more frustrating (finishing with the best record in baseball in '81 and not going to the playoffs, 4 consecutive second place finishes 1985-88). For instance, 1982 (when the Reds lost 101 games) was horrible to be sure, but I knew fairly early not to expect good things. The second-place finish years seemed worse because they repeatedly stayed in the race until late in the season only to blow it in September.
"Fake is as old as the Eden Tree." - Orson Welles
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| | | | | | 30. Thanks for at least mentioning the Cubs... | | | | by solitarysuburbanite | | | | at Fri 7 Mar 12:13am | score of 1.5 astute | | | | | | |
See, here's the thing about the Cubs.
They have no reason to be good.
Their team roster is never awful; in fact they get some good players every now and again, and sometimes they keep them (coughcoughgregmadduxcough). They have a beautiful place to play and season long coverage on WGN, not to mention a giant bankroll.
So what do they need to start winning for?
If they won a substantial number of games, like they did not so long ago - even making it to the playoffs via wildcard - then Andy McPhail would have to spend money on getting more players that weren't over 45 and mostly washed up. Obviously, he is simply not up to the task of actually running a team; actually, he doesn't even really own the Cubs, he's more like a custodian. It's like he's watching the Cubs while their real owner is out of town for the foreseeable future.
So, the Cubs do suck. But unlike many other pro teams, they know it. They just don't care. Except for Mark Grace, who knew it, got the hell out, and got his ring. God bless 'em. *sniff*
And none of this at all addresses my personal theory that the Cubs are the Black Hole of Sports Performance™ - i.e., they can take a guy like Fred McGriff, who is an otherwise pretty good player, and make him a laughing stock. Then he gets traded, and he's back to normal. What happens between the player entrance to Wrigley and the bench that makes many otherwise good players so bad? The world may never know...
But I will always love them. Sad really.
Peculiar travel suggestions are dancing lessons from God.
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| | | | | | 55. Re: Thanks for at least mentioning the Cubs... | | | | by eatindrinkin | | | | at Fri 7 Mar 10:21am | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 30 | | | | | |
I think most cubs fans, and i am one, really don't care about how good or bad the team is. It is about the tradition and the fun of root, root, rooting for the home team.
I am living in denver now and try to go to every cubs/rockies game. The upper decks are always filled with starry eyed drunks who continue their adolation long after the ineptly played game is decided.
To the cubby nation, the actual baseball is about as important as the dj is to a wedding party. It is the event and the experience that matter. That said, if the cubs organization starts messing around with wriggly then they might actually have to field a better team.
i eat my peas with honey, i've done it all my life, it does taste rather funny, but it keeps them on the knife.
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| | | | | | 35. And the Red Sox shouldn't be on there | | | | by Ana Ng | | | | at Fri 7 Mar 6:32am | score of 1 | | | | | | |
The 'Sox shouldn't be on there because traditionally they're not a bad team. They're a good team, routinely being toward the top of league standings and historically being in first place on the 4th of the July. But they're not good enough. They just can't seem to clinch the top spot.
The Red Sox, like the city of Boston itself, is all about being #2. Boston's a great city, but we're not on top of anything, really. We make impressive showings, but never quite make King of the Hill. And the Red Sox are the shining symbol of that.
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| | | | | | 37. The Curse of the Bambino. | | | | by MAYORBOB | | | | at Fri 7 Mar 6:49am | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 35 | | | | | |
Ever since the Bosox traded Babe Ruth to the Yankees they have been a cursed franchise. Always doomed to do just enough to keep hope alive in the hearts of Beantowners and then only to be crushed in the most cruel and public fashion imaginable. I used to think there was nothing to this until I saw that grounder go between Billy Buckner's legs during the World Series the Bosox should have won against the Mets.
Tending to final details.
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| | | | | | 49. Let us not forget the Brewers | | | | by rough ashler | | | | at Fri 7 Mar 9:42am | score of 1 | | | | | | |
The marketing for the Brewers:
"come see the old stadium"
then
"come see the new stadium"
Not:
"Hey! Come watch a great game of baseball"
"Come watch the Brewers"
The people tyring to sell tickets knew the team sucked.
Don't forget then Gov. Thompson and now Sec. of Health when discussing the citizens of Milwaukee. county and the new taxes to pay for the Selig-owned baseball teams new stadium:
"Stick it to 'em."
A whole lot for the city/county/major league baseball to be proud of in The Brewers.
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| | | | | | 67. just a question | | | | by brownianmotion | | | | at Fri 7 Mar 1:46pm | score of 1.5 funny | | | | | | |
were the washington generals from d.c. or the pacific northwest?
anyone know they're record?... they could never figure out when there was confetti in the bucket and when it was water... sad they didn't study the tapes.
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| | | | | | 70. Boston Red Sox | | | | by Hubris Jones | | | | at Fri 7 Mar 3:53pm | score of 1 | | | | | | |
The Sox (the real Sox, by the way), should never even be considered as one of the worst franchises. Sure, they haven't won anything since 1918, but they're hardly "cannon fodder for the Yankees."
Year in and year out, they give us hope, and they've never really been a poorly run franchise.
Just because they're cursed doesn't make them bad.
Stupid Harry Frazee. Stupid "No, No Nanette."
critique and sell me baby...
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