Franchise Performance Pt. 2 (#91 - #120)

Recapping the groundrules of the study, we are ranking all sports city-team combinations for playoff performance since 1974 using a poker like system:
1) All teams chip in $10 at the beginning of the year
2) Winner takes 50%, Runner up 25%, Semifinalists 10%, remaining playoff teams split the last 5%
3) City/Team combinations are separate, the Charlotte Hornets are not associated with the New Orleans Hornets, etc.

Totals through the 2012 Super Bowl are included here (only one more chunk of money to play for and both participants are solidly in the top 50%).

Number 121-148 were revealed in part 1

Rank	Total	Team	City	League	Titles	Finals	Semis	Playoffs	Years
120	-$172.96	Whalers	HAR	NHL	0	0	0	8	18
119	-$167.67	Oilers	HOU	NFL	0	0	2	10	24
118	-$160.00	Jets I	WIN	NHL	0	0	0	11	17
117	-$159.00	Indians	CLE	MLB	0	2	4	7	37
116	-$156.13	Cardinals	PHO	NFL	0	1	1	3	24
115	-$155.23	Canucks	VAN	NHL	0	3	3	24	37
114	-$153.88	Raptors	TOR	NBA	0	0	0	5	16
113	-$151.19	Bullets/Wizards	WAS	NBA	1	3	3	18	38
112	-$147.46	Knicks	NYC	NBA	0	2	5	21	38
111	-$145.00	White Sox	CHI	MLB	1	1	3	5	37
110	-$142.33	Cardinals	STL	NFL	0	0	0	3	15
109	-$136.08	Browns I	CLE	NFL	0	0	3	8	23
108	-$131.79	Coyotes	PHO	NHL	0	0	0	7	14
107	-$131.71	Hornets	CHA	NBA	0	0	0	7	14
106	-$128.10	Sabres	BUF	NHL	0	2	6	28	37
105	-$128.00	Browns II	CLE	NFL	0	0	0	1	13
104	-$127.75	Buccaneers	TAM	NFL	1	1	3	10	36
103	-$121.02	Pacers	IND	NBA	0	1	6	19	35
102	-$112.50	Predators	NSH	NHL	0	0	0	6	12
101	-$111.54	Nordiques	QBC	NHL	0	0	2	9	16
100	-$108.75	Thrashers	ATL	NHL	0	0	0	1	11
99	-$102.75	Panthers	MIA	NHL	0	1	1	3	17
98	-$102.50	Tigers	DET	MLB	1	2	4	4	37
97	-$101.25	Jaguars	JAX	NFL	0	0	2	6	17
96	-$99.75	Colts	BAL	NFL	0	0	0	3	11
95	-$98.75	Blue Jackets	COL	NHL	0	0	0	1	10
94	-$98.00	Texans	HOU	NFL	0	0	0	1	10
93	-$97.75	Rockies	DEN	MLB	0	1	1	3	18
92	-$95.04	Grizzlies	MEM	NBA	0	0	0	4	10
91	-$94.04	Rangers	NYC	NHL	1	2	6	25	37

The break down of this set by league as:
NHL: 11
NFL: 9
NBA: 6
MLB: 4

Cities with at least two teams and still with no appearances (all teams in the top 60%) are Boston, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and San Francisco.

Each team is summarized below. A reminder, the years below are the year of the playoffs, so for NFL, 2010 is associated with the 2009 regular season. For best season, playoff performance is given precedence over regular season record.

Number: 120
Team: Whalers
City: Hartford
League: NHL
Years: 1974 – 1991 (18)
Playoffs: 8
Semifinals: 0
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 1986 (40-36-4-0, lost in 2nd round of playoffs)
Worst year: 1983 (19-54-7-0)
Winnings: -$172.96

Number: 119
Team: Oilers
City: Houston
League: NFL
Years: 1974 – 1997 (24)
Playoffs: 10
Semifinals: 2
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 1980 (11-5, lost in AFC Championship game)
Worst years: 1984, 1995 (2-14)
Winnings: -$167.67

Number: 118
Team: Jets
City: Winnipeg
League: NHL
Years: 1980 – 1996 (17)
Playoffs: 11
Semifinals: 0
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 1985 (43-27-10-0, lost in 2nd round of playoffs)
Worst year: 1981 (9-57-14)
Winnings: -$160.00

Number: 117
Team: Indians
City: Cleveland
League: MLB
Years: 1974 – 2011 (37)
Playoffs: 7
Semifinals: 4
Finals: 2
Championships: 0
Best year: 1995 (100-44, lost in World Series)
Worst year: 1991 (57-105)
Winnings: -$159.00

Number: 116
Team: Cardinals
City: Phoenix
League: NFL
Years: 1989 – 2012 (24)
Playoffs: 3
Semifinals: 1
Finals: 1
Championships: 0
Best year: 2009 (9-7, lost in Super Bowl)
Worst year: 2001 (3-13)
Winnings: -$156.13

Number: 115
Team: Canucks
City: Vancouver
League: NHL
Years: 1974 – 2011 (37)
Playoffs: 24
Semifinals: 3
Finals: 3
Championships: 0
Best year: 2011 (54-19-0-9, lost in Stanley Cup Finals)
Worst year: 1999 (23-47-12-0)
Winnings: -$155.23

Number: 114
Team: Raptors
City: Toronto
League: NBA
Years: 1996 – 2011 (16)
Playoffs: 5
Semifinals: 0
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 2001 (47-35, lost in 2nd round of playoffs)
Worst year: 1998 (16-66)
Winnings: -$153.88

Number: 113
Team: Bullets/Wizards
City: Washington
League: NBA
Years: 1974 – 2011 (38)
Playoffs: 18
Semifinals: 3
Finals: 3
Championships: 1
Best year: 1978 (44-38, won NBA Championship)
Worst year: 2001, 2009 (19-63)
Winnings: -$151.19

Number: 112
Team: Knicks
City: New York City
League: NBA
Years: 1974 – 2011 (38)
Playoffs: 21
Semifinals: 5
Finals: 2
Championships: 0
Best year: 1994 (57-25, lost in NBA Finals)
Worst years: 1986, 2006, 2008 (23-59)
Winnings: -$147.46

Number: 111
Team: White Sox
City: Chicago
League: MLB
Years: 1974 – 2011 (37)
Playoffs: 5
Semifinals: 3
Finals: 1
Championships: 1
Best year: 2005 (99-63, won World Series)
Worst year: 1976 (64-97)
Winnings: -$145.00

Number: 110
Team: Cardinals
City: St. Louis
League: NFL
Years: 1974 – 1988 (15)
Playoffs: 3
Semifinals: 0
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 1976 (11-3, lost in Division round of playoffs)
Worst year: 1987 (4-11-1)
Winnings: -$142.33

Number: 109
Team: Browns I
City: Cleveland
League: NFL
Years: 1974 – 1996 (23)
Playoffs: 8
Semifinals: 3
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 1987 (12-4, lost in AFC Championship game)
Worst year: 1991 (3-13)
Winnings: -$136.08

Number: 108
Team: Coyotes
City: Phoenix
League: NHL
Years: 1997 – 2011 (14)
Playoffs: 7
Semifinals: 0
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 2010 (50-25-0-7, lost in first round of playoffs)
Worst year: 2004 (22-36-18-6)
Winnings: -$131.79

Number: 107
Team: Hornets
City: Charlotte
League: NBA
Years: 1989 – 2002 (14)
Playoffs: 7
Semifinals: 0
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 2001 (46-36, lost in 2nd round of playoffs)
Worst year: 1990 (19-63)
Winnings: -$131.71

Number: 106
Team: Sabres
City: Buffalo
League: NHL
Years: 1974 – 2011 (37)
Playoffs: 28
Semifinals: 6
Finals: 2
Championships: 0
Best year: 1975 (49-16-15-0, lost in Stanley Cup Finals)
Worst year: 1987 (28-44-8-0)
Winnings: -$128.10

Number: 105
Team: Browns II
City: Cleveland
League: NFL
Years: 2000 – 2012 (13)
Playoffs: 1
Semifinals: 0
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 2002 (9-7, lost in Wild Card round of playoffs)
Worst year: 1999 (2-14)
Winnings: -$128.00

Number: 104
Team: Buccaneers
City: Tampa Bay
League: NFL
Years: 1977 – 2012 (36)
Playoffs: 10
Semifinals: 3
Finals: 1
Championships: 1
Best year: 2003 (12-4, won Super Bowl)
Worst year: 1977 (0-14)
Winnings: -$127.75

Number: 103
Team: Pacers
City: Indianapolis
League: NBA
Years: 1977 – 2011 (35)
Playoffs: 19
Semifinals: 6
Finals: 1
Championships: 0
Best year: 2000 (56-26, lost in NBA Finals)
Worst year: 1983 (20-62)
Winnings: -$121.02

Number: 102
Team: Predators
City: Nashville
League: NHL
Years: 1999 – 2011 (12)
Playoffs: 6
Semifinals: 0
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 2007 (51-23-0-8, lost in 1st round of playoffs)
Worst year: 1999 (28-47-7-0)
Winnings: -$112.50

Number: 101
Team: Nordiques
City: Quebec
League: NHL
Years: 1980 – 1995 (16)
Playoffs: 9
Semifinals: 2
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 1985 (41-30, lost in Conference finals)
Worst year: 1990 (12-61)
Winnings: -$111.54

Number: 100
Team: Thrashers
City: Atlanta
League: NHL
Years: 2000 – 2011 (11)
Playoffs: 1
Semifinals: 0
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 2007 (43-28-0-11, lost in first round of playoffs)
Worst year: 2000 (14-57-7-4)
Winnings: -$108.75

Number: 99
Team: Panthers
City: Miami
League: NHL
Years: 1994 – 2011 (17)
Playoffs: 3
Semifinals: 1
Finals: 1
Championships: 0
Best year: 1996 (41-31-10-0, lost in Stanley Cup Finals)
Worst year: 2002 (22-44-10-6)
Winnings: -$102.75

Number: 98
Team: Tigers
City: Detroit
League: MLB
Years: 1974 – 2011 (37)
Playoffs: 4
Semifinals: 4
Finals: 2
Championships: 1
Best year: 1984 (104-58, won World Series)
Worst year: 2003 (43-119)
Winnings: -$102.50

Number: 97
Team: Jaguars
City: Jacksonville
League: NFL
Years: 1996 – 2012 (17)
Playoffs: 6
Semifinals: 2
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 2000 (14-2, lost in AFC Championship game)
Worst year: 1996 (4-12)
Winnings: -$101.25

Number: 96
Team: Colts
City: Baltimore
League: NFL
Years: 1974 – 1984 (11)
Playoffs: 11
Semifinals: 3
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 1977 (11-3, lost in Division round of playoffs)
Worst year: 1983 (0-8-1)
Winnings: -$99.75

Number: 95
Team: Blue Jackets
City: Columbus
League: NHL
Years: 2001 – 2011 (10)
Playoffs: 1
Semifinals: 0
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 2009 (41-31, lost in first round of playoffs)
Worst year: 2002 (22-47-8-5)
Winnings: -$98.75

Number: 94
Team: Texans
City: Houston
League: NFL
Years: 2003 – 2012 (10)
Playoffs: 1
Semifinals: 0
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 2012 (10-6, lost in Division round of playoffs)
Worst year: 2006 (2-14)
Winnings: -$98.00

Number: 93
Team: Rockies
City: Denver
League: MLB
Years: 1993 – 2011 (18)
Playoffs: 3
Semifinals: 1
Finals: 1
Championships: 0
Best year: 2007 (90-73, lost in World Series)
Worst years: 1993, 2005 (67-95)
Winnings: -$97.75

Number: 92
Team: Grizzlies
City: Memphis
League: NBA
Years: 2002 – 2011 (10)
Playoffs: 4
Semifinals: 0
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 2011 (46-36, lost in 2nd round of playoffs)
Worst years: 2007, 2008 (22-60)
Winnings: -$95.04

Number: 91
Team: Rangers
City: New York City
League: NHL
Years: 1974 – 2011 (37)
Playoffs: 25
Semifinals: 6
Finals: 2
Championships: 1
Best year: 1994 (52-24-8-0, won Stanley Cup)
Worst year: 1985 (26-44-10-0)
Winnings: -$94.04

Sportswoman of the Week Ending 1/29/2012

Just a little foreshadowing, Longhorndave on Sports loves when tour athletes break through to achieve their first "major". In that light, this week's Sportswoman of the week is Victoria Azarenka, 2012 Australian Open Champion. The 22-year old from Belarus set Melbourne on fire the past two weeks dropping only two sets (one by tiebreak) and punishing Maria Sharapova 6-3, 6-0. Vika lost the first two games, then dominated the Russian champion. The 5'11" phenom ascends to #1 in the world and looks to be a force over the remainder of grand slam events this year and is a true threat to win them all. For now, she can settle on being the LHD Sportswoman of the Week!

Instant Replay usage

I think anybody who watches a sporting event on TV expects instant replay to be a big part of their watching experience, but I'm here to tell you, I have some issues with its current usage. Specifically, overuse. No doubt. Particularly in the arena of baseball and football, which happen to be my favored sports.

But first some history. The first authorized broadcast of the innovative and game changing broadcast technique was December 7, 1963 for the Army/Navy game. Replays had been played during the broadcast before, but only during halftime or after the game. The "instant" was a game changer. The announcer felt compelled to tell the audience "Army did not score again, ladies and gentlemen, that was a replay..."

It would be irreverent to not frame that particular game in context, originally scheduled for November 30, the game was postponed after the tragic assassination of John Kennedy on the 22nd. President Kennedy had taken a particular interest in Navy that year, and its Heisman trophy winning QB Roger Staubach. He'd performed the coin toss the year before and hadn't missed the game in the first two years of his presidency.

Navy was #2 at the time with one loss to Southern Methodist (32-28). Odd, SMU ended the year 4-6, and played in a bowl game (Sun Bowl). The 28 points were the most scored against the Ponies, so their was that.

But I digress.

My issue with replay stems from football and baseball. The production teams seem to feel the need to fill the time between plays/pitches with a replay of the previous action, even if uninteresting. That, in and of itself, is okay. But there are two crucial points of these sports that are being lost:

Baseball - TV broadcasts (particularly national) seem to feel the only action in a game starts with the release of the pitch. THIS IS FALSE. When the pitcher toes the rubber, that action is in play. The batter is eyeing the defense, a runner is leading off, the pitcher is running through the pitch selection (which is extremely non-trivial). But TV broadcasts seem to want to show replay up to the point that the pitcher is through the windup. This has a secondary effect as well. I, as the viewer of baseball, get my anticipation up based upon the cadence of the windup. You get up for the delivery, back off for the taken pitch, back up, etc. Instead we usually get the following:

Batter fouls ball off
Replay shows batter taking hack at ball in slo mo replay
2nd Replay shows pitcher delivering pitch (maybe focusing on location)
Cut back to next pitch, which is already being delivered.

Football - Again, TV seems to think that the time between plays is time the audience is bored and must be shown something else. Too many times, they cut back from multiple replays of a 3 yard run just in time to show the snap (or worse, play has started). Wrong, I love to see the players running on/off, the players getting the call, organizing, etc.

In my opinion, replay is cleared:
From the end of the baseball pitch action until the pitcher is on the rubber.
From the end of a football play until the team is in the huddle.

These get extended until the pitch is delivered or the QB takes the snap. And part of those games strategy takes place during those crucial times.

I find that in the NBA and NHL, not as much of a problem. I submit that the equivalent of showing replay during the pitcher on the rubber or team the huddle is like showing a basketball replay when the point guard is at the top of the key. No action, right? Nobody is scoring. Of course not, the whole play is being set up. And you never know when the alley oop is coming.

Same with hockey. You NEVER see replay when the puck is live, not even when held behind own goal and setting up a play.

MLB and NFL (and college football) should take note. Just because the pitch isn't in play doesn't mean action isn't happening. Half of a football play is the formation and too many times we cut back to the snap and I don't even know what personnel is in, who was in motion, etc. College is also bad because so many teams run hurry up, and I'll see at the end of the play that the team is lining up VERY quickly, but the broadcast cuts away and shows me a coach reaction to a play or the play itself and I'm SCREAMING to get me back so I can see if the defense is reacting fast enough and/or what formation the offense has.

And for what. Usually to see a replay of a tipped incomplete pass, a 2 yard run, a fouled pitch, a groundout to shortstop, or even a throw to first base.

Stop the madness. Only show replay on really good plays or plays drawing into question what happened.

A whole other blog could be written for how fans have DVR and can watch what they want if they have questions.

And a blog after that for why they show fans at the game instead of the action.

And a third blog for ANY interview done during the game. Baseball and football most guilty, how many times are we watching some interview of a non player in which the ball is hammered into the corner or a big turnover takes place.

It's not that hard, show the game, just the action, only show replay/inteverview/etc. when there is a timeout or before the huddle break. I want to watch the game, stop the overproduction!

Franchise Performance Pt. 1 (#121 - #148)

Recapping the groundrules of the study, we are ranking all sports city-team combinations for playoff performance since 1974 using a poker like system:
1) All teams chip in $10 at the beginning of the year
2) Winner takes 50%, Runner up 25%, Semifinalists 10%, remaining playoff teams split the last 5%
3) City/Team combinations are separate, the Charlotte Hornets are not associated with the New Orleans Hornets, etc.

We start here with the worst 20%. The threshold here was about -$178, meaning franchises that had played less than 17 season cannot lose enough to qualify. For the most part, you'll see franchises around most of the 38 seasons with little to show for it but a semifinal appearance or two. The ranking system is biased against teams that have been bad for a long time (is that really a bias)?

Keep in mind, playoff appearances in the NBA/NHL don't get you much. For a while, everyone in the NHL made the playoffs except 5 teams. Splitting 5% among 12 teams these days gets you less than a half of a percent.

Without further ado, the rankings...

Rank	Total	Team	City	League	Titles	Finals	Semis	Playoffs	Years
148	-$353.79	Hawks	ATL	NBA	0	0	0	22	38
147	-$347.31	Lions	DET	NFL	0	0	1	9	39
146	-$342.92	Chiefs	KC	NFL	0	0	1	11	39
145	-$291.38	Blues	STL	NHL	0	0	2	29	38
144	-$286.40	Kings	LA	NHL	0	1	1	23	38
143	-$274.00	Expos	MON	MLB	0	0	1	1	31
142	-$268.00	Brewers	MIL	MLB	0	1	2	4	38
141	-$265.54	Falcons	ATL	NFL	0	1	2	11	39
140	-$265.29	Clippers	LA	NBA	0	0	0	4	27
139	-$264.00	Warriors	OAK	NBA	1	1	2	9	38
138	-$263.75	Cubs	CHI	MLB	0	0	3	6	38
137	-$253.17	Capitals	WAS	NHL	0	1	2	22	37
136	-$252.42	Nuggets	DEN	NBA	0	0	3	22	35
135	-$251.31	Jets	NYC	NFL	0	0	4	12	39
134	-$248.50	Mariners	SEA	MLB	0	0	3	4	35
133	-$234.58	Bengals	CIN	NFL	0	2	2	9	39
132	-$233.06	Seahawks	SEA	NFL	0	1	2	11	36
131	-$225.35	Maple Leafs	TOR	NHL	0	0	5	23	38
130	-$219.33	Kings	SAC	NBA	0	0	1	11	26
129	-$219.00	Padres	SD	MLB	0	2	2	5	38
128	-$218.88	Bucks	MIL	NBA	0	1	5	22	38
127	-$216.88	Chargers	SD	NFL	0	1	4	12	39
126	-$213.63	Cavaliers	CLE	NBA	0	1	4	18	38
125	-$209.00	Rangers	DAL	MLB	0	2	2	5	38
124	-$184.48	Saints	NO	NFL	1	1	2	9	39
123	-$182.54	Timberwolves	MSP	NBA	0	0	1	8	22
122	-$182.00	Astros	HOU	MLB	0	1	4	9	38
121	-$178.33	Nets	NEW	NBA	0	2	2	16	34

Discussion: The Atlanta Hawks win the worst franchise since 1974, with nary a semifinals (a.k.a conference finals) appearance throughout the 38 years. The Texas Rangers had been flirting with worst franchise but two World Series appearances have alleviated that immediate concern.

Two teams actually won a title (1975 Golden State Warriors, 2010 New Orleans Saints) registering as the worst teams that have a title.

Two teams with 25+ years of never making a conference final: Atlanta Hawks and Los Angeles Clippers.

The two Cleveland Browns franchises (and Oakland Raiders and Winnipeg Jets) franchises are treated uniquely. The combined Browns would have been in this worst group.

The worst 28 break down by league as:
NBA: 9
NFL: 8
MLB: 7
NHL: 4

Cities (with more than one team) that avoid this list include Boston, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Miami, Indianapolis, Charlotte, Baltimore, Nashville, Winnipeg, Tampa, Buffalo, Phoenix, and Vancouver.

Cites that double up include Seattle, San Diego, Milwaukee, and Atlanta.

Each team is summarized below. A reminder, the years below are the year of the playoffs, so for NFL, 2010 is associated with the 2009 regular season. For best season, playoff performance is given precedence over regular season record.

Number: 148
Team: Hawks
City: Atlanta
League: NBA
Years: 1974 – 2011 (38)
Playoffs: 22
Semifinals: 0
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 1987 (57-25, lost in 2nd round of playoffs)
Worst year: 2005 (13-69)
Winnings: -$353.79

Number: 147
Team: Lions
City: Detroit
League: NFL
Years: 1974 – 2012 (39)
Playoffs: 9
Semifinals: 1
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 1992 (12-4, lost in NFC Championship game)
Worst year: 2009 (0-16)
Winnings: -$347.31

Number: 146
Team: Chiefs
City: Kansas City
League: NFL
Years: 1974 – 2012 (39)
Playoffs: 11
Semifinals: 1
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 1994 (11-5, lost in AFC Championship game)
Worst year: 2009 (2-14)
Winnings: -$342.92

Number: 145
Team: Blues
City: St. Louis
League: NHL
Years: 1974 – 2011 (37)
Playoffs: 29
Semifinals: 2
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 2001 (43-22-12-5, lost in Conference finals)
Worst year: 2006 (21-46-0-16)
Winnings: -$291.38

Number: 144
Team: Kings
City: Los Angeles
League: NHL
Years: 1974 – 2011 (37)
Playoffs: 23
Semifinals: 1
Finals: 1
Championships: 0
Best year: 1993 (39-35-10, lost in Stanley Cup Finals)
Worst year: 1985 (23-49-8-0)
Winnings: -$286.40

Number: 143
Team: Expos
City: Montreal
League: MLB
Years: 1974 – 2004 (30)
Playoffs: 1
Semifinals: 1
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 1994 (74-40, playoffs wiped out by strike)
Worst year: 1976 (55-107)
Winnings: -$274.00

Number: 142
Team: Brewers
City: Milwaukee
League: MLB
Years: 1974 – 2011 (37)
Playoffs: 4
Semifinals: 2
Finals: 1
Championships: 0
Best year: 1982 (95-67-1, lost in World Series)
Worst year: 2002 (56-106)
Winnings: -$268.00

Number: 141
Team: Falcons
City: Atlanta
League: NFL
Years: 1974 – 2012 (39)
Playoffs: 11
Semifinals: 2
Finals: 1
Championships: 0
Best year: 1999 (14-2, lost in Super Bowl)
Worst year(s): 1990,1997 (3-13)
Winnings: -$265.54

Number: 140
Team: Clippers
City: Los Angeles
League: NBA
Years: 1985 – 2011 (27)
Playoffs: 4
Semifinals: 0
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 2006 (47-35, lost in 2nd round of playoffs)
Worst year: 1987 (12-70)
Winnings: -$265.29

Number: 139
Team: Warriors
City: Oakland
League: NBA
Years: 1974 – 2011 (38)
Playoffs: 9
Semifinals: 2
Finals: 1
Championships: 1
Best year: 1975 (48-34, won NBA Championship)
Worst year: 2001 (17-65)
Winnings: -$264.00

Number: 138
Team: Cubs
City: Chicago
League: MLB
Years: 1974 – 2011 (37)
Playoffs: 6
Semifinals: 3
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 1984 (96-65, lost in NL Championship Series)
Worst year: 1980 (64-98)
Winnings: -$263.75


Number: 137
Team: Capitals
City: Washington
League: NHL
Years: 1975 – 2011 (36)
Playoffs: 22
Semifinals: 2
Finals: 1
Championships: 0
Best year: 1998 (40-30-12-0, lost in Stanley Cup Finals)
Worst year: 1975 (8-67-5)
Winnings: -$253.17

Number: 136
Team: Nuggets
City: Denver
League: NBA
Years: 1977 – 2011 (35)
Playoffs: 22
Semifinals: 3
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 2009 (54-28, lost in Western Conference finals)
Worst year: 1998 (11-71)
Winnings: -$252.42

Number: 135
Team: Jets
City: New York City
League: NFL
Years: 1974 – 2012 (39)
Playoffs: 12
Semifinals: 4
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 1999 (12-4, lost in AFC Championship game)
Worst year: 1997 (1-15)
Winnings: -$251.31

Number: 134
Team: Mariners
City: Seattle
League: MLB
Years: 1977 – 2011 (34)
Playoffs: 4
Semifinals: 3
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 2001 (116-46, lost in AL Championship Series)
Worst year: 1978 (56-104)
Winnings: -$248.50

Number: 133
Team: Bengals
City: Cincinnati
League: NFL
Years: 1974 – 2012 (39)
Playoffs: 9
Semifinals: 2
Finals: 2
Championships: 0
Best year(s): 1982, 1989 (12-4, lost in Super Bowl)
Worst year: 2003 (2-14)
Winnings: -$234.58

Number: 132
Team: Seahawks
City: Seattle
League: NFL
Years: 1977 – 2012 (36)
Playoffs: 11
Semifinals: 2
Finals: 1
Championships: 0
Best year: 2006 (13-3, lost in Super Bowl)
Worst year: 1993 (2-14)
Winnings: -$233.06


Number: 131
Team: Maple Leafs
City: Toronto
League: NHL
Years: 1974 – 2011 (37)
Playoffs: 23
Semifinals: 5
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 2002 (43-25-10-4, lost in Conference finals)
Worst year: 1985 (20-52-8-0)
Winnings: -$225.35

Number: 130
Team: Kings
City: Sacramento
League: NBA
Years: 1986 – 2011 (26)
Playoffs: 11
Semifinals: 1
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 2002 (61-21, lost in Western Conference Finals)
Worst year: 2009 (17-65)
Winnings: -$219.33

Number: 129
Team: Padres
City: San Diego
League: MLB
Years: 1974 – 2011 (37)
Playoffs: 5
Semifinals: 2
Finals: 2
Championships: 0
Best year: 1998 (98-64, lost in World Series)
Worst year: 1974 (60-102)
Winnings: -$219.00

Number: 128
Team: Bucks
City: Milwaukee
League: NBA
Years: 1974 – 2011 (38)
Playoffs: 22
Semifinals: 5
Finals: 1
Championships: 0
Best year: 1974 (59-33, lost in NBA Finals)
Worst year: 1994 (20-62)
Winnings: -$218.88

Number: 127
Team: Chargers
City: San Diego
League: NFL
Years: 1974 – 2012 (39)
Playoffs: 12
Semifinals: 4
Finals: 1
Championships: 0
Best year: 1995 (11-5, lost in Super Bowl)
Worst year: 2001 (1-15)
Winnings: -$216.88

Number: 126
Team: Cavaliers
City: Cleveland
League: NBA
Years: 1974 – 2011 (38)
Playoffs: 18
Semifinals: 4
Finals: 1
Championships: 0
Best year: 2007 (50-32, lost in NBA Finals)
Worst year(s): 1982 (15-67)
Winnings: -$213.63

Number: 125
Team: Rangers
City: Dallas
League: MLB
Years: 1974 – 2011 (37)
Playoffs: 5
Semifinals: 2
Finals: 2
Championships: 0
Best year: 2011 (96-66, lost in World Series)
Worst year: 1985 (62-99)
Winnings: -$209.00

Number: 124
Team: Saints
City: New Orleans
League: NFL
Years: 1974 – 2012 (39)
Playoffs: 9
Semifinals: 2
Finals: 1
Championships: 1
Best year: 2010 (13-3, won Super Bowl)
Worst year: 1981 (1-15)
Winnings: -$182.54

Number: 123
Team: Timberwolves
City: Minneapolis-St. Paul
League: NBA
Years: 1990 – 2011 (22)
Playoffs: 8
Semifinals: 1
Finals: 0
Championships: 0
Best year: 2004 (58-24, lost in Western Conference finals)
Worst year(s): 1992, 2010 (15-67)
Winnings: -$182.54

Number: 122
Team: Astros
City: Houston
League: MLB
Years: 1974 – 2011 (37)
Playoffs: 9
Semifinals: 4
Finals: 1
Championships: 0
Best year: 2005 (83-79-1, lost in World Series)
Worst year: 2011 (56-106)
Winnings: -$182.00

Number: 121
Team: Nets
City: Newark
League: NBA
Years: 1978 – 2011 (34)
Playoffs: 16
Semifinals: 2
Finals: 2
Championships: 0
Best year: 2002 (52-30, lost in NBA Finals)
Worst year: 2010 (12-70)
Winnings: -$178.33

Sportsman of the Week Ending 1/22/2012

A tough week in sports with the passing of Joe Paterno and Sarah Burke. Doesn't feel right to celebrate sports performance, but the games go on.


Shifting away from NFL, Clint Dempsey had a groundbreaking performance in the Fulham match against Newcastle. A rare hat trick, first by an American in the Barclays English Premier League. Dempsey broke a tie in the 59th minute, added another in the 65th, then put the game away in the 89th to ensure a Fulham 5-2 team victory. Nine netters on the season, he is representing the stars and stripes in a way unmatched by strikers in the past. Hats off to you, Clint, the LHD-on-sports player of the week!

Best Pro Sports Teams, Cites, States

As this blog gets revived, I'm re-posting the series of "Best Pro Sports Teams, Cities, States". In the original incarnation, I got down through the 61st best team but never got the last two blocks. Over the next five Tuesdays, the full list (updated through the Super Bowl) will be posted. Of course I cannot see the future, but the four participants left are firmly in the Top 90 teams, and therefore will not appear until well after the big game.

---Originally posted in 2010----
I've struggled with how to determine the following:
"What pro sports franchise can literally say 'we are the best'?"
"What is the best sports city?"
"What state is the king of sports?"

Depending on criteria, the answer can vary. Going back to when (1800's, WWII, 1990)? How do you handle cities with new teams (Orlando, Nashville, Charlotte) vs. established cities (Chicago, Philly, New York). How do you handle cities with more franchises like New York (2 baseball, 2 football, 2 hockey, 1 basketball) vs. San Antonio (1 basketball)? How do you handle titles in a 6 team league (old NHL) vs. a 32 team league (current NFL).

I believe I have concocted the most balanced scoring system possible. This exercise started with me at the city level. I was curious how cities for which I have been loyal (Baltimore, Houston) rank against so called sports towns of Philly and Boston? All ranking systems had to start at the team level (how did your teams do) and roll up to the city level (how have all your teams done). So I started with the teams. How do I compare a team like the Florida Marlins (2 titles since 1993 inception) vs. the Red Sox (2 titles since WWI)?

For starters, the time period really needed to be established. I decided most arbitrarily that the measurement shall be from the year of my birth forward. That's 1974 - today, championships played in that season (starting with Super Bowl VIII, rolling through NHL/NBA titles, ending with the 1974 World Series).

More ground rules, only the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL were considered. No ABA, WHL, USFL, MLS, WNBA, etc. The four majors.

Now how to handle expansion, league imbalance in terms of postseason, etc? Fear not sports fans, I figured it out. To take into account all factors, I came up with a poker approach:

Every year, every team in the four majors chips in $10 to the pot. If there are 22 teams, then the pot is $220. If there are 32, it's $320. The winner of the league gets 50% of the pot. The runner up gets 25%. The two league/conference finalists get 10% each. That would be your ALCS, NLCS, AFC, NFC, and Eastern/Western conference runners up. The final 5% is divided among the other playoff participants. That will vary from 0.42% for the current NBA/NHL to 1.25% for MLB. Keeping in mind that each team will contribute above 3% of the pot, making playoffs isn't going to do much for you. Getting to semifinals, finals, and titles is what gets the cash. And I think fairly. There were years in the NHL that 16 out of 21 teams made the playoffs, that's not money worthy. Making the World Series, Super Bowl, Stanley Cup Final, or NBA Final and winning it makes a franchise success.

Administrative note, for the pre-6 division MLB days, the ALCS/NLCS losers take 12.5%, as there were no other playoff contenders to take pot (except in 1981, in which the strike half winners who didn't win the division got their cut).

More administration, each city/team is considered independent. The Baltimore Colts are not associated with the Indianapolis Colts. Nor the Montreal Expos and the Washington Nationals. This helps peel off the city factors for future study. Two oddities, there are two Oakland Raiders and two Cleveland Browns. They can easily be combined, but arbitrarily they represent some difference in franchise to me so they were kept separate.

There were two mergers, ABA/NBA, NHL/WHL. Both were 4 teams or less being absorbed, so they were considered expansions, which is really what they were. Obviously the more significant AL/NL and AFL/NFL mergers were well before 1974 (another reason to start after 1967).

The poker parameters can be tweaked, but the winners will still probably emerge the same as future blogs will outline. The only "bias" is that of dynasty. Is it easier to establish a dynasty in the NBA or MLB than the NFL or NHL? That is up to interpretation, the numbers that fall out will attest. But remember, it is a zero sum game, all leagues settle out their pots at the end of the year, so no league will all be at the top with others at the bottom. Standard deviation is the metric.

As the obvious first series posts of this blog, I plan to roll out the teams in sets of 30. There have been 147 city franchises since 1974, so start with 27, then go with 30's for five posts. Some of the fun is guessing who are the worst as well as the best. Where will your teams fall? Who are the Top 10 franchises?

After franchises are dispositioned, we'll explore cities and then states. I've run the preliminary numbers, am somewhat surprised at the #1 state, stay tuned!

NFL Playoff Week Three Predictions

Betting information courtesy of 5dimes.com at the time of post (this blog has no affiliation with that site)

January 22, 2012: 15:00 EST
Baltimore Ravens (+7, +275) vs. New England Patriots (-7, -305) O/U 50.5
The seeds held form here on the AFC side of the ledger, I do think these were the best two teams at seasons end. The Patriots seem to be playing with an urgency (and a Gronkowski) that I haven't seen in years past. The Ravens, while good on defense, are looking old. They made plays against a rookie QB, but this is Tom Brady. And he has weapons. The X factor in this game is Ray Rice, if he gets going, the Ravens can keep the ball away from that potent offense and perhaps keep it within striking distance at the end. I'm going with the consensus here, though. Patriots year. Final Prediction: Patriots 27, Ravens 17.

January 22, 2012: 18:30 EST
New York Giants (+2.5, +118) vs. San Francisco 49ers (-2.5, -128) O/U 42
I've seen this movie before, the Giants on a mission. Eli Manning in a zone. Defense playing the best of the season. Offense making just enough plays to resemble a title team that wasn't evident at points in the regular season. I'm so hesitant to bet against the Niners, though. I called them underrated last week (knew it), picked against them, and they won. Same this week, how can I pick against this team? I just have to. Something about the Giants. I predict a rough day for the brothers Harbaugh (but nothing to apologize for). Final Prediction: Giants 23, 49ers 16.

Gambling summary :

Week one moved my cash from 1200 (100 per betting prop) to 1470 (big $$ on the Broncos money line).

Week two saw me drop deep in the hole, around 1185 after day one, then 1015 before the final contest. But hit all three props there (Giants S/U, Giants ATS, Over) and ended at 1492. A 0.8% profit (that's called breaking even, folks).

My 3-game parlays should be ignored, my confidence doesn't seem to be in line with what happens

But in case you are interested, best bets (for parlay)
Giants ATS
Giants S/U
Patriots ATS

Sportsman of the Week Ending 1/15/2012

Another week of great performances with good candidates. Sticking with football for now, when some of the other sports reach a more critical portion of their season we'll see some variety.

Vernon Davis made huge plays with the game on the line, really, with the game slipping away. His 47 yard catch with under 30 seconds, then game winning TD catch with 12 seconds remaining almost single-handedly won the game for the 49ers. Great numbers on the day as well, 7 catches, 180 yards, 2 TDs, targeted 10 times. Here's a guy who works hard, does everything right, plays for his team, and cares. Well deserved, Vernon!