The sky is falling

[trump tight]

Over the past 8 years or so, we've seen some pretty weird things happen in sports, and you'll have to forgive me, because my memory is a little shaky here -

Some SERIOUS underdog franchises have been winning championships. I was just thinking about this not too long ago -

If you would've told me - 10 years ago that The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, and Carolina Hurricanes (don't even know if they were around that long or not) would win Championships in their respective sports, I would've thought you would be crazy.:scared

Are there any others that you can think of that I'm missing?

Now - looking back on it, you can say that these organizations made x, y, & z moves, and they put more money into it, etc, etc - and it makes sense, but I mean really - The Buccaneers? - This franchise was the laughing stock of the NFL - and yes, I realize what free agency is. :tongue

I dunno - this just leads me to think that the world is coming to an end, and that it's possible - very possible that our next Super Bowl Champion is going to be the New Orleans Saints. I have no write up - trends do me no good, and I have no other ideas on why this is happening -


Am I batshit crazy? :mj07:

 

[Blitz]

I wouldn't have put the Red Sox in that group, always been close...

 

[trump tight]

I wouldn't have put the Red Sox in that group, always been close...

Don't get me wrong - I'm not bashing, but all of those mentioned were kind of "loveable losers" - finding ways to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, or just destined to never win the bigin'.

The Red Sox seemed snake bit, or even jinxed - I mean the last time they had won a championship - 1918? Right? Almost the same time for the Chisox - not nearly as long for TB or Carolina, due to them being expansion teams.

 

[Wise and Wiser]

Good post TT! George Mason advancing to the Final Four last season might be the most improbable story during the last 10 years. The Patriots didn't win the championship, but still!

 

[trump tight]

Good post TT! George Mason advancing to the Final Four last season might be the most improbable story during the last 10 years. The Patriots didn't win the championship, but still!

Trudat. I seem to remember sitting next to a "guy in the know" in Vegas and him telling me that it was a foregone conclusion that UCONN would win the game, it was only a matter of - by how much.

Side note - He didn't appreciate me referring to women's basketball as "beaver ball". (he was also pretty "knowledgeable" about the beaverball as well)

When I asked him if he had ever been to "madjack's" he asked me if I had ever been to the parking lot. - true story. I don't think he liked me. :com:

 

[Wise and Wiser]

Yep, and he also said, "These new casinos keep going up in Vegas because people like you are foolish enough to take Mason straight up against UCONN."

:142smilie

 

[TouchdownJesus]

It is true, but you also have to look at how things are set up today compared to several years ago.

Also, don't forget about teams like NC State and Villanova winning it all. BYU won a nat'l title in '84.

But, I see what you are saying. Theres way more parity in all sports today. There are scolarship limitations and free agency.

Back in the day, a team like Michigan could recruit as many as they wanted. So what would happen would be way more depth for the better teams as well as those teams hoarding players. A guy who could start for Purdue was on the bench at Michigan so Purdue would end up with even less talent.

With free agency, as long as you have an owner willing to spend and make smart moves, any team now has a realistic chance. Its almost like going out for recess and having captains choose teams.

Also, expansion teams are given way more advantages these days. The playing fields are just much more level. In basketball, it only takes 6-7 guys, and really only 2-3 star players. Easier said than done, but very realistic.

I like the parity to an extent, but wish there wasn't quite so much of it. Also hate some of the reasons there is so much parity. I'd rather it be b/c team A worked their ass off in the offseason rather than they just went and got a couple great players from Team B and paid them more.

But, yeah, I do see what your saying. BTW, Hurricanes used to be the Hartford Whalers. Have no idea any history on them. I just know I hate hockey and live about 2 miles from the arena. Got in traffic last night for that crap.