Philadelphia, 100 seasons without a title

[philly97flyer]

Using SI's idiotic math, Chicago's gone 183 years without a title.

Cubs - 100

Blackhawks - 47

Bears - 23

Bulls - 10

White Sox - 3

Chicago has gone 3 years without one. White Sox in 2005.

Yeah, but the way this slightly silly "math" works, you add up the number of seasons it's been since each of the four teams have won a title. That's where the "100 seasons" for Philadelphia comes from, as even though 1980 seems a long time ago it obviously hasn't been 100 years.

Yes but its been 100 seasons SINCE Philadelphia has won a title, 25 years. Chicago, its been 3 years. The only reason they're all combined is because its been that long.

Well then, by your logic, 3 years * 5 major professional teams = 15 years. Don't try to have your fake math both ways, unless you're planning a career in politics.

Ok heres some real math for you then: 100 > 15

Take notes kid.

[VandyDelphia Mike]

Isn't it only 99 since the NHL didn't play one full year due to lockout - or is that factored into the 100?

[DEAD!]

Isn't it only 99 since the NHL didn't play one full year due to lockout - or is that factored into the 100?

or is it 98 because there was no World Series in 1994?

[BBTV]

Isn't it only 99 since the NHL didn't play one full year due to lockout - or is that factored into the 100?

In the article, it said that they counted the missed seasons, because "the calendar turned."

[BBTV]

Actually, now that I read the list, I have to say I'm pretty dissapointed. A large percentage of those 100 "heartbreaks" are just every day bad moves or embarassing moments that that every team has, or insignificant losses that not many people even cared about.

Honestly - this year's Flyers counts as a heartbreak? Most Flyers fans I know didn't expect them to beat Pittsburgh, and felt that they accomplished a lot just by making it as far as they did. It wasn't like they were the odds-on favorite that choked, which would then qualify as a "heartbreak", they got smoked by a much better team, just like they were supposed to.

The Bobby Abreu trade is a "heartbreak"? Most fans hated him and just wanted him out of town, and the team has been better off for it.

The list certainly contains a good number of "tragedies", gaffes, and yes - even "heartbreaks", but I think this guy is trying waaay to hard to build this list.

[FiddySicks]

1. 2002 NFC Championship Game | Jan. 19, 2003

The blindside factor makes the NFC title game between the Eagles and the Bucs the choice as the definitive Philly sports tragedy of the drought era. The idea of losing to Tampa Bay in the final game in Veterans Stadium history was unthinkable. Consider these facts:

* In the three most recent meetings between the teams -- including wild-card showdowns in 2000 and 2001 -- the Eagles had outscored the Bucs by a 72-22 margin.

* The Bucs entered the game 1-21 all-time when the temperature was under 40 degrees (with the lone win coming in Week 17 against the hapless Bears). The gametime temperature in South Philadelphia: 22 degrees and windy.

* Tampa Bay had never won a road playoff game in franchise history.

When Brian Mitchell returned the opening kickoff 70 yards -- followed by Duce Staley's touchdown in the first minute -- victory seemed a foregone conclusion. Alas, the Eagles lost the game, 27-10. After sucking the energy out of the Vet with two lengthy touchdown drives during the first half, Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber's sealed the outcome with a 92-yard interception with 3:12 left. It sent 66,713 salty fans to the aisles, an appropriate tribute to a building which provided the stage for 33 years of disappointment and heartbreak.

This is STILL the greatest moment in my personal sports history, even over the Super Bowl. I don't think anyone, even me, really expected Tampa to pull out that win, especially after getting thwapped in the five or so games vs Philly prior to that. I knew it'd be high on the Philly list, but I'm kinda honored that the most disappointing loss came at the hands of my Bucs

[CC97]

1. 2002 NFC Championship Game | Jan. 19, 2003

The blindside factor makes the NFC title game between the Eagles and the Bucs the choice as the definitive Philly sports tragedy of the drought era. The idea of losing to Tampa Bay in the final game in Veterans Stadium history was unthinkable. Consider these facts:

* In the three most recent meetings between the teams -- including wild-card showdowns in 2000 and 2001 -- the Eagles had outscored the Bucs by a 72-22 margin.

* The Bucs entered the game 1-21 all-time when the temperature was under 40 degrees (with the lone win coming in Week 17 against the hapless Bears). The gametime temperature in South Philadelphia: 22 degrees and windy.

* Tampa Bay had never won a road playoff game in franchise history.

When Brian Mitchell returned the opening kickoff 70 yards -- followed by Duce Staley's touchdown in the first minute -- victory seemed a foregone conclusion. Alas, the Eagles lost the game, 27-10. After sucking the energy out of the Vet with two lengthy touchdown drives during the first half, Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber's sealed the outcome with a 92-yard interception with 3:12 left. It sent 66,713 salty fans to the aisles, an appropriate tribute to a building which provided the stage for 33 years of disappointment and heartbreak.

This is STILL the greatest moment in my personal sports history, even over the Super Bowl. I don't think anyone, even me, really expected Tampa to pull out that win, especially after getting thwapped in the five or so games vs Philly prior to that. I knew it'd be high on the Philly list, but I'm kinda honored that the most disappointing loss came at the hands of my Bucs

And #2 on their list is #1 for me

[gingerbreadmann]

1. 2002 NFC Championship Game | Jan. 19, 2003

The blindside factor makes the NFC title game between the Eagles and the Bucs the choice as the definitive Philly sports tragedy of the drought era. The idea of losing to Tampa Bay in the final game in Veterans Stadium history was unthinkable. Consider these facts:

* In the three most recent meetings between the teams -- including wild-card showdowns in 2000 and 2001 -- the Eagles had outscored the Bucs by a 72-22 margin.

* The Bucs entered the game 1-21 all-time when the temperature was under 40 degrees (with the lone win coming in Week 17 against the hapless Bears). The gametime temperature in South Philadelphia: 22 degrees and windy.

* Tampa Bay had never won a road playoff game in franchise history.

When Brian Mitchell returned the opening kickoff 70 yards -- followed by Duce Staley's touchdown in the first minute -- victory seemed a foregone conclusion. Alas, the Eagles lost the game, 27-10. After sucking the energy out of the Vet with two lengthy touchdown drives during the first half, Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber's sealed the outcome with a 92-yard interception with 3:12 left. It sent 66,713 salty fans to the aisles, an appropriate tribute to a building which provided the stage for 33 years of disappointment and heartbreak.

This is STILL the greatest moment in my personal sports history, even over the Super Bowl. I don't think anyone, even me, really expected Tampa to pull out that win, especially after getting thwapped in the five or so games vs Philly prior to that. I knew it'd be high on the Philly list, but I'm kinda honored that the most disappointing loss came at the hands of my Bucs

Ugh, I was watching that when I found out my best friend died.

[jamdawg1]

Chicago Cubs; That's ONE Team. Chicago had the '85 Bears and some guy named Michael Jordan.

Philadelphia; The Sixers in '83. People in their 30's & 40's were alive for that one.

The City that has suffered THE WORST is Cleveland. (The math is skewed because Cleveland does not have an NHL Team.)

Cleveland has not had a World Champion in ANY PRO SPORT since 1964. (The Browns) The Indians haven't won the World Series since 1948 and the Cavs have never won the NBA Title.

There are people with kids in college who have yet to see a Cleveland Team win it all.

[BB61]

The City that has suffered THE WORST is Cleveland. (The math is skewed because Cleveland does not have an NHL Team.)

They also didn't have an NBA team until 1971 nor a pro team for three seasons in the late 90's.

[KP14]

Math aside, SI can write that article because Philadelphia is rather well known for it's championship drought. Unlike most other cities...except maybe Buffalo. If someone else wants the title of most seasons without a win, then they are more than welcome to it...

3 years and it's gonna be 10,000 days....

[jamdawg1]

Last World Title for Philadelphia-1983

Last World Title for Cleveland- 1964

Debate OVER. Cleveland has suffered more than any other city with at least three Major Sports Teams. (Sorry, but 1983 is more recent than 1964.)

...and believe me, I want to give up THAT Title.

[Luigi74]

Umm the 1964 NFL Championship shouldn't be called a World Championship since they never played the AFL Champ Buffalo Bills.

[BB61]

Umm the 1964 NFL Championship shouldn't be called a World Championship since they never played the AFL Champ Buffalo Bills.

Don't give him more ammo.

[jamdawg1]

Umm the 1964 NFL Championship shouldn't be called a World Championship since they never played the AFL Champ Buffalo Bills.

Don't give him more ammo.

Actually, he does have a good point. It should be League or World Title. (No one counts winning the American League as a World Title.) So in the Browns Case, it's an NFL Title.* I always considered Buffalo to be a very close second to Cleveland in terms of suffering only because at least the old Buffalo Braves/LA Clippers haven't gone on to win a World Title after moving. (Unlike the Baltimore Ravens. What an insult that was.)

*Of course, the way the NFL Markets itself; it's as if they would like to wipe anything Pre-Super Bowl off the history & record books.

[DG_ThenNowForever]

Considering how many Cleveland sports fans are also big supporters of Ohio State (including JAMMIN' JAM-DAWG!!!!), I think the argument that the city is somehow cursed a little bit specious. Yeah, the city proper hasn't won anything itself over the past four decades, but Columbus isn't that far away. And judging by coverage in the Plain Dealer, OSU is essentially 1A if not 1 itself in sports in the northern Ohio region. That football program has been dominant in ways most schools wish they could be, and it seems like that really needs to be included in determining how "suffering" a region really is.

I was going to add Seattle to this list, and even through the Mariners and Seahawks haven't won anything ever and the Sonics' last success was in the 70's, the city still got a national champion in football back in 1991. I think that counts for a lot.

[KevinMcD]

Umm the 1964 NFL Championship shouldn't be called a World Championship since they never played the AFL Champ Buffalo Bills.

I believe that the Bills wanted to play the Browns in a de facto championship game in 1964, but the Browns management thought that the AFL was inferior and didn't want to play the Bills. This led towards the creation of the AFL-NFL Championship game (Super Bowl) in 1965 and eventually the merger.

[Jimmy!]

Considering how many Cleveland sports fans are also big supporters of Ohio State (including JAMMIN' JAM-DAWG!!!!), I think the argument that the city is somehow cursed a little bit specious. Yeah, the city proper hasn't won anything itself over the past four decades, but Columbus isn't that far away. And judging by coverage in the Plain Dealer, OSU is essentially 1A if not 1 itself in sports in the northern Ohio region. That football program has been dominant in ways most schools wish they could be, and it seems like that really needs to be included in determining how "suffering" a region really is.

I was going to add Seattle to this list, and even through the Mariners and Seahawks haven't won anything ever and the Sonics' last success was in the 70's, the city still got a national champion in football back in 1991. I think that counts for a lot.

How soon ye forget the Storm's WNBA title a few years ago!

[jamdawg1]

QUOTE(ltp74 @ Thursday, May 22nd, 2008 - 13:40:22) 
Umm the 1964 NFL Championship shouldn't be called a World Championship since they never played the AFL Champ Buffalo Bills.

I believe that the Bills wanted to play the Browns in a de facto championship game in 1964, but the Browns management thought that the AFL was inferior and didn't want to play the Bills. This led towards the creation of the AFL-NFL Championship game (Super Bowl) in 1965 and eventually the merger.

Just one more reason to hate Art Modell. By that time, it was becoming obvious that the AFL was catching up with the NFL (If not at the NFL's Level already.)

Considering how many Cleveland sports fans are also big supporters of Ohio State (including JAMMIN' JAM-DAWG!!!!), I think the argument that the city is somehow cursed a little bit specious. Yeah, the city proper hasn't won anything itself over the past four decades, but Columbus isn't that far away. And judging by coverage in the Plain Dealer, OSU is essentially 1A if not 1 itself in sports in the northern Ohio region. That football program has been dominant in ways most schools wish they could be, and it seems like that really needs to be included in determining how "suffering" a region really is.

While it's true that even though there are eight D-I football schools, it's more than Obvious that Ohio State is the king. Most people who went to Mid-American Conference Schools (MAC: Toledo, Bowling Green, Miami, Kent State, Akron & Ohio U.) list their own school and Ohio State as their favorites.

The thing with Pro Sports in Ohio is a regional thing (Not necissarily confined to NE Ohio.) and a Pro Sports Rivalry with Cincinnati (in actuality, 99.9% of the Hatred comes from Cincy.) and any Pro Title would be THEIRS!

[rams80]

Chicago Cubs; That's ONE Team. Chicago had the '85 Bears and some guy named Michael Jordan.

Philadelphia; The Sixers in '83. People in their 30's & 40's were alive for that one.

The City that has suffered THE WORST is Cleveland. (The math is skewed because Cleveland does not have an NHL Team.)

Cleveland has not had a World Champion in ANY PRO SPORT since 1964. (The Browns) The Indians haven't won the World Series since 1948 and the Cavs have never won the NBA Title.

There are people with kids in college who have yet to see a Cleveland Team win it all.

Not to pile on or anything, but....

Cleveland is also the last market to have a major league team fold. (Cleveland Barons-NHL)