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Sports are really about two things from a fan perspective: love and hate. We love our favorite teams and players; we hate those that stand in their way.
Of course, there is some black and white in this. After all, teams such as the Detroit Lions exist. Nobody hates them, except possibly Matt Millen. But, that is a topic for another day.
With baseball season coming to a close (and what other sport can make that claim fifty games from the finish line) and football season starting up, the sports world is a buzz with...well, hate. When the NBA starts up in October (along with the NHL) we'll be able to love and have any team in any league. Won't it be lovely?
Now personally, I love rivalries. You can look at a roster of some team and hope they walk off the face of the Earth. But, then, when you're all alone at night you can quietly admit to yourself, "I hope that team is kind of good this year. When we play them, I want it to be fun..."
But sometimes its not just teams that we despise. It can be entire cities. If you're a fan of all the Seattle teams, there are cities you just loathe. Every team in that city causes flashbacks to some traumatic point in your life. Or in other instances, a rivalry with one team makes you hate other teams in that city. For example, I do not like the Diamondbacks. Why? Because that would give me something in common with Suns fans. And who wants that?
So, I'm going to countdown the top 10 Sports Cities that Seattle fans hate. And for the sake of argument, let’s throw the Vancouver Canucks into this conversation to, just to give us some hockey representation.
10. New York. Let's face it, only the Mariners have a rivalry with a New York team, and it hasn't really been heated since 2001. But, look at it this way: the Mariners have played in the postseason four times. They've played the Yankees in three of them. In 1995, the M's beat the Yanks to move onto the ALCS, but the other two times, the Bronx Bombers kept Seattle from playing in the World Series.
And besides, New York gets all the media coverage. Loathe away.
9. Kansas City. Mostly stems from the Seahawks-Chiefs rivalry. After all, nobody gets too stirred up about Mariners-Royals games. But any Seahawk fan who doesn't remember thinking to themselves once a season, "We go to KC this week. I hope we can actually win," welcome to Seahawk fandom! The team did exist before 2000, and was very mediocre for several years.
The 'Hawks are 18-30 all-time against Kansas City. For one of those wins, I highly recommend watching this clip. Enjoy.
8. Phoenix. You know how I can tell the NFL Season is on its way? Because reports out of Phoenix say the Cardinals will be dangerous this year.
The Cardinals are that little pesky brother who still picks his nose even those he's a senior in high school. You really want to see him do well, because let's face it; no one deserves that to put up with that many setbacks. But, at the same time, you enjoy mom and dad calling you the smart one, and that was after you stole their kahlua.
The Cardinals have been poised for their breakout season since, the mid-80s it seems like. When it comes, it will come. Until then...go away.
Of course, the most hated team in Arizona from a Seattle perspective is the Phoenix Suns. In 1993, the Suns beat the SuperSonics in seven games to go to the NBA finals. You can read all about that series here.
I'll spare you the time and highlight my favorite passage about game 7.
"The whistles helped their cause, too. Phoenix tied an NBA playoff record with 57 free throws in 64 attempts--15-of-15 in the fourth quarter."
At least they're honest.
Also, Cougar fans might remember that it was Arizona State that prevented a perfect season for the Cougs in 1996.
7. Pittsburgh. While we're on the topic of poorly officiated games, let us think back (briefly) to Super Bowl XL. I have written before that I don't blame the officials for the loss, but there isn't a Seahawk fan around that doesn't loathe the Steelers.
I personally believe the Pirates last place in the NL is God's way of setting things right with the world. And, if Seattle does ever get that brand new "world-class" arena that Clay Bennett has talked about, I know where the Penguins can move to. (Hint: not Kansas City)
There is no rivalry here, but as fans, don't we have to hate the team that beat us for a championship? Speaking of which...
6. Chicago. Again, no rivalry, but that whole 1996 NBA Finals thing? Yeah, about that...
The Sonics of the 90s will never be recognized for what they were because they never got it done in the playoffs. The year they did, they ran into the Bulls (OK, so did five other NBA teams. They were good. I get it). And wasn't Dennis Rodman just absolute scum in that series? Frank Brickowski was kicked out of two games thanks to Rodman's antics. Detlef Schrempf even picked up a technical in the series because of the Worm.
At least the Mariners beat the White Sox in the 2000 ALDS.
5. Dallas. Remember Alex Rodriguez, the man New York fans boo a lot? They're just copying Mariners fans.
Seattle has a reputation for having fairly nice fans. Raiders or Broncos aside, we aren't overly hostile to anyone coming into our fair city. But, when A-Rod returned with the Rangers a year after leaving the M's for 252 million dollars (and, no one remembers this, but he signed off on a letter encouraging Boeing to move down to Dallas) he wasn't exactly greeted with wreaths and a parade.
Monopoly money rained down from Safeco Field's upper decks. One enterprising fan put money on a fishing line and dangled it in front of the Rangers dugout. Leave the fans that had loved you, to a division rival no less, and you will not be treated kindly at all.
One other notable former Seattle player to play in Dallas is Joey Galloway. The man who inspired Go-Away jerseys after holding out for most of the 1999 season found a home with "America's team."
Even though both players have moved on, its still fun to mess with Texas.
4. St. Louis. I know the Seahawk's main rival these days is the Rams, but in terms of city rivalry there isn't much to go on. Four might be a little high, actually. The Cardinals play in the NL, Saint Louis doesn't have a basketball team, and the Blues have played the Canucks in one very memorable playoff series, which was won by the Canucks.
Still, it’s hard to ignore the heart breaks to the Rams in recent years, especially the playoff loss. The sweep of Saint Louis last year felt great. Things got kicked up a notch from Torii Holt's "we're mentally tougher than they are," comment. That and one of their biggest fans looks a lot like Tim from Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail. Is that cool? Lame? I don't know. It’s certainly laughable.
3. Los Angeles. The Lakers. Occasionally the Raiders. The Angels. For college fans, USC and UCLA. Tom Cruise. There is nothing to like about Los Angeles. I repeat nothing. It’s the West Coast's New York. This is the city where a lot of Seattle rivalries come into play, but chief among them the Lakers.
Not that Beat L.A.! chants are unique to Seattle, but when they're broken out at Storm games...it's kind of fun. Admit it, as far to the left as Seattle might lean, we love putting those Hollywood yuppie/hippies in their place.
Don't forget: the Rams got their start here.
2. Oakland. Two words: Raiders. A's.
Even though the Raiders are mentioned in the L.A. section of the column, they've spent most of their existence in Oakland. The Raiders have turned the Oakland coliseum into the world's largest Star Wars convention, not only with a guy dressed up as Darth Vader, but the Sith Lord himself owns the team.
(Side note: Was there a creepier speech at the Hall of Fame inductions than the one Al Davis gave for John Madden. He made the Raiders seem like some mystic cult. Of course, the Black Hole is kind of out there...)
And then there are the A's. The A's also play at Oakland coliseum, a ballpark that makes up for its lack of charm with foul territory. Those white shoes always bugged me too. That and the A's have currently beaten the Mariners something like 500 times in a row, so that’s frustrating.
But, alas, only one city can lay claim to most hated sports city in Seattle. And that has to be...
1. Denver. I hate Denver. A lot. And Seattle fans, you should to.
The Broncos were our second biggest rival (behind Oakland) but John Elway was always my least favorite player back in the day. He used to torch the Seahawks in every way possible. That Mile High Salute was real frustrating, and from the smoke-blowing donkey to their current flaming mane horse, the Broncos have the worst uniforms ever. Looking at them even twice a year was revolting.
Then there are the Nuggets. Who became the first #8 seed to beat a #1...at the Sonics expense. I still remember Dikembe Matumbo crying on the Seattle Center court, holding the basketball to the heavens after game 5. Considering my age at the time, I too was probably lying on the floor, crying. Why did you have to destroy a child's dreams Dikembe? Why? The Nuggets were also a pest last season when the Sonics somehow won 55 games and made it to the Western Conference Semifinals.
And let us not forget the Colorado avalanche, who not only tore a team from Quebec City (a great hockey town) but have fans that have never tasted a bad season. The first ten seasons in Denver: ten division titles. The past two seasons have been banner-less at the Pepsi Center thanks to Vancouver and Calgary, but the Avs have still made the playoffs.
The Canucks-avalanche rivalry was fueled greatly (as in, poured-gasoline-over-napalm fueled) by the Todd Bertuzzi-Steve Moore incident. I won't get into the particulars here, but the topic is a sore one on each team's message boards.
As Todd himself might say, "It is what it is."
As for the Rockies, they remain unscathed for now. Even though the Mariners got Jeff Cirillo from them. Good defense...terrible bat.
Then there's the whole "IN-COM-PLETE!" chant Bronco fans do after an incomplete pass, which is quite possibly the dumbest thing ever. Even when they were down by twenty, in the playoffs, the fans do this, the mindless drones that they are. Denver also brought us Barrel Man, whose picture I will not link because I don't want to look at him. At all.
There you have it. Ten cities I can't stand, and the reasons why. The sad thing is the hate is not returned by any of them. Seattle is nobody's chief rival (maybe the Blazers, but somehow Portland stayed off this list).
Now, if you excuse me, I have to go take a walk through the woods. This column brought back some bad memories, and I need to work them out in the only way I know how.
Swearing as loudly as possible.
Alan
I noticed quite a few deals went down today across the sports world and since I’ve been writing about nothing but baseball recently, it was a good opportunity to change gears. Well somewhat anyway, there’s plenty of baseball here too. But the NFL and NBA find their way into this column. So to recap the deals:
The Mets acquired OF Shawn Green from the Diamondbacks for LHP Evan MacLane.
The Phillies acquired IF Jose Hernandez from the Pirates for cash.
In the NBA, the Pacers acquired F Al Harrington and C John Edwards from the Atlanta Hawks for a 1st round pick.
In the NFL, Falcons, Broncos and Redskins made a three way swap. The Broncos sent WR Ashlie Lelie to the Falcons, who sent HB TJ Duckett to the Skins, who sent a third round pick to the Broncos.
Got all that? I neglected to mention a swap Green Bay did with Cleveland for two inconsequential players who will probably never see the field in any meaningful action this year.
Of course at Sportszilla, we’re not about just listing trades. If we post it, we’re going to analyze it. So fasten your seatbelts as we jump across sports to get to the nitty gritty, emphasis on “gritty.” (More on that later). And since I’m writing this, you know I have to begin with the Mets. Sorry non Mets fans, if you’re not interested, just skip past and check out the other deals. To be fair, it was the biggest baseball trade of the day…
New York Mets received Shawn Green and cash from the Arizona Diamondbacks for LHP Evan MacLane.
The Mets get an upgrade from Lastings Milledge in Green, but with splits of .283/.348/.429/.777 in a hitter’s park in Arizona, it isn’t as if the Mets just added a difference maker’s bat. Green represents an average outfielder at this point. Then again, the Mets really don’t need much more than that; they’ve already got three top flight offensive players in their lineup. And at six million next year Green isn’t a bad player to have, especially since Cliff Floyd will likely be allowed to walk in free agency.
The D’Backs get salary relief. They seemed determined to dump Green, and in exchange for picking up half the remaining contract, get a mediocre prospect in MacLane. If the 23 year old lefty couldn’t find his way into the Mets rotation this year, he likely never would. He had a 3.86 ERA in 121.1 IP at AAA with a 67/35 K/BB ratio. Despite a decent ERA, he currently he stands behind Brian Bannister, Mike Pelfrey, Oliver Perez, Phillip Humber and probably even Aaron Heilman on the Mets rotation depth chart. So he was expendable. But in Arizona, where the pitching after Brandon Webb is a giant question mark, he could be useful.
Phillies get IF Jose Hernandez from the Pirates for cash
Jose Hernandez has two claims to fame in my book. First, he would have easily shattered the single season strikeout record with the Brewers in 2002 if not for the fact he was essentially benched the last three weeks of the season to prevent that from happening. Secondly, he was the player the Pirates got back for Arimas Ramirez and Kenny Lofton. Great trade, eh?
This season 37 year old Hernandez has splits of .267/.328/.350/.678. At third base. Brilliant.
But it gets better. He’s actually an upgrade over Abraham Nunez, the Phillies current place holder there has splits of .208/.267/.268/.535. That’s in a hitter’s park… at third base. Just in comparison, last year my favorite whipping boy was Cristian Guzman of the Nationals. He managed splits of .219/.260/.314/.574… in the most extreme pitcher’s park in baseball… at shortstop.
To sum up, the Phillies have been starting possibly the worst regular baseball has seen in some time at third base, an offensive position. So yeah, this is one of those rare, rare times where picking up a 37 year old corner infielder with a .678 OPS is actually a good move.
As a side note, ESPN lists Nunez as “Abraham O. Nunez.” I’ll leave you to make as many jokes about that middle initial as you see fit.
The Pacers pick up F Al Harrington and C John Edwards from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for a 2007 1st round draft pick
I guess the Pacers figure they’ll be out of the lottery now. Not sure how this makes them that much better. Harrington is a solid player; 18.6 points last year and 6.9 rebounds per game. I will not make a political joke here about Mr. Edwards… or a joke about talking to dead people… or even a joke about the religious history of this country (for all you history majors out there).
Maybe I’m missing something here, and since Larry Bird is considered to be an excellent general manager, it’s certainly possible. But how can you give up a first rounder when your team could easily miss the playoffs this year considering you’re overhauling the whole roster. And again, Harrington is a solid player, but worth a first round pick? I mean he averaged less points per game than Wally Szczerbiak, Ricky Davis and put up just .4 points per game more than the man he replaces, Peja Stojakovic. Would you trade a first for any of those players?
Good move for the Hawks meanwhile. They’re whole team is made up of small forwards, so to get an extra first rounder for one of them will help down the road.
Falcons get Ashlie Lelie, Redskins get TJ Duckett, Broncos get a 2007 3rd round pick from Redskins
Peerless Price didn’t work out so now the Falcons will try again with a talented speed wideout who’s had limited success in the NFL. This time they gave up less, as Duckett is a part time player. If Lelie pans out he’ll have far more of an effect on the team than Duckett ever could. Now will Michael Vick be able to get him the ball?
Guess Clinton Portis’ injury is serious. That’s the only reason I can see the Skins for picking up Duckett for a third round pick, a pretty steep price in today’s NFL. If Portis is coming back soon, then this is a waste, since part time backs aren’t that hard to find. Either way, this isn’t a good sign for the Skins.
With Javon Walker and Rod Smith, there was no need to keep the disgruntled Lelie around anymore in Denver. He never panned out to his first round billing, but a third round pick at this stage isn’t a terrible haul for the Broncos.
By the way, to the Skins have some sort of agreement with Denver that they must find a way to ship a draft pick to them every year? Actually, I think they also have one with the Jets as well, since I believe they gave their 2007 second rounder up to move up in that round this year.
So that’s the trade round up. But I’ll leave you with a few more passing thoughts on a some miscellaneous subjects:
-NL MVP voting- Pujols 7, Beltran 2:
Seven is the total number of RBI phat Albert had tonight against John Maine, all coming on the strength of a three run homer in the fourth and a grand slam one inning later. The problem? It’s the Cardinals’ general one in a nutshell.
Staked to a 7-1 lead, Jeff Weaver promptly gave four back in the bottom of the inning , surrendering a grand slam to Carlos Delgado. (His 400th career hr) Then after the Mets scored a run in the sixth, Carlos Beltran hit a two run, game winning homer of closer Jason Isringhausen in the ninth to seal the comeback victory.
When Chris Carpenter isn’t pitching Albert Pujols is the Cardinals lone weapon. Carlos Beltran is a big one for the Mets, but there are plenty of guys to pick him up if he has problems early on. If Pujols didn’t hit those bombs off Maine, the Cardinals likely lose big. That isn’t to say Beltran isn’t deserving of the award, but as of right now, I’d give it to Pujols.
-DFA'd Diaz Likely Done
Alliteration is fun. Anyway, Mini Manny aien’t that no more. Since a decent ’05 campaign where he posted a .795 OPS in 280 ABs, Diaz has fallen off the map. This year at AAA his line was .224/.276/.330/.606. For a corner outfielder. That’s just horrendous. When Michael Tucker got the recall over Diaz after Cliff Floyd’s recent DL stint, the writing was on the wall.
Still just 24, Diaz deserves a shot to play with someone. A change of scenery could help. Why wouldn’t someone like the Pirates or Royals roll the dice with him? It would be relatively shocking if he made it through waivers. In all likelihood, his days as a Met are done.
-Jets Set the Bar- Low
Gang Green picked up Niners half back Kevan Barlow this week in exchange for a mid round draft pick. Why? I guess the Jets are banking on a change of scenery and a better offensive team (no matter how bad the Jets look the Niners are much worse) will help Barlow resemble the guy who averaged 5.1 YPC in 2003. Still the Jets were better off gambling on one of their young guys, or just waiting until next year. I mean it’s not like this team is going to be contending for anything this season.
It's also looking more and more certain Curtis Martin's playing days are over. And that's a disappointment, considering how he went out.
-Judging “Heart”
I promised you "gritty" and I deliver. It's link time. Clark Judge apparently thinks the Vikings are very smart for replacing the extremely talented Daunte Culpepper for a “proven winner” in Brad Johnson. You know, akin to Tom Brady. Don’t laugh people: I’m dead serious. Just click the link and look at the title.
Apparently we’re all wrong. Talent doesn’t win championships. It’s scrappiness, grit and heart. Give me Brad Johnson, Ed McCaffery, David Eckstein, Brian Scalabrine and Darren Erstad and dammit, I’ll win you a World Series, Super Bowl, Stanley Cup and NBA Championship… all in the same year. And forget the World Cup, they’d dominate over teams like Brazil and Argentina! Because we all know white “heart” triumphs over minority “talent”.
Anyone rolls their eyes, try to remember the last minority athlete who ever got identified as “scrappy and/or gritty.” Also remember this:
You can’t spell “scrappy” without, well, everything after the “s”.
-Fight Night: Toronto
Speaking of scraps, who’s going to the be next Blue Jay to get into it with skipper John Gibbons? Vernon Wells? Lyle Overbay? Troy Glaus? Maybe BJ Ryan. But really there’s only one guy I want to see have it out with the literally embattled manager.
Doc Halladay. I can see the headlines now: Showdown at the OK Corral. Bring your own six shooter John; I hear Doc fires those pellets with pinpoint accuracy.
That’s two historical references in one column. Good sign if you’re writing a paper, bad for a sports site. So on that note, I think it’s time to end it for now. Until next time:
May the Abraham Nunez/Jose Hernandez platoon produce a .600 OPS at 3rd base… in a hitter’s park.
Now if they only had hustle and grit, those Phillies would be alright.
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