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122 Franchises Ranked Bottom to Top:

Re: 122 Franchises Ranked Bottom to Top:

I grew up in Northern NJ and for me it was Marv Albert and Bill Chadwick on the radio calls for WHN, WNBC and wherever else the Ranger games were on the AM dial.

TV was limited to 20 road games. I still have Marv's radio call of game 6 of the 1971 Stanley Cup semifinals. It's a classic that hooked me forever on hockey.
 
Re: 122 Franchises Ranked Bottom to Top:

... and just for the record, the Minnesota football team is now too high ;)
 
Re: 122 Franchises Ranked Bottom to Top:

44. Calgary Flames

(a.k.a. Atlanta Flames)

Why? An under the radar team had its moments in the 80’s and 90’s but much mediocrity since.

The Good. Won the 1989 Stanley Cup defeating Patrick Roy and the Montreal Canadiens. 3 Conference Championships (1986, 1989, 2004).

The Bad. Never advanced in the playoff in Atlanta, Never advanced in the playoffs from their Stanley Cup win in 1989 to winning the Western Conference in 2004.

The Ugly. There is a possibility of the Flames moving this summer. Flames management vowed to leave Calgary if a taxpayer funded arena is built. The threat occurred before the mayoral election. Incumbent mayor Naheed Nenshi opposes the city paying for an arena, he was re-elected. I would imagine once this season is over, talks will get heated.

Where they play. Opened in 1983, Scotiabank Saddledome, the arena was built to host the 1988 Winter Olympics, now the second oldest arena in the NHL. The Saddledome replaced the Stampede Corral which was used for the Flames first three seasons until the Saddledome was built. The arena is famous for Stu Hart’s wrestling promotion Stampede Wrestling

Owner: Calgary Sports and Entertainment. 14th richest Canadian looking for a taxpayer funded arena.

Coach: Glen Gulutzan, currently in his second season coaching the Flames, coached at Dallas for two years. Was a minor league coach for the Las Vegas Wranglers and Texas Stars.

Top Current Players: Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan, and Mike Smith

Hall of Famers: Lanny McDonald, Joe Mullen, Al MacInnis, and Joe Nieuwendyk

Up Next: The Minnesota Vikings
 
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Re: 122 Franchises Ranked Bottom to Top:

43. Cincinnati Reds

Why? With roots that date back to 1869 and a charter member of the National League, the Reds are good for a championship once every several decades, and hey they are probably due to win it all again in the 2020’s

The Good. Five World Series Championships (1919, 1940, 1975, 1976, 1990). Nine National League Pennants (1939, 1961, 1970, 1972). The Big Red Machine in the 1970’s was one of most successful teams in that decade. Sweeping Oakland in 1990 was considered one of baseball’s most recent upsets.

The Bad. That first championship has some taint due to the Black Sox scandal. Prior to 1939 it was their ony pennant. After winning the World Series in 1940, the Reds disappears before being fed to the Yankees in 1961. A few seasons after the Big Red Machine dismantled the Reds losts 101 games in 1982. A couple of seasons later, the Reds brought in Pete Rose to be a player/manager, him betting on games made the Reds play a little better :P.

The Ugly. Anyone who followed the Reds in the 1980’s and 1990’s remember owner Marge Schott. Schott purchased control of the Reds in 1984. Schott didn’t spend the money needed to make the Reds a contender. However, she referred to outfielders Eric Davis and Dave Parker as “Million-Dollar N*****s”, said that Adolf Hitler was good for Germany before he got carried away. Referred to those “sneaky god**** Jews are all alike.” Schott announced that manager Davey Johnson won’t return after the 1995 regardless of how the Reds finished the season. Schott did not approve Johnson’s crime of living with his girlfriend before getting married. 1995 was the last year the Reds made to the NLCS. Schott sold her majority interest in 1999 to avoid being suspended a third time for even more racially insensitive comments.

Where they play. Great American Ball Park. Opened in 2003, not named because its great but it is the name of an insurance company. It replaced Riverfront Stadium which was a cookie cutter stadium that could fit both the Reds and Bengals.

Owner: Bob Castellini, purchased a majority share of the Reds in 2005. Castellini is a fruit and vegetable wholesaler. As opposed to Marge Schott who though players who wore earring were “fruits”.

Manager: Bryan Price, finished his fourth season as manager of the Reds and has a .426 winning percentage. Makes you wonder how the guy still has a job, however he did get ejected from a game before the first pitch.

Top Current Players: Joey Votto, Joey Votto, and Joey Votto

Hall of Famers: Johnny Bench, Barry Larkin, Ernie Lombardi, Bill McKechnie, Bid McPhee, Joe Morgan, Tony Perez, Eppa Rixley, Edd Rouch….and I’m sure the year after he croaks…Pete Rose

Up Next: The Minnesota Vikings
 
Re: 122 Franchises Ranked Bottom to Top:

43. Cincinnati Reds

The Ugly. Anyone who followed the Reds in the 1980’s and 1990’s remember owner Marge Schott. Schott purchased control of the Reds in 1984. Schott didn’t spend the money needed to make the Reds a contender. However, she referred to outfielders Eric Davis and Dave Parker as “Million-Dollar N*****s”, said that Adolf Hitler was good for Germany before he got carried away. Referred to those “sneaky god**** Jews are all alike.” Schott announced that manager Davey Johnson won’t return after the 1995 regardless of how the Reds finished the season. Schott did not approve Johnson’s crime of living with his girlfriend before getting married. 1995 was the last year the Reds made to the NLCS. Schott sold her majority interest in 1999 to avoid being suspended a third time for even more racially insensitive comments.

One of my "favorites" was when Schott was ranting and raving in the owner's box because the opening day game was suspended "just because" the home plate umpire dropped dead of a heart attack.
 
Re: 122 Franchises Ranked Bottom to Top:

One of my "favorites" was when Schott was ranting and raving in the owner's box because the opening day game was suspended "just because" the home plate umpire dropped dead of a heart attack.

And then explained she was just "standing up for the fans". :rolleyes:

If there's a hell, you can be assured that even Satan finds Marge obnoxious, over-the-top, and "a bit" insensitive.
 
43. Cincinnati Reds

Why? With roots that date back to 1869 and a charter member of the National League, the Reds are good for a championship once every several decades, and hey they are probably due to win it all again in the 2020’s

The Good. Five World Series Championships (1919, 1940, 1975, 1976, 1990). Nine National League Pennants (1939, 1961, 1970, 1972). The Big Red Machine in the 1970’s was one of most successful teams in that decade. Sweeping Oakland in 1990 was considered one of baseball’s most recent upsets.

The Bad. That first championship has some taint due to the Black Sox scandal. Prior to 1939 it was their ony pennant. After winning the World Series in 1940, the Reds disappears before being fed to the Yankees in 1961. A few seasons after the Big Red Machine dismantled the Reds losts 101 games in 1982. A couple of seasons later, the Reds brought in Pete Rose to be a player/manager, him betting on games made the Reds play a little better :P.

The Ugly. Anyone who followed the Reds in the 1980’s and 1990’s remember owner Marge Schott. Schott purchased control of the Reds in 1984. Schott didn’t spend the money needed to make the Reds a contender. However, she referred to outfielders Eric Davis and Dave Parker as “Million-Dollar N*****s”, said that Adolf Hitler was good for Germany before he got carried away. Referred to those “sneaky god**** Jews are all alike.” Schott announced that manager Davey Johnson won’t return after the 1995 regardless of how the Reds finished the season. Schott did not approve Johnson’s crime of living with his girlfriend before getting married. 1995 was the last year the Reds made to the NLCS. Schott sold her majority interest in 1999 to avoid being suspended a third time for even more racially insensitive comments.

Where they play. Great American Ball Park. Opened in 2003, not named because its great but it is the name of an insurance company. It replaced Riverfront Stadium which was a cookie cutter stadium that could fit both the Reds and Bengals.

Owner: Bob Castellini, purchased a majority share of the Reds in 2005. Castellini is a fruit and vegetable wholesaler. As opposed to Marge Schott who though players who wore earring were “fruits”.

Manager: Bryan Price, finished his fourth season as manager of the Reds and has a .426 winning percentage. Makes you wonder how the guy still has a job, however he did get ejected from a game before the first pitch.

Top Current Players: Joey Votto, Joey Votto, and Joey Votto

Hall of Famers: Johnny Bench, Barry Larkin, Ernie Lombardi, Bill McKechnie, Bid McPhee, Joe Morgan, Tony Perez, Eppa Rixley, Edd Rouch….and I’m sure the year after he croaks…Pete Rose

Up Next: The Minnesota Vikings

My mom was a HUGE Reds fan. Here is what I can tell you:

She excused Schott.

She had a crush on Johnny Bench.

Failed to understand why Rose was banned.
 
Re: 122 Franchises Ranked Bottom to Top:

42. Portland Trail Blazers

Why? The team that brought you Blazermania!!! Now that phrase belongs to Perry Ellis.

The Good. Won the 1977 NBA Championship with Bill Walton and his red afro. Two additional Western Conference Championships (1990 & 1992). 20 Consecutive playoff seasons 1983-2003.

The Bad. Have generally been a mid to high card team for most of their existence. Portland had their typical expansion pains until 1977. Mid 2000’s experienced a playoff drought. Typically referred to as “Jail Blazers” for all their weed arrests in the 2000’s

The Ugly. Bad Drafts. Had first overall pick in the 1972 NBA Draft and picked LaRue Martin who turned out to be a colossal bust. Luckily the Blazers were bad enough to draft Bill Walton with the first pick of the 1974 NBA Draft. Yes, Walton would be the driving force that led the Blazers to their lone championship. However, in 1978 the Blazers had the best record in the NBA then Walton broke his leg. With Walton out for the remainder of the season, the Blazers limped through the playoffs and were bounced by Seattle. Walton blamed the Blazers trainers for not treating his leg properly. Walton demanded a trade, when Portland refused, Walton sat out the 1979 season until he could leave via free agency.
In 1984, the Blazers with the second pick of the NBA Draft selected Sam Bowie. (Michael Jordan was picked 3rd by Chicago). Bowie turned out to be just as brittle as Walton. Why not pick Jordan? The Blazers actually had the right rationale in that they already had a shooting guard who had a great rookie season (Clyde Drexler) and no one in ’84 thought Jordan would become the icon he is today.
In 2007 with the first pick, the Blazers selected Greg Oden, a big 7 foot center with a lot of marketing potential. After sitting out his rookie season due to injury, Oden would then play 82 games in two seasons before more knee setbacks setback his career.

Where they play. Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. More referred to as The Rose Garden, due to Portland’s love of roses.

Owner: Paul Allen, co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates. This pretty much means he can buy and sell your *** many times over.

Coach: Terry Stotts, currently in his sixth season with the Blazers. Coached with George Karl with the Albany Patroons, helped lead them to a 50-6 record.

Top Current Players: Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, and Jusuf Nurkic

Hall of Famers: Clyde Drexler, Bill Walton, Arvydas Sabonis

Up Next: The Minnesota Vikings
 
Re: 122 Franchises Ranked Bottom to Top:

More referred to as The Rose Garden, due to Portland’s love of roses.

In addition to "Stumptown" and "The City of Bridges," Portland is known as "the City of Roses." There is a rose test garden near the zoo up in the west hills where new varieties are validated and formally named -- a sort of Système Internationale for roses.

And now I'm homesick. :(
 
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Re: 122 Franchises Ranked Bottom to Top:

41. Toronto Blue Jays

Why? Canada’s most popular baseball team! Oh yeah, they are the only Canadian baseball team.

The Good. Won the World Series in 1992 and 1993. 6 American League East Championships.

The Bad. Typical expansion pains. Went from World Champs to below .500 the next season.

The Ugly. Some team uniforms look good and should never change. The Blue Jays made that fatal mistake in 2004. The Blue Jays decided to change their iconic blue uniforms to black. Put less emphasis on the “Blue” and just have “Jays” on the uniforms. They add a bird with steroids and eventually the Canadian Maple Leaf. It was a cheesy attempt to get kids interested in the Jays knowing the Jays couldn’t compete with the Yankees and Boston in those days. The Blue Jays switched back to their more iconic look in 2012.

Where they play. Rogers Centre, known as SkyDome, the building became the first retractable roof stadium used. Built in 1989, yours truly took a tour there last November and I have to say I was pretty impressed.

Owner: Rogers Communicatons, the big celluar carrier in Canada. President of Baseball Operations, Mark Shapiro. Shapiro worked in the Indians organization for 25 years before taking over in Toronto after the 2015 season.

Manager: John Gibbons, currently on his second stint managing the Blue Jays. First stint went from 2004-2008. Gibbons was rehired after the 2012 season.

Top Current Players: Justin Smoak, Kendrys Morales, and Marcus Stroman

Hall of Famers: Roberto Alomar, several others had cups of coffee with the Blue Jays

Up Next: The Minnesota Vikings
 
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