After the Chicago Blackahawks claimed their first championship in 49 years and the San Francisco Giants took home the baseball crown ending their drought that lasted since Mays basket catch in 1954 another long sports title drought came to an end. This made it apparent to me that this is part of the trend of our generation. During my 23 years on this Earth, all of which as an avid sports fan, several curses and long droughts have been extinguished. There have also been numerous franchises to claim their first championship despite years of futility. These are the franchises among the 4 major team sports that either won their first championship or ended a long drought/curse in the last 25 years in order by the year from least recent to now.
Criteria: An NHL, MLB, NFL, or NBA franchise that ended a title drought/curse of either 15 seasons or more or claimed its first ever championship within the last 25 years with this sports calendar being the 25th season.
Note: For NFL, pre Super Bowl titles are included.
NHL
1989 Atlanta/Calgary Flames (first title, founded 1972)
1991 Pittsburgh Penguins (first title, founded 1967)
1994 New York Rangers (previous title, 1940)
1995 Kansas City Scouts/Colorado Rockies/New Jersey Devils (first title, founded 1974)
1996 Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche (first title, founded 1972)
1997 Detroit RedWings (previous title, 1955)
1999 Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars (first title, founded 1967)
2004 Tampa Bay Lightning (first title, founded 1992)
2009 Pittsburgh Penguins (previous title, 1992)
2010 Chicago Blackhawks (previous title, 1961)
MLB
1985 Kansas City Royals (first title, founded 1969)
1987 Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins (previous title, 1924 as Sens)
1989 Oakland Athletics (previous title, 1974)
1990 Cincinnati Reds (previous title, 1976)
1991 Toronto Bluejays (first title, founded 1977)
1995 Boston/Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves (previous title, 1957)
1996 New York Yankees (previous title, 1978)
1997 Florida Marlins (first title, founded 1993)
2001 Arizona Diamondbacks (first title, founded 1998)
2002 Anaheim Angels (first title, founded 1961)
2004 Boston RedSox (previous title, 1918)
2005 Chicago WhiteSox (previous title, 1917)
2008 Philadelphia Phillies (previous title, 1980, first title won by any Philly sports team since 83)
2010 San Francisco Giants (previous title, 1954 when still playing in New York)
NFL
1996 Green Bay Packers (previous title, 1967)
1997 Denver Broncos (first title, founded 1960)
1999 Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams (previous title, 1951)
2000 Baltimore Ravens (first title, founded 1996 or open to interpretation)
2001 New England Patriots (first title, founded 1960)
2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (first title, founded 1976)
2005 Pittsburgh Steelers (previous title, 1979)
2007 New York Giants (previous title, 1990)
2009 New Orleans Saints (first title, founded 1967)
NBA
1991 Chicago Bulls (first title, founded 1966)
1994 Houston Rockets (first title, founded 1967)
1999 San Antonio Spurs (first title, founded 1967)
2004 Detroit Pistons (previous title, 1990)
2006 Miami Heat (first title, founded 1989)
2008 Boston Celtics (previous title, 1986)
Wow what a historic sports generation it has been! Some of these franchises went on to claim many more championships and become dynastic (see Bulls, Spurs, Yankees, RedWings). Others would add just 1 more title either becoming one of those historic back to back champions or being lucky enough to soak up 1 more champagne shower to this point (see Twins, Bluejays, Marlins, RedSox, Rockets, Avs, Pens, Broncos, Steelers). Either way the last 25 years have brought relief to tons of fan bases and have been witness to forcing grown men cry after finally seeing their team win it all. What will come of the next 25? Here are the sports franchises still on the hook....or in some cases back on.
Criteria: An NHL, MLB, NFL, or NBA franchise that is either still looking for its first championship or is in the midst of a title drought of at least 15 seasons. Some of the teams who ended such droughts in the last 25 years can be back on hook.
Note: For NBA, pre merger titles from ABA are included, teams are also considered founded when their first season took place even if that is an ABA season.
In no particular order
NHL
Columbus Bluejackets (0 titles, founded 1997)
Atlanta Thrashers (0 titles, founded 1999)
Calgary Flames (previous title, 1989)
Montreal Canadiens (previous title, 1993)
Ottawa Senators (0 titles, founded 1990)
San Jose Sharks (0 titles, founded 1991)
Washington Capitals (0 titles, founded 1974)
Buffalo Sabres (0 titles, founded 1970)
St. Louis Blues (0 titles, founded 1967)
Phoenix Coyotes (0 titles, founded 1972)
Minnesota Wild (0 titles, founded 2000)
Florida Panthers (0 titles, founded 1993)
Nashville Predators (0 titles, founded 1997)
New York Rangers (previous title, 1994)
New York Islanders (previous title, 1983)
Philadelphia Flyers (previous title, 1975) - so close
Boston Bruins (previous title, 1972)
Edmonton Oilers (previous title, 1990)
Vancouver Canucks (0 titles, founded 1970)
Los Angeles Kings (0 titles, founded 1967)
Toronto Maple Leafs (previous title, 1967)
MLB
San Diego Padres (0 titles, founded 1969)
Texas Rangers (0 titles, founded 1961, or previous title, 1924 if thought of as part of Sens)
Seattle Mariners (0 titles, founded 1977)
Colorado Rockies (0 titles, founded 1993)
Milwaukee Brewers (0 titles, founded 1969)
Houston Astros (0 titles, founded 1962)
Baltimore Orioles (previous title, 1983)
Minnesota Twins (previous title, 1991)
Toronto Bluejays (previous title, 1993)
Cincinnati Reds (previous title, 1990)
Atlanta Braves (previous title, 1995)
Tampa Bay Rays (0 titles, founded 1998)
New York Mets (previous title, 1986)
Pittsburgh Pirates (previous title, 1979)
Detroit Tigers (previous title, 1984)
Oakland Athletics (previous title, 1989)
Los Angeles Dodgers (previous title, 1988)
Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals (0 titles, founded 1969)
Cleveland Indians (previous title, 1948)
Chicago Cubs (previous title, 1908!)
NFL
Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans (0 titles, founded 1960)
Chicago Bears (previous title, 1985)
Cincinnati Bengals (0 titles, founded 1968)
Detroit Lions (previous title, 1957)
Cleveland Browns (previous title, 1964 last Cleveland sports title)
Houston Texans (0 titles, founded 2002)
Kansas City Chiefs (previous title, 1969)
San Francisco 49ers (previous title, 1994)
Dallas Cowboys (previous title, 1995)
Atlanta Falcons (0 titles, founded 1966)
Carolina Panthers (0 titles, founded 1995)
Jacksonville Jaguars (0 titles, founded 1995)
Miami Dolphins (previous title, 1982)
Washington Redskins (previous title, 1991)
Seattle Seahawks (0 titles, founded 1976)
Minnesota Vikings (0 titles, founded 1961)
Buffalo Bills (previous title, 1965)
San Diego Chargers (previous title, 1963)
Oakland Raiders (previous title, 1983)
New York Jets (previous title, 1968)
Arizona Cardinals (previous title, 1947)
Philadelphia Eagles (previous title, 1960)
NBA
Washington Wizards (previous title, 1978)
Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets (0 titles, founded 1988)
New Jersey Nets (previous title 1976 ABA)
Indiana Pacers (previous title, 1973 ABA)
Cleveland Cavaliers (0 titles, founded 1970)
Philadelphia 76ers (previous title, 1983)
Charlotte Bobcats (0 titles, founded 2004)
Toronto Raptors (0 titles, founded 1995)
Dallas Mavericks (0 titles, founded 1980)
Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies (0 titles, founded 1995)
Seattle Supersonics/Oklahoma City Thunder (previous title, 1979 as Sonics)
Milwaukee Bucks (previous title, 1971)
Atlanta Hawks (previous title, 1958)
Orlando Magic (0 titles, founded 1989)
Golden State Warriors (previous title, 1975)
Los Angeles Clippers (0 titles, founded 1970)
Phoenix Suns (0 titles, founded 1968)
Sacramento Kings (previous title, 1951)
Denver Nuggets (0 titles, founded 1967)
Minnesota Timberwolves (0 titles, founded 1989)
Portland Trailblazers (previous title, 1977)
New Orleans/Utah Jazz (0 titles, founded 1974)
Houston Rockets (previous title, 1995)
New York Knicks (previous title, 1973)
Of course putting some of the more recent expansion teams on this list is down right unfair at this point. I understand that fact. However, the point of this post is simply to make it known just how rare and wonderful the last 25 years in sports have been championship wise, we saw curses broken and franchises taste a title for the first time year after year. It also brings attention to how many more chances we have to seeing teams do the same thing in the next quarter century. Step up curses and droughts out there. Let's bring an end to all this futility and truly enhance the parity.
There are only 2 things related to this post I feel comfortable enough guaranteeing wont happen. First, the Chicago Cubs will NEVER win a World Series and most likely will NEVER even capture an NL pennant, their last was 1945, and appear in another Fall Classic. Second, and most important, since this may truly depend on Lebron's upcoming decision, a Cleveland sports team will NEVER win a championship. This means the Indians drought (1948), the Cavaliers trend of either mediocrity or coming up just short will continue, and the Browns who own the cursed cities last major title, 1964, will never claim a Super Bowl. No, having the Spelling Bee champion representing Cleveland does not count as breaking the curse! Sorry Cubs and Cleveland fans this is just reality, better get used to it continuing. As for fans of all the rest, some of these teams on the hook will either reclaim a championship or finally get over the hump but in most cases don't hold your breath.
Criteria: An NHL, MLB, NFL, or NBA franchise that ended a title drought/curse of either 15 seasons or more or claimed its first ever championship within the last 25 years with this sports calendar being the 25th season.
Note: For NFL, pre Super Bowl titles are included.
1989 Atlanta/Calgary Flames (first title, founded 1972)
1991 Pittsburgh Penguins (first title, founded 1967)
1994 New York Rangers (previous title, 1940)
1995 Kansas City Scouts/Colorado Rockies/New Jersey Devils (first title, founded 1974)
1996 Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche (first title, founded 1972)
1997 Detroit RedWings (previous title, 1955)
1999 Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars (first title, founded 1967)
2004 Tampa Bay Lightning (first title, founded 1992)
2009 Pittsburgh Penguins (previous title, 1992)
2010 Chicago Blackhawks (previous title, 1961)
MLB
1985 Kansas City Royals (first title, founded 1969)
1987 Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins (previous title, 1924 as Sens)
1989 Oakland Athletics (previous title, 1974)
1990 Cincinnati Reds (previous title, 1976)
1991 Toronto Bluejays (first title, founded 1977)
1995 Boston/Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves (previous title, 1957)
1996 New York Yankees (previous title, 1978)
1997 Florida Marlins (first title, founded 1993)
2001 Arizona Diamondbacks (first title, founded 1998)
2002 Anaheim Angels (first title, founded 1961)
2004 Boston RedSox (previous title, 1918)
2005 Chicago WhiteSox (previous title, 1917)
2008 Philadelphia Phillies (previous title, 1980, first title won by any Philly sports team since 83)
2010 San Francisco Giants (previous title, 1954 when still playing in New York)
NFL
1996 Green Bay Packers (previous title, 1967)
1997 Denver Broncos (first title, founded 1960)
1999 Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams (previous title, 1951)
2000 Baltimore Ravens (first title, founded 1996 or open to interpretation)
2001 New England Patriots (first title, founded 1960)
2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (first title, founded 1976)
2005 Pittsburgh Steelers (previous title, 1979)
2007 New York Giants (previous title, 1990)
2009 New Orleans Saints (first title, founded 1967)
1991 Chicago Bulls (first title, founded 1966)
1994 Houston Rockets (first title, founded 1967)
1999 San Antonio Spurs (first title, founded 1967)
2004 Detroit Pistons (previous title, 1990)
2006 Miami Heat (first title, founded 1989)
2008 Boston Celtics (previous title, 1986)
Wow what a historic sports generation it has been! Some of these franchises went on to claim many more championships and become dynastic (see Bulls, Spurs, Yankees, RedWings). Others would add just 1 more title either becoming one of those historic back to back champions or being lucky enough to soak up 1 more champagne shower to this point (see Twins, Bluejays, Marlins, RedSox, Rockets, Avs, Pens, Broncos, Steelers). Either way the last 25 years have brought relief to tons of fan bases and have been witness to forcing grown men cry after finally seeing their team win it all. What will come of the next 25? Here are the sports franchises still on the hook....or in some cases back on.
Criteria: An NHL, MLB, NFL, or NBA franchise that is either still looking for its first championship or is in the midst of a title drought of at least 15 seasons. Some of the teams who ended such droughts in the last 25 years can be back on hook.
Note: For NBA, pre merger titles from ABA are included, teams are also considered founded when their first season took place even if that is an ABA season.
In no particular order
NHL
Columbus Bluejackets (0 titles, founded 1997)
Atlanta Thrashers (0 titles, founded 1999)
Calgary Flames (previous title, 1989)
Montreal Canadiens (previous title, 1993)
Ottawa Senators (0 titles, founded 1990)
San Jose Sharks (0 titles, founded 1991)
Washington Capitals (0 titles, founded 1974)
Buffalo Sabres (0 titles, founded 1970)
St. Louis Blues (0 titles, founded 1967)
Phoenix Coyotes (0 titles, founded 1972)
Minnesota Wild (0 titles, founded 2000)
Florida Panthers (0 titles, founded 1993)
Nashville Predators (0 titles, founded 1997)
New York Rangers (previous title, 1994)
New York Islanders (previous title, 1983)
Philadelphia Flyers (previous title, 1975) - so close
Boston Bruins (previous title, 1972)
Edmonton Oilers (previous title, 1990)
Vancouver Canucks (0 titles, founded 1970)
Los Angeles Kings (0 titles, founded 1967)
Toronto Maple Leafs (previous title, 1967)
San Diego Padres (0 titles, founded 1969)
Texas Rangers (0 titles, founded 1961, or previous title, 1924 if thought of as part of Sens)
Seattle Mariners (0 titles, founded 1977)
Colorado Rockies (0 titles, founded 1993)
Milwaukee Brewers (0 titles, founded 1969)
Houston Astros (0 titles, founded 1962)
Baltimore Orioles (previous title, 1983)
Minnesota Twins (previous title, 1991)
Toronto Bluejays (previous title, 1993)
Cincinnati Reds (previous title, 1990)
Atlanta Braves (previous title, 1995)
Tampa Bay Rays (0 titles, founded 1998)
New York Mets (previous title, 1986)
Pittsburgh Pirates (previous title, 1979)
Detroit Tigers (previous title, 1984)
Oakland Athletics (previous title, 1989)
Los Angeles Dodgers (previous title, 1988)
Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals (0 titles, founded 1969)
Cleveland Indians (previous title, 1948)
Chicago Cubs (previous title, 1908!)
NFLHouston Oilers/Tennessee Titans (0 titles, founded 1960)
Chicago Bears (previous title, 1985)
Cincinnati Bengals (0 titles, founded 1968)
Detroit Lions (previous title, 1957)
Cleveland Browns (previous title, 1964 last Cleveland sports title)
Houston Texans (0 titles, founded 2002)
Kansas City Chiefs (previous title, 1969)
San Francisco 49ers (previous title, 1994)
Dallas Cowboys (previous title, 1995)
Atlanta Falcons (0 titles, founded 1966)
Carolina Panthers (0 titles, founded 1995)
Jacksonville Jaguars (0 titles, founded 1995)
Miami Dolphins (previous title, 1982)
Washington Redskins (previous title, 1991)
Seattle Seahawks (0 titles, founded 1976)
Minnesota Vikings (0 titles, founded 1961)
Buffalo Bills (previous title, 1965)
San Diego Chargers (previous title, 1963)
Oakland Raiders (previous title, 1983)
New York Jets (previous title, 1968)
Arizona Cardinals (previous title, 1947)
Philadelphia Eagles (previous title, 1960)
NBA
Washington Wizards (previous title, 1978)
Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets (0 titles, founded 1988)
New Jersey Nets (previous title 1976 ABA)
Indiana Pacers (previous title, 1973 ABA)
Cleveland Cavaliers (0 titles, founded 1970)
Philadelphia 76ers (previous title, 1983)
Charlotte Bobcats (0 titles, founded 2004)
Toronto Raptors (0 titles, founded 1995)
Dallas Mavericks (0 titles, founded 1980)
Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies (0 titles, founded 1995)
Seattle Supersonics/Oklahoma City Thunder (previous title, 1979 as Sonics)
Milwaukee Bucks (previous title, 1971)
Atlanta Hawks (previous title, 1958)
Orlando Magic (0 titles, founded 1989)
Golden State Warriors (previous title, 1975)
Los Angeles Clippers (0 titles, founded 1970)
Phoenix Suns (0 titles, founded 1968)
Sacramento Kings (previous title, 1951)
Denver Nuggets (0 titles, founded 1967)
Minnesota Timberwolves (0 titles, founded 1989)
Portland Trailblazers (previous title, 1977)
New Orleans/Utah Jazz (0 titles, founded 1974)
Houston Rockets (previous title, 1995)
New York Knicks (previous title, 1973)
Of course putting some of the more recent expansion teams on this list is down right unfair at this point. I understand that fact. However, the point of this post is simply to make it known just how rare and wonderful the last 25 years in sports have been championship wise, we saw curses broken and franchises taste a title for the first time year after year. It also brings attention to how many more chances we have to seeing teams do the same thing in the next quarter century. Step up curses and droughts out there. Let's bring an end to all this futility and truly enhance the parity.
Like i said in an earlier post to Wiederspiel, YOU GET THAT DAMN CRAIG COUNSELL PICTURE DOWN DAMNIT! lol
ReplyDeleteHaha Spiel says he does not know what you are talking about. However I wish I could help you. It was potentially the biggest event in the history of the Cleveland sports curse. There also is not one part of this post not factually correct. I dare you to double check me and try to find something Howitzer. You know you like the Sosa "lil bit" expression pic though.
ReplyDelete