Boston may be the City of Champions but she certainly has felt the pain of championship game (or series) defeat. Before the Red Sox won in 2004 they were a cottage industry of big-game failure unrivaled in professional sports. The Celtics, Bruins and Patriots have also all experienced their fair share of disaster come title time. Here, in ascending order, are the ten "almost" championships that hurt Hub fans the most.
10. 1985 Patriots, Superbowl XX
The Patriots actually led 3-0 in the first quarter of this game. But the "team of destiny" that won three straight playoff games on the road and finally "squished" the hated Dolphins in a meaningful game was simply no match for the Chicago Bears and their all-time great defense. The final score of 46-10 wasn't even that close. The "Patsies" went from a joke to near greatness to worse than a joke (remember the scandals that rocked this team after the Super Bowl?) in the span of one season.
9. 1946 Red Sox
Ted Williams had one shot at the world series and batted .200 Only on the Red Sox would the star and "greatest hitter who ever lived" be hit on the elbow by a pitch in an exhibition game four days before the World Series started. At least Johnny Pesky would get redemption in '04.
8. 1985 Celtics
Before this Finals, the Celtics had never lost to the Lakers in eight championship series. Unfortunately, apart from the "Memorial Day Massacre" in Game One, this Finals was all Lakers.
7. 1930, 1946, 1953, 1957, 1958, 1977, 1978 Bruins
What do all these Stanley Cup Finals losses have in common for the Bruins? They were at the hands of the hated Montreal Canadiens. Aargh.
6. 1967 Red Sox
Too bad Jim Lonborg wasn't able to pitch more on better rest in this World Series. Instead, the Impossible Dream met the indomitable will of Bob Gibson and Gibson won. The Red Sox would have to wait until 2004 to exercise their revenge upon the Redbirds.
5. 1978 Red Sox, AL East tiebreaker
Ok,ok, so this one wasn't a championship game. But it was Red Sox-Yankees for the right to go to the playoffs after an epic regular season. Bucky F-ing Dent has long been a curse word in New England but Lou Piniella's blind stab in right field was the real back-breaker. Those kinds of plays always used to go the Yankee's way when they played the Red Sox. The game ended with poor Yaz popping up with the winning run on base- what a nightmare...
4. 2010 Celtics, NBA Finals
This one hurt in so many ways. The Celtics should have won Game Six and never had to worry about a Game Seven. The Celtics were a better team than the Lakers for most of Game Seven. The Celtics always beat the Lakers in Game Sevens. Kendrick Perkins would have made sure the Celtics won either Game Six or Seven if not for his most untimely injury. The only solace Celtics fans could take away from this one was that the team wasn't supposed to even be in the Finals.
3. 2007 Patriots, Super Bowl XXLII
It wasn't so much that the most prolific offense in the history of the NFL scored only 14 points against a team they had beaten 38-35 just weeks before. It wasn't even that they couldn't finish off an unbeaten streak that would have finally shut the '72 Dolphins up. Nope, it was that David freakin' Tyree made the deciding play of the game.
2. 1987 Celtics, NBA Finals
Well at least Larry beat Magic once in the Finals. Magic's Baby Hook in Game Four was as shocking an occurrence as the Garden has ever seen and sent the Lakers back to L.A. up 3-1 rather than tied at 2-2. It still hurts to this day to watch Magic dribble, lean and let go with that impossible game-winner
1. 1986 Red Sox
Oedipus had nothing on this tragedy. The absolute nadir of New England professional sports.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Celebrating Champions of the Hub, Past and Present
Now that the good ship Sporting has resumed her proper course with another city of Boston championship, this time from the long-dormant Bruins, it's only fitting that we take the time to rank the greatest of Boston's 33 championship teams from over a century of competition. The list was compiled using the most advanced statistical methods available, i.e. the author thought real hard for almost fifteen minutes about which teams he liked best. It is presented in ascending order of greatness. Green Bay may be Titletown but Boston is, indeed, the City of Champions.
Everyday Champions
22. 1967-68 and 1968-69 Celtics
After the end of the first Celtic dynasty, these two championships were just business as usual. Did the Celts roll out of bed one morning and say to themselves, "Hey, it's been two years since we won. Let's go out and get two straight?" After these two titles they would have to wait all of five years to get back to the top.
21. 2007 Red Sox
There's no questioning how much fun it was to watch the Sox win again after so many decades of Greek tragedy. However, after they came back against the Indians in the ALCS did anyone actually think they wouldn't sweep the Rockies?
20.1928-29 Bruins
The B's won their first cup. And they did it against a New York team. The Hub rejoiced.
19. 1912 Red Sox
Smokey Joe Wood's team. The team that kept the championship fires burning between 1903 and the dominant performances of the late teens.
18. 1985-86 Celtics
In the world of the Celtics, you just aren't that great unless you win multiple titles. Nobody was going to catch Russell, but Larry Bird and his Big Three co-conspirators (not to mention DJ) made sure they passed the mid '70's Celts in number of rings. Even the world's tallest Deadhead, Bill Walton, got in on the fun. Too bad the Lakers didn't show up.
17. 1940-41 Bruins
The great Eddie Shore was gone but this was a team that had won four straight President's Trophies. The least they could do was get another cup without him...
16. 1915, 1916 and 1918 Red Sox
The Red Sox of this era were so good Babe Ruth didn't even pitch in and barely played in the 1915 World Series. We all know what happened after the confetti stopped falling in 1918.
15. 1975-76 Celtics
Just like the Bruins of a few years before, the Havlicek/Cowens Celtics needed at least a few championships to cement their place in Boston and team history. They got 'em both. Along the way they also managed to play perhaps the greatest game in NBA Finals history, a triple-overtime epic against Phoenix in Game Five.
14. 1980-81 Celtics
Cedric "Cornbread" Maxwell's finest performance as a Celtic and Larry Bird's first title. Boston would stay tuned for more to follow...
13. 1959-66 Celtics
The problem with having a dynasty is that all the championships seem to flow together. For eight straight seasons the Celtics absolutely dominated the NBA. Since they were so good for so long it's hard to find any one season that sticks out too much more over the others. In point of fact, the Celtics of this era should probably have their own Hall of fame, just to keep it fair for everybody else. Sure "Havlicek stole the ball" in '65 but that play didn't even occur in the Finals. It's tough to penalize sustained greatness but that's the reason none of these individual champions make it any higher on the list.
The Gold Standard
12. 1939-40 Bruins
In the first two decades of their existence Eddie Shore was the Bruins. After a dominating and controversial career in Boston the all-time great defenseman would leave the Bruins after this season so it was only fitting he go out in style.
11. 1973-74 Celtics
With Bill Russell gone people had started to wonder if the mighty Celtics would ever win a championship again. Perhaps it was all Bill and Red the whole time? Not a chance. Johnny Havlicek became just John and Dave Cowens decided he too wanted to be a Hall of Famer someday as the Celts returned to glory.
10. 2002-03 and 2003-04 Patriots
After spending most of their history as a league-wide punching bag (or blocking sled, as the case may be), the Patriots turned over a new leaf in 2001 with Golden Boy Tom Brady leading the on-field charge and Grumpy Man Bill Belichick at the helm. Still, watching these perennial losers become the gold standard of the NFL with back to back Super Bowl titles was about as shocking to Boston fans as watching Ray Bourque hoist the Stanley Cup in an Avalanche uniform. This time in a good way.
9. 1971-72 Bruins
The hard-driving, hard-drinking, Big Bad Bruins of the early 70's had a lot of talent. A lot. They also had a tough time staying focused long enough to win championships. They probably should have had a handful and been their era's version of the early 80's Islanders or late 80's Oilers. Instead Boston fans had to be content with "At least we got two."
8. 1983-84 Celtics
Larry Legend already had his first title. But he hadn't beaten Magic yet. And Magic had three NCAA and NBA crowns to Larry's one. So it was time for revenge. Larry, in the midst of his three straight MVP seasons, was also the Finals MVP and the Celtics had the makings of a new dynasty.
7. 2007-08 Celtics
When a franchise has 16 world titles and it's been over 20 years since the last one, there are certain expectations. When that same franchise brings in two sure-fire Hall of Famers to add to the one it already has and anoints them "The Big Three" those expectations go right through the roof. Especially since the last Big Three in town won 3 championships for the green. Never Fear. Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and a little-known point guard named Rajon teamed up to bring the title back to the Gaahden. The fact that they embarrassed the Lakers to do it made this one all the sweeter.
6. 1903 Red Sox
The first modern world series. The Royal Rooters. Tessie. Back before the Curse of the Bambino and Buckner and Bucky "freakin'" Dent the Sox were the class of baseball. They proved it here.
5. 1969-70 Bruins
Before Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr was the greatest hockey player anybody had ever seen. A lot of people to this day still think he was even after Gretzky. Great players need rings to cement their place in history and Orr and Phil Esposito gave the Bruins a championship after a wait of almost 30 years, an endless drought for an Original Six team.
4. 1956-57 Celtics
Bill Russell's rookie season was something pretty special. With Red Auerbach at the helm, Russell's rebounding tore up the league and the Celtics won their first ever NBA title in their first try. Little did Boston know what was in store for the next decade...
The Truly Miraculous
3. 2010-11 Bruins
A former Vezina trophy winner at the supposed end of his career who started the season as a back-up? Check. An underachieving team that two years before won the President's Trophy and flamed out in the playoffs and then blew not only a 3-0 series lead but a 3-0 Game Seven lead, at home, the following season? Check. Three Game Sevens? Check. What a ride this gritty team gave Bruins fans who had been jonesing for a trophy for almost 40 years. Tim Thomas and Zdeno Chara not only redefined their places in Boston sports history, the Bruins themselves finally caught up to the decade long championship party. And it all started with a first-round win against the hated Canadiens.
2. 2001 Patriots
Stunning. Shocking. Unbelievable. That basically sums up the Patriot's Super Bowl victory in 2001. The team that had long been ridiculed as the weak sister of Boston sports climbed on the back of unknown QB Tom Brady and, riding the momentum of the "did he pass or fumble" playoff game against the Raiders, shut down the heavily favored "Greatest Show On Turf" St. Louis Rams to win New England's first ever Super Bowl. The closest Super Bowl ever played was decided by gutsy calls by coach Belichick and gutsy play by his team. Wait a minute... from the Patsies? Yup. Who would've thunk it?
1. 2004 Red Sox
No other team or champion has come remotely close to unleashing such frenzied joy as the "idiots" did in claiming their first world series title in 86 years. Given that the Red Sox are not just the Olde Towne Team but also New England's first "real" team (sorry Patriots) is it no wonder that generations of fans wept openly at the "Reverse of the Curse?" The fact that the greatest comeback in the history of baseball and probably professional team sports began in the depths of despair (against the hated Spankees, no less!) just made it all the sweeter. Every single guy on that roster could open a bar anywhere in New England and have no fear of ever closing down. Yes, it was that special.
Everyday Champions
22. 1967-68 and 1968-69 Celtics
After the end of the first Celtic dynasty, these two championships were just business as usual. Did the Celts roll out of bed one morning and say to themselves, "Hey, it's been two years since we won. Let's go out and get two straight?" After these two titles they would have to wait all of five years to get back to the top.
21. 2007 Red Sox
There's no questioning how much fun it was to watch the Sox win again after so many decades of Greek tragedy. However, after they came back against the Indians in the ALCS did anyone actually think they wouldn't sweep the Rockies?
20.1928-29 Bruins
The B's won their first cup. And they did it against a New York team. The Hub rejoiced.
19. 1912 Red Sox
Smokey Joe Wood's team. The team that kept the championship fires burning between 1903 and the dominant performances of the late teens.
18. 1985-86 Celtics
In the world of the Celtics, you just aren't that great unless you win multiple titles. Nobody was going to catch Russell, but Larry Bird and his Big Three co-conspirators (not to mention DJ) made sure they passed the mid '70's Celts in number of rings. Even the world's tallest Deadhead, Bill Walton, got in on the fun. Too bad the Lakers didn't show up.
17. 1940-41 Bruins
The great Eddie Shore was gone but this was a team that had won four straight President's Trophies. The least they could do was get another cup without him...
16. 1915, 1916 and 1918 Red Sox
The Red Sox of this era were so good Babe Ruth didn't even pitch in and barely played in the 1915 World Series. We all know what happened after the confetti stopped falling in 1918.
15. 1975-76 Celtics
Just like the Bruins of a few years before, the Havlicek/Cowens Celtics needed at least a few championships to cement their place in Boston and team history. They got 'em both. Along the way they also managed to play perhaps the greatest game in NBA Finals history, a triple-overtime epic against Phoenix in Game Five.
14. 1980-81 Celtics
Cedric "Cornbread" Maxwell's finest performance as a Celtic and Larry Bird's first title. Boston would stay tuned for more to follow...
13. 1959-66 Celtics
The problem with having a dynasty is that all the championships seem to flow together. For eight straight seasons the Celtics absolutely dominated the NBA. Since they were so good for so long it's hard to find any one season that sticks out too much more over the others. In point of fact, the Celtics of this era should probably have their own Hall of fame, just to keep it fair for everybody else. Sure "Havlicek stole the ball" in '65 but that play didn't even occur in the Finals. It's tough to penalize sustained greatness but that's the reason none of these individual champions make it any higher on the list.
The Gold Standard
12. 1939-40 Bruins
In the first two decades of their existence Eddie Shore was the Bruins. After a dominating and controversial career in Boston the all-time great defenseman would leave the Bruins after this season so it was only fitting he go out in style.
11. 1973-74 Celtics
With Bill Russell gone people had started to wonder if the mighty Celtics would ever win a championship again. Perhaps it was all Bill and Red the whole time? Not a chance. Johnny Havlicek became just John and Dave Cowens decided he too wanted to be a Hall of Famer someday as the Celts returned to glory.
10. 2002-03 and 2003-04 Patriots
After spending most of their history as a league-wide punching bag (or blocking sled, as the case may be), the Patriots turned over a new leaf in 2001 with Golden Boy Tom Brady leading the on-field charge and Grumpy Man Bill Belichick at the helm. Still, watching these perennial losers become the gold standard of the NFL with back to back Super Bowl titles was about as shocking to Boston fans as watching Ray Bourque hoist the Stanley Cup in an Avalanche uniform. This time in a good way.
9. 1971-72 Bruins
The hard-driving, hard-drinking, Big Bad Bruins of the early 70's had a lot of talent. A lot. They also had a tough time staying focused long enough to win championships. They probably should have had a handful and been their era's version of the early 80's Islanders or late 80's Oilers. Instead Boston fans had to be content with "At least we got two."
8. 1983-84 Celtics
Larry Legend already had his first title. But he hadn't beaten Magic yet. And Magic had three NCAA and NBA crowns to Larry's one. So it was time for revenge. Larry, in the midst of his three straight MVP seasons, was also the Finals MVP and the Celtics had the makings of a new dynasty.
7. 2007-08 Celtics
When a franchise has 16 world titles and it's been over 20 years since the last one, there are certain expectations. When that same franchise brings in two sure-fire Hall of Famers to add to the one it already has and anoints them "The Big Three" those expectations go right through the roof. Especially since the last Big Three in town won 3 championships for the green. Never Fear. Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and a little-known point guard named Rajon teamed up to bring the title back to the Gaahden. The fact that they embarrassed the Lakers to do it made this one all the sweeter.
6. 1903 Red Sox
The first modern world series. The Royal Rooters. Tessie. Back before the Curse of the Bambino and Buckner and Bucky "freakin'" Dent the Sox were the class of baseball. They proved it here.
5. 1969-70 Bruins
Before Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr was the greatest hockey player anybody had ever seen. A lot of people to this day still think he was even after Gretzky. Great players need rings to cement their place in history and Orr and Phil Esposito gave the Bruins a championship after a wait of almost 30 years, an endless drought for an Original Six team.
4. 1956-57 Celtics
Bill Russell's rookie season was something pretty special. With Red Auerbach at the helm, Russell's rebounding tore up the league and the Celtics won their first ever NBA title in their first try. Little did Boston know what was in store for the next decade...
The Truly Miraculous
3. 2010-11 Bruins
A former Vezina trophy winner at the supposed end of his career who started the season as a back-up? Check. An underachieving team that two years before won the President's Trophy and flamed out in the playoffs and then blew not only a 3-0 series lead but a 3-0 Game Seven lead, at home, the following season? Check. Three Game Sevens? Check. What a ride this gritty team gave Bruins fans who had been jonesing for a trophy for almost 40 years. Tim Thomas and Zdeno Chara not only redefined their places in Boston sports history, the Bruins themselves finally caught up to the decade long championship party. And it all started with a first-round win against the hated Canadiens.
2. 2001 Patriots
Stunning. Shocking. Unbelievable. That basically sums up the Patriot's Super Bowl victory in 2001. The team that had long been ridiculed as the weak sister of Boston sports climbed on the back of unknown QB Tom Brady and, riding the momentum of the "did he pass or fumble" playoff game against the Raiders, shut down the heavily favored "Greatest Show On Turf" St. Louis Rams to win New England's first ever Super Bowl. The closest Super Bowl ever played was decided by gutsy calls by coach Belichick and gutsy play by his team. Wait a minute... from the Patsies? Yup. Who would've thunk it?
1. 2004 Red Sox
No other team or champion has come remotely close to unleashing such frenzied joy as the "idiots" did in claiming their first world series title in 86 years. Given that the Red Sox are not just the Olde Towne Team but also New England's first "real" team (sorry Patriots) is it no wonder that generations of fans wept openly at the "Reverse of the Curse?" The fact that the greatest comeback in the history of baseball and probably professional team sports began in the depths of despair (against the hated Spankees, no less!) just made it all the sweeter. Every single guy on that roster could open a bar anywhere in New England and have no fear of ever closing down. Yes, it was that special.
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