TOP 10 Sports Town (Part I)
First off, was anyone else shocked to find out that Balki from Perfect Strangers is a really creepy dude? I wasn't aware that the Republic of Miopos allowed liberal super-model groping. What would cousin Larry think? On the plus side, Peppa is the early leader for the individual whose public image is actually helped by their appearance on the Surreal Life following in the footsteps of Hammer, Peter Brady, and Ponch from CHIPs.
Anyway, I wanted to put binary code to blog post about my take on the best sports towns in America. The impetus for this post is the heavy east-coast bias when these ranking are normally compiled by the super computer that drives the left wing media. I'm pretty sure it's the same super computer than Richard Pryor built in Superman III. As one example of its evil, the Sporting News produces a nauseating list every year or so that normally derides the Midwest and ranks DC, NYC, Boston, Baltimore, and Atlanta in the top 5 spots. Some people and super computers are just dumb.
What Richard Pryor's Super Computer fails to recognize is what makes a great sports town is great sports fans. Okay. There are many other important aspects but the most important will always be knowledgeable, loyal, and enthusiatic fans. Hence, you will not see LA, Atlanta, Miami, or the home of the worst sports fans in America Today...Boston. Sorry, Sully.
Another problem with these lists is that they often create mega-cities like New York Jersey and Oakla-Frisco which is ridiculous. Sorry NYC, you don't have an NFL team and it will cost you a few notches.
Now the other important factors; tradition, current franchises, stadium experiences, sympathy, and the existence of miscellaneous events (like Indianapolis get bonus points for the 500). Part I:
#10 New York
As with many things, NYC as a sports town is a little overblown but clearly one of the top dogs around. The fans do go to the ballparks but it's a little deceiving with a metro area of 10 million plus. In truth, the fans are a little overrated and hampered by the presence of celebs. Side note, celebs are almost always points off because most don't even watch the game or think intelligently about it. Do you think you could have an intelligent conversation with Woody Allen about the Knicks? Guess what, Lebron isn't coming to NYC to become a bigger star. He is somehow the biggest star in American sports even living in podunk Ohio.
The big attraction to NYC is the tradition. There wasn't a greater moment in the history of baseball then the Giants, Dodgers, and Yanks all roaming NYC. Imagine taking part in some of those arguments. By the way, the answer is Willie Mays and you better know the question if you're on this blog. Then there's CCNY, the only school to win the NIT and NCAA basketball tourney in the same year. Yankee tradition is unsurpassed in all of sports. MSG is everything they say it is... I could go on but I won't because we'll lose sight of some important things.
NYC loses points because it tries to piggyback into the NFL. Thou shalt not prosper when you send 2 NFL teams away because you don't have land for a stadium (subject to revision if the Jets invade Manhattan). Also, big ups to the evil empire because everyone loves a great villain.
#9 Minneapolis
Is there a better mascot than the guy who dresses up like Erik the Red and sounds the Viking horn? Is there a more underrated baseball landmark than the baggy in the homer dome? Can I get some love for KG, Frank Tarkenton, Kirby Puckett, and Prince, eh?
#8 Chicago
Chi-town rocks legit mid-west style. A Bears game in the elements at Soldier Field is the toppest of notches. Eagles fans still whine about the Fog Bowl. Relax. Randall will always be the best ever in Tecmo Super Bowl. Really, the only knock on Chicago is the whiny baseball fans. I get it. You haven't won a world series in almost century. Hopefully, you were tided over by Michael Jordan and the 6 NBA titles. Heck, the '85 Bears were probably the best combo ever of fun and dominance.
#7 Houston
Of course, the football fans in Texas are rabid. I even like (sort of) that repulsive airplane hangar (sort of) that the Texans play in (sort of). It's still not as a great as the Astro Dome covered in Oiler blue but it'll do in a pinch. Minute Maid (baseball) is probably the most beautiful ballpark that I've ever seen. Perfect blending of stadium with surroundings and I can't recommend enough the baked potato that they fill with BBQ. That one puts Boog's in Balti to shame. Rockets and Astros fans don't get their proper due either. On the downside, tradition here is a little thin given that pro sports never really hit Houston until the 60s.
On the way, part II features six through two....
Anyway, I wanted to put binary code to blog post about my take on the best sports towns in America. The impetus for this post is the heavy east-coast bias when these ranking are normally compiled by the super computer that drives the left wing media. I'm pretty sure it's the same super computer than Richard Pryor built in Superman III. As one example of its evil, the Sporting News produces a nauseating list every year or so that normally derides the Midwest and ranks DC, NYC, Boston, Baltimore, and Atlanta in the top 5 spots. Some people and super computers are just dumb.
What Richard Pryor's Super Computer fails to recognize is what makes a great sports town is great sports fans. Okay. There are many other important aspects but the most important will always be knowledgeable, loyal, and enthusiatic fans. Hence, you will not see LA, Atlanta, Miami, or the home of the worst sports fans in America Today...Boston. Sorry, Sully.
Another problem with these lists is that they often create mega-cities like New York Jersey and Oakla-Frisco which is ridiculous. Sorry NYC, you don't have an NFL team and it will cost you a few notches.
Now the other important factors; tradition, current franchises, stadium experiences, sympathy, and the existence of miscellaneous events (like Indianapolis get bonus points for the 500). Part I:
#10 New York
As with many things, NYC as a sports town is a little overblown but clearly one of the top dogs around. The fans do go to the ballparks but it's a little deceiving with a metro area of 10 million plus. In truth, the fans are a little overrated and hampered by the presence of celebs. Side note, celebs are almost always points off because most don't even watch the game or think intelligently about it. Do you think you could have an intelligent conversation with Woody Allen about the Knicks? Guess what, Lebron isn't coming to NYC to become a bigger star. He is somehow the biggest star in American sports even living in podunk Ohio.
The big attraction to NYC is the tradition. There wasn't a greater moment in the history of baseball then the Giants, Dodgers, and Yanks all roaming NYC. Imagine taking part in some of those arguments. By the way, the answer is Willie Mays and you better know the question if you're on this blog. Then there's CCNY, the only school to win the NIT and NCAA basketball tourney in the same year. Yankee tradition is unsurpassed in all of sports. MSG is everything they say it is... I could go on but I won't because we'll lose sight of some important things.
NYC loses points because it tries to piggyback into the NFL. Thou shalt not prosper when you send 2 NFL teams away because you don't have land for a stadium (subject to revision if the Jets invade Manhattan). Also, big ups to the evil empire because everyone loves a great villain.
#9 Minneapolis
Is there a better mascot than the guy who dresses up like Erik the Red and sounds the Viking horn? Is there a more underrated baseball landmark than the baggy in the homer dome? Can I get some love for KG, Frank Tarkenton, Kirby Puckett, and Prince, eh?
#8 Chicago
Chi-town rocks legit mid-west style. A Bears game in the elements at Soldier Field is the toppest of notches. Eagles fans still whine about the Fog Bowl. Relax. Randall will always be the best ever in Tecmo Super Bowl. Really, the only knock on Chicago is the whiny baseball fans. I get it. You haven't won a world series in almost century. Hopefully, you were tided over by Michael Jordan and the 6 NBA titles. Heck, the '85 Bears were probably the best combo ever of fun and dominance.
#7 Houston
Of course, the football fans in Texas are rabid. I even like (sort of) that repulsive airplane hangar (sort of) that the Texans play in (sort of). It's still not as a great as the Astro Dome covered in Oiler blue but it'll do in a pinch. Minute Maid (baseball) is probably the most beautiful ballpark that I've ever seen. Perfect blending of stadium with surroundings and I can't recommend enough the baked potato that they fill with BBQ. That one puts Boog's in Balti to shame. Rockets and Astros fans don't get their proper due either. On the downside, tradition here is a little thin given that pro sports never really hit Houston until the 60s.
On the way, part II features six through two....
posted by Mister Cleveland Sports at 6:24 PM
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