Sporting News: O's the worst in MLB

by EmbassyRow on Jan 20, 2007 1:15 PM EST Comment 30 comments

The Sporting News released its list of the worst franchises in each major sport. The Orioles are, in their minds, MLB's worst.

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=168851

Other franchises selected:

Oakland Raiders (NFL)
New York Knicks (NBA)
St. Louis Blues (NHL)

Poll

Is Baltimore the worst franchise in the league?

Yes

16 votes

No

29 votes

45 votes | Poll has closed

FanPosts are user-created content and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors of Camden Chat or SB Nation. They might, though.

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Comments

Come on now.

Bad? Obviously.

The worst? No fucking way. How anyone could make the case that the Pirates, Devil Rays or Royals have been any better than Baltimore during our recent streak of shame is beyond me. Pittsburgh hasn't finished above .500 nor made the playoffs since 1992. Tampa Bay has never finished above .500, has never made the playoffs, and has never ranked above 4th place in the eight year history of the franchise. KC has not made it to the playoffs since 1985.

This is pathetic, pathetic company to put ourselves in to be sure. But this story is plain old bullshit from The Sporting News, which fails to even explain their twisted logic in this lame headline grabber of an article.

by Jonnypops on Jan 20, 2007 2:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

looking at the other teams...

(w/ the exception of the blues, b/c i don't really acknowledge hockey as a major sport) the main factor seems to be once proud franchise that doesn't know how fucked it is running itself in to the ground.

i mean, even by that standard, you'd have to rate the pirates as worse than the o's, but man...from the best winning % in pro sports to THIS.

thanks a bunch, pete.

by jq higgins on Jan 20, 2007 3:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

M's

"main factor seems to be once proud franchise that doesn't know how fucked it is running itself in to the ground."

In that case, I wouldn't mind seeing the Mariners thrown into the discussion. Bavasi has run that franchise into the ground.

Big Bird says, "Get Pat the Bat!"

by birdman on Jan 21, 2007 2:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah...

This is dumb. Then again The Sporting News hasn't been relevant in years anyway.

by pipkin on Jan 20, 2007 3:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Blues?

The Chicago Blackhawks were close being outdrawn in attendance by the minor league team in town, The Wolves (Atlanta Thrashers affiliate) for couple years. As one of the original six teams they have been sucking it up longer than the Blues.
But as for the O's. They are not the worst team currently, thanks Pit & KC! Though they almost seem like their trying to be worse at times.

Why don't you go back to your home on whore island! -Ron Burgundy

by O face on Jan 20, 2007 7:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

depends what you measure

The article is subjective crap. I'd expect to see a set of metrics and teams measured against them. At least there would be a basis for a discussion other than "this is what I think". I'm sure there are metrics where the Peter Angelos owned Orioles come out as arguably the worst franchise in baseball. Probably something along the lines of money spent per losing season over some period of time. Whatever, the author didn't bother to do anything but state an opinion.

He should also write a column about what flavor of ice cream he thinks is the worst, or who was the worst paltinum 80's band, or whatever else strikes his fancy. It too would be subjective crap.

by drj on Jan 20, 2007 8:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

oh please

The Knicks, probably. The Raiders have a lot of sucking to do to catch up to the utter embarrassment that is my favorite NFL team (Lions), and the Blues don't hold a candle to my favorite NHL team (Blackhawks).

As for the Orioles, the case isn't too hard to make. The Devil Rays are a worse team, but they come up with young talent more frequently. The Royals, Pirates and Orioles are all very close.

"I don't want any credit. I'm not looking for credit. You know what? I don't want any blame if we're horse shit, either." -- Jim Leyland

by SC on Jan 20, 2007 9:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Word

The level of outrage about this is hilarious. "What an idiot! We're not the worst, but the third- or fourth-worst!"

by Awesome Mike Awesome on Jan 21, 2007 8:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What's hilarious...

...are the ill-advised, big ticket moves your team keeps making this offseason in the hopes of reversing their downward trajectory. Regardless of what many New England-bred (or New England pandering) national sportswriters have to say, a $104-$112 Million contract for a player that's never pitched in MLB is stupid and indicative of little more than the desperation of your FO after seeing Beckett bomb out on longballs and Schilling nearing the end of the road. Then beyond that we see the sad display of Epstein and Co. continuing to court JD Drew, when the guy is obviously physically fucked up, as he's been thoughout his 20's. Wake up, he's in his 30's now and things aren't getting any better. We'll see what the final number is, but I doubt Drew opted out of his LA contract for a smaller deal in Boston. Please keep making these moves. It'll be a joy to see you guys drop down to fourth this year with a new Japanese addition in Pawtucket and Wily Mo Pena (currently batting .091 in Domincan Winter Ball) taking up the spot in RF. Good thing you didn't trade Manny.

by Jonnypops on Jan 21, 2007 10:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

re:

AMA is right, it is hilarious (by whiich I believe he means pathetic) to argue exactly how incompetent the O's are organizationally. Bad is bad.

It's also hilarious (in the same way) that a Red Sox fan would hang out on an Orioles chat room and chime in on what is really a silly debate.

by drj on Jan 21, 2007 1:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Is this the same kind of hilarious

as someone who hangs around an Orioles message board expressing nothing but derision and dismay at the sad state which his once proud franchise has fallen to. Yet continues to come back again and again, as though addicted to the dysfunction he sees on the ballfield, year after year?

My point is that we know the problems of the franchise. We discuss them inside and out amongst ourselves...ourselves being Orioles fans. But when an unwarranted attack comes from off the reservation, it's time to buckle up and start keeping it real, for fuck's sake. It's the old I can talk about my mama, but don't you talk about my mama...and it's part of being a fan.

by Jonnypops on Jan 21, 2007 2:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Loud applause

"My point is that we know the problems of the franchise. We discuss them inside and out amongst ourselves...ourselves being Orioles fans. But when an unwarranted attack comes from off the reservation, it's time to buckle up and start keeping it real, for fuck's sake. It's the old I can talk about my mama, but don't you talk about my mama...and it's part of being a fan."

We're all O's fans. I agree with SC's post (i.e. the Royals, Pirates and Orioles are all very close), but geez, I can at least be understanding towards fans who get riled up when a sportswriter take a dump on their team especially when a fair and rationale could made that he's wrong (which is entirely too depressing of an exercise for me).

Big Bird says, "Get Pat the Bat!"

by birdman on Jan 21, 2007 2:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

re:

My point is consider the source of the post that you responded to. It's useless getting upset. We know AMA's insulting comments are classic Internet troll behavior. So why even pay attention to it? Why let him goad you into an argument? If you do really find it engaging, I guess all I can say is knock yourself out. Me? I'd rather deal with an adult.

As for your comments that seem directed to me. Sure, I bash the O's. I personally think they deserve it, and hard. Peter Angelos is a travesty. As an O's fan, all I can root for is a few individual performances from some favorite players. I read the O's boards for news and to see what others are thinking. It's pretty clear I'm not alone with my line of thinking. And yeah, I guess I'd say that following the Orioles with any passion is pretty irrational. But I'd reserve pathetic for a Red Sox fan who trolls an Orioles board.

by drj on Jan 21, 2007 11:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh I enjoy...

...a good run in with AMA every once in a blue moon. To do it on a regular basis gets pretty tedious to be sure. But getting into it with him every six months or so seems harmless enough. This was relatively mild in comparison to some of the bouts we got into when I first got on this board and before I realized that he was basically making it his goal to irritate everyone around here except SC.

But my point stands that it's a very good thing to stand up for your team, even when they suck...whether it's to AMA or the Sporting News. I'll admit it ain't always easy and that the Orioles are the only team I do it for. I'm a Skins fan and I just kinda shake my head when they have years like this one. I had been a Knicks fan, but this recent run has nearly completely driven me away from them. But I'm always an O's fan. Always follow them. Always defend them. They're my hometown team that I grew up with...that's what I have to do.

by Jonnypops on Jan 22, 2007 12:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Dude..

You're an O's fan and a Skins fan?

When I'm back in NY, we really need to hit a sports bar once in a while.

Burch and Miller...
the future of a franchise

by zknower on Jan 22, 2007 3:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

random irreverent thoughts

"If you do really find it engaging, I guess all I can say is knock yourself out. Me? I'd rather deal with an adult."

Screw being an adult. Let's draw and quarter the bastard!!!!

"But my point stands that it's a very good thing to stand up for your team, even when they suck...whether it's to AMA or the Sporting News."

Afterall, this is what John Mellancamp would want, no, demand. This is our team.

Big Bird says, "Get Pat the Bat!"

by birdman on Jan 22, 2007 1:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Suck it

Orioooooooles

by Awesome Mike Awesome on Jan 21, 2007 4:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

re

"Suck it
Orioooooooles"

Ok, I've got hand it to AMA. At least he gave me a good laugh this time.

Big Bird says, "Get Pat the Bat!"

by birdman on Jan 21, 2007 5:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

O's are bad

"The level of outrage about this is hilarious. "What an idiot! We're not the worst, but the third- or fourth-worst!""

"AMA is right, it is hilarious (by whiich I believe he means pathetic)"

Thanks for the patronizing post then!

Big Bird says, "Get Pat the Bat!"

by birdman on Jan 21, 2007 2:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Whoa wait a sec

How are you a Blackhawks fan? I would've have never thought you as anything else but a Wings fan being from Michigan.

Why don't you go back to your home on whore island! -Ron Burgundy

by O face on Jan 21, 2007 8:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

re:

I'm closer to Chicago than Detroit, and also when I was growing up the 'Hawks had Roenick, Chelly, Belfour (my favorite player), etc.

I never cared for the Red Wings, but I do like Steve Yzerman. Who doesn't?

"I don't want any credit. I'm not looking for credit. You know what? I don't want any blame if we're horse shit, either." -- Jim Leyland

by SC on Jan 21, 2007 11:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't like Steve Yzerman

I'm a troll!

by Awesome Mike Awesome on Jan 22, 2007 6:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Admitting it...

...is the first step to recovery.

by Jonnypops on Jan 22, 2007 7:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Then

"Admitting it...
...is the first step to recovery."

And then you apologize to everyone you've hurt?!!!

Big Bird says, "Get Pat the Bat!"

by birdman on Jan 22, 2007 1:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

RE:

The Red Sox have been making some really questionable moves lately. Only offering Johnny Damon $27-30M for 3 years, but then giving JD Drew $70M over 5 years the very next year???? I still don't get that one.

momma take a look now at what your boy has done; he's walking around like he's number one; he went downtown and bought him a gun.

by BirdFanInPhilly on Jan 21, 2007 10:48 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yes

Better to be categorized with the DEVIL RAYS, ROYALS AND PIRATES.

by Awesome Mike Awesome on Jan 21, 2007 12:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Agreed.

All have badass mascots. The Royals are, well, Royal. The Devil Rays may or may not have been responsible for Steve Irwin's death (too soon?), and Pirates are the coolest shit ever.

by pipkin on Jan 21, 2007 1:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not too soon at all.

If it bends, it's funny. It it breaks, it's not funny. That one bent.

I'd have to add, though, that The Bird has all of those mascots beat, by a longshot IMO. The Bird rocks and always has. Even through this current losing streak shamefest, he's preserved that same old moxie that he had during the Orioles glory years. Here's to The Bird! May you see better days very, very soon.

by Jonnypops on Jan 21, 2007 1:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Here's a good reason why

The O's should be the laughing stock of baseball;

They have the money but can't get it done
The Owner sucks
They rather spend on old farts then young studs
They're afraid to go outside the system for new or different changes ( coaches, hitting coaches)
They have the best park in the game and still can't sell out anymore.
Players are scared to compete against the Yankees and Red Sox.
They can't recruit talented players anymore(again won't go outside of system for coaches, scouts)
The GM have no clue about running a team( just cause you're a good pitcher, don't make you a GM)
They let go of a great hitting instructor (Eddie Murray)
PA won't sell to Cal Ripken who would turn this system around in 2 years!

The O's made some improvements this year, with the biggest being going to Norfolk and then the bullpen. Now if they would stop thinking Jay gibbons is the man and draft some power hitters we might have a chance.

by merdon1332000 on Jan 21, 2007 7:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The Blues Connection

Interesting connection here -- I think I remember that St. Louis pretty much got the NHL franchise that Baltimore should have had. At the time the Clippers were setting minor league hockey attendance records and I think St. Louis did not even really bid for a franchise, but one of the old 6 HNL teams (Chicago, I think) owned an arena in St. Louis and wanted to sell it.

Granted -- another factor was that the Civic Center was not big enough and presented the NHL with a cheapo expansion plan that JUST BARELY fit their requirements -- squeezing some extra seats in without rebuilding the end where the stage was - is that stupid thing still there?

Ok, this was a long time ago (I think I was a student at Poly at the time, or maybe Towson) so maybe I am dreaming a lot of this....

"Killing a Yankee fan -- is that illegal in this state?" -- Homicide Life on the Street

by BirdFanLA on Jan 25, 2007 9:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs