One of the chief measures of a sports franchise's greatness (in addition to championships, of course) is making the playoffs consistently.
Major League Baseball makes it most difficult to qualify for the playoffs as just 8 teams make it out of 30 each year compared to 16 out of 30 in the National Basketball Association and National Hockey League's respectively. 8 of 14 teams in Major League Soccer make the playoffs. 10 out of 32 National Football League teams make it. Clearly, it's toughest to consistently make the playoffs if you are a Major League Baseball team.
In that light, check out the top 10 playoff streaks in professional sports:
1 Detroit Red Wings (NHL) 17
2 New York Yankees (MLB) 13
3 San Antonio Spurs (NBA) 11
3 New Jersey Devils (NHL) 11
3 Ottawa Senators (NHL) 11
2 New York Yankees (MLB) 13
3 San Antonio Spurs (NBA) 11
3 New Jersey Devils (NHL) 11
3 Ottawa Senators (NHL) 11
6 Dallas Mavericks (NBA) 8
7 Detroit Pistons (NBA) 7
8 New England Revolution (MLS) 6
8 Indianapolis Colts (NFL) 6
10 DC United (MLS) 5
7 Detroit Pistons (NBA) 7
8 New England Revolution (MLS) 6
8 Indianapolis Colts (NFL) 6
10 DC United (MLS) 5
Very impressive...
12 comments:
What Grace you have displayed Tony for not pointing out that it has been 23 years since the Kansas City Royals have appeared in a playoff/World Series game. Allow me to reassure the Royals fans that not all is lost it has been 26 years for the Milwaukee Brewers, and 27 years for the Montreal Expos-Washington Nationals.
Year 2000 ... clap-clap ... clap-clap-clap!
Thankyou Rick, I appreciate your noticing my grace in this regard.
For the record, KC is my second favorite team. They have been tremendously valuable to MLB, developing such good talent for the rest of the league.
I'm looking forward to seeing Greinke in pinstripes next year.
*sigh*
Any REAL baseball fan knows that in 1985 the World Series was STOLEN from the Cardinals.
No offense to the Royals, necessarily, but there should not have been a Game 7.
On the playoffs, yes, very impressive in the Bigs.
But, remember it used to be even harder, before the realignment in the 90s, only 4 teams made the playoffs.
Further back in the day, it was the NL team with the best record against the AL team with the best record.
That is, 2 teams made the playoffs.
During that era is when the Cardinals and the Yankees were stringing some runs together.
10 for the Cardinals, incidentally.
2nd place. Assuming we win it all this year, and the following 15 years consecutively, we'll pass the Yankees.
Better keep looking over your shoulder.
;-)
So, Tony, your sermon on affluence doesn't apply when it comes to your Yankees???
And the Cardinal fans need to quit whining and get over it!
Surprised Boston Celtics not on the list. When Russell played, they owned the NBA. 11 championships, I believe.
Gunny, I feel your pain, one of the joys of going to Kauffman/Royals Stadium is knowing that trophy belongs in St. Louis.
My dad was born in St. Louis, and grew up in Springfield, Missouri and told me of how he spent his summers in St. Louis with his aunt and going to Sportsmen Park/Busch Stadium in the 1950s.
That year I wanted a bird series between the Blue Jays and Cardinals. But that was not meant to be.
The Cardinals are my second favorite team in MLB, and of course that would make them my favorite National League team.
Since I was in Basic Training at Ft. Lost in the Woods, Missourah during the 1985 World Series, my only first hand accounts of the game took place lining up at the mess hall and looking at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Kansas City Star newspaper boxes.
I did many years later catch the highlights of the World Series on ESPN Classics.
A nice recap including the photo of The Royals' Jorge Orta is called safe by Don Denkinger can be found at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1985_World_Series
While, I do not remember the World Series as many delusional Royals fans do, I do remember two things from the 1985 playoff and World Series.
My first day in the Army was October 17, 1985, the same day the Royals who only made it to the World Series because of the extended playoff format change from 5 games to 7 games returning to MCI/KCI. There were huge crowds there for their return, however I told the taxi driver who took me to the airport, what a town all these people here to send me off.
The Army in its ultimate wisdom decided it was more economical to fly me to St. Louis to catch a bus to Ft. Lenoard Wood. It would be my first flight and another soldier and I almost missed it because of the crowd but we did get on just in time.
For those who have served I am sure you remember that first time your platoon gathered around the barracks and the DI or Drill Seargent asking you where you are from and why you are joined. For those who have not had this expereince I suggest you watch Stripes with Bill Murray.
I’m Rick Calohan, I’m was born in Springfield, Missouri and grew up in Kansas City. I joined because I needed a haircut.
The drill seargent asked well who are you going for in the World Series.
I replied, The Yankees!
Let's put this in better perspective. Team payroll
1. Detroit Red Wings $50 million
2. New York Yankees $209 million
3. San Antonio Spurs $52 million
3. New Jersey Devils $47 million
3. Ottawa Senators $46 million
6. Dallas Mavericks $77 million
7. Detroit Pistons $53 million
8. New England Revolution $1.4 mil
9. Indy Colts $112 million
10. DC United $2.1 million
So Detroit Red Wings, San Antonio Spurs, Jersey Devils, and Ottawa could combine their payrolls and still be less than the Yankees.
Cute attempt Brian...
Obviously MLB has WAY more games than any of the other sports (162 plus playoffs), not to mention their rosters are huge compared to the others (except the NFL).
It's simple economics as to why MLB payrolls are so high. Sure, the Yanks have the highest payroll...I guess they are getting what they pay for. That's just sheer smarts and another sign of greatness.
Go Astos? Hey, when did they win the World Series? OH, They never have!
Rick, Stripes is still one of my all time, one-liner classics. My wife won’t watch it with me because I must quote every line. Dewey Oxberger and Captain Stillman were young and crazy men back then. Remember this dialog from the derelict at the reception station, "I'm from Kansas City. I like fast cars and fast women. In my car club back there, they call me the Cruiser. I joined the army to avoid the draft.”
Sgt Hulka spoke up, “Son, there ain’t no draft no more.” With his very slow but inquisitive mind, the Cruiser replied, “There was one?”
This must be current streaks. If this is the measure, the St. Louis Blues would be royalty. They went to the playoffs from 1980-2004. However, they never even sniffed the Stanley Cup during that time.
Yep, this is current streaks.
Post a Comment