ESPN.com has put together alist of the worst championship teams of all time in the four major pro sports. Baseball dominates the list, with 5 of the 10 selections. Hockey and football have 2 each and basketball only 1.

Agree? Disagree? Other nominees?

Here's the list:

1. 1997 Florida Marlins (MLB)

2. 1995 Houston Rockets (NBA)

3. 1906 Chicago White Sox (MLB)

4. 1987 Minnesota Twins (MLB)

5. 1980 Oakland Raiders (NFL)

6. 2001 New England Patriots (NFL)

7. 1985 Kansas City Royals (MLB)

8. 1945 Detroit Tigers (MLB)

9. 1967 Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)

10. 1991 & 1992 Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)

[ April 30, 2002: Message edited by: George_vikingfan ]

It seems like they've opted for the most surprising, rather than the worst--which is why baseball figures so prominently. The fact is that baseball won-loss differentials tend to be less, so the better team quite often doesn't win in 4 out of 7.

Some objections: The hitless wonders may have batted .230, but they did go 93-58 during the season and allowed fewer than 3 runs/game. Hardly chopped liver. I don't see why they're picking on the 92-70 Marlins either--the worst championship team of all time? Over teams like the '87 twins and '67 leafs that were middle of the pack during the season? Or the '95 rockets that were SIXTH in their division?

Considering how few teams make the baseball playoffs (the lowest percent of any of the major sports), how can any baseball team able to make the playoffs and ultimately win the title be considered that bad. In Hockey and Basketball, where it seems the regular season is for nothing more than seeding, it seems there would be many more teams that could be called unworthy of the title.

Excellent point David! And all but the Florida Marlins won when there was no wild card or three division format. To finish first over the course of 162 games is way more of an accomplishment than qualifying for the NBA or NHL playoffs as a number 6 seed.

The 1988 L.A. Dodgers (the Kirk Gibson home run Dodgers) were the worst professional team of my lifetime to win a championship. An awful, unloveable team.

The 1997 Florida Marlins were an All-Star team put together for one run. They had a lot of talent: Kevin Brown, Gary Sheffield, Moises Alou, Robb Nen, Al Leiter, Bobby Bonilla (who was good once, y'know). Managed by one of the greats of his time, Jim Leyland. Just because they have been so awful since, it's hard to remember that the '97 Marlins were a really good team.

Generally, though, I think it's a dumb, random list, compiled by some East Coast-centric sports hack who, with the exception of the 2002 Super Bowl, thinks it's a fluke whenever a team not from the Northeast wins a championship. (Pittsburgh is, culturally, more like midwestern cities Chicago and Cleveland, rather than Philadelphia or Baltimore.)

Best example of East Coast-centrism: why not include the 1969 N.Y. Jets? That was a total fluke. If they played the Colts in a 10-game series, the Colts win 9. Unfortunately for the Colts, and fortunately for football fans everywhere but Baltimore, that 10th one was played on Super Bowl Sunday. Yet the 1980 Oakland Raiders made the list?

I agree its a stupid list, just the term worse championship team is contradictory, a championship team is the BEST team, whether they are from New York or anywhere else. ESPN's website may as well be the New York times sports section sometimes. I dont even think Seattle is on the map of United States of New York. Yuck the Fankees.

[quote]Originally posted by gp43:
I dont even think Seattle is on the map of United States of New York. Yuck the Fankees.

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Well of course we know where Seattle is. Its that place the Yankees go every year and kick the Mariners asses! Sorry gp43, I tease because I love!

I do agree its a totally random list. I only posted it to get a conversation started as to what others thought.

The '69 Jets is a pretty good choice, but no way would they pick them. That Super Bowl was too much of a watershed moment for pro football. And there really aren't many choices among New York teams. Perhaps the '69 Mets. I don't really think so. The Yankee championship teams were damn good baseball teams. The two seasons the Giants won the Super Bowl they were deserving champions. The Islanders were an amazing dynasty, so they don't belong on the list. The Rangers, Nets, Jets and Knicks haven't really won anything. The years the Knicks and Rangers won they were very good teams. I can't think of a New York (or Boston or Philadelphia) team I would include.

Now those 1979 Seattle Super Sonics....

[quote]Originally posted by George_vikingfan:
Now those 1979 Seattle Super Sonics....

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I think you meant- And Now Your Seattle Suuuuuuuper SONICS

Contemplate the sound of one hand clapping.

[quote]Originally posted by AU Tiger in LA:
Contemplate the sound of one hand clapping.

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I may be the only one clapping here but at keyarena tonight there were about 17,000 others clapping and making a ruckus. Not that I'm afraid to stand alone but I felt sorry for that spurs fan who tripped over himself running down the aisle.

Sorry, my Zen humor is sometimes not clear enough for the masses. To contemplate the sound of one hand clapping is like trying to count how many angels can stand on the head of a pin.....
or which is the worst championship team of all times.
All are trivial tasks that have absolutely no value.

This is kinda sacrilegious as a Bay Area boy, but I'd have to throw in the 1989 Super Bowl Champion 49ers. They won the NFC West with an unremarkable 10-6 record (this division had some REALLY weak sisters back then). Somehow, they won it all.

jordan - Although the 1989 forty niners were the unexpected surprise team of the year, I don't think they rate being one of the "worst championship teams" given the players on their roster. They had a great defense with established stars like Fred Dean, Louis Kelcher, and Jack "Hacksaw" Reynolds along with three rookies and a free agent all of whom would become All-Pro that year or next - Ronnie Lott, Eric Wright, Carlton Williamson, and Dwight Hicks. The offense was less impressive - no running backs of distinction, a small offensive line, but they had Dwight Clark (future All-Pro) and, most importantly, Joe Montana.
Beating the Dallas Cowboys twice - reigning studs of the NFC - was no small accomplishment.

Hey kennysf, I think that's the 1982 team you're talking about. By '89, most of the players you mentioned had retired. But those definitely two sweet wins over Dallas!

sorry - you're right - brain fart... 1989 - i'm having trouble recalling that team - who did they play in the super bowl?

You beat the Bengals both in 82 and 89.
Oh by the way thanks for the calling the 89 Cowboys studs.

It was the 1988 49ers that went 10-6. They started 5-6 then didn't lose again. The '89 team went 14-2.

Worst champ of all time?
Try the '75 Golden State Warriors or '78 Washington Bullets or '79 SuperSonics. Totally forgettable teams.

[quote]Originally posted by Jim at Outsports:
Worst champ of all time?
Try the '75 Golden State Warriors or '78 Washington Bullets or '79 SuperSonics. Totally forgettable teams.

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Maybe for you, but some of us will never forget the best team of 1979.
2 Bad Choices
The Rockets are a bad choice up there, I will never forget Rudy T's "never question the heart of a champion" and the 100 dollars that Horry and Rockets won for me over Shaq and the Magic.
The 1980 Oakland Raiders are also a bad choice, Jim Plunkett's story is one of the greatest in sports, and who can forget Lester Hayes and his stick em, and how he was stuttering in the post game interview. Al Davis' "just win baby", I was only in grade school so I only won a dollar on this one.

[ May 03, 2002: Message edited by: gp43 ]

ESPN.com readers have weighed in with their opinions. Here's their list of the ten Worst Championship Teams. Their list includes some college teams as well.

1. 2001-02 New England Patriots

2. 2000-01 Baltimore Ravens

3. 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks

4. 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers

5. 1985 Villanova Wildcats (Basketball)

6. 1997 Florida Marlins

7. 1999 San Antonio Spurs

8. 1987 Minnesota Twins

9. 1983 North Carolina State Wolfpack(Basketball)

10. 1984 Brigham Young Cougars (Football)

I think the worst national championship teams in college football were (1) 1990 University of Miami Hurricanes who were a bunch of thugs on and off the field; (2) 1991 Georgia Tech Rambling Wreck & 1991 Colorado Buffaloes who shared the national championship; and (3) 1997 florida gators who led by their wimpy, goody-goody too shoe qb, Danny Wufferel.

2. 2000-01 Baltimore Ravens- people who like offense
3. 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks- New Yorker votes, and too new of a team
7. 1999 San Antonio Spurs- may always have the asterick for strike year

[ May 03, 2002: Message edited by: gp43 ]