Your 5 Favorite Teams

[TwistofRKO]

Here I will ask you to list your five favorite sports teams. Here we go again, right?

Not so fast. I'm adding a little Twist (pun semi-intended). We aren't merely picking our five favorite teams, we're picking our five favorite seasons that have been output from our favorite teams. I've done this on other sites and it was successful, and I'd anticipate our sports fans here can be interested as well.

I'll start it off:

5. 2008 Philadelphia Eagles- Yup, just last season. I went to the season opener, my first Eagles game. I went to training camp for the first time.. It was the first time I had the opportunity to become more invested. I seen every single game, including another trip to the Linc to watch us defeat the Browns on MNF. It was a season of ups and downs, and factoring how far the ups went it was a great season. The comeback that feel just short in the NFCCG stills brings a tear to my eye.

4. 1999 Atlanta Braves- Chipper Jones, whom was my favorite athlete in the world at the age of 8, won the NL MVP in 1999. Making it more special was not only the fact that he did so after being an All-Star game snub, but that he also led us to the World Series. Although a loss, it was an opportunity to watch my team play for the title, something I won't forget.

3. 2000-01 Duke BlueDevils- Ups and downs again. Hot start, then fall to #3 Stanford by 1 point, few games later lose to #4 and ACC Rival UNC by 2... ouch. Our third loss was to #12 Virginia.. by two again. Very heart wrenching season. We came back with a monster comeback against Maryland, overcoming 10 points in :54 seconds, and OT seen Shane Battier reject a game tying layup with 2-3 seconds remaining. We ended up losing to Maryland the next time, but in the ACC tournament we defeated Maryland and UNC, and beat Maryland again in the Final 4. We then beat Arizona to win the title. I loved every player on the roster. Long live Battier, Williams, and Boozer.

2. 2006 Florida Gators (NCAAF)- What an entertaining season. Every game was a nail-biter. Great in hindsight, but torturous in the moment. After losing to Auburn on prime-time, in the heavily advertised ESPN "all angle" thing, the Gators bounced back and caught some major breaks, namely USC losing to UCLA, and defeated the amazing backfield of Darren McFadden, Felix Jones, and Reggie Fish. Having "no shot" against the mighty Ohio State, the Gators gave up an opening kick for a TD, then outscored the Buckeyes 41-7.

1. 2004 Philadelphia Eagles-Not even a championship team, but I can never forget this team. After failing to reach the prior 3 Super Bowls, losing the most recent because our lack of physicality on offense, we brought in TO. What a marriage between DMac and TO. Connecting for 14 TDs in 14 games, the Eagles got off to an amazing start, remaining undefeated the longest. We went to Pittsburgh and lost, but bounced back on MNF and destroyed Dallas 47-21, a game featuring McNabb's 14.6 second scramble. TO ended up getting injured when we were 13-1. We rested our other starters for safety reasons, and we still turned it back on. While we entered the playoffs rumors running rampant about TO potentially playing in the Super Bowl had we made it was SportsCenter's top story every single night. We ended up winning two emotional games, and ended up 3 points short of a Super Bowl. Unless we win a Super Bowl, I can't imagine a team ever replacing this team.

Honorable Mention: 2008 Florida Gators (NCAAF), 2001,02,03,06 Philadelphia Eagles, 2000,03 Atlanta Braves, 1998-99 Duke BlueDevils

 

[RVDgurl]

5. 1997 Baltimore Orioles - I've been an O's fan since I was about 5 years old. This particular team stands out for me probably because it was the last good team they fielded. Yes, 1997 was the last time the O's tasted post season play and what a season it was. This team won opening day and remained in 1st place the entire season to win the AL East. That is one hell an amazing achievement.

4. 1993 Philadelphia Phillies - I'm not a Phillies fan, but this team sucked me in. I watched nearly every Phillies game on television that season waiting for the 9th inning to roll around so I could watch Mitch Williams pitch. He had such a dynamic personality on the field that he inspired me to become a pitcher as well (I've played softball my whole life). Mitch was not the only draw for me as John Kruk, Darren Dalton, Lenny Dykstra and Kevin Stocker also glued me to the TV. A crazy bunch of guys came together to make one of the most enjoyable teams to watch. The Phillies may have lost the World Series that year, but it was certainly a wonderful ride.

3. 1995 Atlanta Braves - I'm pretty sure I still have my copy of Sports Illustrated that read "Braves win it all!" across the front. One of the most dominant teams in baseball history, they also had players that amazed me. I love to watched Chipper Jones and Ryan Klesko and they were two young and very talented players. But that team sported the best pitching rotation ever. If Mitch Williams inspired me to become a pitcher, then Greg Maddux is responsible for me becoming obsessed with pitching. I've been a pitching coach for 10 years now and I still use strategies and logic that I learned from watching Maddux and Tom Glavine throw.

2. 2001 Miami Hurricanes (NCAAF) - When it comes to college football, I bleed green and orange. There have really been some tough years recently, but 2001 was absolutely perfect. Literally. My Canes had a perfect 12-0 season and crushed Nebraska to win a national title. Need I say more?

1. 1998 Denver Broncos - I was a freshman in college and I watched the Super Bowl in my dorm room with a few friends. I can clearly remember as the game ended I dropped to me knees and actually cried. After 4 highly publicized Super Bowl losses, they finally won the big one. After starting the season 13-0, they continued their domination until the end. And then went on the repeat the next year....

 

[NSL]

1. 1986 New York Mets - Sorry Sox fans, but you can't be a Mets fan, and not absolutely love this season. They were dominant from beginning to end, and the only thing that really slowed them down was Mike Scott, and then the Red Sox pitching. It was a great series, among the best ever, but we won, so it remains as one of my favorites.

2. 1990 New York Giants - I was thinking of adding in the 1986 Giants, but this team I was actually old enough to watch, and "Wide Right!" is among my earliest live sports memories. That entire season was great to watch, and the run through the playoffs was just amazing.

3. 1994 New York Rangers - The Messiah sayeth, and it is so. Yeah, Messier made 2 bold predictions, and they both came true. He scored his hat trick, and he predicted the series win over Vancouver. Richter was a beast, and Graves and Kovalev were nearly unstoppable. Add in Leetch and Beukeboom on the blue line, and it's no wonder they won the cup.

4. 2007 New York Giants - Sorry, X...This team has to rank among my all-time favorites. After 2 games, I was looking ahead to the draft, and then they come back with one of the most memorable runs in football history. They mowed down three straight division winners in dramatic fashion, before taking on the undefeated Patriots, and winning the Lombardi Trophy. It was exciting to watch from start to finish for the whole season.

5. 2002 Marshall Thundering Herd - This was the one year that I was in college, and actually followed one specific team, and got to see guys like Leftwich, Roethlisberger, Ahmad Bradshaw, Charlie Frye, and Chris Crocker play. They didn't all go on to have great professional careers, but they were great in college, and it was just fun to see. It's also the closest Marshall ever came to having a Heisman winner, and they were ranked all season...

 

[Theo Mays]

5. 08-09 Villanova Wildcats Men's Basketball
-I loved watching this team ball all season long. Nova is the only team I follow in college basketball. This team was fun to watch with Scottie Reynolds, Daunte Cunningham, Shane Clark, etc... Jay Wright has been awesome since coming to Nova and this final four team had exciting wins all year and made it fun to watch.

4. 00-01 Philadelphia 76ers
-What can I say about this Sixers team. They got trumped by the Lake Show in the finals. Philly won an exciting first game with the Iverson step over on Tyronne Lue. This team may not have the best talent, but they had the best player and MVP in Allen Iverson. Dikembe Mutumbo played fantastic ball when he was traded to Philly. Plus they had solid role players in Eric Snow, Tyrone Hill, Raja Bell, Aaron McKie, etc... Plus Larry Brown at the helm of the team. It's a shame they didn't win.

3. 05-06 Penn State Nittany Lions Football
-A few seconds away from an undefeated season. A last second lost to Michigan was the only blemish on this awesome team. Joe Paterno was on the hot seat after two bad seasons and he shows up with this. The Poz man (Paul Posluzsny), Dan Connor, Tony Hunt, Michael Robinson, Derrick Williams, Alan Zemetis, etc... This team played good ball all year and had an exciting Orange Bowl game against Bobby Bowden's FSU Seminoles.

2. 98-99 Minnesota Vikings
-Now here was an offense that was incredible. Randall Cunningham, Cris Carter, Randy Moss, Jake Reed, and Robert Smith as the star offensive weapons. A good line headed by Jeff Christie and Korey Stringer. The defense had the leadership of a crazy John Randle. Plus a perfect regular season kicker in Gary Anderson. Denny Green was awesome at HC and Brian Billick looked like an offensive genius. This team went 15-1 and fell short losing in OT to Atlanta in the Conference Championship. I honestly believe they would have defeated Elway and crew in the Super Bowl.

1. 2008 Philadelphia Phillies
-The 98 Vikes were number 1 until last year. This Phillies team stole my heart. They played exceptional baseball and proved the critics wrong and brought home a title. Howard, Hamels, Utley, Rollins, Victorino, Werth, Blanton, Ruiz, Lidge, etc.... This team had it all. Good pitching, awesome bullpen, incredible offense and good defense. This team never gave up and played there all. They won it all for a city deserving of a title and they won it for Charlie Manuel's mom who had just passed.

(Note: I chose not too include the Phillies of this season (who are better than last year) and I think will win it this year for Harry. And the Vikes of this season are playing good ball and it is the most excited I have been for a Vikes team since 2001. If the Phils win this year they'd fall in the 1 or 2 spot. The Vikes, if they win the SB would be number 1.)

 

[jmt225]

5.2005 Philadelphia 76ers - As I've mentioned here before, Chris Webber is my all time favorite baskerball player. When he got traded to Philly, I was devastated he was leaving the Sacramento Kings, but really... it worked out because it made me a fan of four other guys for life, whereas before I probably would have never given a damn about any of them. While the 76ers didn't accomplish much that year (they lost in the first round to the Pistons), their starting five was tremendous in my eyes. Allen Iverson at Point, Andre Iguodalaa SG, Kyle Korver at SF, Chris Webber at PF, and Samuel Dalembert at Center. They were so fun to watch together. Unfortunately, it didn't last too long, as the firing of coach Jim O'Brien proved to be a horrible decision by Billy King, but still.... it was a fun year to follow them

4. 1997 LSU Tigers - Herb Tyler and Kevin Faulk are my two my favorite LSU football players in history. I went to so many games back then, just cheering my head off. Tyler's four years at LSU was just tremendous and I'll always treasure it. What makes the year 1997 special though was that was the year they beat #1 ranked Florida, something of which I never thought was possible growing up, because Florida just seemed unbeatable for so long. But LSU beat them that year 28-21, and I'll never, ever forget watching that game with my father.

3. 2009 New Orleans Saints - It's early, I know, but this team is tremendous and has me so excited to see where they're going, and for once... I'm not expecting to be let down.

2. 1999/2000 New Orleans Saints - After the great "Cajun Cannon" Bobby Hebert left the New Orleans Saints in the early nineties, every year after that for a long time they filled their Quarterback spot with shit QB after shit QB. I mean, there was Jim Everett, Heath Shuler, Wade Wilson, about 3 different guys whose first name was Billy-Joe, and a few others. But during the off-season of 1999, the Saints FINALLY signed themselves a great QB to go along with the greatest college running back in history (plus my all time favorite running back) Ricky Williams, when they signed Jeff Blake, who was one of my favorite QBs in the league at the time. Blake would lead the Saints to a 7-3 start. Unfortunately though, he got injured, but that lead to the emergence of Aaron Brooks, who would eventually become my favorite football player of all time. Under Brooks, the Saints would win their very first playoff game, against the Super Bowl defending St. Louis Rams. It was a great, great year.

1. 2002 Sacramento Kings - The Real 2002 NBA Champions. Like I said, Chris Webber is by far my favorite sports figure of all time, and this was most definitely the best team he ever played on. Mike Bibby, Vlade Divac, Doug Christie, Peja Stojakovic, Hedo Turkoglu, and Bobby Jackson are just a couple of names that played on this great team, which was coached by Rick Adelman. While the season ended with them getting cheated, I'll still never forget the joy and fun I had that year following that team. I watched every single game, and just bled black and purple. No team in history will ever come close to passing this one as my favorite of all time.

 

[CH David]

5.1997-1998 Chicago Bulls - Yes, I am going with the final year of what was the Bulls Dynasty, instead of the most dominant team and season just two years previous. This year had a lot of crap surrounding it, with rumors that Phil Jackson was on his way out after the year due to his beef with Jerry Krause, Scottie wasn't getting the contract he wanted. Yet they still went 62-20, finishing 1st in the Eastern Conference and went on to defeat the Jazz for the 2nd year in a row, with Game 6 and the series being capped with the Jordan's final shot as a Bull.

4.2004-2005 Illinois Fighting Illini (NCAAB) - This was by far my favorite season as a College Basketball fan. They completely steamrolled through most of the regular season, only to lose to a shot with like 2 seconds left against OSU in the season finale. Then rolled through the Big Ten Tournament, and then competed IMO in arguably one of the greatest college basketball games in the Eilte 8 vs. Arizona. They lost in the Title game to North Carolina, but put up one hell of a fight.

3. 2006 Chicago Bears - If I were alive back in 1985, I would have chose that Bears team, sadly I was not. I had to deal with Rex Grossman being awesome for I think 5 games, then completely sucking ass for the rest of the season. The defense and special teams, which has been the norm for the past 4-5 years, won most of the games for the team, with Hester having his breakout of Kickoff and Punt Return TDs. The Bears getting to the Super Bowl was awesome, but again, turnovers by Grossman cost the game, even though they had no chance in the game.

2. 2008-2009 Chicago Blackhawks - Last year's team was just awesome for me. The rookies were now sophomores, and the whole team was hungry. The regular season was very good where they finished 4th in the Conference, 2nd behind Detroit in the division. They proved a lot of doubters wrong in the playoffs. They were too young to win some series in the playoffs. Beat the Flames 4-2. How would they beat the Canucks and Luongo? They showed they could go on the offensive and come back in Game 1, and continued the rest of the series to take it 4-2. Getting closed out by Detroit in the Western Conference Finals was bittersweet, but showed that there is still work to do and to get better to beat the class of the Conference, if not the league.

1. 2005 Chicago White Sox - I'm sure this comes as no surprise at all. This was a great season, and I witnessed it all. From dramatic comebacks to pitcher's duels, great start to bump in August, 15 game lead to 1 1/2. That starting 5 was solid as anything I had ever seen, and the bullpen was outstanding. Defense and timely hitting got it done most of the time that season. Wire-to-wire in first place, and had a 12-1 record in the Playoffs, sweeping the Red Sox, losing Game 1 to the Angels, then reeling off 4 straight complete games, in fact the bullpen only got 2/3 an inning of work in the whole series. Then completed the sweep of the Astros (sorry FTS) for the first World Series title in 88 years.

 

[The Brain]

It’s hard for me to choose a #5. There are so many random baseball teams I’ve like over the years. The top four were easy.

5. 1995 Seattle Mariners – To me the Mariners were just cool in the mid 90’s. My dad picked Tino Martinez and Jay Buhner to be superstars when they were rookies. Here they were making his prediction come true. They’re not hall of famers, but had nice careers. Randy Johnson was hitting his prime and becoming one of the best pitchers in the game. He was awesome in game 163 to get in the playoffs. I’ve always like Edgar Martinez. If only he could have stayed healthy. Everybody loved Ken Griffey Jr. He was baseball in the 90’s. Oh and there was this new guy named Alex Rodriguez. He looked to have some potential.

4. 2002 Anaheim Angels – On opening night 2002 my brother and I predicted the Angels to go to the playoffs. Our friends thought we were nuts. That night the Indians shutout the Angles 6-0. The Angels started off 3-8. Early on our prediction looked ridiculous. Sadly my brother passed away two weeks into the season. After that the Angels took off. It’s so minor in the grand scheme of life, but there was something special about watching the Angels not only make the playoffs, but win the World Series that year making our unlikely prediction come true.

3. 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls – 72-10 baby! The greatest NBA team of all time. Really I could have picked any Bulls team during their dynasty. I chose this because of the amazing record. I’m not much of a basketball fan, but growing up in Chicago during the Jordan era I couldn’t help but love the Bulls.

2. 1985 Chicago Bears – I was only six but I knew this team was awesome. You had Sweetness, the Fridge, the Punky QB, Samurai Mike, and plenty of other colorful personalities. How could anyone not love the Superbowl Shuffle?

1. 2008 Chicago Cubs – Baseball is by far my favorite sport. The Cubs are by far my favorite team. I had to pick a Cubs team for my #1. 2008 was the best season I’ve ever seen as a Cubs fan. It had a horrible ending in the playoffs, but I had a blast watching them get there. Despite the playoff sweep it was a fun and memorable year.

 

[The Todd]

Five? How can someone follow five different sports teams? It's way to much effort following two!

1) Darlington Football Club - Season 1999/2000. We should have been promoted automatically, but we weren't, we were stuck with the play-offs where we were to play Hartlepool, our greatest rivals. We eased past them in the semi-finals, and got a trip to Wembley. This was it, we were going up. Division Two here we come! But no, we lost to Peterborough, and we're still in the Third Division (or League Two, or Division Four if you're that old)

2) Durham County Cricket Club - 2009. The youngest of the first class counties, we won our first County Championship in 2008. The reason that isn't the best season is simple, it was seen as a fluke win. The following year, Durham didn't just retain the Championship, they eased to the title. The League's best bowling attack, including four Durham boys and the excellent all-rounder, Ian Blackwell, Graeme Onions has gone from a nobody to one of England's best bowlers, and he's a Durham lad. Durham were unbeaten all season and won with two games to spare, sealing it with an innings victory over a team who were in second place.

There are no other teams I follow in sport, though I have immense amount of respect for F.C. Barcelona, Manchester United, Arsenal and Aston Villa.

Four sides who play football the way football was intended; beautiful, attacking philosophy with young players given opportunities to shine.

 

[Cowboyfromhell]

5. 2004 Philadelphia Eagles - Sure they lost the Super Bowl to New England in January 05 but it's the only Eagles team to make the game in my life, which is pathetic, but it's the way it goes.

4. 2009 Phillies - Watching them in the world series now, a good group of guys who are close knit and actually interact with the fans. Plus a good number of them are homegrown which is always nice to see.

3. 2008 Phillies - The team that won the World Series. Victorino hitting a Grand Slam off Sabathia, Matt Stairs almost hitting a home run out of Dodger Stadium off Jonathon Broxton, Joe Blanto hitting a home run against the Dodgers, Brett Myers at the plate, just a fun year tha made me very happy.

2. 1992 Alabama football team - one of the fastest and best defenses ever. Remember George Teague chasing down Lamar Thomas in the Sugar Bowl? Thomas, a WR for THE U, caught a pass from Gino Toretta on the far sideline and George Teague streaked down the sideline, from across the field, caught Thomas and stripped the ball from him. The play was negated due to a penalty but still a great play. Alabama, national champions, 34-13 over the Hurricanes. I still have this game on tape if anyone wants to come over and watch it.
1. 1993 Phillies -The team that didn't win the World Series thanks to Joe Fucking Carter( He hit a good pitch by the way, Mitch Williams made a good pitch, Carter was just the better man). These guys were just crazy alcoholics who happened to play baseball. Lenny Dykstra, John Kruk, Danny Jackson, larry Anderson, it goes on and on. And Mitch Williams, one of my favorite players ever. I tried to pitch like him in practice and nearly killed myself. He had to be traded after that home run but ended up coming back and working for the team doing commentary before going to the MLB network. He was welcomed back because he came out and said the Phillies lost and it was his fault. The fans liked that he owned up to that.

 

[Leafy]

1. Chicago Bears
Born in Chicago and have liked since I started actually watching Football. Try to follow every game but hard to find them. So excited when they went to Super Bowl and now hate the Colts with a passion.

2. DC United
Love soccer and have to root for the closest team. Been to one game and go to play on the field, one of the most memorable moments in my life. The goalie is who I hope to become one day.

3. Minnesota Vikings- Yes, I know the Vikings and Bears are rivals but I liked the Vikings since 2nd grade and it's hard to not like them. Love when they beat the Packers this year and hope they make it to the Super Bowl since the Bears ain't doing so hot

4. Baltimore Ravens- The home football team so I am almost forced to root for them. I know people who bleed purple and black but I could never get behind them. I always root for them in the games though.

5. DC Capitols- Hockey is my new found sport that I love to watch, and the Caps are the closest team. I love wrestling and hockey is the closest group sport to wrestling. Ovectkin (SP) is my favorite player and hockey needs some respect.

 

[Southwind]

5. 2001 Duke Blue Devils, I have watched Duke for years and years, and have been a fan of them since I was 7. This was the last title they won. Guys like Jason Williams, Dunleavy, Boozer a freshman Chris Duhon and much more led this team to it's last national title. Unfortunately Duke has fell off a bit since then but with coach K leading the Blue Devils still it's only a matter of time before they return to the top !!.

4. 2008 Denver Nuggets- After years of first round playoff flameouts these Nuggets were not even expected to make the playoffs. Instead they trade the chemistry killer (Iverson), and get a professional winner in Chauncey Billups. The Nuggets rolled to the western conference finals where they gave the eventual champion Lakers their stiffest challenge but eventually fell in six games.

3. 2007 West Virginia Mountaineers- Wow, what an up and down season led by Pat White Steve Slaton and a freshman Noel Devine. WVU reached number two in the BCS polls, and looked primed to play Ohio State for the national title. But they were stunned by rival Pittsburgh in a loss that will haunt Mountainners fans forever. This team though, showed resilinence after traitor coach Rich Rodriguez left, WVU stunned Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl laying a 49-28 beatdown to the Sooners.

2. 2008 Philadelphia Eagles- Wow this was the ultimate up and down season they went from Super Bowl contenders to rebuilding to the NFC Championship game. After getting stomped by Baltimore, Mcnabb was benched and the Eagles were deemed dead and buried. But something funny happened the defense got crazy hot. Then lots of luck happened as well the Eagles got into the playoffs before falling to the Cardinals in a absolute war. Eagles fans take solace in the fact they ended the Cowboys and Giants seasons that year. Giving Dallas a 44-6 thrashing and ending the Giants Super Bowl title reign with a 23-11 decision.

1. 2004 Philadelphia Eagles- They finally made the Super Bowl !!!! After years of failure in the NFC title game the Eagles ironically beat current QB Michael Vick and the Falcons. This season was the year T.O. came aboard and despite what I think of him now he almost single handedly won the Eagles a Super Bowl.