(N)opening Day-- Part 3: White Sox Season Openers-- Gullem to Buehrle to Thome

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

APRIL 9, 1990--  The final opening day at the old Comiskey Park. The Sox win 2-1 over the Brewers.  Ozzie Guillen tripled and scored the Sox first run on a wild pitch.  Sammy Sosa score the winning run in the seventh and Bobby Thigpen recorded the final two outs for the first of his then-record 57 saves.

How's this for some famous Sox names?

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APRIL 4, 2005--  Mark Buehrle, making his fourth of his team-record opening-day starts, allowed two hits in the Sox 1-0 victory.  Of course, this was the famous 2005 season when the Sox were in first, a position they never lost that year en route to their first World Series title since 1917.

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APRIL 2, 2006--  The White Sox raised their World Series Championship banners.  After a 4th inning 2 hour and 57 minute rain delay, newcomer Jim Thome hit a 431-foot homer into the right field stands as the Sox won 10-4 over the Indians.

Next, Da Cubs.  --CootSox

Because It's the Cup!! Stanley Cup, That Is

From the Tribune by Philip Pritchard, keeper of the Cup.

Over the last 27 years the Stanley Cup has been filled with popcorn, potatoes, thrown into a swimming pool and used as the ultimate prize for street hockey.  And, of course, quite the drinking cup.

Overall, it has 120 years of nicks and smudges.

"There are 49 Super Bowl trophies out there.  There is only one Stanley Cup.  You don't win it.  You borrow it.  But your name is etched on it for all of history" according to Philip Pritchard.

That is what they're going after now in the Stanley Cup playoffs.  Seems weird not to have our Blackhawks in it.  Buy, the Stanley Cup is the people's cup.  I loved it when the Hawks would win and following day-to-day where it was.

Well, Maybe Next Year.  --CootCup

Championship Droughts-- Part 4

MINNEAPOLIS-- (Timber Wolves, Twins, Vikings)  24 years.  The Vikings have been to two NFC Title games and the Timber Wolves were at the Western Conference Title finals in 2004.  The Twins were in the 1991 World Series.

WASHINGTON, D.C.--  (Capitals, Nationals, Redskins, Wizards)  The Redskins won in '82, '87 and '91.  The Capitals competed in the World Series in 1998.

HOUSTON--  (Astros, Rockets, Texans)  20 years.  The Rockets had back-to-back championships in the mid-1990s.  The only championship appearance since then were the Astros in 2005 (when they were swept by the Chicago White Sox)

ATLANTA--  (Braves, Falcons, Hawks)  20 years.  The Braves were a big tease in the 90s, routinely winning the NL East and N.L. title, but losing in the World Series other than 1995.  Falcons and Hawks have had just one championship appearance between them, the Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII.

Of course, as far as I am concerned, appearing in a championship game, even if you don't win, is pretty good.

Oh Well.  --DaCoot

Championship Drought-- Part 3

KANSAS CITY--  (Chiefs, Royals)  30 years.  Royals almost ended drought last year, losing in game 7 to San Francisco.  It was their first championship appearance since the 1985 World Series.

OAKLAND--  (A's, Raiders, Golden State Warriors).  This drought, of course, was snapped last week when the Warriors defeated the LeBron.  Before that it had been 26 years.  None of the Warriors were alive the last time when they last won in 1975.  The Raiders were in Los Angeles when they won their last Super Bowl in 1984.  The A's didn't have a parade with their last World Series championship in 1989, following the earthquake.

CINCINNATI--  (Bengals, Reds)  25 years  Last win was Reds in 1990 World Series when they swept the A's.

PHILADELPHIA--  (Eagles, Flyers, Phillies, 76ers)  Recently snapped (seven years ago), but 25 years before that.  The Eagles have been a big tease with 4 straight appearances in NFC Title games.  They were in Super Bowl XXXIX in 2005, but lost..  The last champion 76ers was 1983 and the Phillies won the World Series in 2008.

And, then There Are our Cubbies.  --Cooter

Championship Drought: Cities With 20 Years or More-- Part 2

And for a long time, Chicago could be counted in this list.  And, as I pointed out Thursday, we still would be if it were up to the Cubs and, until 2005, the White Sox.  Time for our baseball teams to get on board.

MILWAUKEE--   (Brewers, Bucks)  44 years.  OK, that Green Bay team is sometimes counted as Milwaukee and that would make a difference, but, Green Bay is 116 miles away.  Bu the way, the Bears passed on that Aaron guy for Jay.  The Bucks, with that Kareem guy won the NBA in 1971.  Milwaukee was last represented in a championship game when the Brewers lost to the Cardinals in the 1982 World Series.

NEW ORLEANS--  (Pelicans, Saints), 42 years.  Okay, recently snapped in 2010 by the Saints and that Drew guy who the Bears passed on for Jay.

SEATTLE--    (Mariners, Seahawks)  Okay, recently snapped by the Seahawks with that outstanding qb who the Bears took a bye on so they could keep Jay, but before that, it was 42 years.  The Supersonics, now Oklahoma City Thunder, won the NBA title in 1979 and came close to back-to-back Super Bowl wins except for that call near the end.  Still waiting for a World Series Appearance.

There Are Still More.  Waiting and Waiting.  --SoTiredCooter

Championship Drought: Cities That Have Gone 20 Years or Longer

From Yahoo!  "Championship starved cities: 20 years or longer without a title."

Just imagine how bad Chicago would be if we only had the Cubs.  Last one in '07 and I'm not talking about 2007.  Go to 1907.

SAN DIEGO--  (Chargers, Padres)  52 years now.  The Chargers won the 1963 AFL Crown and the Padres twice went to the World Series with Tony Gwynn, but lost.  (In 1984 they advanced to the World Series by beating our Cubs.)  The Chargers were in one Super Bowl.

CLEVELAND---  (Browns, Cavaliers and Indians)  51 years now.  Browns won NFL Championship in '64.  And, even Mr. Wonderful, the James, couldn't get the Cavs the NBA Championship on Tuesday.

BUFFALO---  (Bills and Sabres)  50 years now.  Despite four straight Super Bowl appearances and 3 Stanley Cup Finals.  Last champion, the Bills winning the AFL Championship in 1965.

And, There Are More.  --Cooter