Friday, October 29, 2004
CURSED? HELL NO
Since the Red Sox have now broken their so-called curse, ESPN's Page 2 has decided to make a list of teams that are currently "cursed". In my words, the list is full of teams that haven't done enough to win a championship.
Thanks to the P-I's Talkin' Hawks blog for the link to the ESPN column.
Of course, all 3 Seattle professional sports franchises (no, the Storm don't count in this instance) are profiled.
16. Seattle Seahawks
None
Curse of Brian Bosworth
The Boz was so embarrassed and crushed after Bo Jackson destroyed him on a memorable night game, that he cursed the Hawks -- and they haven't won a playoff game since 1984.
Why the Seahawks haven't won a championship?
---Ken Behring.
---Ken Behring.
---A lot of talented players, but not a playoff win to show for that talent.
But mainly, the Seahawks' inability to not win a championship can be blamed on Ken Behring. Behring ruined this franchise in the early 1990s and Paul Allen is just now cleaning up the mess that Behring left.
26. Seattle Mariners
None
Curse of Bernie Brewer
See, curses can be funny; after learning Seattle had placed a curse on Milwaukee, the Brewers' mascot placed a curse on Seattle (with help from Bud Selig, who must've forced that Varitek/Lowe trade for Heathcliff Slocumb in 1997).
Why the Mariners haven't won the World Series?
---Inept administration (Argyros. Woodward. Lincoln.)
---Aaron Sele (0-4 postseason record as a Mariner)
The Mariners have never been blessed with a great front office, top to bottom. While the current ownership has to be praised for saving this team, they have not done enough to bring a championship to Seattle. Al Martin? Doug Creek? Jose Offerman? Rey Sanchez? Ugh.
The Derek Lowe/Jason Varitek for Heathcliff Slocumb deal in 1997 still pisses me off to this day. Still does. Let's move on.
Oh, and I just wanted to blame Aaron Sele. Why not?
30. Seattle Sonics
1979
Curse of Paul Westphal
This curse has struck in three forms: first, the '79 title team was torn apart when Dennis Johnson was traded for Westphal; then Westphal's Suns beat Seattle in the '93 conference finals; then Westphal coached the Sonics into oblivion.
Why the Sonics haven't won a championship since 1979?
---The Sonics haven't had a decent big man since Jack Sikma.
---In 1996, when they reached the NBA Finals, they had to go up against the 72-10 Chicago Bulls. Not so fun times.
---Wally Walker
Quick, name a decent big man the Sonics have had on their roster since Sikma left town? Wait, you can't.
The 1995-1996 Sonics were 64-18. That was a damn good team. But unfortunately, they really didn't have a chance against the 72-10 Chicago Bulls. The franchise would never be the same, since Shawn Kemp would get alienated by the fact that the Sonics overpaid for Jim McIllvaine. Kemp was dealt to Cleveland in 1997 and gained a ton of weight. What a sad story. Again, let's move on.
Wally Walker is still working for the Sonics. And get this, he's the damn CEO now. Can it get any worse for Sonics fans? Sure it can. The 2004-2005 season hasn't tipped off yet.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Obviously, the curse piece at ESPN.com is in jest. I don't believe they're being too serious. But if you've read Sports and Bremertonians long enough, you know damn well that I wasn't going to leave this subject on the table.
I don't believe in curses. A curse is basically an excuse. Teams aren't cursed. They just don't do enough to win.
I just need the Mariners and/or Seahawks to win a championship in the next couple of years. I fear the day when the nation starts to become Mariners or Seahawks fans just because they haven't won a championship. I don't want my teams to be a West Coast version of the Chicago Cubs or Boston Red Sox.
Quite frankly, I just want to be in the Red Sox fans' position tomorrow afternoon. And you know damn well I'd fly up to Seattle to be part of a victory celebration. I'd fly away on a wing and a prayer. Who could it be?
Believe it or not, it's just me.
Thanks to the P-I's Talkin' Hawks blog for the link to the ESPN column.
Of course, all 3 Seattle professional sports franchises (no, the Storm don't count in this instance) are profiled.
16. Seattle Seahawks
None
Curse of Brian Bosworth
The Boz was so embarrassed and crushed after Bo Jackson destroyed him on a memorable night game, that he cursed the Hawks -- and they haven't won a playoff game since 1984.
Why the Seahawks haven't won a championship?
---Ken Behring.
---Ken Behring.
---A lot of talented players, but not a playoff win to show for that talent.
But mainly, the Seahawks' inability to not win a championship can be blamed on Ken Behring. Behring ruined this franchise in the early 1990s and Paul Allen is just now cleaning up the mess that Behring left.
26. Seattle Mariners
None
Curse of Bernie Brewer
See, curses can be funny; after learning Seattle had placed a curse on Milwaukee, the Brewers' mascot placed a curse on Seattle (with help from Bud Selig, who must've forced that Varitek/Lowe trade for Heathcliff Slocumb in 1997).
Why the Mariners haven't won the World Series?
---Inept administration (Argyros. Woodward. Lincoln.)
---Aaron Sele (0-4 postseason record as a Mariner)
The Mariners have never been blessed with a great front office, top to bottom. While the current ownership has to be praised for saving this team, they have not done enough to bring a championship to Seattle. Al Martin? Doug Creek? Jose Offerman? Rey Sanchez? Ugh.
The Derek Lowe/Jason Varitek for Heathcliff Slocumb deal in 1997 still pisses me off to this day. Still does. Let's move on.
Oh, and I just wanted to blame Aaron Sele. Why not?
30. Seattle Sonics
1979
Curse of Paul Westphal
This curse has struck in three forms: first, the '79 title team was torn apart when Dennis Johnson was traded for Westphal; then Westphal's Suns beat Seattle in the '93 conference finals; then Westphal coached the Sonics into oblivion.
Why the Sonics haven't won a championship since 1979?
---The Sonics haven't had a decent big man since Jack Sikma.
---In 1996, when they reached the NBA Finals, they had to go up against the 72-10 Chicago Bulls. Not so fun times.
---Wally Walker
Quick, name a decent big man the Sonics have had on their roster since Sikma left town? Wait, you can't.
The 1995-1996 Sonics were 64-18. That was a damn good team. But unfortunately, they really didn't have a chance against the 72-10 Chicago Bulls. The franchise would never be the same, since Shawn Kemp would get alienated by the fact that the Sonics overpaid for Jim McIllvaine. Kemp was dealt to Cleveland in 1997 and gained a ton of weight. What a sad story. Again, let's move on.
Wally Walker is still working for the Sonics. And get this, he's the damn CEO now. Can it get any worse for Sonics fans? Sure it can. The 2004-2005 season hasn't tipped off yet.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Obviously, the curse piece at ESPN.com is in jest. I don't believe they're being too serious. But if you've read Sports and Bremertonians long enough, you know damn well that I wasn't going to leave this subject on the table.
I don't believe in curses. A curse is basically an excuse. Teams aren't cursed. They just don't do enough to win.
I just need the Mariners and/or Seahawks to win a championship in the next couple of years. I fear the day when the nation starts to become Mariners or Seahawks fans just because they haven't won a championship. I don't want my teams to be a West Coast version of the Chicago Cubs or Boston Red Sox.
Quite frankly, I just want to be in the Red Sox fans' position tomorrow afternoon. And you know damn well I'd fly up to Seattle to be part of a victory celebration. I'd fly away on a wing and a prayer. Who could it be?
Believe it or not, it's just me.
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