America's Top 10 Sports Cities

America is in love with its sports; this is undeniable.

Each and every city across the nation has a team that they call their own, whether it be a pro, college, or local high school team.

Is there necessarily a "best" sports city?

Each one brings its own unique flavor (that is, experience and passion) to the sports landscape. Chicago is different from Boston, which is different from New York, which is different from Los Angeles.

They are all great sports cities, and they all offer something different.

That being said, there are some cities that are clearly head and shoulders above the rest. Nashville may love their Titans and Predators, but, honestly, would you ever mention Nashville in the same breath as the four cities mentioned above?

I'm sorry to all you citizens of Nashville out there, but those cities are in a whole separate league.

This list is an attempt to look at the Top 10 Sports Cities in America. To qualify for consideration, a city must have at least two professional teams in the four major sports (defined as the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL), and anything else is a bonus (colleges, sports traditions, etc.)

So sit back and enjoy. I'm sure I will receive some flak for my rankings, and I encourage you to let me know if you disagree. This is just how I see it. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I am a die-hard Boston fan. While Boston is high on the list, it is not No. 1. I just thought I should mention that, just to make sure that everything is in the open.

Runner-Up

St. Louis was so close to making this Top 10 list. So close.

Home of the Rams, Cardinals, and Blues, this city loves its sports, particularly their baseball.

New York, Boston, and a host of other East Coast cities generally get all the recognition for baseball pride, but St. Louis is often left out of the conversation. Why?

I've never really figured out why. Chances are, St. Louis fans are just as knowledgeable, if not more so, about baseball than most of the major East Coast baseball hubs.

It's a great city, and a great baseball town. I almost had to resort to flipping a coin between St. Louis and the No. 10 city on my list.

Other cities that were close:

Denver, Kansas City, San Francisco

And now, on to the Top 10 American Sports Cities...

10. Washington, D.C.

Our nation's capital just barely beat out San Francisco and Denver for the 10th spot on the list.

Home of the Redskins, Nationals, Wizards, and Capitals, the Washington, D.C., area has a rich sports environment, particularly when it comes to the Redskins.

While the Nationals are currently the laughingstock of the MLB, the other three teams tend to enjoy great support from their fan base.

However, let's focus on the Redskins, the darlings of the DC area.

Redskins fans are loyal almost to a fault. I know this because there are a couple die-hard Redskins fans in my family, and every time we visit, they make it well known where their loyalties lie.

Plus, every time I visit, I feel like I have stepped into a massive vacuum where everything is Redskins, Redskins, Redskins.

It doesn't matter what the Redskins do, these fans will always be there to support the Redskins. It's actually quite impressive.

Why weren't they higher?

The Nationals are a joke at the moment. On a regular basis, there are more fans for the other team in Nationals Stadium than DC fans.

It's hard to love such a bad team, and they haven't been there that long, but I remember watching the Red Sox playing there this past summer, and it was kind of pathetic.

They sold Red Sox gear in their pro shop (I saw photos), and the only reason the Nationals sold out their stadium for the first time was because of the overwhelming onslaught of Red Sox fans that made their way to the park.

That's pretty weak.

9. Detroit

As of right now, Detroit is in sorry shape economically. However, that does not prevent these fans from supporting their teams.

The Tigers are playing well, and the fans are supporting them. The Lions are just terrible, but they have a loyal fan base, just waiting for the team to turn it around.

However, the real pride in the city lies in their NBA and NHL teams: the Pistons and Red Wings, respectively.

The Palace at Auburn Hills is always a difficult place to play. The Pistons went on a dominant run before falling off this past season, and throughout that span, there were few NBA fan bases that supported their team like Detroit. To boot, the Pistons have one of the best PA announcers in the league.

Detroit also loves their hockey, and it shows when the puck drops at Red Wings games. Red Wings fans are just rabid, and they love their Red Wings just as much, if not more, than any other fan base of any team anywhere.

Why weren't they higher?

Granted the Pistons were falling off this past season, and are now entering a rebuilding phase, but it was not encouraging to see the Pistons management have to offer tickets to the Cleveland Cavaliers fans to fill their arena when the Cavs played the Pistons in the playoffs.

I was shocked to see that Detroit couldn't fill their arena for a playoff series, even though it was pretty clear from the start that they were overmatched.

8. Cleveland

This selection may surprise some people, but I believe, that despite this city's lack of any kind of championships for who knows how long, these fans still love their teams.

The Browns, Cavaliers, and Indians all call Cleveland home. None of these teams have tasted the ultimate success in a very long time, and it has been a while since the Browns have tasted any kind of success.

Cleveland fans flock to support their Browns. Despite the poor state of the Browns organization, this city is starving for some quality football.

This is the kind of city that will always support their football team, no matter what happens.

The Cavaliers have seen a resurgence in recognition, thanks mostly to a great run last season, and to some guy named LeBron James. I've heard he's a decent basketball player or something like that.

Cleveland is a city that is starving for a championship from any sport, and it is a city that deserves it...soon. It's too good of a sports city not to taste success just once.

Why weren't they higher?

Support of the Indians seems to be lacking lately. Granted, the organization has gone downhill since the Jacobs family no longer controls the team (at least that is the sense I get from observing online comments by various Indians fans), but it would still be nice to see the baseball team get some decent support once in a while.

The Indians have tons of history, and it wasn't it long ago that this team was vying for a championship. It would be nice to see the team get a little more fan support.

7. Los Angeles

Los Angeles is home to the Clippers, Lakers, Angels, Dodgers, and the Kings. No NFL team though...needs to remedied soon.

In addition, LA avidly supports USC, which could probably beat a couple NFL teams (I'm looking at you, Detroit).

Granted, that's an exaggeration, but you get my point.

LA fans are rabid for their Lakers, and it is one of the best pro basketball cities in the country.

Even the Clippers can field a fan base here, and they are one of the worst/unluckiest franchises in all of sports.

If the Clippers can get fans to come to their games here, heck, any basketball team could sell out an arena in LA.

Baseball-wise, the Angels are technically in Anaheim, but since their official name is the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (I hate that, by the way), we'll include them in this discussion.

The Dodgers seem to get the most love from the two teams. Dodgers fans love their team and will avidly support their team and players, regardless of the situation (see: Manny Ramirez; steroids).

LA is unquestionably a basketball town, but the Dodgers hold their own.

Why aren't they higher?

Maybe it's just me, but I'm not a huge fan of the laid-back attitude that is prevalent throughout Los Angeles. Being from Boston, I love the fervor that comes with living in Boston, and is present in other cities, such as New York and Philadelphia.

It seems to work for some people, but to me, it seems like it saps a lot of the excitement out of sports.

Also, LA needs an NFL team. This isn't necessarily the city's fault, but come on. LA needs pro football.

6. Philadelphia

Up until this past baseball season, Philly had been without any kind of sports championship for a very long time.

Still, their fanbase remained rabid.

Now, the term rabid gets thrown around a lot to describe passionate fan bases, including in this article. However, Philly fans are extremely rabid.

They will hate you if you screw up, love you forever if earn their respect, and their opinion of you can change on a dime.

It's the only place where they want your head on a stake one day and then the next, they want to give you a statue.

Going to Phillies or Eagles games can be hazardous for the opposing fans, and Flyers games are a whole different story.

The local NBA team, the 76ers, are a little behind the curve when compared to the other three teams, but they still get a consistent fan base from night to night.

I go to school in the Philly area. When I go into the city (which is rare), I hide my Boston gear (not really, but it I had any common sense I would).

Why aren't they higher?

Philadelphia fans are so rabid, it actually works against them. They threw snowballs at Santa Claus. Nobody does that.

The hostility one encounters in Philly borders on insane. It makes visiting the city for anything sports related unpleasant. I thought putting this city at No. 4 for a while, but Pittsburgh and Seattle both leap-frogged Philly when I brought this into the equation.

5. Pittsburgh

Home of the best modern baseball park in the country, the best football team of all time, and the best hockey team of the past year, Pittsburgh has a lot to be proud of.

PNC Park, home of the lowly Pirates, is an immaculate stadium fit for a team that doesn't record 17-consecutive losing seasons.

While support for the Pirates may be lackluster, the fan base for the Steelers and the Penguins are not. Both of these teams enjoy phenomenal support at every home game.

Both have tremendously successful pasts, and unlike some other teams that used to be dominant, these two teams are at the top of their leagues right now.

Even though the Penguins enjoy great support, Pittsburgh is a football town. The Steelers embody what Pittsburgh is about, and the community latch on to them and don't let go.

Unlike any other city, Pittsburgh closely identifies with their football team. It is arguably the best football city in the country.

Why aren't they higher?

The Pirates are simply abysmal, there is no other way to put it. It's getting to the point where one has to wonder if the management has any intention of putting a winning product on the field.

After 17 straight years in the basement (or close to it), one has to wonder. PNC Park is legitimately the only redeeming quality about the Pirates at the moment.

4. Seattle

Seattle is a phenomenal city, and it is at the very top of the list when it comes to cities I want to visit.

Most of the rabid fans that are present throughout the city are avid Seahawks fans, making Qwest Field a nightmare for the opposition every week. I remember watching Mike Holmgren's final game at Qwest Field with the Seahawks last season, and I loved the way the fans treated him.

The city was absolutely crushed when the SuperSonics left. It was like taking the Celtics out of Boston or the Knicks away from New York.

Still to this day, I firmly believe that this was a tragedy. Seattle needs a basketball team, more than LA needs a pro football team.

Baseball is also a fan favorite in the Northwest. While the Mariners have been limping along the last couple seasons, it was phenomenal to see Ken Griffey Jr. return to his original spot. I hope he ends his career there. It only seems appropriate.

This city has enough passion for sports that they can get 30,000+ out to their MLS games. That's right, the Seattle Sounders FC get more fans every game than a lot of MLB teams do.

Why aren't they higher?

At this point in the rankings, it becomes very hard to decipher between all the cities. Seattle seems to lack the history that the cities listed above have. The fan base is as loyal and rabid as any other group out there.

I just wish the history and tradition was stronger. If it were, Seattle would be in consideration for the top spot.

3. Boston

See, I told you Boston wasn't No. 1.

However, Boston still is one of the best sports cities on the planet. The Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, and Bruins all call Boston home, and they all receive great support every night.

Granted, the recent run of success certainly helps, but the fans are passionate about their teams.

Boston is undoubtedly a baseball town. Legitimate (not including bandwagon fans) Red Sox fans are some of the most intelligent fans you will meet. Fenway Park always sells out, regardless of the opponent.

The Bruins and Celtics are both amongst the most storied franchises in their respective sports. Even when these two teams struggle, the TD Banknorth Garden sells out...even when the Celtics had that dreadful 2006 season.

Compared to the Red Sox, Bruins, and Celtics, the Patriots are relatively new on the block, and relatively devoid of the kind of history the other three teams have.

That being said, the Pats also enjoy consistent support from a terrific fan base. The Krafts have done a great job making the Patriots a meaningful entity in a predominantly baseball town.

Why aren't they higher?

I go to a lot of Patriots games. For whatever reason, Gillette Stadium is not that imposing.

A lot of white collars attempt to woo their clientele at Pats games, and it always seems like I'm sitting next to a bandwagon fan when I go.

Again, the recent run of success probably has a lot to do with this, but despite the incredibly loyal and passionate fan base, it feels like the city and its teams is plagued by innumerable bandwagon fans, which brings the overall experience down a notch.

2. New York City

You cannot imagine how hard it was for me to place New York. I almost put them at No. 5 just to smite them. But my common sense got the better of me.

The Yankees are the most historic franchise in baseball, and are the most successful American sports franchise of all time. The Giants, Mets, Knicks, and Rangers all have a respectable amount of history as well.

Fans in New York are absolutely in love with their sports teams, and it shows. I went to a Yankees game in New York over the summer, and I was impressed by the atmosphere.

It was actually enjoyable...I hate everything about New York, so that took a lot for me to admit.

The scrutiny placed on every athlete in New York is remarkable, but it all stems from the fact that these fans care deeply about their teams. That is why they are No. 2.

Why aren't they higher?

When I was at the Red Sox-Yankees game over the summer, not once did I feel uncomfortable in my seat.

Granted, the Yankees blew the doors off the game. However, I was looking to some good ribbing from the Yankees fans. I wanted to be verbally attacked...I was extremely disappointed.

And I wasn't hiding...I wore my Dustin Pedroia jersey out in the open. I'm pretty sure I made more friends than enemies in New York that day.

In Boston, we wouldn't let a New York fan out of the city without giving them at least a little bit of hard time.

I don't want New York to be like Philly by any means, but maybe a little resistance from the fans when I showed up in my Sox gear would have been nice. New York fans are a little too laid back and relaxed.

And the city also has knock on it for demolishing the old Yankee Stadium. That's not the fans fault, but I wish that it was still there.

1. Chicago

Chicago...the Windy City...and America's No. 1 sports town, according to this writer at least.

Home of the Cubs, White Sox, Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, Chicago fans are matched by few when it comes to passion. Each team in Chicago is rich with history, and the fans are knowledgeable.

To illustrate the fans' loyalty and dedication to their teams, look no farther than the Chicago Cubs, who haven't won a World Series title in forever.

However, Cubs fans still flock to Wrigley Field to see their beloved Cubbies take the field (by the way, with maybe the exception of Fenway Park, Wrigley Field is about as historical as it gets).

The fans are diehard, and the create a phenomenal sports culture, one that is an absolute wonder to be immersed in. It seems perfect, almost.

No other city is as close to sports utopia as Chicago. The perfect blend of nostalgia and modern day passion, all mixed into one world-class city.

There are plenty of other reasons, but those are just a couple that help characterize Chicago as America's No. 1 sports city.

There you go, that's my personal list of America's best sports city, if you disagree, that fine. Comment on it, make your top 10 list. And remember, in no way is this any kind of definitive list...this is solely my opinion.

I would love to hear yours!