Picking the Top Team of Each Sports Market

After the MLB All-Star Game, the sports world goes in to a swoon for about a month until the NFL preseason starts and the race for the baseball playoffs begins to heat up.

Unfortunately, this year it is going to be an even longer dry spell. The NFL has made virtually no progress in labor negotiations. It also looks like the NBA is going to be the same way.

So what is a diehard sports fan such as yourself supposed to do? Debate and create lists of course!

We have all seen the lists for most unbreakable record, best team ever and most memorable play. Yawn.

Here is a list to get fans really riled up.

I always thought the Spanish soccer "club" model was an interesting idea. I like how the soccer and basketball clubs have the same name. I believe it creates a more passionate fan base because everyone will be wearing the same colors and shouting the same cheers.

Why not bring that idea to US sports? 

Here is a list of each team that should "take over" each sports market. It is based on popularity, winning percentage and history.

As a caveat, I have only listed markets with three major sports franchises (of football, basketball, baseball and hockey). It is completely arbitrary, so debate! 

Boston Red Sox

The plethora of championships won by Boston teams in the past decade makes this selection difficult. The Boston Red Sox stick out for their history and commitment to winning.

The Red Sox lore is unparalleled amongst professional franchises. (You could argue that the Celtics' is nearly as awesome). The ending of the curse, Sweet Caroline and the bloody sock remain some of the most hallowed contributions to sports history

New York Yankees

Is there really any debate about this one? The Yankees logo is one of the most recognized brands worldwide. Even though they are the "Evil Empire," baseball in New York after 9/11 made everyone a Yankees fan for a little while.

The Rangers, Islanders, Giants, Mets, Knicks and Jets are decent teams, but none of them can live up to the significance Bronx Bombers.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Phillies made a play for the top spot in the city of brotherly love the past few years, but the Eagles still own this town.

Is there any other sitting governor that has gotten publically angry over a football game getting canceled?  Michael Vick also was one of the most talked about pro sports figures of the last year.

The Flyers and 76ers have both had respectable seasons the past few years, but neither franchise has created the same buzz as the Eagles.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Another tough race to call.

The Penguins and Steelers are far ahead of the Pirates here.

The Steelers have a huge fan base (one that spills over to West Virginia and Western Maryland) and own more Super Bowls than any other team.

While the Penguins have a bright star in Sidney Crosby, the Steelers own steel town.

Washington Capitals

The Capitals are moving in on the Redskins territory as the hot ticket in town. The Redskins are beloved, but the nation's capital is growing impatient its football team.

Dan Snyder does not have too many friends in this town. The mess regarding Donovan McNabb/Mike Shanhan has just created more anxiety.

The Wizards and Nationals have a lot of hope with good young players, but the Capitals are the only team in the DC area that competes consistently.

North Carolina Tar Heels

The Tar Heels are not a pro team, but the Panthers, Hurricaines and Bobcats do not rank among "iconic" franchises in their respective leagues.

Duke-North Carolina is one of the greatest rivalries in all of sports. The Tar Heels get the selection over the Blue Devils because they claim host to Michael Jordan.

Atlanta Braves

The Braves have Hank Aaron, Bobby Cox, the original "big three," and sensation Jason Heyward.

The Falcons and Hawks are both talented teams, but neither of them have reached historic status.

Ted Turner's team is always among the top baseball teams, and the 11 straight division championships signal consistency.

Tampa Bay Lightning

With all due to respect to the good citizens of the Tampa area, they are not the greatest sports fans.

The Rays gave away thousands of tickets after they made a playoff spot. Even though the Bucs claim a Super Bowl ring, I don't think anyone has been excited about them since Warren Sapp left. 

Usually, a hockey team in Florida would make me skeptical as well. But it seems that the Lightning vastly improved their franchise this year. Steven Stamkos gives this team a bright future.

Miami Heat

Is this even a competition?

No one goes to Marlins games. And pro hockey in Miami? Really? The biggest name associated with the Dolphins is Jennifer Lopez.

The  2011 Heat were one of the most talked about professional sports teams ever. ESPN devoted a blog to them. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh ensured that the Miami Heat will be the most important franchise in South Beach for years to come.

Memphis Grizzlies

The Titans, Predators and Grizzlies are all relatively new teams. Vince Young gave the Titans more than there fair share of headaches. The Predators have a solid hockey team, but the Grizzlies' playoff run this year puts them on top.

I always enjoy seeing Memphis do well. The maturity of Zac Randolph and Marc Gasol overshadowing his older brother make this the team in Tennessee.

Cleveland Browns

A year ago this would have been a different pick.

LeBron's migration to South Beach takes the Cavs out of the equation. The Indians have a diehard fan base and the team playing first place baseball is an added plus.

However, the Browns fans' power to lure their franchise back from the dead puts them in front. The "Dawg Pound" nickname is also one of the best nicknames in sports.

I also am slightly biased because Peyton Hillis helped me win my fantasy league this year.  

Toronto Blue Jays

Even though Toronto is a hockey town, the Maple Leaves have stunk for a very long time. The team ranked dead last among hockey franchises on ESPN's Ultimate Standings. The Raptors will probably join their hockey brethern in the celler dweller club. 

It is unfortunate that the Jays will probably not make the playoffs due to their divisional placement. Jose Bautista continues his power trip and just destroyed every other player in All-Star votes. And there is no prettier uniform in pro sports than the Jays powder blue throwbacks.

Detroit Red Wings

Detroit is Hockey Town, USA. The Pistons have not many any noise since 2004, the Tigers seem to sputter out every September, and the Lions still have Matt Millen's ghost haunting the team.

The Red Wings are consistent winners. They also have the coolest tradition of any pro sports team: The Octopus.

Chicago Bears

This is another tough one. The Cubs, while loveable, really are losers. The White Sox have a manager that yells a lot and not much else. The Bulls and Blackhawks are two very exciting franchises in their respective leagues.

However, the Bears take this one. They have the scariest player in the NFL, Brian Urlacher. They also own one of the best sports rivalries with Green Bay. You also gotta love "Hurricane Ditka."

Green Bay Packers

The Brewers have the best race in baseball. The Bucks have exciting players but are mediocre. 

Green Bay cannot be left of any "greatest franchises" list. The 2011 Super Bowl winners have one of the best fan bases in the NFL. Their fan ownership system also speak volumes about their fans loyalty.

I also never thought Lil' Wayne would make a song about Northern Wisconsin (warning: link contains adult language). 

Minnesota Twins

The Twins win this race due to winning, likability and their new stadium. The Timberwolves have been losers since Kevin Garnett left, and the Wild seem to have disappeared the past few seasons.

The Vikings cause too many heartaches and headaches. The Brett Favre drama, stadium politics and Brad Childresses' mustache have made Vikings fans restless.

The Twins, on the other hand, fill their fans with hope. The teams always seems to come from behind to win their division. Joe Mauer is also the most popular Minnesota athlete, ever.

St. Louis Cardinals

The Rams have been a joke ever since the "Greatest Show on Turf" broke up. I also couldn't tell you a single Blues player since Brett Hull.

The Cardinals have a beautiful ball park, a great manager and Albert Pujols is the most dominating player in major league baseball.

Dallas Mavericks

This is another tough call. The Rangers are a good baseball team, but everyone was taken by suprise by last year's World Series run. The Stars have not done much in years.

Many people might pick the Cowboys due to their history. However, most people now snicker at their "America's team" moniker.

The Mavericks crushing of basketball's "evil empire" makes them the new sheriff in town.

Houston Texans

I had a bit of trouble with this one. Not one franchise really sticks out in this south Texas town. The Astros are at the bottom of the standings. The Houston Rockets are not a bad team, but they are not really good either.

The Texans have the most popuar players of any team in Houston. They have the best wide reciever in the game in Andre Johnson and Arian Foster made lots of fantasy team owners happy this past season.

Denver Broncos

Denver is a city with some of the coolest young stars in each of their respective sports.

The Nuggets played some of the most suprising basketball after Carmelo Anthony left. Troy Tulowizki is one of the best short stops in baseball. The Avalanche have a lot of history in Denver, but their play has been on and off the past few years.

This leaves the Broncos. John Elways is still the city's most beloved sports figure and Tim Tebow is one of the most popular players in the NFL. The Broncos two Super Bowl wins ranks as some of the most exciting Super Bowl wins ever.

Phoenix Suns

The Coyotes are in a financial pinch. The Cardinals biggest headline this year was their quarterback laughing on the sideline of Monday Night Football. The Diamondbacks are usually an exciting franchise, and have given Phoenix teams their only championship, but they do not have a true superstar to put them over the top.

That leaves us with the Phoenix Suns. Steve Nash is one of the most well liked professional athletes in America. The team has also made bold statements out on a number of issues.

Any team that can claim John McCain and Alice Cooper as some of their biggest fans is a big plus.  

Los Angeles Lakers

The Dodgers are the most iconic franchise but embroiled in a pretty nasty financial mess. The Kings are a popular draw, but I have never seen anyone wearing an Anze Kopitar jersey. While the Clippers finally have a franchise cornerstone in Blake Griffin, the team still has years of embarrassment to get over.

As long as Jack Nicholson is on the sidelines, the Lakers are the team in the City of Angels. 

San Francisco Giants

To the dismay of Bay Area fans, I am going to be lumping San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose teams all together.

The Warriors are an exciting team that cannot seem to get its act together (although their 2007 playoff run ranks as one of my favorite sports memories).

Alex Smith has not done much to continue the great 49er quartback tradition of Steve Young and Joe Montana.

The A's are stuck in post-Moneyball doldrums.

I've wondered if Raiders fans dress in their demonesque garb to try and scare Al Davis in to retirement.

The Sharks also can't seem to win the big one.

That leaves us with the Giants. This team has personality. Tim Lincecum, Brian Wilson, "Kung Fu Panda" Pablo Sandoval and Buster Posey make this Giant team one of the most enjoyable to watch in pro baseball.