Sports History: 7 Sports Cities That Desperately Need a Title

I could have begun with the tsunami curse of the black cat, or even the more recent fan interference play by the Cubs No. 1 fan: Steve Bartman. Everyone knows the end of that sad story.

Pushing right past a century without a ring.

However, I'm not defining sports misery as sheer futility, or pointing fingers at Mr. Bartman for his Web Gem nominee.

How 'bout them Clippers?

Although making headway in the modern period, Lob City was a disgrace before the conception of Mr. Blake Griffin. The Los Angeles Clippers have turned in a dismal two winning seasons since 1985. Who knew there were two L.A. teams?

What up Hotlanta?

The Atlanta Braves have strung together an unprecedented 14 consecutive postseason appearances, yet only capping off one of the seasons with a World Series ring.

Ultimately, what I am looking for are the tales of the near-miss and the tragic season-ending defeats. I am talking about the Average Joes who are on the brink of greatness, but revert to the pity party.

I am putting together all of the "what if" scenarios into a compilation of the seven most miserable sports cities in North America.

Motorless City

Disregard the highly decorated Red Wings. The Red Wings own the most NHL championships of any franchise in the US.

Royal Dominance

In the last 27 seasons, the postseason has become second nature for the Wings, launching themselves into a league of their own with an unprecedented streak of 25 consecutive appearances.

The Tigers have won four World Series contests, and the way things look right now, landing the second largest offseason acquisition in Prince Fielder, championships will become the norm.

Now we know where all of Detroit's money is going to...

How bout them Lions?

Although on the rise, with the commercialized mismatch of Stafford to Megatron, the Lions remain one of four teams to never have gone to a Super Bowl.

Since 1957, the Lions have delivered exactly one playoff win in nine appearances.

Reason

An accumulation of bad draft choices and the perennial wide receiver selection was just a part of the disgrace that was Lions football.

To make matters worse, the nationally televised Thanksgiving Day game was just another moment of embarrassment.

However, the pieces of the puzzle seem like they are finally turning the page and wiping the shame off every fan.

Cleveland

For those born and bred Cleveland die-hards, then the years 1948 and 1964 may ring a bell.

To fulfill the curiosity, 1948 marked the Cleveland Indians' first World Series title. And in 1964, the Browns brought home the lone Super Bowl.

It wasn't too long ago that the Cavs were a juggernaut of the NBA. The most controversial and torturous live broadcast of the infamous "Decision" brought the height of the city to mere shambles. If ever a city has been beaten up by a single player, LeBron James did just that.

Beside winning the 2011 draft lottery and selecting the talented point guard in Kyrie Irving, there hasn't been much to cheer about for the Kingless city of Cleveland. 

Colt McCoy has provided nothing more than inconsistency.

I'm not sure what is worse to live in: the frigid winter weather or the apathy that comes with the sports teams.

As for now, those Bob Feller and Jim Brown years remain all that Cleveland is today: sports history.

Minnesota

Last title: Never.

Following the dramatic departure of the Minnesota North Stars to Dallas in the 1993 season, the touchstone NHL estate was without a professional team for seven enduring seasons.

Enter: Minnesota Wild.

The Wild came onto the scene in 2000, and made a monumental leap into the Stanley Cup Finals in 2003, although came up shy of their first title.

Switching to the hardwood floors. After the commencement of the 1995 draft, the Timberwolves made eight consecutive playoff appearances, however, making early first round exits in seven of the eight seasons.

The Twins have accumulated three World Series rings, so the problem does not rest here. 

Here is why Minnesota made the list:

Between the years of 1969 and 1976, the Vikings lost four Super Bowls in eight years.

However, since the merger, they have made the playoffs 24 times...but that is where the accolades conclude.

We will not even bother discussing the epic collapse of 2010. So let's not name any names...No. 4.

Buffal-O...Not Again

Nobody circles the wagon, like the Buffalo Bills. (Circles, referring to the number of Super Bowl titles.)

Last title: Never

The battle in the frozen tundra. Both the Bills and the Sabres are a solidified pair of teams that have slowly sucked the life out of their fanbases after epic collapses and disappointing playoff appearances.

Warning track power.

The Bills have a history of coming up short. Entertaining an illustrious four consecutive Super Bowl appearances, only to end up on the short side after every bout.

Music City Miracle anyone? We all know how that ended up...just a glimpse into the Bills' history.

This past season, although not nearly playoff contenders, the squad was the first to take down the Patriots. After the career year Fitzpatrick was putting up, the duration of the season and strength of schedule caught up to him.

Stevie Johnson hurt the team in more ways than one. Just another Ochocinco?

On to the unknown Sabres. Who? This resentful attitude towards hockey is only because football is America's game.

But it is moments like this video clip that Buffalo fans consume like you consume vitamins.

San Diego

The definition of a good weather, bad sports city.

It hurts me to add the vacation hot spot to the list, but the history of both the Chargers and Padres teams have made my decision easier by marching themselves right into the picture.

If there ever was a question regarding the most fair-weather fans, San Diego would be the mecca.

Televised Charger games are hard to come by. Qualcomm never can sell enough tickets to save their lives. End result: blackouts.

Although granted prolific teams and players of recent history, it seems San Diegoans would just rather spend their time vacationing at the beach or filling up their time doing the other 1,000 activities they can.

Every city has its perks. Boston has the memorabilia decor and hardware to prove it, while San Diego has its year round sunny skies, seasonal brisk water temperatures and ideal amenities for the nightlife.

And did I mention the World Famous San Diego Zoo and Sea World?

I digress. The Chargers made the playoffs stemming from 2006-2010, but failed to make it to the Super Bowl in that era. The only Super Bowl memory the Chargers have is in 1995 when they lost to the San Francisco 49ers.

As for the Padres...

A history filled with triumph and yet masked by defeat. Appearing in a dismal two World Series, and tragically losing both.

Historical names and records have passed through the organization's system. Hoffman, Gwynn, Winfield, Fingers, Smith, Garvey, Caminiti...the list goes on.

The Padres, whether disappointing or enthralling, are permanent property. As for the Bolts, they better make a move soon, otherwise they may very well be on their way up the coastline to the smog-filled city of Los Angeles.

Sleeping in Seattle

To complement the inescapable sullen weather that hits home every winter season are the respective teams of the Mariners and Seahawks.

However, since professional sports came to Seattle in 1967, the opportunities for championships have been fairly plentiful. Finishing has remained the problem.

Last title: Never, unless you count the Sonics who packed their bags for Oklahoma.

It's been a rather rough run for those Pacific Northwesterners these last couple of decades. the mediocre 8-8 seasons seem to have become familiar records.

Since their 1976 inaugural season, the Seahawks have made it to the postseason 11 times, reaching the conference championship game twice and the Super Bowl in 2006.

I-C-H-I-R-O! Now old and wise, he has made himself a career at Safeco. 2001 marked the closest the team has come to claiming a World Series title, after going an astounding 116-46 in the regular season. End result: Lost in the ALCS to the Yankees.

The Seattle Sonics made the playoffs 22 times before leaving town in 2008, a run that included six trips to the Western Conference finals and three to the NBA finals.

However, the list of playoff busts includes some real heart-breakers: The 1978 Sonics blew a championship by dropping a pivotal Game 7 at home to Washington in the finals, while the top-seeded 1994 club lost a first-round series to the eighth-seeded Denver Nuggets.

Losing the Sonics four years ago only to watch Durant blossom into the superstar he is today, reinforces the miserable history Seattle has dealt with.

Seattle...I feel your pain.

Hooked on Phoenix

Despite being a fortunate four-professional-team sports factory, the city doesn't hoist too many banners all that frequently. Just another one of them good weather, bad sports cities.

The saying, "There's always next year" seems like it has made itself a home in Phoenix.

Problem: The fans commit more of their time to the Pac-12 athletics with the Sun Devils and the Wildcats.

In professional terms, there isn't a more defining team that fits the mold of the runner-up than the Suns.

A name change may be due, as the players just can't seem to escape the desert heat. The Suns have yet to muster enough leverage to wear Aaron Rodgers' championship belt.

The Suns have been to the Western Conference Finals nine times, but have yet to show any proof for it.

The hype of the Big Cactus was nothing more than a Big Disappointment.

The once star-studded lineup has now dwindled down to the aging Canadian professor: Steve Nash. He can still deal out assists and put up the points, but he has no counterpart.

In the case of the Cardinals, they had some more somber times during the "Jake the Snake" era. Fortunately, they have restructured the team's priorities, encompassing the All-Pro hands of No. 11.

I mean who else can catch passes upside down? Exactly.

Onto Chase Field. If the Phoenicians have something to cheer about, it's their Diamondbacks. 2001 is nothing but a glorified memory, bringing home the only acclaimed title for the city.