Atlanta’s sad sports history: One lousy title in 149 pro seasons
The initial response to the sight of Atlanta patrons leaving an NFL playoff game with a quarter still to play — this happened only last weekend — was to loose the boilerplate harrumph. “Nothing new here! These people are the fairest of fair-weather fans in all the land!”
That’s always the reaction from national voices, and there was a time when it was the belief of this correspondent. Atlanta’s the city that can’t sell out playoff games and then, when finally it does, the crowd goes home early when the scoreboard gets ugly, et cetera. But 26 years and 10 months of residency have had an erosive effect, and now this neutral-by-profession can say:
Folks, I feel your pain.
Since big-time professional sports arrived in 1966, teams sailing under the Atlanta flag have completed 149 seasons. (We won’t count baseball in 1994, when the World Series was canceled by a players’ strike, or the 2004-2005 NHL campaign, which was scrubbed due to a lockout.) Only one has yielded a championship. That’s a batting average of .007, which is nice if you’re James Bond, less nice if you’ve invested financial and emotional capital in any of those 148 misses.
(Just to clarify: I haven’t included the Atlanta Chiefs’ 1968 NASL title because soccer wasn’t a major American sport. Nor is the Knights’ 1994 International Hockey League championship factored, the Knights having been by definition minor-league.)
The history of major Atlanta pro sports is of the cosmic whiff. Our teams build us up to let us down. The Hawks have never won more than one playoff series in any season since moving from St. Louis. The NHL Flames, who left for Calgary in 1980, didn’t win a single series in six tries. The Thrashers, in operation since 1999, haven’t yet won a postseason game.
The Falcons have won six playoff games in 45 years of trying. The two times they held the No. 1 seed resulted in flops of wildly differing flavor. On Jan. 4, 1981, the Falcons led Dallas by two touchdowns after three quarters and lost. (See YouTube video below.) This January the Falcons led 14-7 only to watch with benign neglect as they were outscored 35-0 in a span of 18 minutes, 25 seconds.
The one time the Falcons graced a Super Bowl — this after the epic overtime victory in the Minneapolis Metrodome that stands as the greatest performance by any Atlanta team — they messed it up. On the eve of Super Bowl XXXIII, safety Eugene Robinson got himself arrested for solicitation hours after receiving the NFL’s Bart Starr Award for citizenship. Was it any wonder the game’s key play — an 80-yard touchdown pass from John Elway to Rod Smith — featured a late-arriving Robinson?
Andruw Jones chases the Leyritz blast -- to no avail, naturally. (AJC file photo)
The Braves, to their credit, reached the World Series five times in the ’90s. They lost four, the first three in excruciating fashion. Bobby Cox, manager of those teams, would later say, “We played better in three of the ones we lost than in the one we won,” and it was just Atlanta’s luck that its one professional title was achieved the year after the players’ strike of 1994, a debilitating event that served to sap some of passion from the moment of long-deferred (and never-repeated) moment of arrival.
We Atlantans know the drill: Whenever one of our teams gets close, Lucy snatches away the football and Charlie Brown goes flying. With a chance to take a 3-1 lead in a World Series, Mark Wohlers throws Jim Leyritz a slider. With a chance to close out the Boston Celtics at the old Omni, the Hawks’ final shot is taken not by Dominique Wilkins but by the sub Cliff Levingston, who offers up a running lefty hook. With a chance to take a 2-1 series lead on San Francisco, the reliever Craig Kimbrel is removed but the shaky emergency second baseman Brooks Conrad remains on the field in what will be the penultimate ninth inning of Cox’s managerial career.
One hundred forty-nine seasons, one victory parade. (Although the worst-to-first Braves of 1991, who lost the World Series when Lonnie Smith dallied at second base in Game 7, held a parade, too. And so, on a predictably rainy day, did the Falcons after their lost Super Bowl.) Over the same span, the modest city of Pittsburgh has won 11 championships — 12 if you count the ABA crown taken by the Pipers. Long-suffering Philadelphia has six titles since 1966. Denver has four, one at Atlanta’s expense.
Really, can anyone blame us if we’re jaded? Even if we don’t know what will go wrong this time, we’ve seen enough to know something will. We live in Atlanta, where something always does.
By Mark Bradley
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491 comments Add your comment
Ty P.
January 21st, 2011
11:55 am
At least we don’t live in Philly or Pittsburgh, even though they have more to cheer for.
FACTS
January 21st, 2011
11:55 am
In all fairness there should be more titles ( Not by the Falcons or Hawks because they are always offensively oriented) but by the Braves. If defenses win championships, then that pitching staff the Braves had was like the “Steel Curtain” I have no clue of how Bobby Cox managed his team out of a lot of those postseason games?
doggit
January 21st, 2011
11:55 am
Thanks for writing something positive on a Friday Mark. Hope you have a great weekend…
Herpes
January 21st, 2011
11:56 am
Hi.
Michael Vick and I are bound together for the rest of his thug-infested, ON-THE-DOWN-LOW life.
bigclaude
January 21st, 2011
11:57 am
Great article Mark!! I used to post on a Falcons Message board and my signature was an up to date count of this very thing. I would update the signature every time an Atlanta team was officially eliminated from the playoffs.
Some posters would get annoyed by my negativity, but how can you not be negative. I’ve been a die hard fan of all Atlanta Teams since 1980, and have only that one title to crow about.
You could even take it a step further. How many times did the Georgia Force compile a great regular season only to flop in the playoffs? What is it about this town? I only wish that I could disown it!! I’d probably live longer, and I certainly would break less stuff.
Ga. Southern
January 21st, 2011
11:58 am
Man, I with the Falcons would go back to those unis.
JSS
January 21st, 2011
11:59 am
Come on, cheer up!!! The Dream kicks off their “Redemption Season” on June 5th… Stop being a bunch of “Woman Sports Haters” and enjoy every sweet moment of them actually “competing” and not getting “blown out” when the real competition gets amped up! They may have lost their best of 5 series; but they “screw the pooch” or wet them self when the best team in the League hit them in the mouth… That’s a team that is ready to do something!
Oh yeah, big 4 aside, you’ve won 4 championships: The Chiefs (68), The Knights (94), and The Braves… What do they have in common, you let fold up to support a bunch of also ran franchise, only in Atlanta! They just keep breaking your little hearts!
Tommy
January 21st, 2011
12:02 pm
The problem is that our teams are always just good enough to lose the big game. They can get there, but they lack the extra gear to get over the top.
There are lots of cities with great teams that didn’t win as much as they should have–look at the Vikings in the ’70s or the Mets in the ’80s. What we are missing is that out-of-nowhere title like the Giants had this year. Until we get one of those, this will hang over our heads. Players have to know and be somewhat affected about all of the failures–Lord knows the AJC and the fans will always remind them.
Ga. Southern
January 21st, 2011
12:02 pm
wish
UGADawg83
January 21st, 2011
12:06 pm
I suppose that the ineptitde of the Braves prior to ‘91 and the Falcons pattern of non-consecutive winning seasons has caused me to develop a bit of a blind spot on this pattern. I kept telling my self all day Sunday that “yea we were blown out but we were blown out in the play-offs which is much better than being blown out all though-out the regular season.” With the Braves I kept saying, “yea we choke in the post-season but I remember being 20 games back at the All-Star break.” Its just all a matter of perspective I suppose.
JSS
January 21st, 2011
12:15 pm
“Players have to know and be somewhat affected about all of the failures–Lord knows the AJC and the fans will always remind them.”
Yes we will!!!
JSS
January 21st, 2011
12:18 pm
@ Mark Bradley…
Did someone steal my user name or something yesterday and blast you or something?
Oh, I have a comment in your blog filter too…
Karbon » Atlanta's sad sports history: One lousy title in 148 pro seasons …
January 21st, 2011
12:22 pm
[...] post: Atlanta's sad sports history: One lousy title in 148 pro seasons … Tags: ajc, atlanta, bradley, sad-professional, sports « PreviousVG247 » Blog Archive [...]
Ryder
January 21st, 2011
12:23 pm
I think the major problem is that the culture of this city doesn’t have the New York/Boston/Philadelphia “win at all costs” mentality that most northeastern teams possess (and sometimes the Lakers out West).
Just take a look at the Hawks for example. I’ve seen them since 1985, and the only time they actually had a shot at a title (1994) they trade their best player! Who on earth does that stupid move? They’ve had the same lineup for years knowing that the best they will ever do is win (maybe) one playoff series, and the fans don’t demand more out of this weak front office organization.
The Braves are rebuilding a strong lineup after muddling in the water for years, but success will come and the playoffs will be a regular thing again soon.
The Thrashers are a nice story, and if they win just one playoff game this year it will be a foundation to build upon.
I know I might be in the minority when I write this, but I think that the Falcons are the city’s best chance for not only one, but many championships. Last Saturday’s blowout was the wakeup call this franchise needed, and I think the mentality will begin to shift from “good enough” to greatness very quickly.
Besides, I live in DC, and I thank the Lord above that Atlanta’s sports teams are in much better shape than DC’s anyday.
FACTS
January 21st, 2011
12:23 pm
To Braves, Hawks, Falcon, Thrashers: Good is for losers
3:35 pm April 27, 2009, by Terence Moore
This was Moore’s last article for AJC! I pray to god this is Mark Bradley’s last article for AJC. Atlanta has to have the most positive blogs of any national newspaper! NOT!*******
blazerdawg
January 21st, 2011
12:24 pm
Atlanta sports fans have been taking grief for being “fair weather” since the late 80’s.
In reality, Atlanta, along with NY, LA & Dallas based on my travel experience, have the most intelligent sports fans in the country.
We are adults here – I don’t need to wear a Falcons jersey or to have the Falcons win the SB to validate the quality of my city, or my personal life. Also, unlike many of the northern cities, we have actually played football, baseball, and basketball at a serious, organized level. We can tell when a player/team/product is worth the price of admission.
Atlantans love their city, and their teams, but we recognize sports for what it is – entertainment. Many entertainment options in this town.
Dan
January 21st, 2011
12:24 pm
Man, my knowledge of sports history is SO lacking. I forgot — and indeed, didn’t we all? –that magnificent 2006 title won by the Atlanta Xplosion. You know. To win the Independent Women’s Football League championship! You can look it up . . .
Elvis the Peacock
January 21st, 2011
12:35 pm
Great YouTube link. Would’ve like to have seen the last 42 seconds. The Falcons turn it over on downs and Ed Too Tall Jones tip toes down the line.
Just Sayin'
January 21st, 2011
12:36 pm
This town has always and will continue to be looserville. Most people in the metro are transplants and couldn’t care less about the pro franchises in this town. I was born a Redskins fan and that’s where my allegience will always lie, even though I have lived in the lousy suburban Atlanta area for 30+ years. To me it’s comical to watch the teams implode year after year. There is no tradition here, except the tradition of losing. When you have owners like the Smith family, who for so many years dressed up their “pro” team to mimick the UGA football team and made one bone head move after another, how can one not laugh at such ineptness? Like I said, loserville!
Worm
January 21st, 2011
12:37 pm
Sorry Mark, but what about those 69-70 Atlanta Chiefs..I still have the championship pennant!
Just Sayin'
January 21st, 2011
12:37 pm
LOSERVILLE ….. always has been, always will be.
Ted M
January 21st, 2011
12:38 pm
That’s exactly why the Falcons need to draft Cam Newton!
But they won’t damn.
reebok
January 21st, 2011
12:38 pm
not gonna let us count the atlanta chiefs, huh…?
Me Again
January 21st, 2011
12:38 pm
LOSERVILLE!
Me Again
January 21st, 2011
12:38 pm
Can we talk?
Honky
January 21st, 2011
12:40 pm
Man, that was one hell of a lineup that night on CBS following the football game. Jeffersons FTW.
Steve
January 21st, 2011
12:42 pm
Good article. How do we compare to cleveland?
Facts
January 21st, 2011
12:43 pm
CORRECTION… Atlanta’s professional soccer team of the late 60’s and 70’s won a North American Soccer League championship in 1968. Atlanta’s first championship… and that’s the Facts.
Khao$
January 21st, 2011
12:45 pm
Mark, this is spot on and it captures the pain ATL fans have. Either our teams underachieve (80’s Falcons; 93 and 96 Braves; perhaps 2010 Falcons) or management won’t make the necessary moves to take us over the hump (Hawks…pick any year).
It’s frustrating, man. I was crushed to see the Saints win a Super Bowl before us. It bothers me that the Marlins have two championships to our one (granted we’ve had more sustained winning). The Diamondbacks have just as many World Series Championships as the Atlanta Braves. The Miami Heat hasn’t been in existence longer than the Hawks and yet they have a championship.
Cleveland is about the only city that is in worse shape than us IMHO. Sure the Cubs haven’t won. Still Chicago had the Bears, White Sox, and Bulls. The Eagles haven’t won jack. But Philly still has the Phillies. The Knicks haven’t won in years. Still NY has the Yankees and the Giants.
A lot of other markets cry about the misfortunes of one of there teams. Try having four that either a) won’t spend the money (Braves Hawks Thrashers), b) limit the type of players they bring in (Falcons and Braves) or c) should have different ownership all together (Hawks, Thrashers, Braves).
McDawg
January 21st, 2011
12:47 pm
why did we trade Brett Butler, why did we trade dominique, why did our team leader get arrested before the SuperBowl, why did MLB bring in another ump to prevent J. Dye from catching a routine pop up, why didn’t lonnie Smith RUN, why didn’t Cox pull Wholers when he had the chance
why why why
TN Fan
January 21st, 2011
12:50 pm
Mark, you are wrong!! The Atlanta Chiefs won the US soccer championship (NASL) with Paul Woosnam coaching and Boy-Boy Motaung at center. I belive it was the late 60’s or early 70’s. How in the world could you forget that?
hockeyfan
January 21st, 2011
12:51 pm
The Atlanta Knights won the Turner Cup. That counts, doesn’t it?
Matt
January 21st, 2011
12:52 pm
I was but a wee tot when that Falcons’ game against the Cowboys made cry; still can’t watch the clip. Didnt’t realize it was introduction to life as an Atlanta spors fan.
Waydog
January 21st, 2011
12:53 pm
Hey Bradley, What about the 1968 Atlanta Chiefs? We have 2 titles!!!
steve
January 21st, 2011
12:54 pm
Mark,
Pittsburgh has won 11 championships……
Pirates 1971 and 1979.
Steelers 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 2005, and 2008
Penguins 1991, 1992, and 2009.
And make it 12 if you count the ABA.
You also, did not include the Knights winning it all, if you are going to count the ABA.
LAC
January 21st, 2011
12:54 pm
Gee Whiz people, we are talking PROFESSIONAL SPORTS HERE, NOT college stuff.
choke
January 21st, 2011
12:55 pm
that’s why everyone around the country calls atl loserville. They choke in every sport. Even the 1 title by the braves was tainted during the strike season.
papadawg
January 21st, 2011
12:55 pm
You wonder why most of us long time fans don’t get real excited when one of the teams actually make the playoffs. Falcons home field advantage and gets BLOWN out
Hillbilly Deluxe
January 21st, 2011
12:55 pm
But 26 years and 10 months of residency have had an erosive effect,
26 years is nothing. I was born here (in the 50’s). I’ve seen it from the beginning and you just get numb after a while.
Un-fair weather fan
January 21st, 2011
12:55 pm
Reliving those moments in the Dallas game for the first time in 30 years, it’s as though nothing has changed. I’ll never forget the sports writer the next day (was it Steve Hummer?) who wrote: “with 2 minutes left, you just knew.”
And that sums it up as well as it’s ever been done.
As Atlanta sports fans, we just know they’ll blow it, which they never fail to do. And that’s why we empty our stands the moment the collapse is immanent.
No Soccer
January 21st, 2011
12:57 pm
Soccer does not count, only The Big Four Sports, soccer is like professional lawnmowing…
WHO Cares !!! Does Not Count !
Tweets that mention Atlanta's sad sports history: One lousy title in 148 pro seasons | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
January 21st, 2011
12:58 pm
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Smokewagon
January 21st, 2011
12:58 pm
I will go to my grave still brokenhearted over the 1980 playoff loss to Dallas. I truly believed they could win it all at that time but since then I always assume the worst and save myself the misery.
blazerdawg
January 21st, 2011
12:58 pm
No one should blame Falcons fans for leaving early last week. It was a full house until the Birds were behind by four scores.
Any other city would be the same way. Check the 4th quarter highlights from the KC playoff game.
The Ghost of Norm Van Brocklin
January 21st, 2011
12:59 pm
Aw, look on the bright side, our dog-killing QB had a nice reality show, and is well on his way to becoming a folk hero for the young thugs being recruited by the likes of UGA.
option smoption
January 21st, 2011
1:01 pm
Yea Mark, You fit right in at the ATL. You’ve written one decent article in the last 148. Too bad it wasn’t this one.
Keith Strawn
January 21st, 2011
1:01 pm
Mark, Make that “two.” You are forgetting the Atlanta Knights, who hoisted the Turner Cup in 1994. We danced on the tables til dawn.
Time Travaler
January 21st, 2011
1:01 pm
In the futrue the Flacons still suck because they still draft busts in the fist round.
just a fan
January 21st, 2011
1:01 pm
That’s why it’s sports….don’t let it be your life. Just entertainment. Why don’t we all go out and do something to help others and quit wasting our time on blogs?
GEORGIA97
January 21st, 2011
1:01 pm
How about Atlanta’s sad sports WRITING history at the Atlanta urin*l and constipation?