Toronto Sports Futility (1 Viewer)

[Northern Voice]

There are 18 cities with teams in at least 3 of the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB.

The Toronto teams haven't won a playoff series in any of those sports since 2004. The next longest drought is only 4 years (Cleveland).

The Blue Jays currently have the 2nd longest playoff drought in MLB - they haven't made them in 20 years (only KC is longer - 28 years). Despite that, the Jays are the most recent Toronto team to win a championship, with the back to back wins in 1992 and 1993 (and they haven't been back to the playoffs since). They also have a way of losing in spectacular fashion - like last season when they went from being world series favourites (according to gambling odds) in the preseason, to finishing a distant last in their own division. This season they've 11 games by 3 or more at any time and managed to win less than half of them.

The Maple Leafs haven't won a Stanley Cup since there were more than 6 teams in the NHL (1967). Their 45 year Championship drought is the longest in the NHL. Likewise, they haven't won a playoff round since 2004 (the last Toronto team to win a playoff round). For many years, this was despite being at or near the top in payroll (pre salary cap era), and they are always #1 in terms of revenue. They also enjoy losing in spectacular fashion, like being up 4-1 vs. Boston last year with 10 minutes to go in game 7, and choking in spectacular fashion.

The Raptors are the darlings of the city right now, with their playoff run with a team that some expected to be competing for a lottery spot before the season started. The Raptors are tied for the current longest drought in the NBA without winning a playoff round. They've won one playoff round in franchise history (in 2001), they found a way to lose the following round in ridiculous fashion, with Vince Carter choosing to attend his UNC graduation the day of the game and then missing the final shot for a chance to win. The Raptors were also up 3-2 in this years series, but no one who watched it could have had too much confidence in them advancing.

That's it for the Toronto sports teams, but with it being an hour away (and some home games played in Toronto in recent years), you can throw in the Buffalo Bills as well. I don't think I need to mention the ways they've found to lose of the fact that they haven't been to the postseason since 1999 (also the longest current drought in the NFL).

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The futility here is astonishing. The crowds at/outside the Raptors games, outside Leafs playoff games last year (the atmosphere inside for Leafs games is terrible) and even for the first few weeks of the season for the Jays season last year show just how badly the fans want something/anything to cheer for, but it just doesn't happen.

TLR = Toronto Sports

 

[Eephus]

The Argos won the Grey Cup in 2012

 

[Steve Tasker]

Go Jays!

 

[B-Deep]

Maybe the Bills should move to Toronto, sounds like they would fit in

 

[B-Deep]

that was a cheap shot

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Maybe the Bills should move to Toronto, sounds like they would fit in

shame on you

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Also, Toronto FC in MLS. I don't believe they've had a winning record or qualified for the playoffs in team history.

 

[Northern Voice]

Also, Toronto FC in MLS. I don't believe they've had a winning record or qualified for the playoffs in team history.

Yes, less time as a franchise, but just as pathetic as the rest of them.

 

[B-Deep]

Maybe the Bills should move to Toronto, sounds like they would fit in

shame on you

yeah i know, i said it was a cheap shot!

 

[NewlyRetired]

Also, Toronto FC in MLS. I don't believe they've had a winning record or qualified for the playoffs in team history.

If they don't get to the playoffs this year after out spending every other team in the league, many teams by an enormous margin, people are going to start wondering what is in the water up there.

 

[chet]

I've been around Toronto when they've won a game in a first round hockey series and the city goes wild. You'd think they'd won the Cup. Embarrassing for Toronto IMO. They are really starved for a winner there.

 

[Tom Servo]

at this thread

 

[Eephus]

A Canadian club hasn't won the Stanley Cup for a generation. If Montreal makes the finals (or any other Canadian team in future years), does the country unite behind them?

 

[chet]

A Canadian club hasn't won the Stanley Cup for a generation. If Montreal makes the finals (or any other Canadian team in future years), does the country unite behind them?

Yes.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

A Canadian club hasn't won the Stanley Cup for a generation. If Montreal makes the finals (or any other Canadian team in future years), does the country unite behind them?

They didn't for Vancouver. The media tries to push it but it doesn't work.

 

[Northern Voice]

A Canadian club hasn't won the Stanley Cup for a generation. If Montreal makes the finals (or any other Canadian team in future years), does the country unite behind them?

They didn't for Vancouver. The media tries to push it but it doesn't work.

Yeah, it'd be tough for me to cheer for the Habs, and I really like Subban and Price.

 

[Time Kibitzer]

A Canadian club hasn't won the Stanley Cup for a generation. If Montreal makes the finals (or any other Canadian team in future years), does the country unite behind them?

Yes.

Absolutely not, despite local/national media's best efforts. You've been outside Canada too long GB.

No chance any Canucks fan cheers for the Flames/Oilers/Leafs for example, though I'd guess most would cheer for Montreal, Ottawa, and Winnipeg if they weren't indifferent to them.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

I was in Montreal during the Cup finals when Vancouver was playing Boston. I'd assume they'd rather have Vancouver win over Boston, but I didn't get the sense anyone there cared too much either way. I assume things are different elsewhere and it probably depends on the situation.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

I was in Montreal during the Cup finals when Vancouver was playing Boston. I'd assume they'd rather have Vancouver win over Boston, but I didn't get the sense anyone there cared too much either way. I assume things are different elsewhere and it probably depends on the situation.

Is there a team other than the Leafs that Montreal fans wouldn't cheer for over Boston?

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

I was in Montreal during the Cup finals when Vancouver was playing Boston. I'd assume they'd rather have Vancouver win over Boston, but I didn't get the sense anyone there cared too much either way. I assume things are different elsewhere and it probably depends on the situation.

Is there a team other than the Leafs that Montreal fans wouldn't cheer for over Boston?

right. I could see them cheering against Boston, but I don't think they cared too much about Couver winning. Sure, bring the Cup back to Canada and all that but Montreal fans probably just care about keeping it in Quebec.

 

[GTBilly]

It's tough being a Toronto fan but there is a big difference between Toronto and the Leafs. OP should know this being from an hour away. Toronto doesn't give a damn about any of the teams mentioned unless they are winning. Te raps will be forgotten in a week no matter how hard the media will force them down our throats. We will go back to switching the radio stations when talk of them comes on. It's a Leaf town, nothing else matters and yes it is hard and pathetic being a Leafs fan but we soldier on.

 

[Plorfu]

There are 18 cities with teams in at least 3 of the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB.

The Toronto teams haven't won a playoff series in any of those sports since 2004. The next longest drought is only 4 years (Cleveland).

The Blue Jays currently have the 2nd longest playoff drought in MLB - they haven't made them in 20 years (only KC is longer - 28 )

Thank ####### Allah I can read stuff like this and not see the Pirates mentioned anymore.

 

[Zasada]

A Canadian club hasn't won the Stanley Cup for a generation. If Montreal makes the finals (or any other Canadian team in future years), does the country unite behind them?

Yes.

X

Leafs fan here, and I'll cheer for any Canadian team over a US one except for the Habs.

Go 'Hawks.

 

[Northern Voice]

It's tough being a Toronto fan but there is a big difference between Toronto and the Leafs. OP should know this being from an hour away. Toronto doesn't give a damn about any of the teams mentioned unless they are winning. Te raps will be forgotten in a week no matter how hard the media will force them down our throats. We will go back to switching the radio stations when talk of them comes on. It's a Leaf town, nothing else matters and yes it is hard and pathetic being a Leafs fan but we soldier on.

This is mostly true but Raptors and Jays are getting a lot more coverage the past few years, and younger generation tends gravitate much more to the Raptors and Jays than in the past. The Raptors and especially Jays may have more followers nationwide as well since they are "Canada's team" in their leagues.

 

[Eephus]

Sorry for the Canadiens threadjack. Please return to your regularly scheduled moping.

 

[GTBilly]

It's tough being a Toronto fan but there is a big difference between Toronto and the Leafs. OP should know this being from an hour away. Toronto doesn't give a damn about any of the teams mentioned unless they are winning. Te raps will be forgotten in a week no matter how hard the media will force them down our throats. We will go back to switching the radio stations when talk of them comes on. It's a Leaf town, nothing else matters and yes it is hard and pathetic being a Leafs fan but we soldier on.

This is mostly true but Raptors and Jays are getting a lot more coverage the past few years, and younger generation tends gravitate much more to the Raptors and Jays than in the past. The Raptors and especially Jays may have more followers nationwide as well since they are "Canada's team" in their leagues.

Raps and Jays fill time on the networks and that's all. The younger fan base will still root for LA or Miami over the Raps. It was a flash in the pan and I'm glad it's over.

 

[Northern Voice]

It's tough being a Toronto fan but there is a big difference between Toronto and the Leafs. OP should know this being from an hour away. Toronto doesn't give a damn about any of the teams mentioned unless they are winning. Te raps will be forgotten in a week no matter how hard the media will force them down our throats. We will go back to switching the radio stations when talk of them comes on. It's a Leaf town, nothing else matters and yes it is hard and pathetic being a Leafs fan but we soldier on.

This is mostly true but Raptors and Jays are getting a lot more coverage the past few years, and younger generation tends gravitate much more to the Raptors and Jays than in the past. The Raptors and especially Jays may have more followers nationwide as well since they are "Canada's team" in their leagues.

Raps and Jays fill time on the networks and that's all. The younger fan base will still root for LA or Miami over the Raps. It was a flash in the pan and I'm glad it's over.

Unsurprisingly, since we rarely agree on anything, I don't agree. The Raptors and Jays aren't on par with the Leafs but to say Toronto doesn't care about them (and TFC) is wrong, both have passionate fan bases. The Raptors were in the top 10 in the league in attendance this year, that isn't just bandwagon fans from the last month. The Jays regularly outdraw non-CBC hockey games TV wise.

Why would you be glad the Raptors season is over, other than your general pessimistic outlook on life?

 

[hxperson]

It's tough being a Toronto fan but there is a big difference between Toronto and the Leafs. OP should know this being from an hour away. Toronto doesn't give a damn about any of the teams mentioned unless they are winning. Te raps will be forgotten in a week no matter how hard the media will force them down our throats. We will go back to switching the radio stations when talk of them comes on. It's a Leaf town, nothing else matters and yes it is hard and pathetic being a Leafs fan but we soldier on.

This is mostly true but Raptors and Jays are getting a lot more coverage the past few years, and younger generation tends gravitate much more to the Raptors and Jays than in the past. The Raptors and especially Jays may have more followers nationwide as well since they are "Canada's team" in their leagues.

Raps and Jays fill time on the networks and that's all. The younger fan base will still root for LA or Miami over the Raps. It was a flash in the pan and I'm glad it's over.

Do you live out in the burbs or something? There's a small minority that cheers for Kobe or Lebron but it doesn't even register compared to the pro Raptors crowd here. This is especially true with the Heat, who are generally hated at most bars I frequent given the whole Bosh thing.

I am guessing you are the polar opposite of me and the people I hang with here. Most of my friends aren't big hockey fans and don't care for the sport outside of the Leafs, as we are largely 2nd generation Canadians who didn't play hockey growing up. They will still riot over the Leafs, but they would do the same and more for the Raptors.

It wasn't long ago that I lived in one of the condo's next to the Air Canada Centre. I would walk through the ACC every day to get home from work or wherever else I was coming from. Whenever it was a packed lobby at the ACC, even before looking at the jerseys in the crowd, you could always tell who was playing that night. If the place was packed with middle aged white guys with their kids, it was the Leafs. If it was a young crowd and more ethnically diverse, it was the Raptors. But I wouldn't say any one crowd was less busy than the other.

 

[Max Power]

I've been a closet Leafs fan since the Tie Domi days. That guy was wonderful to watch.

 

[Kal El]

While Toronto has had a run of bad luck lately, it's still pretty much a given that Cleveland has had it worse. No World Series winner since 1948, the Browns, the Cavs were pretty good until LeBron jumped ship, and the nearest hockey team is either in a rival city or Columbus.

 

[Tom Servo]

While Toronto has had a run of bad luck lately, it's still pretty much a given that Cleveland has had it worse. No World Series winner since 1948, the Browns, the Cavs were pretty good until LeBron jumped ship, and the nearest hockey team is either in a rival city or Columbus.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

The Maple Leafs haven't won a Stanley Cup since there were more than 6 teams in the NHL (1967). Their 45 year Championship drought is the longest in the NHL. Likewise, they haven't won a playoff round since 2004 (the last Toronto team to win a playoff round). For many years, this was despite being at or near the top in payroll (pre salary cap era), and they are always #1 in terms of revenue. They also enjoy losing in spectacular fashion, like being up 4-1 vs. Boston last year with 10 minutes to go in game 7, and choking in spectacular fashion.

The Leafs had another major choke this year, they were in 2nd in the conference with maybe 2 weeks to go.... and somehow managed to miss the playoffs.

They have always been well funded, but they seem to suck the life out of their games with their corporate attendance (NTTAWWT, it's just that the regular fans seem to be left out of the pricing) by and large. Maybe the Cubs are a good comparison, though their crowds are better the ownership just regularly seems to do everything wrong.

 

[chet]

The Maple Leafs haven't won a Stanley Cup since there were more than 6 teams in the NHL (1967). Their 45 year Championship drought is the longest in the NHL. Likewise, they haven't won a playoff round since 2004 (the last Toronto team to win a playoff round). For many years, this was despite being at or near the top in payroll (pre salary cap era), and they are always #1 in terms of revenue. They also enjoy losing in spectacular fashion, like being up 4-1 vs. Boston last year with 10 minutes to go in game 7, and choking in spectacular fashion.

The Leafs had another major choke this year, they were in 2nd in the conference with maybe 2 weeks to go.... and somehow managed to miss the playoffs.

They have always been well funded, but they seem to suck the life out of their games with their corporate attendance (NTTAWWT, it's just that the regular fans seem to be left out of the pricing) by and large. Maybe the Cubs are a good comparison, though their crowds are better the ownership just regularly seems to do everything wrong.

Cubs crowds are better? Leafs have been sold our for forever. I bought first row right behind the catcher for the Cubs last year the day before the game from Ticketmaster. It was tough to give away Cubs tickets last year. I can't imagine it's better this year. People are smartening up.

 

[hxperson]

The Maple Leafs haven't won a Stanley Cup since there were more than 6 teams in the NHL (1967). Their 45 year Championship drought is the longest in the NHL. Likewise, they haven't won a playoff round since 2004 (the last Toronto team to win a playoff round). For many years, this was despite being at or near the top in payroll (pre salary cap era), and they are always #1 in terms of revenue. They also enjoy losing in spectacular fashion, like being up 4-1 vs. Boston last year with 10 minutes to go in game 7, and choking in spectacular fashion.

The Leafs had another major choke this year, they were in 2nd in the conference with maybe 2 weeks to go.... and somehow managed to miss the playoffs.

They have always been well funded, but they seem to suck the life out of their games with their corporate attendance (NTTAWWT, it's just that the regular fans seem to be left out of the pricing) by and large. Maybe the Cubs are a good comparison, though their crowds are better the ownership just regularly seems to do everything wrong.

I have never paid my own money to watch a Leafs game. I think anyone who forks over $200+ per ticket (at least $400 total, + beers cuz you aren't going alone) for the garbage they put on the ice must either wipe their bums with $100 bills or be a few bricks shy of a load.

 

[McGarnicle]

You guys should be grateful that you have teams in American sports leagues. Really the whole concept of an MLB or NBA franchise in Canada is nothing more than a novelty for us. "Oh how quaint, they have teams too", we often say to each other. It's like that show about the teenage boy who became a doctor.

 

[mr roboto]

You guys should be grateful that you have teams in American sports leagues. Really the whole concept of an MLB or NBA franchise in Canada is nothing more than a novelty for us. "Oh how quaint, they have teams too", we often say to each other. It's like that show about the teenage boy who became a doctor.

Yep, kind of makes us feel good about ourselves, like giving a dollar to that crippled alcoholic panhandling on the freeway exit ramp.

 

[McGarnicle]

You guys should be grateful that you have teams in American sports leagues. Really the whole concept of an MLB or NBA franchise in Canada is nothing more than a novelty for us. "Oh how quaint, they have teams too", we often say to each other. It's like that show about the teenage boy who became a doctor.

Yep, kind of makes us feel good about ourselves, like giving a dollar to that crippled alcoholic panhandling on the freeway exit ramp.

I meant to thank you for that by the way.

 

[mr roboto]

You guys should be grateful that you have teams in American sports leagues. Really the whole concept of an MLB or NBA franchise in Canada is nothing more than a novelty for us. "Oh how quaint, they have teams too", we often say to each other. It's like that show about the teenage boy who became a doctor.

Yep, kind of makes us feel good about ourselves, like giving a dollar to that crippled alcoholic panhandling on the freeway exit ramp.

I meant to thank you for that by the way.