Sports Fans That Deserve Better

What is up yinz. Welcome to The Deg Show. Make sure you go check out Ben's blog about the history of Deg if you haven't done so already. You may be wondering why the hell is this dude called "Bear". Let me briefly explain where that comes from before we jump into my top 10 sports fans that deserve better.

Let's flashback to fall 2014 when Bear was a freshman attending Kent State (GO FLASHES!!) living in Prentice Hall. FYI anyone who lived in Lake or Prentice Hall during 2014-2015 is the last group of college kids that didn't live in the Ritz-Carlton style dorms nowadays. Spoiled fucking brats. No A/C, no carpet, and shared bathrooms with your entire floor. However, I must say these conditions forced us to make friends because it was torture sitting in your room all day. This led to 3rd floor Prentice forming a lot of new friendships. This is where Norbert enters the story. You are probably thinking, "no way this cats name is Norbert" but in fact it was, we called him Norb. A little more history on Norb. His grandfather is Norbert. His Dad is Norbert. He is Norbert. And now he has a son Norbert. Four Norberts. One family. I am sure family get togethers get interesting when someone calls out "Norbert". How the hell do they know which one is being talked to? Anyways, there was me but also another Marcus in the friend group and we had four Tyler's as well. So, Norb decides to try and start dishing out nicknames for everyone. Well, mine ended up being the only one that lasted. Norb's exact words for choosing Bear for myself was "all you do is eat, shit and sleep just like a bear." Honestly, hard to argue with his logic and that is still very much true to this day. Bear? Bear.

ANYWAYS, sorry for that rant but wanted to give a background on where "Bear" comes from. Back to the the top 10 sports fans that deserve better.

10. Cleveland Guardians

1948. Yes, the year President Truman ended racial segregation in the U.S. military. Also, the last year the Guardians won a World Series. It's 2022. Do the math. It is now the longest World Series drought in MLB. Even though they have been solid this year, the odds they win this year are +7500 so might as well add another year to the drought. You may be thinking they deserve to be higher on this list, but their fans were able to enjoy a World Series berth not too long ago back in 2016. They did blow a 3-1 series lead to the Cubs (who had the longest World Series drought before knocking off the Guardians). Game 7 was in Cleveland too. In that aspect, I do feel bad for their fans having to endure losing three series clinching games and not being able to get it done in Game 7 in front of the home fans. However, these were the same fans clowning the Golden State Warriors for blowing a 3-1 series lead to their Cavs in the NBA Finals a few months prior. Karma is a bitch.

9. Cleveland Browns

Yes, I am diehard Pittsburgh sports fan. So, you may be thinking "how the hell do the Browns make the list?" I may have to admit that their fans deserve better. There were times not so long ago where they were considered the worst organization in all of sports. They haven't been relevant since Jim Brown. His last season was 1965. Yikes. Over the last few years, they seem to have turned a corner to become somewhat relevant again. They beat the Steelers in a playoff game on the road. That game goes completely different if Heinz Field was allowed to have fans though. They decide to move off the QB who won them that game and sign a guy that may get suspended for a whole year. They also gave him the richest contract in NFL history knowing he may get that suspension. Then I think of my two Steelers @ Browns experiences at First Energy Stadium. Absolute scumbag fans. Jagoffs. Yeah, I am talking about you Scooby-Doo (in 2021 almost got into a fight on Halloween at the Steelers/Browns game with Scooby). You know what, fuck these fans. They don't deserve shit. Browns is the Browns.

8. New York Knicks

First overall pick. Seven-time All-NBA. 11-time All-Star. Two Finals Appearances. 0 rings. Who do you think I am talking about? If you guessed Patrick Ewing, you are correct. The Knicks have two championships, in 1970 and 1973. Fast forward to the mid-80s, 1985 to be exact, and the Knicks have struck gold not too long after their championships. 1985 is the year the Knicks had the first overall pick. The opportunity to draft Ewing. He was everything they thought he would become and then some. The Knicks had Ewing for 15 seasons but were never able to win the Finals while losing in the Finals twice, in 1994 and 1999. His last season with Knicks was the year after the 1999 Finals trip. Fast forward to February 21, 2011. The day Carmelo Anthony gets traded from the Nuggets to the Knicks. A day where Knicks fans thought they got their next Ewing. Anthony played seven seasons for the Knicks, being named to the All-Star team each season. 21 playoff games. Only made it out of the first round once. No championships. After the Melo era, Knicks fans switched their focus to the draft and free agency. Always were rumored to be in the mix for the big-name free agents, but never were able to acquire them. Famously boo'd Porzingis on draft night and that relationship went south quick. Ice Trae crushed their playoff dreams last year and they were underwhelming this year. Going on 50 years without a championship when in reality they should have a couple between the Ewing and Melo eras. Maybe one day Knicks fans.

7. Phoenix Suns

It has been 53 years since the Suns have enjoyed winning a championship. Suns and Knicks have similar current situations and history. Somewhat. Suns have been rumored to land Kevin Durant and that will skyrocket them to being the favorites to win the Finals next year. Durant has shunned the Knicks numerous times; he chose the damn Brooklyn Nets over them. Ouch. Anyways, maybe it's the history that the two franchises have more in common. Let's go back to a year prior to Ewing going #1 overall. 1984. The Phoenix Suns select Charles Barkley fifth overall. Now this was also the same year that the Bulls drafted Michael Jordan third overall. Jordan also played a big part in why neither Barkley nor Ewing have a ring. Barkley played 12 seasons for the Suns and in 1993 had his only chance to win a championship with them. Remember how I mentioned Jordan earlier? Well, the reason why Barkley doesn't have a ship is because of that man Michael Jordan. Fast forward to the 00's and the Suns had another dynamite player in Steve Nash with a great supporting cast around him. However, the Duncan led Spurs, Dirk led Mavs, and Kobe led Lakers stood in the way of Nash and the Suns getting to an NBA Finals. Then last year they ran into more greatness in the NBA Finals. Enter the Greak Freak. Tough scene. Suns history consists of constantly running into greatness. Praying for you Suns fans that you land greatness in Durant.

6. Sacramento Kings

Yes, this was the third consecutive NBA team. I know, ok? However, this is the last NBA team to make the list. When was the last time the Kings were relevant? They haven't made the playoffs since the 2005-06 season. They lost in the first round to the Spurs. Mike Bibby, Peja Stojakovic and Metta World Peace were on the team. This was also the last time they made the playoffs after making it for eight consecutive years. Only one trip to the conference finals during that stretch and no Finals appearances. They have the longest playoff drought in NBA history, 16 consecutive seasons. Their only championship was in 1951 as the Rochester Royals. Brutal. These fans haven't had anything to look forward to or celebrate going on almost 15 years. However, in 2018, the franchise landed the 2nd overall pick in the draft. A year after landing dynamic point guard De'Aaron Fox in the draft. Maybe a potential turning point for the franchise? Finally, Kings fans have a young core to get excited about and can feel optimistic about their future. All they had to do was not botch the 2nd pick in 2018. Boy, did they totally botch that 2nd pick. They selected Marvin Bagley with that pick. On paper, looks good and exciting. The next three picks of that draft were Luka Doncic, Jaren Jackson Jr and Trae Young. Kings fans must be close to jumping ship after seeing the start of their careers for these four players. You could've had Luka. Hell, even Trae or Jaren would've been amazing. Any of those would've been better than Bagley. Poor Kings fans. So close yet so far away. So close to becoming relevant again. Here's to hoping Keegan Murray becomes an All-Star for you Kings' fans.

5. New York Jets

J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS! I must say, that is a top tier sports chant. Also, shoutout to diehard Jets fan Fireman Ed. However, Jets fans haven't had much to gloat about over the years. Joe Namath led them to their only Super Bowl victory in Super Bowl III. That was in 1969 and we are on Super Bowl LVII. That was also their only Super Bowl appearance. Entering the 2022 season, they have the longest playoff drought in the NFL at 11 seasons. The last time they were in the playoffs they lost to the Steelers in the AFC Championship. This was the same year of the famous Bart Scott "Can't Wait!" moment in an interview after beating the Patriots in the divisional round. The loss to the Steelers marked back-to-back losses in the AFC Championship. They haven't sniffed the playoffs since. However, things seem to be looking up. Maybe Zach Wilson and Robert Salah can take this team back to the playoffs. Doubtful though. I don't see them as a Super Bowl threat in the highly competitive AFC. Hell, they will probably continue to miss the playoffs. Had to be tough to watch your roommate (New York Giants) win two Super Bowls over the last 20 years. Keep dreaming Jets fans, your savior hasn't arrived yet. You do love getting Beaver County legends though. First Namath, then Revis and now the dawg J WHITE!!

4. Seattle Mariners

The longest playoff drought in MLB belongs to the Mariners, at 20 years. 20 years. No playoffs. Trust me Mariners fans I know the feeling as a Pirates fan. It sucks. The Mariners are also one of six teams to never win a World Series. They are the only MLB team to never even make an appearance in the World Series. I mean that is just fucking brutal. They were founded in 1977. Almost 50 years of existence with no World Series appearances. Seattle, you deserve better. However, you may be thinking what the hell didn't they have Alex Rodriguez and Ken Griffrey Jr on the same team? Yes, yes, they did. From 1994-1999. However, 1996 was the first full season for A-Rod as a 20-year-old rookie. 1996 should've been their year. A-Rod and Griffrey both finished in the top 5 in MVP voting that year. They had four dudes with 100 RBIs. They didn't even make the playoffs. They finished second in their division and missed the wild card spot by 2 1/2 games. How the fuck don't you make the playoffs with that dynamic of an offense? Well look no further than their pitching that year. Their team ERA was 5.21. BARF. They did have Randy Johnson too. It goes to show how terrible the bottom of their rotation and bullpen were that year. 1996 should've started a new baseball dynasty. Instead, it was the dynasty that never was. In 1998, Randy Johnson was traded midseason. In 1999, Griffrey requested a trade to his hometown Cincinnati Reds. In 2000, A-Rod left in free agency for the Texas Rangers when they offered him a 10-year, $252 million contact. The dynasty was over before it ever begun. The 1996 team had a lineup of A-Rod, Griffrey, Edgar Martinez, Tino Martinez, and Jay Buhner. Randy Johnson was their ace. Lou Piniella was their manager. How the hell didn't 1996 start the greatest dynasty baseball has ever seen?

3. Toronto Maple Leafs

The longest Stanley Cup drought in the NHL belongs to the Maple Leafs. 55 years for this storied franchise. Toronto is one of the "Original Six" league members. They have thirteen Stanley Cup championships. However, they haven't won one since 1967. We Americans love to troll the Canadian hockey teams for not having won a Stanley Cup since 1993. We are holding their precious trophy hostage over here in the States. Sucks to suck Canada. Do Maple Leafs fans really deserve to make this list? They're arrogant and think their team is the best every year when their team continues to underwhelm. No Cups in almost 60 years and they haven't won a playoff series since 2004. Six straight years of getting bounced in the opening round. Oh, they also haven't even made a Stanley Cup final since they won in 1967. Leafs fans are some of the most diehard fans in all of sports. They probably do deserve better. Maybe their team can at least get past the opening round soon. However, it is comical how they underperform every single year. Maybe Auston Matthews will be your American savior. It is enjoyable to make fun of them, but 55 years of no Cup births and no playoff series wins since 2004 is cruel. These fans do deserve to at least see their team make it to the second round, eh?

2. Detroit Lions

This one kind of speaks for itself. It is the damn Lions. The laughingstock of the NFL for many years. 0 Super Bowls. 0 Super Bowl appearances. 7-13 record in the postseason. 1 conference championship game. If they make the playoffs and play in the Wild Card round, you might as well chalk that up as an L. They are 0-9 in the Wild Card round. Barry Sanders, Calvin Johnson, Matt Stafford. Some big-name players. Calvin retired early because of how shit the Lions were. First year Stafford leaves the Lions he wins a Super Bowl. Maybe the Lions are cursed? Congrats on your Thanksgiving game every year. That's about all you have going for you. Detroit may have the worst sports teams out of any city now. Lions, Tigers, Pistons, and Red Wings all are hot garbage right now. What a shame. Detroit can't even produce one team for their fans to get excited about. Detroit fans were at the top of the mountain in the early 2000's. Now they are at the very bottom with no excitement really in sight. The Lions fans probably deserve the most out of any Detroit fan as they have had nothing to celebrate really ever. Unless you want to go back to before 1966 when the Lions were winning championships before the Super Bowl was born. Between the Lions and the Browns, I am not sure which franchise is more pathetic. I do feel worst for Lions fans though cause well fuck Browns fans. The Lions are starting to put together a decent young core that fans can get excited about, however, they need a QB. So, Lions fans pray the tank is on this year so you can get Bryce Young or CJ Stroud.

1. Pittsburgh Pirates

Is this bias? Definitely. However, what this franchise has put us through over the last 30 years is unacceptable. 43 years since our last World Series victory. It was also the last time we made a World Series. Let's go back to the years of 1991 and 1992. The Pirates had Barry fucking Bonds. BARRY BONDS. In 1991 the Pirates advanced to the NLCS to take on the Atlanta Braves. Unfortunately, the Pirates would go on to lose that series in seven games. Maybe 1992 will be their year. A lot expected it would be. Fast forward to the 1992 NLCS and we had ourselves a rematch with the Braves. Again, this series would end up going seven games too, just like in 1991. However, how the Pirates lost in 1992 would sting for many years to come. In Game 7 of the 1992 NLCS, the Pirates had a 2-1 lead going into the bottom of the ninth inning. The Braves would end up scoring two runs on a bases loaded single that clinched the Braves back-to-back World Series berths. In the offseason following that 1992 year, the curse of Barry Bonds was born. Bonds would go on to sign with the San Francisco Giants in 1993. The Pirates would go on to not have a winning record over the next 20 years. 20 YEARS OF NOT HAVING A WINNING RECORD. That is so bad. I don't know if that will ever be topped. They welcomed in the best ballpark in MLB during that stretch in PNC Park but the on-field product was dog shit. I had to watch Craig Wilson play while the Cardinals had this dude named Albert Pujols taking massive shits all over us. Then the historic year of 2013 happened. Baseball was BACK in Pittsburgh. The Pirates beat the Reds at PNC Park in the Wild Card game. We would go on to lose the divisional series against the Cardinals. However, the future outlook of this team was bright. We would go on to make the Wild Card game the following two years against the Giants and the Cubs. Both games would be played at PNC Park. Both games were over before they started. Fuck you Brandon Crawford and Kyle Schwarber. The year (2015) against the Cubs was our best team. We won 98 games that year, but the fucking Cardinals won 100 and won the division. So, we get the boot to the wild card game against the 97 win Cubs. Totally shafted. Also, fuck the Cubs for hurting Jung Ho Kang in September that year. Fucking assholes. The Cubs would go on to beat us and beat the Cardinals in the divisional series. They would lose to the Mets in the NLCS. We would've beat the god damn Cards and Mets in the playoffs that year. We dominated both those teams in the regular season. The Mets lost the World Series to the Kansas City Royals. Fuck us. We should've been World Series champs in 2015. The stars were aligning for us, and we blew it. However, there was optimism that this was the start of something special. Until our greedy bitch of an owner decided to try and shed payroll and trade the hometown kid Neil Walker to the Mets for FUCKING JON NIESE. This was the start of the end of this era. The Pirates haven't been to the playoffs since 2015 and aren't going to make it this year either. However, the future is starting to look bright for the first time since that 2013-2015 era. The Pirates currently have 5 out of the top 50 MLB prospects. I can't wait to celebrate the 2025 World Series Champions, 10 years after they should've been champs, the Pittsburgh Pirates. LET'S GO BUCS!!

Honorable Mention:

• Portland Trail Blazers - Passed on taking Michael Jordan and Kevin Durant. GROSS.

• Los Angeles Angels - You have Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout and won't win a World Series. Pathetic.

• Minnesota Timberwolves - Drafted Ricky Rubio AND Jonny Flynn over Steph Curry. Steph has 4 championships and you're relying on Rudy Gobert to take you over the top. SMH.

• Los Angeles Clippers - Do you even have true fans? You deserve better than being the Lakers ugly stepbrother.

• Philadelphia Flyers - Honestly, fuck you Flyers fans. Losers. Have you ever seen the Flyers win the Cup?