This week, we were sitting around and started wondering, “If some catastrophic even occurred that were to wipe my favorite teams off the face of the planet, who would become my new favorite? . . .after the proper period of mourning, of course.”
Here’s what each of us came up with: (current favorites are in parentheses)
Dan - AJS Contributing Writer
Football – (Packers) 49ers. Some of my first Super Bowl memories include SF beating Cincy and their blow out of the Broncos (my first bar game with my dad). I remember picking them in Tecmo Bowl half the time so I could score with Rice, Lott, and Montana. That Montana was a Domer only sweetens the deal.
Basketball – (Bucks) If the Bucks disappear and end years of frustration, I don’t know where I’d turn. Maybe nowhere. Was a Hornets fan in the early-mid 90s, mostly cause of Mugsy Bogues (gotta love a short guy playin’ basketball). No pull toward New Orleans now though.
Baseball – (Brewers) Easy transition to the Nats. Right in my backyard, cheap seats, and public transportation home – can’t beat that. The more interesting question is whether anyone else in the League would notice the Brew Crew were missing.
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Ron - AJS Baseball and Pro-Football Editor
Football - (Redskins) The Raiders. Though I think Al Davis is a moron, I have always loved the outlaw factor with the Raiders....and yes, I understand the irony of the fact that the Raiders crushed the Redskins in the Super Bowl that one year
Basketball - (Wizards) The Lakers only because I lived in L.A. for 10 years and followed them.
Baseball - (Cubs & Nats) Since I have two favorite teams, if either one were eliminated, they'd be replaced by the other. If BOTH were eliminated, I'd pick the Braves. I've been a fan since the Dale Murphy & Glen Hubbard days.
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Joe - AJS College Football Editor
Pro Football – (Cowboys) Since I lived in Cincinnati for ten years, I’d become a Bengals fan. But if the Cowboys keep making bonehead moves like cutting Larry Allen to create cap-space for Terrell Owens, I may just put on stripes anyway.
College Football – (Oklahoma) Nebraska – this one was a no-brainer. We have a long standing tradition with Nebraska. Until Callahan came along, I had nothing bad to say about the program. Plus I already a lot of red shirts to wear on Saturdays.
Baseball – (Cardinals) I always kind of liked the Red Sox, but I realized that’s more of an anti-Yankee thing than actually liking Boston. Plus, I feel guilty that all the teams near to me have been very successful. Losing builds character. So I’m thinking the Detroit Tigers. And I’d get to wear a cool hat like Magnum P.I. did.
Pro Basketball – (didn't really have one) this is kind of ironic, because I’ve become a Hornets fan since they relocated to Oklahoma City BECAUSE New Orleans was wiped out.
College Basketball – (Oklahoma) North Carolina Tarheels – Even though I may lose my beloved Sooners due to a massive death-comet hitting Norman, I will always hate Duke.
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Travis - AJS Contributing Writer
Pro Football – (Broncos) If my beloved Broncos were gone I suppose my next choice would be the mighty Green Bay Packers, I like their history, the ownership taken by the fans and the fact that they play in the frozen tundra with no stinkin’ dome, the way football was meant to be played.
College Football – (Oklahoma) Because this is my favorite among all sports (Boomer Sooner!) and should the unthinkable happen, after many years of mourning, I would become (and already kind of am a closet fan) of the OSU Beavers. Oregon State has the coolest mascot in sports, they have a decent football program so that would eliminate people calling me a band wagon fan, and even though their color scheme includes orange at least it is not that puke orange of the shorthorns. Huh, huh, huh, huh did he say beaver huh,huh,huh,huh.
Pro Basketball – (none) You ask this question assuming I care about pro bb and I don’t so I cannot answer. However if I was forced to pick a new college basketball team I would have to go with Kansas, again great history, like their coach, and who doesn’t just love to say “rock chalk jayhawk” it just kind of rolls off the tongue.
Baseball – (Indians) A few years ago a good friend of mine told me I had to have a favorite MLB team so I opened the sports page and the team in dead last in the league was the Indians, so I said that’s my team. I did not want to be called a bandwagon jumper. And they have been good to me. Did not win the series but have been there a couple of times. If I were had to choose again I would most likely go with the Strangers, they cannot get past the divisional series so that eliminates the bandwagon moniker I disdain, plus they are the closest team to OKC so there is plenty of coverage in the local paper.
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Don - AJS Editor-in-chief
Pro Football – (Cowboys) I think I’d end up being a fan of the Chicago Bears. Lived there for four years and besides, I could be a super fan - DAAA BEARSS!
College Football – (Oklahoma) I’m going to catch flack from the Sooner fans out there for this one, but I’d be a Notre Dame fan. Both my parents are from Indiana and I was raised Catholic. It’s part of the church doctrine that I am required to pull for them.
Basketball – (Lakers) Probably a team like Cleveland. I like what LeBron is doing. Seems like a decent enough kid and DAMMIT, Cleveland is a dire need of a winning team for something!
Baseball – (Rangers/Cubs) Probably turn over for the Royals. Always like George Brett. And since I have one from each league, I’ll take the Reds on the other side. Gotta love that big red machine.
