With the recent failures of Toronto’s sports franchises, fans in Ontario’s capital are about to receive some very bad news.
Statistically, Toronto ranks as the worst sports city in North America.
The Blue Jays haven’t made the playoffs since winning the World Series in 1993 and are coming off a 75-87 record in 2009 after starting the season 27-14.
The Raptors finished 33-49 last year and are winless in three pre-season games with what looks to be their starting lineup for 2009-10.
The Argos have won only seven games since the start of 2008, and the Maple Leafs have lost their first seven games this season, tying their worst start in franchise history initially set in 1990-91.
By averaging the winning percentages of all cities with MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL (or in Toronto’s case CFL) franchises, the Big Smoke ended up with a dreadful mark of 37.3 per cent
Boston, meanwhile, topped the list at 67.1 per cent. The New England Patriots were the only team that didn’t make the playoffs as they played a full season without franchise quarterback Tom Brady.
Consistent records from all teams in Miami (56.2 per cent) and Atlanta (55.5 per cent) helped them finish second and third respectively.
Here are the full rankings:
1. Boston/New England 67.1 per cent:
Celtics (62-20), Patriots (11-5), Bruins (53-19-10) , Red Sox (95-67)
2. Miami/Florida 56.2 %
Dolphins (11-5), Marlins (87-75), Heat (43-39), Panthers (41-30-11)
3. Atlanta 55.5 %
Falcons (11-5), Hawks (47-35), Braves (86-76), Thrashers (35-41-6)
4. Philadelphia 54.3 %
Phillies (93-63), Eagles (9-6-1), Flyers (44-27-11), 76ers (41-41)
5. Dallas/Texas 54 %
Mavericks (50-32), Cowboys (9-7), Rangers (87-75), Stars (36-35-11)
6. Denver/Colorado 53 %
Nuggets (54-28), Rockies (92-70), Broncos (8-8), Avalanche (32-45-5)
7. Chicago 52.7 %
Bears (9-7), Blackhawks (46-24-12), Cubs (83-78), Bulls (41-41), White Sox (79-83)
8. New York 51.8 %
Giants (12-4), Yankees (103-59), Jets (9-7), Rangers (43-30-9), Mets (70-92), Knicks (32-50), Islanders (26-47-9)
9. Los Angeles/Oakland 50.1 %
Lakers (65-17), Angels (97-65), Dodgers (95-67), Kings (34-37-11), Raiders (5-11), Clippers (19-63)
10. Phoenix/Arizona 49.9 %
Suns (46-36), Cardinals (9-7), Coyotes (36-39-7), Diamondbacks (70-92)
11. Minnesota 48.5 %
Vikings (10-6), Twins (87-76), Wild (40-33-9), Timberwolves (24-58)
12. Washington 42.7 %
Capitals (50-24-8), Redskins (8-8), Nationals (59-103), Wizards (19-63)
13. Detroit 40.6 %
Red Wings (51-21-10), Tigers (86-77), Pistons (39-43), Lions (0-16)
14. Toronto 37.6 %
Blue Jays (75-87), Maple Leafs (34-35-13), Raptors (33-49), Argos (4-14)
Detroit would be placed a lot higher if the Lions hadn’t gone winless through the whole season, the only team in NFL history to do so under the 16 game format.
Los Angeles was bogged down by the Raiders, Kings, and Clippers, while New York didn’t get much help from the Mets, Knicks, and Islanders.
Washington was hampered by the lowly Nationals and Wizards.
The last time Toronto held a championship parade was in 2004 when the Argos brought home the Grey Cup. In terms of North American titles, the last trophy the city has won was the World Series in 1993.
On a brighter note, only two of the fourteen cities have gone longer without a title to their name. Washington and Minnesota haven’t hoisted a trophy since 1991 when the Redskins and Twins won their respective championships.