Most Successful Cities Top Ten Part 3

8. DC Metro includes Baltimore, MD/Washington, DC

Pro Teams: Washington Senators 1901-60 & 1961-1971 (MLB),Washington Redskins 1937-present (NFL), Washington Capitols 1946-51 (NBA), Baltimore Bullets 1947-54 (NBA), Baltimore Colts 1953-83(NFL), Baltimore Orioles 1901-02 & 1954-present (MLB), Washington Wizards 1963-present (NBA), Washington Caps 1969-70 (ABA), Washington Capitals 1974-present (NHL), Baltimore Blades 1975 (WHA), Baltimore Ravens 1996-present (NFL), Washington Nationals 2005-present (MLB)

Championships: 16 (1) Senators (1924), (5)Redskins (1937,1942,1982,1987,1991),(1)Bullets (1948), (4)Colts (1958,1959,1968,1970), (3)Orioles (1966,1970,1983), (1)Wizards (1978), (1)Ravens (2000)

History: Here is a tale of two teams. Same city, same league, same nickname, yet different histories. With that comes different outcomes. The original Senators were here for 59 years. During their stay they made it to the World Series 3 times in history (lost in 1925 & 1933, won in 1924). After they moved to Minnesota, the old chapter went with the Twins and a new Senators would be born. Sadly, the new team only lasted 10 seasons resulting in moving to Arlington, TX to be known as the present day Rangers.

Before and during World War 2, the Redskins were a fixture in the NFL playoffs 7 times (1936, 1937,1940,1942,1943&1945). Technically it's only 6 times in DC, as they were in Boston when that all started. It wouldn't be until the 70's that the Redskins would be relevant again making an additional 15 appearances with 5 Super Bowl appearances (lost to the 72 Dolphins in Super Bowl VII and the Raiders in XVIII).

What is known about the Capitols, is that Red Auerbach was the first coach of the team. Just like what people know about his Celtics days, the Capitols were a team that was hard to beat. The team was a postseason lock. Without him, they faded away.

The original Baltimore Bullets won the BAA title in 1948, making them the first Bullets team to do so. Despite their success, the team would fold after 14 games in the 1954-55.

Before the Colts went quietly into the night to Indianapolis in 1984, Baltimore had a good thing going with the franchise. Their first NFL championship was a win over the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds, which has been considered "The Greatest Game Ever Played". After that they won their division 5 times. In 10 playoff appearances, they won their conference 5 times and went to 2 Super Bowls (lost to the Jets in Super Bowl III).

The Orioles were one of the original AL franchises. But that was before they became the Yankees. After the Browns arrived in Baltimore, the team would become the reincarnation of the Orioles. People will remember Cal Ripken Jr. breaking Lou Gehrig's record (consecutive games played) in 1995. To date, the O's are 8 time division champions and clinched the AL pennant 6 times since inhabiting Baltimore. They've also clinched the 1996 Wild Card.

They've been the new Baltimore Bullets. Then they became the Capital Bullets (1973-74)for a season before adopting Washington from 1974-97. As history can state, the Bullets have been to the NBA Finals twice in the late 70's (lost in their last appearance to the Sonics in 1979). Since becoming the Wizards, the team has inherited that tradition.

ABA basketball in the DC metro area lasted for only one season. When the Oakland Oaks came, there was hope for an ABA title, since they have proven to do that before. They would end up as the Virginia Squires when the team moved to Richmond. While only winning one division title 1970-71, the team would fold after the merger with the NBA in 1976.

The NHL would bring the Capitals to the DC area. As of right now the Caps have been DC's most recently successful team to date. Currently, they are in their 22nd postseason appearance with hopes of making their first ever Stanley Cup Final.

When the Los Angeles Sharks and Michigan Stags of the WHA couldn't make things work. They would make one last gasp as the Baltimore Blades for the final half of the 1974-1975 season before meeting their fate and disappearing off the map.

In the year 2000, the Baltimore area became the first team in the NFL that to have two separate franchises win a Super Bowl and not be in the same city at the same time. Ever since their arrival in 1996, the team has been to the postseason 7 times.

After the baseball experiment in Montreal failed, the Nationals would bring back the MLB after a 34 year absence. It is also a known fact that the original Senators were known as the Nationals at one time. And since there is no senate district in DC, the National just made more sense.

Interesting facts: Companies like Fila and Under Armour are in the greater Baltimore area. Babe Ruth once called Baltimore home. And like we don't know this already... Washington DC is the nation's capital and home to many federal offices.