Here are the cities ranked 20-28
28. Milwaukee, WI
Pro Teams: Brewers 1901, 1970-present (MLB), Hawks 1951-55 (NBA), Braves 1953-65 (MLB), Bucks 1968-present (NBA)
Championships: 2 (1) Braves (1957), (1) Bucks (1971)
History: The original Brewers came to the American League in 1901 after 7 years in the minors. They lasted only one season before moving to St. Louis and becoming the Browns. After a 5 year absence from professional baseball, the Seattle Pilots would make their to Milwaukee to be the current Brewers team. Since they've been around longer, they have had more chances to be winners. Their best result was when they made the World Series in 1982 (lost to the Cardinals in 7). This season, they will be looking to make only their third postseason berth.
The Hawks just like their fellow Atlanta team the Braves made Milwaukee their second home. While their stay only lasted 5 seasons, the Hawks drafted future Hall of Famer Bob Pettit which would be instrumental to their future success... in St. Louis.
It was in Milwaukee that Hank Aaron won his only World Series championship for the Braves. And to date, the Braves would be the most successful franchise in Milwaukee. After the sale in 1962, it was only a matter of time before they would be out. And at the start of the 1966 season, they were off to Atlanta.
With the drafting of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the acquisition of Oscar Robertson, the Bucks became a team to be feared. In 1971, they became World Champs by sweeping the Bullets. But they couldn't duplicate their success in 1974 being ousted by the Celtics in 7. After that Robertson retired and Abdul-Jabbar would be traded to the Lakers the following season. Despite all that, the Bucks have been to the playoffs on multiple occasions making the Conference Finals only twice (1986 and 2001).
Interesting facts: Harley-Davidson and the Miller Brewery operates here. TV shows like "Happy Days" and "Laverne and Shirley" were set there. The Marquette men's basketball program has made 3 NCAA Final Fours (1974,1977,2003)and only winning one National Championship in the 1977 tourney.
27. Seattle, WA
Pro Teams: Metropolitans 1915-24 (PCHL), Super Sonics 1967-2008 (NBA), Pilots 1969 (MLB), Seahawks 1976-present (NFL), Mariners 1977-present (MLB)
Championships: 2 (1) Metropolitans 1917, (1) Supersonics (1979)
History: While the Portland Rosebuds were the 1st hockey team in the US to compete for the Stanley Cup. The Metropolitans were the 1st to win it (beat the Canadiens 3-1). They would return to the finals two more times. The 1919 Finals were tied at 2 when the series was cancelled due to the flu epidemic. And losing the following season to the original Senators in 5 games. After the PCHA dissolved, so did the professional hockey in the Emerald City.
Despite the Sonics loyal fan base the team would not stay. The green and gold have won 3 conference titles (1978,1979 and 1996) winning it all by dismissing the Bullets in 5 games in 1979. With the success of Oklahoma City and the Hornets, it was just only a matter of time. Clay Bennett after several failed attempts to secure a new arena, the Sonics would be no more. Hopefully, there will be a new basketball franchise in Seattle, but until then, we can only hope.
The Pilots would only last one season before future commissioner Bud Selig took them out of Seattle and relocated them to Milwaukee to become the Brewers. They would be the last team to have ever to do such.
Due to the success of the Sonics, the Seahawks would be the new toast of the NFL in the Pacific Northwest. With the Jim Zorn/Steve Largent combination would lead to many playoff appearances in the 1980's. It wasn't until Mike Holmgren's tenure that the Seahawks would achieve their recent playoff success. They would make their only Super Bowl appearance in 2005 (losing to the Steelers 21-10). Last season, they would be the 1st team to win their division and a playoff game with a losing record.
The Mariners would occupy the Kingdome along with the Seahawks and Sonics. But it would be a while until they became relevant. When it looked like the M's might be leaving Seattle, they made their 1st postseason appearance and Safeco Field was built. Even though they have not been to the postseason since 2001, they might have a slight chance to do so this season.
Interesting facts: Starbucks and Microsoft are located here. Famous residents include Kenny G and Adam West. The University of Washington is renowned for their medical research.
26. Kansas City, MO
Pro Teams: Athletics 1955-67 (MLB), Chiefs 1963-present (NFL), Royals 1969-present (MLB), Kings 1972-85 (NBA), Scouts 1974-76 (NHL)
Championships: 2 (1)Chiefs (1969), (1)Royals (1985)
History: The closest thing to a professional baseball team in KC was in the minors. The Blues (1894-1900) can be traced back all the way to the Twins. However, the city's first pro team was the Athletics. After realizing that Philadelphia couldn't support two baseball teams, the A's were the odd team out in 1955. During their 13 seasons, they never really achieved much. In their first 5 years, they were basically responsible for keeping the Yankees relevant. After Charlie Finley bought the team in 1960, he was looking for a way out and 8 years later, he got his wish.
Kansas City's next team would also be the result of relocation...only this time it would work out. When Lamar Hunt's Texans couldn't compete with the Cowboys in Dallas, he moved the team to its current location and became the Chiefs. They won Super Bowl IV (which was the last one for the AFL) over the Vikings. Regardless, this team has made 12 postseason appearances and won their division 6 times since the merger (includes last season).
It was Charlie Finley who took baseball out of Kansas City. But it was
Ewing Kauffman who brought it back after a two year hiatus. The Royals would be determined to prove that they belonged in the upper echelon with the Yankees. They won 3 straight division titles from 1976-78 but fell to the mighty Yankees in the ALCS each time. In 1980, they would finally get past the Yankees only for the Phillies to capture their first title in 6 games. The following year, the strike would cause a temporary playoff adjustment due to the shortened season. As a result, the Royals were swept in 3 games by the A's in the first divisional. It wasn't until 1985 that they faced beat their instate rivals, the Cardinals in 7 games, to win their first and only World Series.
Because there was already a team named the Royals in KC, the basketball team would end up being the Kings. The first three years they split their time with Omaha before becoming exclusive to Kansas City. The team was did quite well during their stay . Their best result was making it to the 1981 Western Conference Finals (lost to the Rockets in 5).
NHL didn't last too long due to the financial problems that occurred in the Midwest. And the poor play of the Scouts didn't help their cause either. After 2 years, the club moved to Denver and became the Colorado Rockies.
Interesting facts: H&R Block and Sprint Nextel are headquartered here. The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics offices are located here. Kansas City is the District 10 headquarters in the Federal Reserve Bank system.
25. Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL
Pro Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1976-present (NFL),Tampa Bay Lightning 1992-present (NHL),Tampa Bay Rays 1998-present (MLB)
Championships: 2(1)Buccaneers (2002), (1) Lightning (2004)
History: The Bucs would be the initial team to play pro ball in the Tampa Bay area. Sadly, they started off their first season 0-14 and going 7-23 over the next two seasons. In 1979 they became playoff eligible (10-6) by winning their division en route to the NFC Championship game (lost to the Rams 9-0). It would be until the 2002 season when they won the franchise's first and only Super Bowl (XXXVII ) to date over the Raiders 48-21. Last season, they've managed a winning record, but still missed the playoffs. Maybe next year they will get in.
The first team to play in St. Pete would be the Lightning. While there have been some rocky seasons, there have been some great seasons that follow. In 2004, the Lightning won the Stanley Cup in 7 games over the Flames and due to the strike the following season, they failed to defend the title. As of now, they are in the playoffs. In their history, they have won their twice (2003,2004).
In 1998, the Devil Rays made their debut. Just like the Bucs, they just couldn't get a consistently good team. But through the development of their minor leaguers, it would be a matter of time before they would get to respectability. In 2008, the Rays dropped the "Devil" out of their names. And their faith in their farm system paid off. Ever since then, the team made its postseason debut by going all the way to the World Series but losing to the Phillies in 5 games. To their credit, they have won 2 division titles with a small payroll.
Interesting facts: Megan Fox and former Florida Governor Charlie Crist are notable residents of St. Petersburg. The Church of Scientology headquarters are located in nearby Clearwater. Raymond James Financial is based in the Tampa area.
24. Denver, CO
Pro Teams: Nuggets 1948-50 (BAA), Broncos 1960-present (NFL), Rockets/Nuggets 1967-present (NBA), Spurs 1975-76 (WHA), Colorado Rockies 1976-82 (NHL) 1993-present (MLB), Colorado Avalanche 1995-present (NHL)
Championships: 4 (2)Avalanche (1996,2001), (2)Broncos (1997,1998)
History: The Nuggets had an early amateur backgroun from the late 1930's. When Denver was awarded it's first pro franchise... well they didn't last too long. After the merger with the BAA (now known as the NBA), they played one more season before calling it quits. That was until the new Nuggets came in the lates 1960's.
During their time from 1960-69 in the AFL, the Broncos never made a postseason appearance. After the merger and the drafting of John Elway, the franchise took off. Despite near misses in their previous four Super Bowls, they won their last two appearances in what was Elway's last years. Though they snapped the AFC's 13 game losing streak in the Super Bowl, the Broncos have not made it back since. After Elway's retirement the team made it back to the postseason only 4 times.
The Rockets were a presence in the postseason for the ABA. They would never get to the finals. But with a new nickname and new coach in Larry Brown, the Nuggets made it to the final two ABA Finals (losses to the Pacers and Nets) before they merged with the NBA. Even with its ups and downs, the Nuggets have always been competitive. In 1994, they made history becoming the first 8th seed to win a playoff series (beat the Sonics 3-2 in Round 1). And as a matter of fact, they are in the playoffs for the 8th consecutive time.
The NHL proved to be the undoing for the WHA. And the living proof was there when the Spurs began play for them in the 1975-76 season. Though they won a minor league title in 1972, they just couldn't equate that same success in their one and only season. They would fold as the Ottawa Civics the next season.
Kansas City's loss was Denver's gain when the Rockies came to town. Their first NHL franchise turned out to be short-lived as they made their only postseason appearance in 1978 (swept by the Flyers in the preliminaries). After that, it was on to East Rutherford, New Jersey.
It would be about 11 years until a new Rockies team would arrive in Denver. But this time, they were the reincarnation of the MLB. This version would be much better than the NHL team. They've made the postseason three times and winning the NL pennant in 2007. And if history dares repeat itself, don't be surprised to see them make a 4th appearance.
After 13 years, the NHL made its return. But before the Avalanche played its first game in Denver, you have to look back at the Quebec Nordiques. The Nordiques started out in Quebec City as a member of the WHA from 1972-79. They would win the Avco trophy in 1977. After the merger the Nordiques, would only win their division twice (1986 and 1995) and make 2 Conference Finals appearances (1982 and 1985). Because Quebec City was a small market and couldn't get a new arena, the moved to Denver in 1995. It was in their first season that they won the Stanley Cup sweeping the Panthers. They would do it again in 2001 by knocking off the Devils in 7. The Avs to date have only missed the postseason 3 times (not including the 2004-05 strike) and have won their division 8 times since their arrival.
Interesting facts: Chipotle opened their first restaurant near the University of Denver. Coors is located northwest of the Mile High City in Golden. Denver was the 1st American city to legalize marijuana.
23. Indianapolis, IN
Pro Teams: Katuskys/Jets 1937-49 (BAA), Olympians 1949-53 (NBA), Indiana Pacers 1967-present (NBA), Racers 1974-78 (WHA), Colts 1984-present (NFL)
Championships: 4 (3) Pacers (1970,1972,1973), (1)Colts (2006)
History: The first pro team came out as the Katuskys of the NBL. They would play for 8 seasons over a span of 10 years before joining the BAA for one season as the Jets. The Olympians would later replace the Jets only to be contracted in only 4 years. They would hold the distinction of winning the longest game in NBA history (def. Royals 75-73 in 6 OT, January 6,1951)
Professional basketball came back to the Hoosier State 14 years later. Only this time, the ABA had first dibs.The Pacers would be a charter member winning 3 titles for the ABA before merging with the NBA in 1976. The early days had their down moments, but with Reggie Miller getting drafted in 1987, the Pacers fortunes took a turn for the better. Eventually they would make it all the way to the NBA Finals (lost to the Lakers in 6. They are in the playoffs as we speak, marking their 21st appearance since the merger. They also have 4 division titles.
Wayne Gretzky was 17 years old when he played for the Racers of the WHA. Sadly, the team's finances were under water and because of that, Gretzky was sold to the Edmonton Oilers. They folded during the 1978-79 season going to the postseason twice.
After Robert Irsay moved the Colts out of Baltimore, things didn't look too promising. They made sporadic appearances from 1984-97 appearing in the playoffs 3 times accompanied by one division title (1987). When Peyton Manning became their franchise quarterback, the Colts have missed the playoffs only twice (1998 and 2001). From 2003, they've won their division every year except for 2008. Let's not forget that they've made the Super Bowl twice (winning Super Bowl XLI and losing Super Bowl XLIV).
Interesting facts: David Letterman is from here. The movie "Hoosiers" was shot in parts of the city (included Hinkle Fieldhouse). The NCAA is headquartered here.
22. San Antonio, TX
Pro Teams: Spurs 1973-present (NBA)
Championships: 4 Spurs (1999,2003,2005,2007)
History: During their ABA days, they never made it out of the first round. Their fortunes would fare better after the merger as the Spurs would not be in total shock of the NBA. It wasn't until Tim Duncan was drafted that the Spurs would win their 4 championships. With Duncan, George Gervin and David Robinson at the helm, the Spurs have made the postseason a combined 30 times and placed first in their division 18 times (includes ABA and this season). The Spurs have never made missed the playoffs when Duncan has been a member of the Spurs.
Interesting facts: Fiesta Texas is a Six Flags theme park. The Alamo and the River Walk are the city's main attraction. Eva Longoria is a famous resident.
21. Edmonton, AB, Canada
Pro Teams: Eskimos 1921-26 (WCHL), Oilers 1972-present (NHL)
Championships: 5 Oilers (1984,1985,1987,1988,1990)
History: The Eskimos had been an amateur team from 1905 (aka Edmonton HC) until they became a professional team in 1921. They played in the 1923 Stanley Cup Finals only to lose to the original Senators 2 games to none.
The Alberta Oilers were originally supposed to split time with Calgary after the Broncos franchise never got off the ground in the WHA, but dropped it. The Oilers of Edmonton tried to win the Avco Trophy in the league's final season, but got dropped by the Jets in 6 games. In the NHL, Wayne Gretzky helped bring 4 Stanley Cups to Edmonton. While the Oilers have won another without "The Great One", the Oilers have not been as successful. They did make some postseason appearances, but only made the Finals in 2006 (loss to Hurricanes 4-3) and never been back since.
Interesting facts: Westmount Mall is Canada's first shopping mall. Michael J. Fox and Mark Messier hail from here. The Eskimos of the CFL have 13 Grey Cups to their credit.
20. Cincinnati, OH
Pro Teams: Reds 1882-present (MLB), Comellos 1937-38 (NBL), Royals 1957-72 (NBA), Bengals 1968-present (NFL), Stingers 1975-79 (WHA)
Championships: 5 Reds (1919,1940,1975,1976,1990)
History: Whether you call them Red Stockings or Redlegs, the Reds have called Cincy home and might never leave. And for what it's worth, they should never even think about. The history really does speak for itself. Even though they haven't been to the World Series since 1990, last year's appearance in the postseason should provide for a bright future.
Starting off as the Richmond King Clothiers turned out to be a disaster. When they moved to Cincy 3 games in to the 1937-38 season, things didn't fare well for the either. The Comellos would disappear just as fast as they arrived.
The Rochester Royals won an NBA championship. Cincinnati's version never could. Even with Hall of Famers Oscar Robertson and Jerry Lucas on the roster, the only managed 7 appearances in the playoffs never making it to the Finals. They both would be traded away and in a few short years were off to Missouri.
With no NFL franchise in western Ohio, the AFL would make that happen. After only two seasons, they would be part of NFL lore. Most people will be reminded of how awful they were (especially after last season). But they have won their division 7 times (last won in 2009) and made 9 postseason trips which includes 2 Super Bowl trips (lost to the 49ers).
The only thing close to a professional franchise was the Stingers. In their short time, they've made only two playoffs never making it past the quarterfinals.
Interesting facts: Xavier along with the University of Cincinnati are their premier colleges. Jerry Springer was the mayor before his rise to fame. Procter & Gamble and Macy's are based there.
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