New York State of Confusion

Just how bad has it been for New York sports franchises lately? The following article examines the sickness pervading throughout the greatest city in the world, and it appears as though there is no cure in sight. Daniel Collins, host of “Sports Propaganda”, exposes the Rangers, Knicks, Mets and Yankees for your viewing pleasure.New York State of Confusion

Love them or hate them, New Yorker’s do things a little different. They move faster, party harder, and think bigger. Unfortunately, the visions of grandeur pictured in the minds eye of the upper brass of New York’s franchises, have become more clouded than Ricky Williams’ rumpus room. For the better part of the millennium, the Rangers, Mets, Knicks and even the Yankees have spent the money necessary to appease their fans, but have come up short, in some cases well short of the prize. While other teams across the nation nickel and dime their way to the postseason, the capitol of the world spends themselves into futility.

Lets start in the NHL with the Rangers. In 1994, Mark Messier lead the blue shirts to their first cup in more than half a century, with stellar goal tending from Mike Richter and solid contributions from Brian Leech, Adam Graves Stephan Matteau and other role players. The celebration following the victory could only be topped by the unlikely event that the Red Sox or Cubs finally exorcise the demons haunting them. Fast forward to the present when they best thing about the team is looking at all the great names in the program, or on the injured list. Gretzky, Lindros, Bure, Jagr, it almost sounds like a hall of fame ballot. However, their performance on the ice resembles the Mighty Ducks before Emilo Estevez whipped them into shape. Since the 2000-2001 campaign, the Rangers own a record of 128-174-26, winning at an embarrassing 39 percent clip. With the losses piling up, the front office did the only thing it apparently knew how to do, spend. And spend they did, all the way to four consecutive fourth place finishes.

How about their roommate in the Garden, the Knickerbockers. When Patrick Ewing, John Starks and Charles Oakley’s talent faded with their championship hopes, it became time to “buy” into the New York sickness. Allan Houston was given a contract that many world leaders do not spend on National defense. Shandon Anderson and Howard Eisley were brought in for an outrageous price to solidify the bench, and Kurt Thomas has played out of position for almost his entire career. The ’03-04 Knicks made it to the postseason with a record of 39-43, and were trounced in the first round by their one time cross-town punching bag, the New Jersey Nets. Stephon Marbury and Penny Hardaway came aboard, and if their cap was not stretched to the max already, more big names with high price tags would have suited up in the Garden.

In 2000, the Subway Series became the World Series as the Mets earned a spot in the fall classic for the first time since 1986. The Bronx Bombers went on to win an underrated series in five games, and the Muts have never recovered. Since the last out of game five, their performance has been more aesthetically displeasing than Nancy Grace, or Greta Van Rhinoplasty depending on your cable outlet preference.

Former General Manager Steve Phillips went the Brian Cashman route, bringing in big names at a high price. Roberto Alomar, Jeromy Burnitz and Roger Cedno were brought in to supplant the mainstay superstar in Mike Piazza. Mo Vaughn was brought in from Anaheim, and Cliff Floyd would soon follow. It was supposed to be the team that would finally dismantle the dominant run of the Atlanta Braves. The only problem is they have never finished better than third place, and six games off the pace. Since 2001, the Mets have compiled a record of 223-261, finishing dead last in 2002 and 2003, with an average of 30 games behind Atlanta at seasons end. Alomar, Burnitz and Cedeno have been run out of town, Cliff Floyd wants to play in the American League, Mo Vaughn is hurt, and does most of his rehabilitation work at Scores Gentleman’s club.

Finally, the Yankees. Its common knowledge they roll through the regular season, and get into the postseason with ease. Its also no secret they draw the ire of fans of every other team in the Majors, by bringing the biggest and best names in the game. Since the 2000 World Series, they have been back twice, the classic series in 2001 vs. the Diamondbacks, and again in 2003 vs. the Florida Marlins. The only problem is, the best the Yankees could buy was a second place finish. In last year’s shocking defeat at the hands of the Marlins, with their payroll surging past the 150 million dollar mark, they became the most expensive runner-up of all-time. The Yankees got away from what made them great, solid pitching and defense, and timely hitting. Of course, the spending has increased, and the 2004 edition of the “evil empire” is rolling through the regular season, but many experts predict their fate will be the same come October.

Since 2000, teams like the Marlins, Angels, Diamondbacks, Spurs and Pistons have proven that an endless supply of cash does not mean the rest of the respective leagues will lay down for the big-market bullies. At what point do the afore mentioned teams take notice? The United States Mens Basketball team serves as the perfect example that a team assembled of All-Stars entitles you to nothing.  Big-league cities across the country have had to sit by and watch their squad rebuild with young talent and seasoned veterans and a reasonable price, New York will never be that way again. In a city that refuses to settle for second place, hopefully they will be able to stomach worse, because as long as the sickness is spreading, the disease will bury them alive.