Seattle, WA

Franchises fans miss: Revisiting defunct teams on the anniversary of the Seattle SuperSonics sale

Published

2 years ago

July 18, 2022

Franchises fans miss: Revisiting defunct teams on the anniversary of the Seattle SuperSonics sale

Breakups are robust, significantly within the sports activities world.

Typically followers get fortunate and groups relocate throughout the identical metropolitan space to assist easy the transition, à la the Nets shifting from New Jersey to Brooklyn. Different instances followers aren’t as lucky, comparable to when the Warriors moved from Philadelphia to California.

Strikes can occur for a wide range of causes, starting from efficiency within the subject of play to irreconcilable variations between the staff and native leaders, however the feeling stings the identical, whatever the purpose.

On July 18, 2006, probably the most infamous strikes in sports activities historical past was made official when the Seattle SuperSonics have been offered to an Oklahoma Metropolis possession group, and the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder have been born.

Years later, former proprietor Howard Schultz expressed regret concerning the sale.

“Promoting the Sonics as I did is likely one of the largest regrets of my skilled life. I ought to have been keen to lose cash till an area purchaser emerged,” Schultz stated in 2019.

Regardless of calls from NBA followers close to and much, together with NBA champion Klay Thompson, an NBA squad nonetheless has not returned to Seattle almost 20 years later.

Followers throughout skilled sports activities can relate to the eager for a franchise that moved on to greener (or typically lesser) pastures.

NFL — Baltimore Colts

Notable gamers: Raymond Berry, Gino Marchetti, Y.A. Tittle, Johnny Unitas
Yr folded: 1984
Rebranded as: Indianapolis Colts

The Colts operated as an All-America Soccer Convention (AAFC) squad for 3 seasons earlier than becoming a member of the NFL. Baltimore’s stint was short-lived and the staff posted a 1-11 document in its solely yr. Its one-season roster included three Professional Soccer Corridor of Famers.

The franchise then operated because the Dallas Texans for 2 seasons, nevertheless it did not take lengthy for soccer to return to Appeal Metropolis because the second iteration of the Colts arrived in 1953.

Baltimore gained its first NFL championship in 1958 with Johnny Unitas on the helm in “The Best Sport Ever Performed.” The squad made six extra playoff appearances, together with a 1970 Tremendous Bowl victory, within the Unitas period, which led to 1972.

Over the following decade the Colts largely struggled to achieve the identical degree of success. In 1983, John Elway famously refused to hitch the Colts and demanded a commerce when the staff chosen him with the highest choose.

The staff recorded six consecutive dropping seasons in its final years in Baltimore and attendance tremendously suffered earlier than the Colts departed for Indianapolis.

NFL soccer returned to the town in 1996 when the Baltimore Ravens arrived.

WNBA — Houston Comets

Notable gamers: Cynthia Cooper, Kim Perrot, Daybreak Staley, Sheryl Swoopes, Tina Thompson

Yr folded: 2008

The Comets have been one of many authentic eight WNBA groups and the league’s first dynasty, successful the primary 4 championships of the league’s existence from 1997 to 2000. The staff was initially owned by Leslie Alexander, who additionally owned the NBA’s Houston Rockets from 1993 till 2017. In January 2007, Alexander offered the staff to Houston businessman Hilton Koch, however staff management was handed to the WNBA shortly thereafter.

The staff in the end folded as a result of new homeowners could not be discovered.

Houston’s dissolution was met with nice criticism from gamers and followers.

“It was a really huge misjudgment on the league’s behalf, within the sense that I simply do not assume that they actually do enterprise correctly and did not worth what that franchise brings,” Tina Thompson stated in 2016.

NHL — Hartford Whalers

Notable gamers: Sean Burke, Ron Francis, Gordie Howe, Mike Liut,
Relocation yr: 1997
Rebranded as: Carolina Hurricanes

Initially often known as the World Hockey Affiliation’s (WHA) New England Whalers, the franchise was admitted to the NHL in 1979 when the leagues merged. The staff was based mostly roughly 100 miles from the regional rival Boston Bruins, which prompted the identify change.

Regardless of the staff’s nice success within the WHA, it took seven seasons earlier than Hartford made the Stanley Cup playoffs for the primary time. In 1986, the Whalers swept a well-recognized foe, the Quebec Nordiques (presently often known as the Colorado Avalanche), for his or her solely playoff sequence win in Hartford.

The franchise departed for a bunch of causes, together with attendance and failed negotiations for a brand new area, however its iconic emblem and catchy “Brass Bonanza” struggle track are among the many relics which have followers hooked even many years after the staff’s departure from the area.

The Hurricanes have honored the franchise’s roots with an annual “Whalers night time” for the reason that 2018-19 season.

MLB — Montreal Expos

Notable gamers: Gary Carter, Andre Dawson, Vladimir Guerrero, Tim Raines
Relocation yr: 2004
Rebranded as: Washington Nationals

The primary MLB staff outdoors of the USA was based in 1969 when the league added two growth franchises in every convention. The Expos struggled to supply early of their existence, recording 10 consecutive dropping seasons and posting one playoff look within the strike-shortened 1981 season.

Then-commissioner Bud Selig introduced that MLB would remove two groups in 2001, concentrating on the Expos. The Expos operated as an MLB-owned staff for 2 years, till a brand new possession (and site) was discovered.

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Seattle, WA

Surging Pride seek 1st victory in Seattle

Published

23 mins ago

May 18, 2024

Press Room

Surging Pride seek 1st victory in Seattle

By Kyle Foley

Orlando Sentinel Correspondent

The Orlando Pride will be out in Seattle on Sunday looking to make it 10 games in a row undefeated, including a six-game winning streak.

Vying for the top spot in the NWSL, the Pride (6-0-3, 21 points) will take on the Seattle Reign FC (2-6-1, 7 points) at Lumen Field (Bally Sports Florida, 6).

The Pride have a 2-7-7 record against the Reign and have never won in Seattle.

“I think Seattle’s a really good team. We respect them a lot,” Pride midfielder Morgan Gautrat said. “For us, obviously, we’ve been in a good run and we’re on a roll and I feel like for us, we’re in a confident space and I think we’re just looking to go cross country and get three points.”

While Barbra Banda and the Orlando attack have rightfully been the center of attention for the Pride, it has been their defense that has been most impressive. Orlando has allowed just seven goals all season, the second-fewest in NWSL, despite struggling with injuries.

Head coach Seb Hines said he believes that such success is the product of squad depth and the ability of players to fill in holes whenever they are called upon.

“We can rely on anyone who has to go in and do a job in those positions,” Hines said. “So it’s made easier for me because our principles, our culture has been terrific and they do whatever it takes to get the three points at the end of the game.”

Up next

Pride at Seattle

When: Sunday at Lumen Field, 6

TV: Bally Sports Florida

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Seattle, WA

Seattle Mariners at Baltimore Orioles odds, picks and predictions

Published

7 hours ago

May 18, 2024

Press Room

Seattle Mariners at Baltimore Orioles odds, picks and predictions

The Baltimore Orioles (28-14) welcome the Seattle Mariners (24-21) to Oriole Park at Camden Yards for the 2nd game of their 3-game series. First pitch is set for 4:05 p.m. ET (FS1). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Mariners vs. Orioles odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Orioles lead 1-0

The Mariners lost to the Orioles to open the series 9-2 Friday, failing to cover as run-line underdogs. They closed +117 on the moneyline. Seattle has won 3 of its last 5 games yet is just 6-8 over its last 14. The Mariners have struggled offensively, scoring just 2 runs in 2 of their last 3 games.

The Orioles have won 2 straight and 5 of their last 7. However, they are just 1-4 against the spread (ATS) in their last 5 games (23-19 ATS on the season). Baltimore is the 7th-best home team in MLB with a 16-9 record.

Mariners at Orioles projected starters

RHP Luis Castillo vs. TBD

Castillo (4-5, 3.31 ERA) makes his 10th start. He has a 1.12 WHIP, 1.8 BB/9 and 10.6 K/9 through 54 1/3 IP.

Last start: Win, 6 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 0 BB, 8 K in an 8-4 home win over the Oakland A’s Friday
Career vs. Orioles: 1-0, 1.50 ERA (6 IP, 1 ER), 2 H, 2 BB, 8 K in 1 start
2024 road splits: 2-2, 2.92 ERA (24 2/3 IP, 8 ER), 2 HR, .189 opponent batting average (OBA) in 4 starts

While the Orioles have yet to announce a starter, 30-year-old Cole Irvin seems on deck and could’ve started Friday. It was noted he didn’t start due to injury, so he’s a likely option for Baltimore.

Irvin 2024 home stats: 2-1, 3.22 ERA (22 1/3 IP, 8 ER), 1.12 WHIP in 4 starts

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Mariners at Orioles odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:45 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Mariners -106 (bet $106 to win $100) | Orioles -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Mariners -1.5 (+158) | Orioles +1.5 (-192)
Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Mariners at Orioles picks and predictions

Prediction

Marines 5, Orioles 3

Moneyline

BET MARINERS (-106).

Castillo struggled to start the season, but he has been on fire over the last month. He has pitched 32 2/3 innings and has 6 ER. During that span, in his starts, the Mariners have road wins over the Rockies and Rangers and home wins over the Braves and A’s. Seattle is 4-1 over his last 5 starts.

It has also scored at least 4 runs in 3 of its last 5, so it has sustained some success offensively. The Orioles blasted the Mariners in the first game and are 16-11 after a win. Seattle is 13-7 after a loss. Considering those trends and Seattle’s pitching edge, take MARINERS (-106).

Run line/Against the spread

PASS.

There’s no value here. The Mariners are too risky as run-line favorites, while the Orioles are far too expensive as run-line underdogs. Ultimately, the moneyline has the only team-specific value here.

Over/Under

LEAN OVER 7.5 (-110).

Both teams have had success on the Over as of late. The Mariners are 8-2 O/U in their last 10 games and have scored at least 6 runs in 4 of those.

The Orioles have tallied at least 7 in 3 of their last 9 and are 5-4 O/U in that span. Baltimore is 21-17-3 O/U on the season. The recent trends point to the Over, so back OVER 7.5 (-110).

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Seattle, WA

Seattle Storm fall in 2nd OT as Napheesa Collier's 29 points give Lynx 102-93 win

Published

14 hours ago

May 18, 2024

Press Room

Seattle Storm fall in 2nd OT as Napheesa Collier's 29 points give Lynx 102-93 win

article

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) controls the ball against Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd (24) during a WNBA basketball game, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Seattle. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images)

MINNEAPOLIS – Napheesa Collier had 29 points, nine rebounds, five assists and six steals, Kayla McBride added 19 points and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Seattle Storm 102-93 in double overtime on Friday night.

Minnesota led 78-67 with 3:22 left in regulation before Seattle scored the next 11 points.

McBride missed two free throws with 24.1 seconds left in regulation and she fouled Jewell Loyd on a 3-point attempt at the other end. Loyd made all three free throws to tie it at 78-all. Courtney Williams missed a baseline jumper for Minnesota and Loyd was off on a jumper at the other end to send it to overtime.

Collier made the first of two free throws to tie it at 88-all with 2.7 seconds left in the first overtime. But she missed the second free throw and Seattle was unable to get a shot off before the buzzer.

Collier and McBride each made a 3-pointer on back-to-back possessions to start the second overtime to put Minnesota ahead 94-88. Alanna Smith made Minnesota’s 13th 3-pointer with 1:25 left to seal it.

The teams combined for 52 turnovers, 38 steals, and 54 free-throw attempts.

Smith finished with 16 points and six blocks and Williams added 10 points for Minnesota (2-0), which was coming off an 83-70 win at Seattle on Tuesday.

Nneka Ogwumike had 24 points, 11 rebounds and five steals for Seattle (0-2). Skylar Diggins-Smith added 22 points and Loyd finished with 20 before fouling out with 59.2 seconds left in the first overtime.

Ogwumike scored the opening points of the first overtime to give Seattle its first lead since it was 4-2.

Loyd struggled again from the field, combining to go 7 for 40 in two games.