11/21/24
July 28, 2010
The Most-Hated Teams of All-Time: and part 2. Pretty US-centric, but some fond memories all the same.
1991-92 Duke basketball
Yes, yes, and more yes. To this day, I passionately hate Grant Hill. I don't care if he is a good guy. In fact, I don't even believe it. They were such an awful and arrogant team. Their players were always jawing and pointing at the opposing fans.
1993 Notre Dame football
A bigger collection of whiners has never existed. They thought they should win the national championship despite blowing their last game. Further, Notre Dame didn't do a home and away game series with FSU. They insisted that FSU's home game be elsewhere in Florida (Orlando) not at FSU's stadium.
posted by bperk at 03:14 PM on July 28, 2010
I would have added Nebraska's 1994 championship season in there as well. What boring football and then you had Lawrence Phillips assaulting his girlfriend, dragging her down some stairs, kind of being suspended and then still starting the Fiesta Bowl. Yeah, they are on my list.
As a Canadian, I have to include the 1986 World Junior Soviet hockey team. The brawl that cost Canada gold still bugs me.
posted by jc at 03:55 PM on July 28, 2010
Pistons -- Laimbeer and Mahorn; or as Johnny Most called them, "McDirty and McNasty." If you got by Mahorn's hip, Laimbeer would give you an elbow.
Flyers -- SNIFF! I was proud of those bastards! Whatever happened to "old-time hockey?"
Yankees -- I hate any Yankee team, and who cares about the Red Sox?
Maple Leafs -- They were loveable losers (still are), but Tie Domi proved one can come out an insane asylum to play hockey. Opponent's 6-foot-8? That munchkin would still try to kick his ass.
posted by jjzucal at 04:45 PM on July 28, 2010
or as Johnny Most called them, "McDirty and McNasty."
Tut tut, "McFilthy and McNasty". I only remember it so well because there's a bit of him saying it on an old cassette I taped George Carlin's "Occupation: Foole" onto when I was about 11.
posted by yerfatma at 05:27 PM on July 28, 2010
That munchkin would still try to kick his ass.
He's like "Rudy", except with less hair, less teeth, and more punching.
Never a scorer in junior hockey, he was still a 2nd round pick in the 1988 draft (27th overall).
Players picked after him: Mark Recchi, Rob Blake, Tony Amonte, Alexander Mogilny
As a Leaf fan who loved to watch him play, all I can say is FFFFFFUUUUUU.
posted by grum@work at 05:31 PM on July 28, 2010
They're not hated by many outside the sport, but U of Iowa wrestling is deeply hated by practically everyone within it. Their success and sense of entitlement are intolerable to many. Whenever I've spoken with other wrestling fans--especially those from Pennsylvania, for some reason--it's obvious they just can't stand the Hawkeyes. Or their fans. (I'm a big fan ;-)
As for the list, yes, I've hated a lot of those squads. But has there ever been a list of the most loved teams of all time? Who would be on it?
posted by Uncle Toby at 05:46 PM on July 28, 2010
If you got by Mahorn's hip, Laimbeer would give you an elbow
... then Laimbeer would cry like a little girl when tagged with a foul.
They had Dumars and Isiah, but the key was the 3 big lugs who basically beat the snot out of anyone who came near the basket, ball, or the 2 gunners.
Quite an accomplishment none the less, likely the least talented team to ever win an NBA chanpionship.
1991-92 Duke basketball
Nearly as arrogant as the Yankees. Will never forget Laetner stomping on an opponent's chest during a dead ball and getting a free pass from both the official and the NCAA, almost as if The Devils held more power than either organization.
posted by cixelsyd at 06:03 PM on July 28, 2010
2 of the top 3 hated teams were coached by Jimmy Johnson. The author must not like plastic hair.
posted by mjkredliner at 06:08 PM on July 28, 2010
But has there ever been a list of the most loved teams of all time? Who would be on it?
How about Tony Dungy's Colts when they won the Super Bowl? Or the first Red Sox team that won the World Series?
posted by bperk at 06:11 PM on July 28, 2010
Or the first Red Sox team that won the World Series?
Why would the 1903 Red Sox team be particularly lovable ?
posted by tommybiden at 06:14 PM on July 28, 2010
Whaddya got against Cy Young?
posted by yerfatma at 06:36 PM on July 28, 2010
But has there ever been a list of the most loved teams of all time? Who would be on it?
1993 Philadelphia Phillies 1980 US Olympic Hockey Team
posted by DudeDykstra at 06:41 PM on July 28, 2010
Very UScentric. Has to be some contenders from Serie A that would make the top 10, dunno enough to make a pick - was any Juventus squad particularly annoying?
My first thought was that one of the Old Firm would make it in but picking any one season wouldn't really work, unreasoning hatred for Rangers/Celtic has been bred into that population for generations. The Don Revie Leeds teams or 'One-nil to the Arsenal' could probably get a run.
However a little googling turned up this gem: the 1969 Estudiantes team who made the Broad Street Bullies seem amateurish in their intimidation. On an Intercontinental Cup tie with AC Milan:
Following a violent Intercontinental match against Milan, the entire team was arrested on orders from Argentine President Juan Carlos Ongana. In an unprecedented step, goalkeeper Poletti was suspended for life (he was later pardoned) and did time in jail, together with teammates Aguirre Surez and Madero.
I have a hard time imagining how disliked they must have been in Argentina at the time.
posted by deflated at 06:53 PM on July 28, 2010
Bill Laimbeer was a low-post threat, could shoot 3s, and was one of the better rebounders of his time...and he complained about every call that didn't go his way. Call him the first coming of Sheed...
Quite an accomplishment none the less, likely the least talented team to ever win an NBA chanpionship.
I'd argue that they were more talented than the '06 Heat...
But has there ever been a list of the most loved teams of all time?
The Steelers in SB XL...Bettis in his last game, playing in his home town...
posted by MeatSaber at 07:07 PM on July 28, 2010
it's obvious they just can't stand the Hawkeyes
Or maybe they just don't like John Irving.
But has there ever been a list of the most loved teams of all time? Who would be on it?
Tony Dungy's Colts when they won the Super Bowl
Yes! Especially since Tampa Bay fired him after building a team that won a SB with Gruden the next year.
posted by steelergirl at 07:28 PM on July 28, 2010
The Steelers in SB XL...Bettis in his last game, playing in his home town...
I don't think the Steelers would make the most loved list in Seattle (or a few other places). But I did like it.
posted by steelergirl at 07:34 PM on July 28, 2010
There was a bit of a lovefest for this year's Saints, as well. I know they're pretty fresh, but their bandwagon was riding on its axle by the time the Super Bowl ended.
posted by tahoemoj at 07:37 PM on July 28, 2010
Why would the 1903 Red Sox team be particularly lovable ?
Because two of them had endearing turn of the century style moustaches?
posted by Joey Michaels at 07:47 PM on July 28, 2010
I'd put the 1985 Chicago Bears on this list...that damn Super Bowl Shuffle earns them the spot if their egos isn't enough
posted by dviking at 08:37 PM on July 28, 2010
I'd argue that they were more talented than the '06 Heat...
Got me there ....
posted by cixelsyd at 11:23 PM on July 28, 2010
The Steelers in SB XL...Bettis in his last game, playing in his home town...
It would have to be a very long list. Even as a Pats fan, I was happy for Dungy and (to a lesser extent) the Colts. Even as a Notre Dame fan, I'd like to see the Bus under one.
posted by yerfatma at 08:18 AM on July 29, 2010
How about Tony Dungy's Colts when they won the Super Bowl? Or the first Red Sox team that won the World Series?
I hated both of them. But I think every team has at least a few haters.
I bet a couple recent Saints teams could make a case for most loved team, from both this past year and the season they made the playoffs on the heels of Katrina.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 10:35 AM on July 29, 2010
Saints most loved of all!!
posted by jstron at 11:46 AM on July 29, 2010
What, only two exclamation points today? I don't think you made your point very forcefully!!!!
posted by tahoemoj at 12:10 PM on July 29, 2010
Only one Yankees team and no Red Sox teams on the list? Seems incomplete to me