A few friends and I have recently debated with each other about whether there are professional sports rivalries in today's game. The debates have gotten mixed opinions and I'm sure the general public is split as well on the topic. Obviously there are pro sports rivalries but the question is, are there any that stand the test of time? Rivalries that year in, year out are legitimate battles and that players on each team circle as must-win games. I think there are very few, if any. Now, there are always those rivalries that come and go such as the Colts-Patriots, Steelers-Raiders or Kings-Lakers but they do not last forever.In college sports there are plenty of rivalries and they are fierce border wars, in-state battles or century old conference matchups that make them must-see games. Players on both teams know it's a must-win game and a loss could mean the season was a failure. It doesn't matter how good Duke or North Carolina is, there games are always going to mean alot to those players, coaches, fans and alumni. It's a hate that has gone on for years and won't stop anytime soon. In pro sports there just isn't that kind of hate that has gone on through several decades, with a few exceptions.
In my mind there are five professional sports rivalries that have stood the test of time and those are the Chicago Bears-Green Bay Packers, St. Louis Cardinals-Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants-Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees-Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Lakers-Boston Celtics. What do four of these have in common? They are divisional games between teams close in proximity. The exception is the Lakers-Celtics. They have a very unique rivalry in the sense that they both have been so good for so long. Dating back to the 50s, they have played each other several times for the NBA title and because of that it is a legitimate rivalry.
The reason professional sports rivalries don't last is because of the players. When the players leave the rivalry dies a little bit. Take the Ravens and Steelers rivalry that has been superb for the last decade-- once Ray Lewis and James Harrison retire or leave their respective organizations those games won't be the same. Those players bring the intensity that the game needs and whoever replaces them just won't understand what that game means. In college it's different because a North Carolina recruit is being told right away that Duke is the villain and that he must lead his team to victory against them. Also, pro sports is a business so players will play where the money is and it doesn't matter if it's with a rival. Johnny Damon is the perfect example. He led the Idiots to a World Series title with the Red Sox but when the money was offered he packed his bags and headed straight for the Bronx. Sure sounds like some good, clean hate right there. Not.I'm not sure professional sports needs the rivalries like college. College sports is driven by those rivalry games but superstars drive the pro games and that's why they are highly successful. Of course each league needs some games that are must-see but they don't necessarily have to be "rivalry games." As long as multiple stars are on the field/court, people will tune in. So which is better? I have a preference for the college sports rivalries because I find them fun to watch, however, I love when rivalries spring up in the pros that have the makings of being a decade-long battle. The Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat have that feel right now and it's exciting and good for the game. If you disagree with my stance on this or have another pro sports rivalry that has burning for many years feel free to comment below.
This was a great read. I would add a couple of professional rivalries that you did not mention, though. You'd have a death wish if you were wearing the away team's apparel if you were going to a Cowboys-Redskins, Raiders-Niners, Raiders-Chiefs, Steelers-Browns, or Bulls-Knicks back in the 90's. All of those, as you said, are in-division and in close proximity excluding Bulls-Knicks (or, Jordan-Ewing), and Niners-Raiders, the Battle of the Bay. Albeit the atmosphere during those games are exponentially stronger, college towns are much more cold and unforgiving toward the opposition than in pro towns. College sports will always have more passion than the pros, as much as I love to watch professional sports.
ReplyDeleteYou're cannot discount the great NHL rivalries either. Red Wings-Blackhawks rivalry dates back to the 1920's and the original 6. They're constantly battling it out, and have played the most regular season games against each other of any 2-team NHL rivalry. And of course the Montreal Canadiens-Boston Bruins rivalry has to be considered amongst the greatest in all sports. They've played each other over 600 times, including many playoff series, eight of which have gone to intense game 7s.
ReplyDeleteAlso, hockey can be considered more of a rivalry based on the sake of rivalry, more similar to college, based on pride and hatred for the other team, as the hockey salaries have traditionally been lower (though this is beginning to change), and they are allowed to fight.
ReplyDeleteYes very true. I don't have a whole lot of knowledge about hockey (been trying to learn more about the game this year) but it definitely has rivalries that are year in, year out wars. Blackhawks-Red Wings is always there and those were great stats about Canadiens-Bruins.
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