Bay Area fans have got it made
Who’s got it better than us? We borrow that Harbaugh family favorite to address the matter of regional dominance in sports — the fact that the 49ers could follow up the Giants’ World Series title with an NFL championship.
This isn’t a terribly unusual development in those two sports. In the pre-Super Bowl days, it happened in Detroit (1935 Tigers and Lions) and twice in New York (the Yankees and football Giants in 1938 and ’56). Setting aside the post-New Year’s timing of the Super Bowl, dual-championship seasons were accomplished in Baltimore (1970 Orioles and Colts), Pittsburgh (1979 Pirates and Steelers), New York (1986 Mets and Giants), the Bay Area (1989 A’s and 49ers) and Boston (2004 Red Sox and Patriots).
Think about that narrow window, though, covering roughly a half-year from the NBA/NHL playoffs through the Super Bowl. The Bay Area could include this year’s A’s, plus the Sharks making the first round of the playoffs. But the all-time greatest stretch by a region? Philadelphia, hands down. The 76ers went to the 1980 NBA Finals before losing to the Lakers in six. The Flyers reached the Stanley Cup Finals, falling to the New York Islanders. The Phillies won it all, knocking off the Kansas City Royals. And the Eagles went to the Super Bowl, taking a 27-10 loss to the Raiders.
Maybe it didn’t always end well, but 4-for-4 in reaching the championship round? Philly’s run stands alone.
Brass tacks
Attitude is a tricky proposition in baseball. It’s tolerable to a point (“that cocky son of a gun sure comes through when it counts”), but the Giants have won two of the last three titles without anyone disrupting their admirable, all-for-one spirit. You wonder if Arizona GM Kevin Towers is a bit envious of Brian Sabean’s club in that way. Towers traded Trevor Bauer, a fabulously talented but self-obsessed pitcher who had gotten on his teammates’ nerves, before really learning what he could do in the big leagues. Now he has unloaded a potential MVP, Justin Upton, to Atlanta for a solid third baseman ( Martin Prado) and little else. Upton is a decent guy who often lends the impression (accurate or not) of going through the motions, and that irritated manager Kirk Gibson and a no-nonsense coaching staff including Alan Trammell, Matt Williams and Don Baylor. Add the trade of powerhitting Chris Young to the A’s for shortstop Cliff Pennington, and you wonder if the D-Backs have gone a bit too far in the “grinder” category … The Braves are overjoyed to have Upton and his brother, B.J. Upton, joining Jason Heyward in the outfield. The Giants figure they have a lot less to fear. The A’s could get plenty out of Young, and they’re relieved Justin Upton didn’t go to Texas, as rumored. And in right field for Arizona? Cody Ross. The hot stove burns on.
So many great stories about the late Stan Musial (and if he’s not on your 25-man all-time team, think twice). One in particular: He was known as “The Man,” from a chant originating from the stands. But those weren’t St. Louis fans. It started in Brooklyn, where Musial was such a terror at Ebbets Field. That’s respect … There’s a decent case to be made for Brian Wilson hooking up with the A’s, but from here, his best bet still looks like Detroit … Hunter Pence would have preferred a long-term deal, because he loves it here, but one year is perfect. He’ll have something to prove, he’ll be an asset in countless ways, and the Giants will be lucky to have him … Nice “private team meeting” the Lakers had after their latest disgraceful loss. Within minutes, details were emerging on the social networks … Interesting: Appearing on Wednesday’s “Chronicle Live,” longtime marketing whiz Andy Dolich predicted that the Kings will stay in Sacramento, due to Kevin Johnson’s diligence, and not move to Seattle … Does anyone care about the new professional league for women’s soccer? For those still reading, how about Alex Morgan and the great Canadian striker, Christine Sinclair, both winding up with the Portland franchise? … Go ahead with your earnest debates about Manti Te’o and one of the real junk stories of any year. I jumped off the train at “Internet girlfriend.” … We saw the last of Fox in the NFL postseason last Sunday, and thank goodness. I’m betting Joe Buck still hasn’t gotten over having to promote the “Yippee-Ki-Yay postgame show.” Y’all come back now, heah?