Boston has been the "gold standard" of a sports city this decade as they have more championships in more sports than anywhere else in the land. But, there is a new sheriff coming to town.
Philadelphia is primed to become the next great winner! It's hard to believe that the city with 99 seasons of fruition could grab the champion of champions crown but the planets may finally be aligned in just the right way.
Before delving into the Philly-centric sports future lets look at the Boston Blast of the past decade.
Since 2000 Boston has earned six total championships in three different sports. No other city can claim more than three titles (sorry, Anaheim isn't in Los Angeles despite the ever-changing name of the Angels) and no other city can claim titles in more than two of the major sports.
Boston has been home to a Patriots dynasty in football that has led to three titles (the only repeat titles this decade in the NFL) and an undefeated season. The Pats have bored (let's be honest they only care about 'dem Sox everything else is a yawn) Boston fans to a 102-42 (.708 winning percentage) record this decade and that includes a miserable 5-11 season in 2000.
The Red Sox are the closest thing there has been to a baseball dynasty this decade. They are the only team to win two titles this decade.
The Sox improbable comeback against the hated Yankees in 2004 has been well documented. They were just outs away from being swept out of the playoffs but came back from the 3-0 hole to win the ALCS and continued to the World Series.
They ended the Curse of Babe Ruth and made "The Nation" rejoice.
The Celtics finally added another championship to their already impressive trophy case by winning the NBA championship last season. The C's also seem destined to get close again this season.
Before the Pats won in 2001 Boston had gone 15 years without a champ -- now they seem to win every year.
So how is Philly taking over for our rivals to the north?
The improbable run of the Eagles to the playoffs on Sunday could be the Philly version of coming back from a 3-0 deficit. They even beat their rivals -- just like the Sox did -- by dismantling the Cowboys to get into the playoffs.
The Phillies championship run can be compared to the Sox as well. They carried the hopes and dreams of long-frustrated (Sox fans only here -- they seemed to forget about the Pats) fans to bring home the championship.
Now the Flyers may be primed to become the new Celtics. The Fly guys are led by a trio of hotshots (Mike Richards, Jeff Carter and Simon Gagne) just like the Celtics have Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce.
The Fly guys are a shoo-in to make the postseason and after going all the way to the Eastern Finals last season they may bring home the cup to a championship proud organization just like the Celtics did in '08.
And Philly even can compare the Sixers to how the Bruins have been for years -- an organization far from a title. (The Bruins this year though seem primed to at least make a playoff run.)
Could Philly squeeze out roughly a championship team every year or so? Why not?
The Phillies have most of their core in place and could put up another championship or two in the next few seasons. Heck maybe they will even get the chance to knock off the Red Sox in the process.
The Eagles are on the back end of the careers of Donovan McNabb and Brian Dawkins but otherwise are mostly a young team with a very young (and explosive) defense. They could be a playoff team even while rebuilding -- quite the feat.
So you heard it here first. Just like Ben Franklin left Boston for greener pastures in Philly so will the championship gods.
Enjoy the ride and the gripes of the cost of the parades.
