Glimmer of Hope

Let’s face it, Bay Area sports have been dismal for the last few years, and we are craving a winning tradition in this town. The question is where do we find this beacon of hope amongst what is becoming a sickening trend of losing and mediocrity?

Lets begin with football, the once proudest NFL franchise has been reduced to journeymen quarterbacks, coaches who drop their pants at half time to prove a point no one seems to understand, and an upper management in disarray. The 49ers appear to have lost their identity. They appear closer to moving to L.A. then producing a winning football team. Let me be the first to thank John and Denise York for what they have produced.

The Raiders have the punch line of any joke in Al Davis continuing to run the show in Oak Town. The daily circus appears to get worse every year, although the black jump suit attire seems to stay a constant. Oh, and by the way, this past weekend the greatness that is the Raiders managed to put up -2 yards of net offense after the first half against the Atlanta Falcons … -2 yards … Falcons … hmm greatness reincarnated.

This past season, baseball was hard to watch. The A’s playing money ball managed to trade away most, if not all, notable players for, you guessed it, prospects. We all know Billy Beane is a genius at recognizing talent and working on a budget, but you have to ask yourself will that strategy ever get you past the ALCS? Not yet.

The Giants rolled out the season with overpaid and under producing veterans (see Barry Zito). Everyone expected the Giants to be cellar dwellers for this past season. So on those terms they did not disappoint. It is notable that by the end of the season some of the young players brought up may have proved themselves to be quality major league players (see Pablo Sandoval). But should we call them contenders? Lets at least wait until they can sustain some success for an entire season.

Onto the NBA and your Golden State Warriors. They had the unbelievable and captivating “We Believe” run into the playoffs a couple years back. However, that feels decades ago and they appear no closer to contending for a playoff spot in the ferocious western conference. And now with Monta Ellis out for the first few months, falling victim to a moped ... and Baron Davis moving on to LA LA land, it appears that the Warriors will not be believing in anything basketball related during playoff time.

As we look around the Bay Area, desperate for a quality team to get behind and support, you must look no further than San Jose. Your San Jose Sharks are beasts on the ice. And it starts with upper management, that is the one thing that separates the Sharks from any other team in the area, well that and talent. Doug Wilson (Sharks GM) has built a winner. Along with key additions on the ice, he hired a proven winner in head coach Todd McLellan. Not only are the sharks 10-2 this season but they are winning convincingly, with an impressive win against McLellan’s former team, Stanly Cup winner the Detroit Red Wings. The Sharks appear to have a recipe for success, however the next step is a difficult one. Playoffs appear to be a constant in San Jose, however getting past that dreaded second round has evaded them. McLellen appears to have them on the right track thus far, the biggest question for the Sharks is will they still be alive in May and June competing for the Cup?

Looking for hope here in the Bay is tough right now, but the Sharks have given it to us. Lets hop on that band wagon now, and hope we get a bailout package for the rest of our franchises. Although I am not sure $700 billion would cover it. –Richard K