The State of Local (DC) Sports

By Guest Blogger Rob Yunich:

It’s sometimes difficult to compare the success of teams across different sports. However, I’ve found that the best way to do this is by winning percentage (wins divided by total games; ties are counted as half a win; in hockey, it is earned points divided by possible points).

The starting point for the standings below is 1996, coinciding with the founding of D.C. United and the creation of the Baltimore Ravens. (The list of playoff appearances is for the selected years, but the championships are for the entire history of the franchise.) The records do not reflect any ongoing season (Washington Nationals, Baltimore Orioles, D.C. United and the Washington Mystics) and take into account all of the rule changes and labor strikes by the appropriate leagues. These are regular-season records only.

It also shows that D.C. is not entirely a losing city (although some would argue that the Ravens and Orioles are not D.C.-area teams, but that’s a discussion for another time).

The standings:

1. Baltimore Ravens (128-111-1, .535)
Six playoff appearances (2000, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010)
Division champions (2): 2003 and 2006
Super Bowl championship (1): XXXV (following the 2000 season)
Founded: 1996 (moved from Cleveland after 1995 season)

2. D.C. United (203-180-75, .525)
Nine playoff appearances (1996-1999, 2003-2007)
Conference champions (5): 1997, 1998, 1999, 2006, 2007
MLS Cup Championships (4): 1996, 1997, 1999, and 2004
Founded: 1995 (first season: 1996)

3. Washington Capitals (538-441-83-86, .506)
Eight playoff appearances (1997-98; 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2002-03; 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11)
Division champions (7): 1988-89, 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11
President’s Trophy (1): 2009-2010
Prince of Wales Trophy (1): 1997-98
No Stanley Cups
Founded: 1974

T4. Washington Redskins (109-130-1, .456)
Three playoff appearances (1999, 2005 and 2007)
Division champions (6): 1972, 1983, 1984, 1987, 1991, 1999
NFC champions (5): 1972, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1991
Championships (5): 1937 and 1942 NFL titles; Super Bowls XVII (1982 season), XXII (1987), XXVI (1991)
Founded: 1932

T4. Baltimore Orioles (1,107-1,321, .456)
Two playoff appearances (1996 and 1997)
Division champions (8): 1969-1971, 1973-74, 1979, 1983, 1997
AL pennants (7): 1944, 1966, 1969-71, 1979, 1983
World Series championships (3): 1966, 1970, 1983
Founded: 1954

6. Washington Nationals/Montreal Expos (1,079-1,350, .444)
No playoff appearances
No World Series titles
Founded: 1969

7. Washington Mystics (180-250, .419)
Six playoff appearances (2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2010)
Conference champions (1): 2010
No WNBA titles
Founded: 1998

8. Washington Wizards/Bullets (490-708, .409)
Five playoff appearances (1996-97, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08)
Division champions (7): 1968-69, 1970-71, 1971-72, 1972-73, 1973-74, 1974-1975, 1978-79
NBA finals berths (4): 1970-71, 1974-75, 1977-78, 1978-79
NBA championship (1): 1977-78
Founded: 1961

As you can tell, the Ravens have shown the most success since its move from Cleveland, burying the Redskins by a wide margin. Even though they haven’t had much success lately, D.C. United has managed a respectable winning percentage. And, with their last few winning years, the Caps have pushed their way towards the top.

You can read more of Rob’s work at Storming the Crease!