The Atlanta Braves and the Indianapolis Colts have been very similar in that they have been the most consistent regular season teams for the longest period of time in both their respective sports. Both of them have only won one championship despite winning at a high level, and making the playoffs ever year for over a decade. There are a lot of people who say their accomplishments don't mean that much since they didn't win multiple championships. Well, I disagree with those people because I think being one of the best for many consecutive years is better than winning a couple championships and then fading out after only a few good years.
The Colts are not my favorite football team but the Braves are my favorite baseball team. I was able to follow them with excitement every season from 1991 to 2005 because I knew they had a shot at winning the World Series. Some people argue that they would prefer the Florida Marlins to the Braves because during that stretch the Marlins won two World Series even though they didn't make the playoffs in any other year. Well if I was a Marlins fan I would've been pretty bored watching a poor team during all those in between years. Sure, it would've been great to watch them win it all, but I would've lost interest during all the losing seasons...it's very hard to keep up with a baseball team that can't win.
Every October during the 14-year run I was excited to root for the Braves in the playoffs. The intensity of the games were great, and the Braves actually won as many games as they lost. Even though they only won the World Series in 1995, their postseason record during their run was 62-62. Considering the level of competition was much greater, that is a pretty good record...not to mention how flukey a game baseball is in the playoffs. So I was happy to accept the Braves having a chance every year, even though they virtually always came up short.
The Colts are the same way, although their run isn't over. Payton Manning has created a tradition of winning since his 2nd year in the league. You always know the Colts are going to make the playoffs, and most of the time they will get a bye. Just the sheer fact they've been able to keep it up this long is incredible with free agency and the salary cap. Think of all the teams that come and go while the Colts stay in the hunt, even the Patriots have fallen out of the playoffs a couple times. Of course the Patriots are better having combined Superbowls and consistent winning just like the Yankees were to the Braves, but don't deny how good the Colts have been.
Bottom line, I'll take steady regular season winning in lieu of an on and off again team that wins a couple championships but can't make the playoffs for another 10 years.
JB
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