Movin’ On Up

Good Afternoon, KB Faithful.  I am sorry that I have been pretty worthless the past few weeks, but I have a good reason this time… Chip Adcock is movin’ on up in the world.  As of today, I am no longer a member of the Knoxville community but a citizen of Dalton, Georgia.  For those of you that have never had the pleasure of visiting Dalton, it is better known as “The Carpet Capital of the World.”

In honor of accepting my first Big Boy Job causing this relocation, I figured I would share some of the greatest franchise relocations in sports (in my own opinion, of course).

Best NBA Relocation:

Los Angeles Lakers

This was easily one of the smartest relocations in sports history.  Although the Lakers were the most dominant franchise of the time (5 championships in their first 7 seasons), they started to decline in the late 1950s.  Their owner moved the franchise to LA and became the first franchise on the West Coast. Since then, they have become the most famous basketball franchise in the US and made some pretty good moves on draft day… Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain,  Magic Johnson, and Kobe.  Let’s just say they have had a pretty good run. (Except for the whole keeping the “Lakers” name thing. I’m no geography expert, but I’m pretty positive that there are NO lakes in Los Angeles.)

Best MLB Relocations:

NY Yankees and Atlanta Braves

The Baltimore Orioles were one of the eight charter teams in the original American League.  After a few losing seasons and low attendance, their owner shipped them to the largest cities in the US.  Since then, they changed their name to the Yankees, won a few games, and spent billions of dollars.  The rest is history.

The Boston Red Stockings were of the charter teams in the original National League.  During their tenure in Boston they changed their name 8 different times (take that P. Diddy!), finally settling on the Boston Braves.  In 1953, they decided to keep the same name, but relocated to one of America’s hot spots of the time… Milwaukee?!?  Obviously, the time in Milwaukee didn’t last long and they relocated to Atlanta.  Since then, they have become one of the MLB’s favorite franchises and called “The Team of the South.” Oh yeah, they also had Hank Aaron and Chipper Jones… the best named player ever.

Best NFL Relocation:

Tennessee Titans

I may be a little biased, but this probably was the best franchise move.  The Houston Oilers were one of the original AFL teams, but continuously had low attendance and few fans in their hometown for the latter portion of their time there.  Their owner, Bud Adams, decided to get out of “Cowboy Country” and brought Tennessee its first professional football franchise too.  Since then, the Titans have become the NFL’s rollercoaster, going from good to great to bad to good.  Who knows, maybe they will ride the Chris Johnson Train all the way to the Super Bowl. Or at least to the playoffs?

I was going to mention the NHL, but I think that my move to Dalton is more historic than anything that has ever happened in that league.  Well, that is all I have more now.  Wish me luck in my new job and if you ever need a job… come on down to the Carpet Capital of the World.