Top 5 Denver Pro Sports Disappointments From The Past 12 Months
DENVER (CBS4) - Sports teams disappoint us.
At the end of the year only one team (and its fans) gets to go home happy, while everyone else comes up short. Colorado is fortunate to have so many Denver-based professional sports franchises, but in leagues where there is one winner and 30 or so losers, disappointment is far more common than celebration. The level of disappointment is directly proportional to the level of expectations.
So with that in mind, we rank the top 5 Denver pro sports disappointments from the past 12 months.
1. Denver Broncos
2014 was a Super Bowl or bust season, so a 4th straight AFC West title was no consolation when the Broncos went one and done in the playoffs for the second time in three years. Only one result was going to be acceptable in 2014, and the Broncos came up three wins short.
2. Colorado Avalanche
After surprising everyone and winning their division in 2013-14, expectation was for the Avalanche to take a step forward in the playoffs in 2014-15 (even if they didn't win the Central again). Instead, it looks like the Avs won't even make the playoffs this season.
3. Denver Nuggets
Optimists hoped the Nuggets could at least contend for a playoff spot in the daunting Western Conference, instead a mid-season tailspin saw Denver lose 19 of 21 games, leading to Brian Shaw getting fired. Now the Nuggets are battling for a top draft pick instead of a playoff spot.
4. Colorado Rockies
Unfortunately Rockies losing seasons have become much more common than playoff appearances (none since 2009), and 2014 was no different. The Rockies' start was respectable, but injuries and pitching problems sent Colorado to another 90 loss season.
5. Colorado Rapids
Since winning it all in 2010, the Rapids haven't seriously challenged for another title since. 2014 was low-lighted by failing to win a game during the final 3 months/14 games of the season.
Note: The Denver Outlaws are the bright spot of 2014! They don't belong on a list of disappointments but deserve mention for winning their first MLL title.
Mark Haas is CBS4's weekend sports anchor and sports reporter. Read his bio or follow him on Twitter @markhaastv or on Facebook.
