New York City has become a cesspool of underachieving professional sports teams

Tyler on 05 14, 2009

New York City has been the center of media attention in every facet of American life. It only makes sense that the sports world follows suit in this trend. The New York Knicks and New York Yankees boast the most inflated salaries in their respective leagues, with the Giants only being held back by the NFL’s salary cap. Logically the increase in money would mean a higher level of talent, and therefore increased winning. Despite this fact, these teams tend to run into more frequent and obscure problems than any other franchises (except those who have signed T.O.). This situation is due to the immense shining light shone upon all those who choose to play/coach here.

C.C. Sabathia earned himself a ridiculous contract (7 years, $161 million) after dominating everyone (except the Cubs) last year pitching for the Milwaukee Brewers. His tenure so far in New York has shown more earned runs than strike outs, one win in two decisions (four starts), and a 4.81 earned run average. Has the Big Apple shown its big lights too brightly on this behemoth of an ace? It’s too early to tell but so far the evidence speaks for itself.

Even yesteryear’s MLB golden boy, Alex Rodriguez has befallen his tribulations. After his name being leaked due to his steroid use while playing in Texas, ESPN basically dedicated its network to covering the story. On top of the overplayed steroid issue, Rodriguez was accused of extramarital relations with MADONNA. This story seemed even more Hollywood than even something that New York City could come up with.

After demanding to be traded publicly during the draft in ‘04, Eli Manning left himself at the mercy of the New York Media. This circumstance was followed with what was conceived to be a lackluster career by this highly-touted draft pick. Eli all but openly admitted to the intense pressure of the Big Apple as the cause for his dismal play. The effect of this city also showed through with Eli’s number 1 receiver, Plaxico Burress. Plax shot himself in the leg. Although this was probably more due to the unfortunate and untimely shooting of Sean Taylor, the danger looming around New York City definitely aided the decision of Burress to carry a firearm.

The New York Knicks seem to be more effected as a collective and in the front office. The front office has made more irrational decisions in the past couple years that previously thought possible, picking up underachieving players and paying them grossly too much. These irrational decisions by the front office create a highly pressurized situation for the players, the inability to play to the level of your contract.

New York City delivers the big time glam and big time money that few other places in the world can match. The question is how many professional athletes (or anyone for that matter) can handle this intense, round-the-clock scrutiny. Maybe none have done better than Broadway Joe during the sixties and seventies. Who will be the next star to stand strong and openly take on the New York media successfully? Lebron, perhaps? Until then this fan will watch the city destroy its own sports franchises with complete ignorance as to why it is happening.