Rank 'em: Favourite Rosters

In my last post, I alluded to certain iterations of a team holding a special place in my heart. And so, I decided that I would rank where each single-season roster sat. First off, each franchise can only have one entrant: so you know that one version of the championship Jays are being excluded. Controversial!

#4: 2010-11 Vancouver Canucks
Special mentions: Ryan Kesler, Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin
It's funny, isn't it, how this team could have possibly contended for #1, but because of the way they flamed out in the end, they fall short of the podium. The roller coaster ride that was the Canucks' 10-11 season saw some dizzying highs, and frankly, we felt unstoppable. The Sedins. Kesler. Roberto Luongo in the net. We had all of the weapons firing, and had our fingers wrapped tightly around the throat of the NHL. What happened in the Stanley Cup Finals is a testament to the power of a matchup. To be fair, the Bruins clearly outplayed the Canucks in the series. Vancouver's three wins were 1-0, 3-2 in OT and 1-0. Their losses? Try 1-8, 0-4, 2-5 and an 0-4 dismantling in the decider. It was so bizarre, after they claimed the first two games, I thought they were destined for the championship. After game six, however, I knew that Boston had this one in the bag. The Canucks, quite simply, were bullied by the Boston Bruins. It was like a fight between a cruiserweight and the biggest, baddest heavyweight champion in town - the lighter guy gets in the first few jabs, but after the behemoth has figured them out, they deliver the killing blow. The result; one of the most disappointing endings to a season I've ever experienced, and a riot that made me fear for the safety of my cousin. So you'll have to excuse me, if you please, if I don't quite sing the praises of this team as loudly as I once did.

#3: 1999-00 Toronto Raptors
Special mentions: Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, Muggsy Bogues
Yes, I'm well aware that the most successful season in Raptor history would not come until the following season, where Toronto qualified for the second round of the playoffs, duelled with Allen Iverson and the 76ers, and came one Vince Carter corner jumper away from glory. However, this is based on the roster, not necessarily on results. And to be fair, the '99 Raptors were the first time the young franchise would get to the playoffs, so they had their own achievements to be proud of. Ultimately, the reason I went with '99 is because of two of the guys I listed up top. McGrady could have (and should have) been one of the greatest players in Raptors history, and Muggsy Bogues is one of my favourite players of all time. Throw in Doug Christie for good measure, and they're my definitive Raptors roster. This is despite the fact that I loves me some Morris Peterson. Though it has to be said, this season's edition of the Raptors have certainly found a place in my heart, ranging from the high-flying antics of Terrence Ross to the bullish determination of Kyle Lowry... Stay tuned.

#2: 2003 Tennessee Titans
Special mentions: Steve McNair, Eddie George, Keith Bulluck
If you've been paying attention to my yearly Tony's Titans entries, you'd know that the '03 Titans' roster reads as a 'who's who' of the top spots in nearly every position. Mac, Eddie, Bulluck, Hentrich, Bennett... Not to mention the final season in Nashville for Jevon Kearse in his prime. Frankly, you could pick practically any Titans' roster from the early 2000s and I would love it. The '00 edition would almost, almost be the top dogs, with guys like Randall Godfrey, Blaine Bishop, Marcus Robertson and the immortal Bruce Matthews, but '03 was the year that McNair claimed co-MVP honours, Gary Anderson was the kicker, and Drew Bennett was on the roster. Simply put, I loved that season. It could have been everything, but like all of the rest, it ended in disappointment, and was the last season of joy before the darkness that was soon to come...

#1: 1993 Toronto Blue Jays
Special mentions: Joe Carter, Roberto Alomar, Rickey Henderson
Indeed, an anticlimactic end to this entry, by defaulting to one of the most dominant, glorious, and epic baseball teams of all time. You could flip a coin on whether I would have gone with the '92 or '93 Blue Jays, and either way, they would have held the top spot. But I didn't have the time to sift through the annals that thoroughly, so obviously my decision to opt for the second title had to come down to the minor differences present. Firstly, the major acquisitions: Paul Molitor, who had dreamed of winning the World Series all throughout his storied career, and won the Series' MVP title. They wanted to win it for him, and the image of him embracing Cito Gaston, the man who had made it all come true, is wonderful. Rickey Henderson, the lightning-fast baserunner that made our already great team even greater. Being able to pick up a piece for a championship run is something I don't ever really get to experience, so it was exciting to acquire one of the all-time greats. And finally, the finish. Joe Carter rounding the bases, leaping to the air like gravity was having an off day, winning the whole shebang in Toronto and becoming back to back champions. That is the true cream of sports fandom, right there. How I'd love to see it again someday...