[birtelcom]

When was the last time neither of the two metro areas represented in the Super Bowl had a major league baseball franchise at the time of the game?

I believe it was 1992, Buffalo vs. Washington.

Before that there was:
1988: Denver vs. Washington
1983 and 1973: Miami vs. Washington


The first Super Bowl was played in January of 1967 between Green Bay (no MLB team) and Kansas City. The A's final season in Kansas City was 1967, so at the time of the first Super Bowl, KC did have an MLB franchise. The second Super Bowl was played in January of 1968 between Green Bay and Oakland. The AL voted to allow the move of the A's from Kansas City to Oakland right after the end of the 1967 baseball season, so Oakland had an MLB franchise by the time the second Super Bowl was played in 1968.

So until 2010, the only Super Bowls I have found that pitted two non-MLB metropolises had Washington representing the NFC (while the AFC was represented respectively by Buffalo, Denver before the Rockies, and twice by Miami before the Marlins). Of course, Washington has been an MLB franchise location for most of the past 110 years (all except the period 1972-2004). Contrast this year's Super Bowl cities: New Orleans has never had a major league baseball franchise and Indianapolis has not had a major league baseball team since the NL's St. Louis Maroons moved there for the 1887 season and played three seasons in the NL as the Indianapolis Hoosiers until the franchise folded after the 1889 season. The 2010 Super Bowl is thus unique in the degree of its two participant home cities' dearth of MLB franchise history.

[goldglv17]

As always a fountain of information, birt. I promise not to properly credit you with this fact when I recite it at my SB party this afternoon

[ZachTavlin]

Bets I'm taking for today's game:

New Orleans Saints +160: In a pick'em I would probably go with the Colts, but these lines are far too generous. One of the most evenly matched title games will come down to scheme and luck.

Total points UNDER 57: It's a high number. The Super Bowl rarely gets this high, and while we're talking about two of the best offenses in the game, both teams will be running the ball a lot and playing fewer possessions than average.

MVP Pierre Garcon (10/1): If Jabari Greer stays on his side we might see these two match up, which would be a bad thing. I'm betting they'll move him around to match up with Wayne and provide cover for the defense's weakness in the seams/flats by locking down the deep threat (Wayne).

MVP Pierre Thomas (10/1): Other than the novelty of betting on two Pierre's, New Orleans will run the ball more than expected. They may call a lot of passing plays on second-and-short, but that won't prevent Thomas from scoring a few touchdowns and busting a big run or two up the middle (where the Colts D-Line is weakest).

Will either team score three unanswered times? No (+130): This is a lock.

The longest touchdown scored will be UNDER 51.5 yards (-110): This number is way too high, so it's a good bet despite the underwhelming odds.

Peyton Manning's total completions UNDER 25.5 (+110): I love Manning, and if the Colts lose he'll probably reach this, but the Saints' run defense is horrible.

Peyton Manning's total passing attempts UNDER 37.5 (+105): One follows the other.

Drew Brees's total completions UNDER 24.5 (+130): Great odds. The lines are overrating the quarterbacks' in this game. However, this one is more problematic for me, since the weakness in the Colts' intermediate zones could be exploited by Trip Sets and Colston all day long. I'm betting the Colts adjust just enough.

Drew Brees's total passing attempts UNDER 35.5 (+120): Pierre Thomas baby.

Reggie Bush's total receiving yards UNDER 34.4 (+110): Bush just isn't that good, and I foresee a lesser role for him in all facets of this game besides punt returns.

What will happen with the stock market the day after Super Bowl XLIV? Indianapolis Colts win, market down (19/10): I'm hedging a little bit here, but it seems like the most likely scenario.

What color will the Gatorade be that is dumped on the Head Coach of the winning Super Bowl Team? Lime Green (8/1): This is a great bet. Now, if the Colts win you might think they'd dump Blue Gatorade, but who knows what they have and what they'll actually be drinking? Lime Green is a classic flavor that has to be on both sidelines somewhere. That it isn't the favorite means the odds are especially strong.

Which Super Bowl commercial will have a higher rating on USA Today's annual Ad Meter? Other (11/4): Anheuser-Busch is the favorite, and rightly so, but I foresee an ad coming out of nowhere this year. This is based on absolutely nothing.

How many times will Pete Townshend do his legendary windmill move? UNDER 5.5 (+145): Six is a big number, and it has to be a 360 degree revolution and be shown on TV to count.

How long will it take Carrie Underwood to sing the National Anthem? OVER 1 minute 42 seconds (+135): Sad but probably true.

[goldglv17]

Too good ZT. Some others I like:

Last score of 1st half: TD or Any other score +140

I can see either QB getting the ball back w/ 40 seconds on the clock and getting into FG range.

1st turnover of the game will be Int or fumble +120

Reggie Bush is playing, correct?

Will the Saints record a 1st half rushing TD? Yes +120

I'm with you on Pierre.

Will Colts score in all 4 quarters? Yes +110

I would say multiple times.

Largest Lead Over 16.5 (+140)

I think the Colts win this in a blowout.

[Doc]

What is this Super Bowl thing you speak of? I thought it was canceled if there wasn't a New York or Boston team involved. Or am I thinking of something else?

[birtelcom]

Doc, on 07 February 2010 - 12:27 PM, said:

What is this Super Bowl thing you speak of? I thought it was canceled if there wasn't a New York or Boston team involved. Or am I thinking of something else?

Personally, I'm looking forward toward World Series CVI in un-domed, cold-weather Citi Field.

[birtelcom]

goldglv17, on 07 February 2010 - 10:56 AM, said:

As always a fountain of information, birt. I promise not to properly credit you with this fact when I recite it at my SB party this afternoon

Fine by me, but I wouldn't advise reciting it as Shockey catches the winning touchdown with three seconds left in the game.

[Doc]

And this my SABR friends is why they play the games. Eli gets to keep the Manning trophy for another year.

[gak29]

WOOOT!!! N'AWLEANS!!!

God, I hope LSU accepts me....