At last weeks MLB All-Star game, Houston Astros ace Gerrit Cole called out 50 percent of Major League for purposely losing. But do teams intend to tank, and is it negative for professional sports? No doubt some organizations take it upon themselves to not put the best product on the field. Who are they to blame, losing in the present is better than seasons of mediocrity.
The Atlanta Braves currently sit atop the NL East, and only a few years ago were on the pathway to being average. In 2014, the Braves collected their first losing season since 2008 and third since 1990 with a 79-83 record, prompting Atlanta to trade its stars. Atlanta dealt Gold Glove Award winner Jason Heyward to St. Louis, and Justin Upton, Craig Kimbrell, and Melvin Upton Jr. to San Diego prior to the 2015 season. And before the 2016 season, the Braves traded away Andrelton Simmons to the City of Angels. The only star Atlanta kept was Freddie Freeman to lead Atlanta into its new age.
The next three seasons (2015-2017) saw Atlanta go a combined 207-278. Fast forward to 2018, and the Braves finished first in the NL East with a 90-72 record. Atlanta ultimately fell in the NLDS against NL pennant winners of the last two years, the Los Angeles Dodgers. But in the end, it seemed the tanking turned out for the best.
Tanking mostly impacts the fans. Yes, fans hate losing, but the losses are worth it if success presents itself in the future. Look at the Cleveland Browns. The Browns havent made the playoffs in the NFL since 2002, and the fans endured heartbreak after heartbreak. This tanking process for Cleveland has taken over a decade, and falls on the shoulders of poor management in the front office.
A lot of where Cleveland has gone wrong is in the draft. Just look at Trent Richardson and Bradon Weeden, both selected in the first round in 2014. Neither Weeden or Richardson play in the NFL at the moment. The Browns havent been able to get their quarterback situation figured out either. Some hoped Johnny Manziel aka Johnny Football was the answer, but he was unable to keep himself out of headlines for all the wrong reasons. But after years of patience and tanking, the Browns now have optimism. Baker Mayfield leads the way under center, and Cleveland has arguably one of the best receiving corps in the league with Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckam Jr. After over a decade of disappointment, Cleveland is now a city of hope, and an attractive destination for other NFL stars.
Yes, tanking is frustrating, and it makes sense why athletes on winning teams get frustrated playing against poorer competition. But in the end, it is the only viable solution for teams to put themselves in contention for the future, even if it takes a while. Everyone hates losing and loves winning, but mediocrity is the worst solution and the toughest place to climb out of.
