I admit, I tried to write a fourth option for the poll that begain with the word "Orioles ..." but couldn't find a way to seriously do so.

No, they're not that bad, but they ain't winnin' nothin' in this division!

I hate teams like the Rays.  Teams that consistently and persistently tank and eventually stockpile enough talent to become good.  Everyone starts to cheer for them, thinking "yeah, here's the underdog" or "this is how contenders should really be built."  Completely ignoring how bad it is to be a fan of those teams for a decade or more.  Nothing would infuriate me more than following a team that is persistently bad and never does anything - and the reason I'd hate to see them win is that plenty of people in Toronto will start to call the Rays some sort of model franchise and a pattern the Jays should follow.

I feel the same way about the Clippers every time they get good for a game or two, the Bengals when they had their year, and the Sens and 'Diques / Avs when they first became good.  I have no problem with re-building, but the way that teams with constant suckitude eventually become built up as some type of model franchise by fans annoys me. 

Especially when there are teams like the A's, the Braves, the Red Wings, etc. that show you can consistently win and re-build on the fly.  I know those three teams each went through their own lengthy stretch where they were horrid, but each of them have also re-stocked their line-up since then so that those that first made them great have either retired, moved on to other teams, or play minor roles (examples: Hudson, Zito, Mulder; Pendleton, Justice, Glavine; Yzerman, Shanahan, Federov).

I voted Red Sox. The Devilrays seem to have forgotten their place in life. They're not supposed to win. It's like if Ethiopia became a better country than Canada. Sure it's a great story but I'd be pissed off.

It's like if Ethiopia became a better country than Canada. Sure it's a great story but I'd be pissed off.

I'm betting that every news story about someone winning some lottery cheeses you too? Or is it that the Rays and Ethiopia are particularly undeserving of any rewards?

Most every team that has been horrible is bound to be good or even great for some time. As well as stink. A lot has to do with the cycle of personnel. It's just as difficult for a team to be complete failures for decades at a time as it is for a team to sustain success for decades. Although the Pirates and Royals do make it look easy.

Nations are a completely different story, as there is no entry draft to acquire resources, workers; no roster limits or waivers; no drug policy. And so on.

Yankees- I want to see Jeter not make the playoffs for once. Yankee fans just expect to make the playoffs. The question for them is winning the World's Championship Series or not. I hope not.

I guess, CJF, that you didn't much care for the Blue Jays of 85-93 or the Twins of more recent memory then. 

The Rays have gotten good by a combination of things, and not simply having early 1st round picks. When Tim Wilken was drafting, they did very well.  In 2004, they drafted Brignac, Davis, McGee and Sonnanstine after the first round. Jonny Gomes was an 18th round pick.  Joey Gathright (who they converted into J.P. Howell) was a 32nd rounder. Jason Hammel was a late round pick.  Akinori Iwamura was a brilliant budget acquisition.  More importantly, the new management has done an excellent job of converting talent into a team- with the Young for Bartlett/Garza trade and the acquisitions of Hinske/Gross/Floyd to fill the right-field hole being the most obvious example. 

Personally, I find the building of a team much more satisfying than the purchasing of one.