World Champions?

I just watched the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball win the "World Series" (sic). The phrases "World Champions" and "World Championship" were splashed all over like the (cheap) champagne that flowed freely in the victorious Chicago locker room. And, as is often the case, I wondered why ALL US sports leagues claim their titles to be "World Championships"! Am I just a anti-hype kind of guy or are these guys taking credit where little is due?

Let us examine this for a second.

The NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball all play in two countries (US and Canada), while the NFL cannot even claim that little distinction. To me, "World Championships" are to be awarded when countries battle each other for the honours, not when piddly clubs fight for a poorly named cup that half 0f this world wouldn't recognize if their life depended on it. The NBA, NHL and MLB all take international sports and try to make themselves the bellwether. Can you spell "Shallow" ? The NFL probably has the best defense. It is a game played mostly by North Americans, ONLY in North America. Surely they can call themselves "World Champions", heck, they are the only ones playing the damn game!

All of these clubs assemble the highest paid talent in the world for sure. That fact is indisputable. But in the absence of any real international competition, should these leagues have the right to proclaim their championships, "World Championships" just because of this one fact? I think NOT. It just smacks of hype and megalomania.

Now, I am off to buy my World champion Chicago White Sox T-Shirt and Cap, for only US$ 51. ;)