The Fan-O-Meter is The Sports Notebook’s contribution to the vital issue of the day and that’s what the rules and regulations are for being a sports fan. Another part of that discussion is finding what America’s most livable sports city was in any given year.

The Notebook focuses on the modern age, which we’ve marked as 1976. It was a threshold year for a lot of spots–free agency began in earnest in baseball, the John Wooden UCLA dynasty ended in college basketball, and all major bowls game were moved to New Year’s Day. Just prior to this, the NFL started giving homefield advantage for its playoffs based on merit rather than divisonal rotation and just after the NBA-ABA merger took place. And on a self-serving note, the editor was six years old and able to remember at least a few of the big games from that year. Below is our Fan-O-Meter Museum, starting in ’76 and moving forward, finding the best geographic locale for sports.

1976
On The Indiana/Ohio Border: The 1976 Big Red Machine & 1976 Indiana Basketball.

1977
Jesuit Reign: 1977 Marquette Basketball & 1977 Notre Dame Football.

1978
Boston’s Agony: The 1978 Red Sox, Bruins & Patriots.

1979
Steel City Supreme: The 1979 Steelers & Pirates

1980
The Philadelphia Story: The 1980 Phillies, Sixers, Flyers & Eagles.

1981
Populist Uprising: The 1981 San Francisco 49ers & 1981 Clemson Tigers.

1982
Party In New Orleans: 1982 North Carolina Basketball & 1982 Penn State Football.

1983
The Ma & Pa Trail: The 1983 Philadelphia 76ers & 1983 Baltimore Orioles.

Early 80s
Inside The Beltway: Gibbs’ Redskins & Big John’s Hoyas.

1985
Northeast Oklahoma: 1985 Oklahoma Football & 1985 Kansas City Royals.

1986
Underdog New York’s Time: The 1986 Mets & Jets.

1987
Back Home Again In Indiana: 1987 Indiana Basketball, Football & The Colts.

1988
Hollywood Dreams: The 1988 Lakers, Dodgers & More.

1989
Triumph & Tragedy: The 1989 San Francisco 49ers & Giants.

1990
The New York Aristocracy: The 1990 New York Giants & Plenty Of Support.

1991
Breaking Through: 1991 Duke Basketball & 1991 Chicago Bulls.

1992
Return To The Top: 1992 Dallas Cowboys & 1992 Alabama Football.

1993
Windy City Run: 1993 Chicago Bulls, White Sox & Notre Dame Football.

1994
Springtime In New York: The 1994 Rangers, Knicks & Yankees

Mid-1990s
Life On The Plains: Osborne’s Cornhuskers & Marty’s Chiefs.

1996
Rocky Mountain High: The 1996 Colorado Avalanche Along With The Broncos & Buffs.

1997
Magic In Motown: The 1997 Detroit Red Wings & Michigan Wolverines

1998
Just Missed Glory: 1998 Utah Jazz & Utah Utes

1999
Rocky Top High: The Vols & Titans Keep Tennessee Partying Like It’s 1999

2000
Y2K Apocalypse: The Lakers & Yankees Win In 2000

2001
Dynamics In The Desert: Lute, Schilling & The Big Unit Lead Arizona In 2001

2002
NoCrown In NoCal: The Near-Misses Of The A’s, Raiders & Sacramento Kings

2003
Springtime In New Jersey: The 2003 New Jersey Devils & Nets

2004
Boston’s Championship Grand Slam Hits Apex In 2004: Red Sox & Patriots

2005
South Side Rule: The 2005 Chicago White Sox, Bears & Illinois Basketball

2006
Florida Fury: Gators Double-Dip On National Titles In 2006 & Beyond

2007
Hopes Raised & Dashed In Cleveland: The 2007 Cavs, Indians & Browns

TheSportsNotebook’s Historical Museum honors the five-year induction window followed by the Hall of Fames’ in each sport, to allow a better historical perspective on the events chronicled. Mark down July 2013 for the induction of 2008′s entry.