t-10. Stanley Cup Playoffs - Toothless grins, beards, and scars are just some of the glory that can be achieved by the players vying for Lord Stanley's big ass cup. I have become a huge fan since the Hurricanes came to town, and even though they weren't in it the last two years I didn't miss a second. I was lucky enough to drink beer out of the cup when Mike Commodore, of the Hurricanes, brought it into a bar I was playing a poker tournament at in 2006. He jumped up on the bar, filled it with beer and poured it down the throat of any taker. It was awesome!
t-10. Kentucky Derby - One of the oldest traditions in sports still lives up to the hype. Every year people watch what they hope will be the beginning of the next Triple Crown. It is a tense couple of minutes as those horses make a single lap around the track. I just wish these horses knew how much money the cost me every year.
9. NBA Finals - Well I am not going to sugar coat this next statement. I hate the NBA! It has ruined the game of basketball with their Defensive 3-second violations, horrible refereeing, and New York Knicks. There is a million things that eat me up about the way the NBA has ruined the greatest game in the world, however when the Playoffs roll around the real season begins. Players play defense, coaches coach, and refs ref. The combination of these three variables creates for the best players in the world playing the highest level of basketball. I remember so many great games and series during this time where basketball is played almost as it should.
8. Masters - The greatest golf tournament in the world, but the worst prize in sports. I know the green jacket has been worn by so many great golfers and symbolizes so much to the person who wins it, but its a tacky green blazer that only Craig Sager would wear in real life. Despite the ugly suit jacket, a four day stint of great golf can earn anybody one of those. Thats the best part about this event. Its anybody's guess who is going to win that thing when it all starts on Thursday, even with Tiger in the field.
7. UEFA Champions League - For those idiotic fools out there who think soccer is for communists, you are totally wrong. It's for Fascists too. The Champions League is a year long journey fought between teams from all over Europe which leads to the May final played in some grand stadium while every person on the continent watches on the edge of their seats. Some of the most memorable soccer matches ever played were played in the finals of this tournament. For example the Liverpool comeback in Istanbul against the heavy favorites AC Milan, or last year's epic shootout between Man United and Chelsea. Its always an entertaining match with great players and the next time AC Milan gets to the Final I will be there.
6. Wimbledon - Green grass, all white clothing and ball boys and girls trained like Navy Seals is only a small part of what makes up the ever amazing event that is Wimbledon. I only watch tennis if it is a grand slam and this is the Mother of all the grand slams. I got to grow up watching the grass-master Pete Sampras and now watching Fedrer-Nadal battle is amazing. The Sunday finale is always a day I spend in front of the TV hoping for a 5-set epic masterpiece between two souls willing to get grass stains on their awesome all-white get-ups.
5. NCAA Basketball Tournament - Can anyone one say Brackets! Best three weekends of the year. I live dead smack in basketball central between Duke, NC State and UNC so I know what March Madness is all about. This is the highest level of pure basketball left in the world (except for the Olympics when NBA players have to actually run an offense with more than one pass). Buzzer Beaters, Cinderella, Final Four weekend, and upsets are what this tournament is all about. 'Nuff Said!
4. MLB World Series - America's pastime and usually a favorite of mine since I am a Yankee fan and we've won 26 of them (Only four since I've been alive though). Despite my love for the Yanks I am a huge baseball fan in general. The 162 game season is the ultimate grind and to watch an extra month of top-end baseball is a great reward for fans who's team is lucky enough to make it that far. Trust me Cubs fans the World Series is awesome!
3. Summer Olympics - Easy choice here. The greatest athletes together on one of the biggest stages competing for some good ol' fashion gold, like they did in the old days before contracts, sponsors, or bad announcers. Almost every country sends athletes to where ever its being held in hope of glory. Great stories always occur during the Olympics and it is always exciting watching such great events as the 100m sprint finals, 4x100m medley relay, basketball gold medal game, gymnastics, and my favorite, handball (if you didn't watch it at the Beijing Olympics, check that shit out, its nuts).
2. Super Bowl - Even though this is the most popular event in America the world is still catching on. It will always ben number two even though it gets all the air time, even around the world. It is a spectacle to behold however. Even with crappy half time shows and having to endear watching the Patriots win 3 of them it is an amazing event. Even people who don't know jack squat about football or sports for that matter watch it. Lately, it has produced some of the most memorable moments and games. And don't forget the commercials. Without the Super Bowl Budwieser would have been bought by the Belgians a long time ago.
1. FIFA World Cup - The beautiful game at its best. The World Cup is the glory of the Super Bowl multiplied by the anticipation and grandeur of the Summer Olympics. Every four years teams from all around the world enter with the hopes of becoming legends of soccer history. Players such as Pele, Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, Franz Beckenbauer, and Bobby Charlton have all made their names here. It is the world's greatest game played by the best players and at the highest level. Just cause us Americans have only ever made it the quaterfinals (once) is a good thing. It gives us something to look forward, I mean we can't win everything.
