Father’s Day was this past weekend. I kind of like the idea of my family asking and caring about what I wanted to do. So, this post is dedicated to the top 5 sports thoughts I’ve had that readers have asked and care about, maybe?
Number 5- The NBA crowned the Golden State Warriors as their new champion. The last time the Warriors won the title was 1975. That next year Paul Westphal, Alvan Adams, Walter Davis, the “shot Heard ’round the world” Suns lost to the Celtics in the finals. Here is hoping following the Warriors into the finals continues and the 2015-16 Suns win that elusive title. For the Cleveland sports fan- which this Cleveland native counts himself- another one got away. The last champion in Cleveland was the pre-super bowl 1964 NFL Browns. The last time the Indians won the World Series was 1948. (Sadly, my birthday party came to a screeching halt when the 1997 Indians lost game 7 to the Marlins in extra innings. I think the presents are still wrapped up sitting in a closet somewhere.)
Number 4- The NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup. Awesome for Chicago. So, how about our Arizona Coyotes? After overcoming all kinds of difficulties and battling hard to develop a loyal fan base in the Valley of the Sun, the City of Glendale cancels the lease agreement at Gila River Arena. How does the city council’s vote help local business development, the local labor force, the growth of tax revenue, not to mention the success of our hockey team? Kudos to the Blackhawks. Will Lord Stanley’s Cup ever make it to the Valley of the Sun? Time to stand up and howl!
Number 3- The US Open is America’s golf championship. Hard to imagine that 21 year old Jordan Spieth would hold on to win as he watched the last player with any hope of bettering his score three-putt from twelve feet. Great things were destined for Jordan as his first career win came as a teenager at the 2013 John Deere Classic. (By the way, the classic is my favorite tournament played on my favorite course, TPC Deere Run in Silvis, IL- a little Father’s Day side note.)
Number 2- Triple Crown Winner American Pharoah (really, that is how they spell it) is the horse race lovers have been waiting for since 1979. Winning the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes seemed to have become an impossible task. However exceptional a thoroughbred American Pharoah is, Secretariat, the 1973 Triple Crown Winner is still the greatest.
Number 1- Okay, the Women’s World Cup isn’t over yet. But, here are a couple of thoughts. The two teams that didn’t get out of the group stage I hoped would were Mexico and Costa Rica. (Both teams had three great efforts and goalkeepers that were spot on, and I am partial to goalkeepers.) The game that I thought was the most fun to watch in the group stage was The Netherlands v. Canada. (So it ends in draw, but to see The Netherlands battle back in front of the hostile Canadian crowd was impressive, and you know Canadians can be quite hostile!) Lets all stand up and howl for the USA women. I don’t think their lease will be terminated anytime soon.