Top 5 favorite sporting events

[dawgball]

I am a pretty big fan of the Olympics because I get to see a lot of sports that are not usually covered. My wife hates the Olympics because it interrupts her soap opera every day. :cursin:

So, I was thinking about what I consider the top 5 sporting events. Here's my list. I would like to see others.

1. Ryder Cup -- this is, IMO, the best sporting event ever. I love pulling for American teams in anything, but it is that much better to me when it's golf!
2. World Cup -- we're not ultra-competitive, yet, but we are getting closer. Once again, I love the US vs. other countries.
3. NCAA Final Four -- the scene is always electric at this event. Growing up in KY, there was nothing more important than college basketball.
4. The Masters -- Tradition is the reason here. This is a much better event to attend than to watch because you can't get the full experience watching it on TV.
5. Kentucky Derby -- Once again, due to my heritage this has always been a staple as to what my homestate means to me. The tradition and fervor that go on that day is unbelievable. I spent many years in the infield and have had the opportunity to play with the big boys on Millionaire's Row. Once again, much better to attend than tune in.

Anyone else?

NOTE: The reason there is no football on here is that the Super Bowl is still on Sundays which is ridiculous and there is no true national championship game in college. If there were a NC game in college, it would be #3 on my list.

 

[Blackman]

Good topic. Olympics will always be special to me as a former swimmer and someone who now coaches the sport. We only get mainstream coverage once every four years so I enjoy every minute of it.


Here's my top five:

1. Summer Olympics: I love watching these athletes, regardless of the sport. Most have them has trained four years for this chance, fully knowing that they will not make a penny from their athletics. Regardless of the sport, seeing the joy of what a medal means to the winner and the disappointment of defeat to others is awesome. Not totally fair because this is a multiple sport event compared to every other event, but since it's only once every four years it is really something to look forward to.

2. NCAA Tourny First Weekend: Rounds one and two is the single best weekend of sports. The upsets, the buzzer beaters, and the excitement of those few special small schools making a run each year. The whole tourny is great, but the first two rounds can be magical.

3. Derby Day: Best two minutes in sports. Everyone has an opinion on the winner, and with the solid performances as of late the notion of a Triple Crown winner hasn't been all that far fetched. When it's a close race at the top stretch, that final surge for the wire is pretty exciting.

4. Tour De France: Thanks to Lance Armstrong I've really gotten into the tour. I don't know much about cycling, but I do watch in awe of these guys cycling for hours on a daily basis for a few weeks. The mountain stages are the best, the strategy and the team efforts are cool to watch.

5. Super Bowl: The playoff rounds are better games, but the event of the Super Bowl is something I look forward to every year. Games have been exciting recently though, but the parties and the spectacle can be enjoyable. As a single sporting event it's probably not the best, but I look forward to it because it's one of the only sporting events where people get together and make an event out of it.

Honarable mention to the Little League World Series Championship game -- I've attended this event and it's a special one. It's what baseball is all about.

 

[DR STRANGELOVE]

1. World Cup soccer
2. NHL hockey finals
3. Super bowl
4. NCAAF bowls
5. March Madness

 

[bjfinste]

1. NCAA Hoops tourney - opening weekend
2. College football opening weekend
3. Kentucky Derby
4. MLB Opening Day
5. WCHA Final Five (college hockey)

 

[Snafu]

NHL-playoffs
World Cup soccer
Formula-1 Spa and Monza ( going to Monza this year )
Finnish hockey play offs ( if IFK plays )
Top games in Serie-A and English Premier league


And of course WC-hoockey starting next monday, olympic games, winter and summer, i think we Finns do better in winter....

 

[toastonastick]

Just curious why it is ridiculous that the superbowl is on sunday?

Because of the party aspect and work on Monday?

That would be my only gripe about it on Sunday

1. Masters

2. Superbowl

3. Tour De France

4. BCS

5 Indy/Daytona 500

 

[rrc]

Masters
Early rounds ncaa bb
Little league ws
Ryder cup
World Series

 

[lay the wood2]

In no particular order:

Tour De France-Lance Armstrong an inspiration and if he doesnt make you proud to be an American, I would like to know who does in sports.

Running of the Bulls-Pamplona, Spain explodes during this 8 day fiesta and the party never stops. Those who participate truly have mucho bravado. I've been lucky enough to be a part of this event for the last 3 years and look forward to next July.

World Cup-Everyone can cheer on and root for their country. Despite soccer/futbol not being a predominant American sport, it's hard not to get into this event every 4 years.

Triple Crown Races-Run for the Roses, Preakness and the Belmont are the premier events in Horseracing (for the general public) and the excitement that a possible triple crown horse brings to New York and the sports world at large is enough to make you buy a $2 ticket just for souvenir.

Yanks/Boston Playoff Games-i know this really isnt an event but last year's playoff series was the most amazing baseball to watch, never mind where you are from. I love baseball, this is the pinnacle of the year for a Yankee fan like me.

Whether you agree with me or not, i think i have made a legitimate arguement for these cases. Runner up:
Ryder Cup-The excitement is their with the players, but i would like to see a day more of competition. Watching some of these PGA Tour guys celebrate is hilarious.

 

[Clem D]

#1 Thursday and Friday of Ncaa hoops
#2 Breeders Cup Day
#3 New Years day Bowls
#4 Super sunday
#5Derby Day

 

[bombercoops]

1. The Masters
2. The Australian Football Grand Final
3. State of Origin (Rugby League)
4. Superbowl
5. NCAA Bowl Games

 

[fletcher]

1 ncaa hoops first weekend of tourny.
2 ncaa bowl games
3 the masters
4 super bowl
5 have a 3 way tie nhl finals, LL world series, college world series.

and not a locked in event any ufc fight/ and middle weight boxing title fights.

 

[damien4191]

to 5 events

to 5 events

1) I don't think you can beat a big boxing event. The atmosphere in the arena is incredible. If you're a boxign fan and never been to Vegas for a fight, do yourself a favor and make at least one trip.
2) First 2 days of NCAA tournament
3) MLB playoffs
4) Superbowl Sunday
5) Bowl games on New Years day

 

[dawgball]

Good replies.

toast--yes. i think it is ridiculous to have the Super Bowl on Sunday when Saturday is wide open leaving Sunday open for recovery! There were other factors, but that is my biggest complaint about the Super Bowl (and the shitty halftime shows).

To do my list over again, I would probably take the Masters off and put the Summer Olympics in 5th.

 

[taoist]

1.) NCAA Bowl Week(s)
2.) March Madness
3.) Little League World Series
4.) Kentucky Derby
5.) Ties...World Series, Superbowl, Marathon Sex....