Today, I’m taking a look at those things in sports that are often overlooked. Sorry, Tom Brady and LeBron James, you’ll have to share the spotlight for a minute.
Some of them have to deal with the overall kickassness of being a sports fan, while others are things that we forget about because we’re so blinded by the fucking light of the ESPN’s of the world that stuff the same shit down our throats.
So let’s all stop for a second and admire these eight things, because they’re the most underrated in all of sports.
8. Bruce Bochy
The manager of the recently-crowned World Series champions, Bruce Bochy of the San Francisco Giants may or may not be the best big-game head coach we have in all of sports right now—no one seems to be taking notice, though.
An expert at managing his pitching staff and playing to his team’s strengths, Bochy has now won three World Series titles in the past five years, putting him in extremely elite company.
Go ahead and gripe about how the Giants were just 162-162 in the years between their past two championships all you want, because I don’t give a damn.
There’s a certain genius about Bochy, and we should all appreciate it before it’s gone—because who knows if we’ll see another like him soon.
7. Following Athletes on Social Media
I’ll just go ahead and say it—I hate social media with a passion.
Sure, I have a Twitter and Instagram account, which you can follow to see pictures of food and sunsets if you want, but no one gives a shit about what I’m doing.
That’s not the case with some of our favorite athletes, though, because it’s pretty damn cool watching a video from a player that we adore or a picture of him behind-the-scenes in the locker room or on the team plane.
While social media can be overloaded with a ton of garbage, being a fan and seeing what athletes post doesn’t fall into that category.
6. Upsets
Unless you have money on a game, every sports fan should enjoy seeing an upset.
And, to be completely honest, I can’t wait until a No. 16-seed takes down a No. 1 in the NCAA Tournament, because we all know that it’s bound to happen at some point.
Who doesn’t like cheering for the little guy, hoping that David can slay the mighty Goliath and make a memory that will last a lifetime?
Admit it, in a game with no dog in the fight and complete neutrality, it’s fun to show love for the underdog, taking solace—and slamming beers—each time something good happens for them against the heavily-favored team they’re matched up against.
5. 30 For 30 Documentaries
Maybe I’m just getting caught up in the moment of watching the most recent title that aired the other day, “Brothers in Exile,” which was the story about former Cuban pitchers Orlando and Livan Hernandez?
Then again, I would think that most sports fans would support me in the claim that these sports documentaries are dope.
Giving an in-depth perspective on both big and small stories, I, personally, can’t miss an episode.
Sports continues to prove to be the best unscripted drama on the planet, and the 30 for 30 series takes that drama and focuses on why a few moments should be highlighted.
After all, everyone has a story they want to tell, and these films do it perfectly.
4. Player Brawls
Want to know why player brawls are so underrated? Because we don’t nearly get them as often as we should.
And while I can understand how leagues, teams and players don’t want to promote “violence,” what’s really wrong with a few guys wanting to throw down every once in awhile?
These things can go from the hilarious—remember 46-year-old Nolan Ryan speed bagging 26-year-old Robin Ventura’s head in a 1993 baseball fight—to the absolute outrageous—international soccer riots, anyone?
Since most athletes seem to be such pussies these days, afraid of the long arm of the law that might suspend them, there aren’t nearly enough of the fisticuffs being tossed around—so enjoy them when they do happen.
3. Small Market Teams
I don’t give a rat’s ass who you are or what team you root for, seeing a team like the perennially bad Kansas City Royals at least reach the World Series for the first time in 29 years is fucking awesome—even if they did end up losing.
Likewise, when a team like the Memphis Grizzlies gets love from big-time media, all sports fans should be happy about it, as it proves that playing in a big market and having lots of money to throw at players doesn’t always lead to success.
Plus, it’s a nice little break from all the same stuff talking heads on sports talk TV and radio are always blabbing about.
2. Feel-Good Stories
In recent weeks, there have been more tear-jerking moments in sports than I can ever remember.
From LeBron James returning to his hometown and playing for the Cleveland Cavs again, to Lauren Hill’s remarkable appearance in her college hoops game and, finally, the outpouring support of Devon Still’s daughter, Leah, who is battling pediatric cancer.
Unless you’re a giant prick, feel-good stories make sports that much better, drawing a line between winning and losing and putting things into perspective for players and fans.
1. Fake Plays
Like brawls in sports, there just aren’t enough fake plays for my enjoyment, am I right?
I mean, how fucking awesome was it to see the St. Louis Rams show some serious balls by faking a punt inside their own 20-yard line to pick up a first down in the fourth quarter a few weeks ago? Seriously, they screw that up, the game’s all but over, and the Rams lose it.
That came after another special teams beauty, where the Rams used perception on the Hawks to return a punt 90 yards for a score.
If sports are supposed to be fun, let’s have more coaches show some guts by trashing the safe play and doing something out of the ordinary—I’d think all fans are in favor of that.