Was 2016 the best sports year ever [nationally]?
2016 was Worst Year Ever. But I saw a thought-provoking article on CNN... was it the best year ever for sports? [Edit: Nationally, not just for Michigan. Clearly, whatever the best year for UM was, it wasn't 2016.] Look at the results (with a number of "best evers," both subjective and statistical, in the mix):
NFL: Broncos beat Panthers; Manning retires with his 2d SB victory; Broncos have one of the best defenses ever (arguably).
NBA: Best regular season ever, then that team loses to Cleveland after being up 3-1; and Cleveland gets its first major pro sports championship since forever
MLB: Cubs (!!!) (!!!) (!!!) beat Indians (!!!). Came back from 3-1 series deficit; pulsating Game 7. Was most-watched World Series since ratings took major plunge 20-30 years ago. Best World Series ever? Most popular WS champs ever? (Full disclosure: OP is Cubs fan.)
NHL: Pittsburgh beats San Jose. So what. [Edit: I had this backwards.]
College football: Alabama in relatively close game over Clemson; usually these are blowouts
College basketball: First-ever buzzer beater to win championship; both teams were highly rated. Best final game ever?
Golf: All 4 majors were won by first-time champs. US wins Rider Cup. Uhhh... not sure most of us care. OK pretty sure we don't.
Tennis: In the "that's pretty weird" category, Serena unexpectedly lost on verge of her record title.
Olympics: 2016 had one, and it had US dominating the medal count; moar Michael Phelps; Simone Biles; etc.
Other: Leicester's unparalleled 5000:1 title in Premier League Greatest-ever upset victor in significant (highly competed / big $$$) pro sports league?
December 30th, 2016 at 8:42 AM ^
4th consecutive championship, top 3 WNBA draft picks, win streak still ongoing. Pretty dominant and impressive no matter who you root for.
December 30th, 2016 at 8:57 AM ^
NBA lol
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December 30th, 2016 at 9:53 AM ^
With your inclusion of Leicester City shouldn't your title end with Internationally? Asking for a friend.
Go Blue.
December 30th, 2016 at 10:02 AM ^
1997 Football NC
1988-89 Basketball NC
A couple Hockey NCs in there too.
Hell, we didn't even get a Brady SB win in '16.
Definitely not the best, but a far cry better than the last couple preceding it from a myopic UM football perspective.
December 30th, 2016 at 11:17 AM ^
Was pretty good for me personally. My teams won the super bowl and the World Series. All came crashing down in November in Columbus though
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December 30th, 2016 at 3:38 PM ^
I think that Cubs fans immensely underestimate the number of people who hate the Cubs
December 30th, 2016 at 5:21 PM ^
R.I.P.
MUHAMMAD ALI
Howard King
GORDIE HOWE
AARON PRYOR
KIMBO SLICE
ARNOLD PALMER
KEION CARPENTER
JOSE FERNANDEZ
CRAIG SAGER
RASHAAN SALAAM
JOE MCKNIGHT
2016 can eat a FAT ONE!!
December 30th, 2016 at 5:38 PM ^
and you won't think 2016 is "worst year ever."