Any sports fan not in a coma this weekend knows two things about The Masters Tournament at Augusta National. First, it's a tradition unlike any other, as ESPN and CBS reminded us every four seconds. Second, the azaleas are blooming.
That got me thinking: what are the most well-known and/or most beautiful natural wonders in sports? The Ivy at Wrigley? The palm trees that used to live beyond the outfield wall at Qualcomm Stadium? The black-eyed susans draped on the winner of the Preakness?
Let's hear it. What do you think belongs on the list of natural wonders in sports?
Here are a few guidelines:
1. It must not be the primary playing surface. The lawn at Wimbledon is gorgeous, but who's to say it's more beautiful than the fairways at Oakmont or the outfield grass at Jacobs Field?
2. Sports played in exotic locations do not count. Of course everything at the Ironman Triathlon is beautiful—it's Hawaii. And choosing the Alps as a skiing location is too easy. It has to be part of a sporting venue that was somewhat man-made, as in Pebble Beach on the top of cliffs or building Dodger Stadium in Chavez Ravine.
3. You must explain why it belongs on the list. Saying something belongs because you really, really, really like it just wastes everyone's time.
Let's hear it, Bleacher Report Community. What are the natural wonders of the sporting world?
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3 months ago
Here are my 7 Natural Wonders of Sports:
1. The Ivy at Wrigley Field: So much tradition at this stadium and the fact that it is the only thing protecting an outfielder from a broken collar bone on a brick wall is why this is number one on my book.
2. The Green Monster: Every person, not just every sports fan, knows what this is and where its located. The recognition and history put this at number 2.
3. McCovvey Cove: San Francisco is blessed with 2 things: the worst team in baseball, and the most beautiful feature in pro sports. Barry 'the Jerk' Bonds made this cove famous, but the beauty is what keeps the stadium full even with a 100 loss season looming.
4. The Rose Bowl: This is one of the top 5 most historic stadiums in all of sports. College Football is America's new favorite past time (not baseball anymore) and this stadium is the most famous and influential.
5. Daytona 500: I hate NASCAR and racing, personnally. But this is another of the most famous sporting venues and the history here backs it up. I mean, the most famous racer ever died here.
6. ROSENBLATT STADIUM!!!: I live in Nebraska, baseball is my life, and I have spent one week in June in the bleachers at Rosenblatt for my entire life. The "Road to Omaha" is great. So many hall of fame baseball players started their amazing careers in Omaha, NE by dominating against top competition. And now the city of Omaha is building a newer stadium to host the CWS every year. I say that is BS. Keep it in the Blatt!
7. Madison Square Garden: I don't like basketball, but this is the most famous and influential sporting venue for basketball.
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