Every year, it's the exact same day. No, not July 16. I'm talking about the day after the MLB All-Star game. The day where the sports-world stands still.
I hate today.
Nothing happens. No basketball, baseball, football, golf, or auto racing. Nothing.
I hate today because I don't know what to do with myself. Sports make the world go round. On-field sports that is. I don't want to hear more about Brett Favre. I don't care about the latest free-agent signings in the NBA or injuries in the NFL. How does that entertain me on this day?
All media outlets talk about on this day is what's going to happen in the future. The future? Yeah that's great for discussion, but it gets old and you can have that any day. But where's the action? Where's the excitement? Where's the drama?
Top-five stories on espn.com:
1. Brett Favre saying he won't apply for reinstatement right away
2. Steroid distributor Kirk Radomski finding receipts about Roger Clemens
3. Padraig Harrington and the chances he'll play at the British Open
4. James Posey signing with the Hornets
5. Double-amputee sprinter, Oscar Pistorius, failing to qualify for the Olympics.
I'm sorry. Did I put you to sleep? I almost did just writing the list.
I heard the following topic thrown out on a local radio station and it made me question myself.
"Why do you follow sports?"
Some of the responses from the listeners revolved around answers containing the words and phrases such as:
"Camaraderie between fans."
"Watching people perform with unbelievable athletic ability."
"Having something to follow."
Me, personally? It gives me excitement.
Waking up every morning knowing something crazy is going happen that will have people talking at the water cooler in the office. During football season, there is never a weekend when you call up a friend and ask, "What do you want to do today?"
And if you do ask your self that question on a Saturday or a Sunday between August and February, just stop reading because you don't understand the passion that sports brings to millions.
Even looking at this from a local angle; I know the Mariners are terrible right now, but through the miracle of TV, Internet, and radio, there's other games that I can latch onto and get my ya-ya's from.
This crosses over to the fantasy sports world where people are forced to know more players on a bigger scale. This causes residents of Arizona who have Ryan Braun on their team to check the box score of the Brewers games every night because they have a little invested in that game, along with many others.
I firmly believe that fantasy players know more about the games all over the country. They know more about who did what on which night than those that choose not to participate in the ever-popular addiction. The key is to not get too involved and have more invested in your fantasy team than your team on the field.
I love sports because nothing else excites me and makes me rush home to find out who's done what. I can't do that with academics. I can't run home because I want to see what's new with the Civil War in my history textbook.
Newsflash: nothing's changed.
Politics are way too corrupt and full of lying hypocrites, at least locally here in Seattle, to make me want to give any of my energy towards them.
Reading, it'll always be there.
But sports, sports are the only subject where if you missed it, then you missed it.
Except for those who DVR the games or the game is shown on ESPN Classic. It's not like any team's '94 NBA season will be released on DVD with special audio commentary and a gag reel, like they do with pretty much every TV show or movie.
Sports bring people together, and it lets those who only have a favorite team in common be united for a brief period of time. Today, that won't happen.
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2 months ago
One of the world's top footballers was sold for 21M Euro today. He also happened to be one of the top paid athletes in the history of sports. A World Cup Champion. A FIFA Player of the Year. And one of Nike's largest contracts of all time.
Not a slow day in football.
Of course I expect you to write off football and perhaps not even recognize it as a sport.
I do agree with you on the Brett Favre issue. If ESPN plays a clip from his interview with Greta Van Plastic Surgerystren, my head will explode. And as for the All-Star game last night, it was ok. Sure, a great finish with an exciting play at the plate, but who stayed up that late for stick ball?
I'm sure today IS a slow day in sports, but click on that FIFA tab at the top and learn something new on the day where your sports are taking it easy.
Also, what do NFL fans think about changing the sport's name to throwball? Handball? Tackleball? Or anything other than football? I'm curious as to what most fans think about the name their sport carries. (not a joke)
from 2 months ago
Dude no one cares... soccer is the worse sport of all time
from 2 months ago
You can't leave a comment bashing a sport and incorrectly spell a word that a 10 year old should be able to spell. It's just not intelligent.
Humor us all and give me 3 reasons why you believe that is true about soccer...?
from 2 months ago
and what word did i spell incorrectly
from 2 months ago
If you can't figure it out you should probably stop writing. Or if you'd like I can sell you some of my old English textbooks from my freshman year in high school.
from 2 months ago
I'm guessing the word Diego is referring to is you using "worse" instead of worst. But technically the spelling is correct, it was just the wrong word.
from 2 months ago
Technically a grown man used the wrong word in a elementary sentence and my guess he's been using it for a while now. Good job public schools of America.
But thanks for helping our buddy out Kip.
from 2 months ago
...my guess *is* he's been using it...
And Ryan, I don't mean to be offensive, but if you're going to write comments or articles that trash a sport you should learn to use the correct grammar and spelling. This site is for writers, isn't it?
from 2 months ago
Gee sorry for the typo. Those are sometimes called mistakes, but apparently you've never made one so you wouldn't know...
from 2 months ago
A typo is spelling the word "worst" w-o-s-r-t, w-r-o-s-t or some other variation. Using the wrong word is just ignorance or lack of knowledge.
Sorry buddy. Good try though.
This happens to be a site for writers. Articles are written, edited and published. If you make a dumb mistake like that, you should expect to get called out. You should post your comments on the ESPN.com message boards if you feel that the grammar and literary demands on this site are too high for you.
from 2 months ago
well my mistake... soccer is still pointless
from 2 months ago
Debating with you is pointless.
Soccer is the most widely watched, played and followed sport on earth.
Those, my friend, are facts.
I'm going to stop responding to your replies now.
Good day.
from 2 months ago
Quitter.
2 months ago
Also, it's extremely disturbing that you placed NASCAR ahead of football on your list of sports that are stagnant today. A terrible editorial decision sir.
from 2 months ago
Diego, you aren't going to win any arguments on here about soccer. This is america and most people aren't interested in it.
I'll admit, I use to be like the rest of these guys where I though soccer was boring. However, after recently dating a girl that plays college soccer, I must say its exciting. It took me a few months to get the full understanding of the game but after that I found it was interesting. It's competitve, athletic, and it's more than just kicking a ball around.
I use to only care about baseball, basketball, and football but if subject yourself to something different you might find that you like it. Don't get me wrong, Im not tuning into every game on TV but I have a better appreciation for it.
2 months ago
The thing about putting NASCAR first made sense to me since to me since it's NASCAR season. Great Article Kip, I really enjoyed it. And your right, today is one of the worst days of the year.
from 2 months ago
NASCAR season?
1. Why doesn't the season last all year? Can you not drive in circles during certain months?
2. Please point out to me the most exciting news that has graced the pages of the NASCAR page.
from 2 months ago
And yes, I hear people do still watch hockey.
Funny how you must be athletic to compete in that sport. That's probably why people still watch it. And play it. And why numerous countries are fans of it.
from 2 months ago
yea u can drive in a circle all year, but hey they need a break, and dont dare say they get their breaks monday thru saturday, cuz most of that is put into testing cars, endorsement commercials, and racing other smaller leagues. and if u think, it perty much is all year, its the longest sport season out there, February through November. only 2 months of off season, and encompasses every season (spring summer fall and winter) of the year
from 2 months ago
Don't worry, I won't "dare" to say that, you can relax.
But endorsement commercials? Did you just include that in the description of the sport? Come on buddy, doing a commercial is not part of the sport.
And I happen to know of another league that runs 10 months August through May. And during the months off, the top players are representing their country in World Cup qualifying games, the Olympics and other tournaments like the FIFA World Cup which happens to be the most watched sports event. You should check it out sometime. There's no fast cars with loud engines, but over 700 million people watched the championship game. You can't argue with that can you?
Well, you can. Let's hear it.
from 2 months ago
didnt mean to sound all hyped up wit the "dare" it just semed right
but how does talking about how big a different sport is argue that NASCAR isnt a sport. and i aint sayin endorsements are part of the sport, im just sayin they aint relaxin durin monday thru friday, and i have watched World Cup, futbol/soccer w/e u call it. but im sayin NASCAR is a sport. the G-force, the heat generated in the car, the stress on the body from the safety restraints while trying to steer. some of the stuff no other athletes could imagine.
and as far as exciting news, try googling these.
Dale Earnhardt/ Dale Jr
Michael McDonnel
Richard Petty
Ralph Earnhardt
Rusty Wallace
Mark Martin
Denny Hamlin
Tony Stewart
"The Big One" at Talladega
all exciting.
just a hint *use an argument belittling NASCAR as a sport not how popular another sport is*
2 months ago
NASCAR is way more than driving in circles, moron. let's see you drive a stock car at over 200mph, with poffesionall drivers sorounding you. let's see you last in a car for 3+ hours, using your endurance to actually keep making these left turns without going insane or keeping control of the car. NASCAR is more than being an athlete, you have to have the smarts to make adjustments to your car, and the brains to come up for pitting strategies. So mister "I think people still watch Hockey"(and more than NASCAR) Your picture shows a soccer player, want to pick a sport that America is interested in and cares about? You give me something more American than going to your local track and eating a sausage on a stick, while hooting and hollaring for your favorite driver.
from 2 months ago
I didn't say anything about NASCAR being American or not. It is the most watched sport in America, that's for sure. I'm not arguing that it's not. I was simply hinting at the fact that it's one of the sports (if you want to call it that) that requires the least skill and athleticism. You can reply and argue all you want, but NASCAR drivers are not athletes. They all have the stamina and endurance that one needs to sit and drive for 3+ hours. They are all excellent drivers and are so highly skilled that they can make hundreds of left turns while traveling at high speeds. They are very skilled in the art of communicating over radios to someone on their pit crew who advises them on what to do and fixes any problems that the vehicle may be having. Sure, they are good at that.
It's a fun event. The drunks in the infield. The fast cars. The loud engines. Just like any other sport, they have some awesome fans and one of the games, matches or contests can be extremely entertaining.
You can tell me about pitting strategies all you want. Sitting in a car for more than 3 hours. More than driving. Moving at over 200mph.
I know, I know. Awesome stuff.
But I know some people who sit in a chair inside a moving vehicle going over 200mph too. They also have to communicate over radio to plan stops and restarts. They are called pilots. Pretty crazy athletes those pilots, huh?
I'm not sure where you got the idea that I believe the United States is a fan or really cares much for soccer(I'll refrain from calling it football so you NASCAR fans don't get confused). It's a well known fact that soccer is the most popular sport in the world, but not in America. And that's fine with me. NASCAR can continue being the most popular "sport" in the USA forever and I'll still never follow it. It's just my choice. I'll probably just watch hockey while I drink a beer and eat a steak while my wife does the dishes instead. Maybe even throw on some Skynyrd and and take her to town in my USA flag boxers too.
Are you a Formula 1 fan? If you like NASCAR, you should check it out. I know you won't believe this, but they make right turns as well as left turns. It's crazy.
from 2 months ago
I like how people always associate drunks with NASCAR. It's so stereotypical. Well I guess me thinking soccer is a buch of crazy European guys running around chasing a ball.
There is no doubt in my mind that soccer is the most physically demanding sport out there. It's obvious. I know I couldn't sprint as far and as long as they do, for hours. It looks to me like you have to have a lot of lower body strength to kick the ball as far as they do.
And no I'm not some southern hick who didn't go to school past the 6th grade, I would understand your Soccer to Football transition.
Oh, and I just saw your profile, that's pretty cool that your from Brazil. You say you live in Houston, and I live just up the road in Dallas, such a small world isn't it?
from 2 months ago
Okay, obviously NASCAR doesnn't require half the athleticism that soccer does. All you do is run for ninety minutes. It is the most fun in the world. But don't say that NASCAR does not require any athleticism at all. When traveling at 185 miles per hour going into a turn the average pressure pulling the steering wheel the opposite way is the equivalent to holding between 800 and 850 pounds in place. It can be done by the average joe maybe once or twice, but to do it every 15 seconds for 3 to 5 hours is incredible. I don't appreciate the reference to NASCAR fans being stupid. It is an awful stereotype much like many racist stereotypes out there. In fact, many fans of NASCAR build their own stock cars as a hobby. Probably about 30% of NASCAR fans could put together a stock car that could travel at speeds of greater than 150 miles per hour. I also dont appreciate when people comment on things that they don't know much about. Watch two or three NASCAR races, then make a comment on it. And as for the formula one reference and not right turns in NASCAR, you are wrong. Drivers turn right at Watkins Glen and at Infineon Speedway and they turn right whenever they get out of the pits.
from 2 months ago
I have watched plenty of races. I have attended one at Texas Motor Speedway. I've also seen plenty of drunks at the races. Just like in any sport, there are ridiculous fans. It just happens that the environment of a race seems to conduce drinking a little bit more than most other events.
I know enough about NASCAR to comment on it. I just don't appreciate it being grouped into the same category as football, soccer and basketball. It's an intense activity, but it is not a sport. I'm sorry, but it just isn't.
I'm not comparing NASCAR to the definition of the word SPORT. I am comparing the athleticism it takes to compete professionally in NASCAR and the sports that I mentioned above.
It takes skill. I'll agree. But let's not compare Jimmy Johnson to Ronaldinho, Michael Jordan or Jim Brown.
from 2 months ago
By the way, running is not "all you do" in soccer.
But if you think that is the case, maybe you should "watch two or three matches and then make a(n educated) comment on it".
from 2 months ago
Taylor, I absolutely see what you're saying. I love NASCAR. But if you're fighting NASCAR's corner, can you at least spell "professional" correctly.
I also love "soccer" or "football" as we call it in the UK. And whether you like it or not, it's still the biggest sport in the world. Bar none.
And for the record, the 21m signing of Ronaldinho to AC Milan is a big deal, but the player's extremely overrated.
from 2 months ago
Overrated?
Who is overrating him? It's a widely known fact that his value and performance has decreased immensely over his last two seasons with Barcelona. 2 years ago he would have gone for way more than he did. He was the best player in the world. Now he is just an average midfielder with some tricks up his sleeve.
Look for him to regain some of his swagger after a good performance at the Olympics. He seems to find his way when playing with his national side.
from 2 months ago
Okay, Diego. Now you are just being ridiculous. I try to compliment the athleticism that the sport takes and you twist it into a mockery of the sport.
As a matter of fact, not only have I watched several matches, but I play the sport and I play it well. Obviously it takes more than just running in a circle for an hour and a half. It takes hard work and practice.
Touch and experience are very important. Some athletic jock can't just run out onto a field and play well. Placement skill, mental toughness, and commitment are all required. It also takes passion, and you obviously have that down.
I was never poking fun at the game, I was defending NASCAR. You obviously have an issue with the SPORT and you are entitled to it, but don't twist other people's words.
As for whether or not it is a sport, it is. Is it the same type of sport as soccer? No, absolutely not, but it is still a sport.
And who is comparing to Jimmie Johnson to anyone? NASCAR is completely different from any other type of sport and the only comparison being made should be things like Richard Petty is the Michael Jordan of NASCAR.
No literal meanings in any of those comparisons. But whatever, I am done with this debate.
from 2 months ago
As for Ronaldinho, what use does Milan have for him? Talk is that he is going to take Seedorf's spot, but was he really worth spending 21 million dollars? Seedorf is getting old, but his career isn't over. Personally, I don't like the move for Milan here.
2 months ago
unbelievable article, kip, i loved it
2 months ago
"Comrodity" ? what is that?
You're young, you don't need a break from discontent like us old guys do.
The silence today is golden.
2 months ago
NASCAR is not the most common sport in this country. Contrary to belief in Tennessee and further South (you know the places. They are the ones that recreate Civil War battles and explain why it should have ended with the South 1, North 0), Football still creates waves around the country.
College football teams bring in 30,000 plus to a scrimmage, and that's before any of the millions of football fans watch the first official snap of the year. No one is counting down to the beginning of next year. How many will tune in to watch Tony Stewart testing his new car next year? 50 bucks and a Maybach says it ain't close to 30K.
Professional football. NFL. No need to elaborate. You already know you lost.
People watch NASCAR because, like this article touches on, there is nothing else to entertain a sports fiend's mind. It is useless garbage filling holes like commercials fill in the time slot between lap 23 and lap 407. It's harder to watch NASCAR than it is to watch the Washington Nationals play the Toronto Blue Jays in a day-night double header.
Get real, Redneck. NASCAR has been and always will be a sub-par example of a sport. Sure, I understand G-Forces. Jet pilots, like Diego said, face G-Forces and aren't mentioned in the same breath as an athlete.
Join the ranks of Cheerleading fans, Hot Dog Eating contest fans, and Dog Show fans. NASCAR is not a sport.
from 2 months ago
Jealousy? Hahaha! we love that.
Football is a bore and entertainment for the mindless which explains why you don't "get it".
If you download a football game from iTunes you can watch an entire in 30 minutes or less.
Motorsports is technological amazement, an art form, and driving well is a skill that few possess.
And the South would have won 1-Zip if it hadn't been for free agency.
2 months ago
Weird how most comments about my article are bickering about the placement of different sports in popularity. When I wrote the list, I was not going for any particular order. But just so you know, I had no intention of putting soccer or "football" on there because in America, the sport does not thrive even though a minority of the public wants it to.
from 2 months ago
Soccer is irrelevant in the the US. You did right.
2 months ago
to be honest we all know sport is a meaningless fantasy world. just make something up with your toys in the back yard. like the world series of action man or something. it will be exactly like any US american world series game completely meaningless and over-hyped for delusional fans who think their country is the centre of the universe.
from 2 months ago
But, but, but ... we are the center of the universe. Don't you read the papers?
2 months ago
Yeah, Kip I really enjoyed this article. Great work. Five stars.
2 months ago
Yeah, Kip I really enjoyed this article. Great work. Five stars.
2 months ago
Oh, and I loved the article. Five stars
2 months ago
Camaraderie! I edited it for you
Soccer is a sport, (or football) but very few people care. Its too slow, even at its most exciting parts, and it's harder for slow boring people to follow... Same reason that baseball isn't more popular, and why the NBA and "throw"ball will continue to take over popularity votes.
NASCAR is an activity, not a sport!
from 2 months ago
I agree BUT....
watch Arsenal play Manchester United this season and tell me that it's too slow at it's most exciting parts. It's absolutely not slow.
from 2 months ago
very few people care, just a few billion fans around the world. diego dont bother arguing these guys are idiots. football is the world game and the USA is 300 odd million people they are insignificant or they will be shortly, give it a few more years.
from 2 months ago
NASCAR is a competition not an activity.
You should rent a Go Cart and run 50 laps for a better perspective ... and it's not Baseball's fault that you have a short attention span and low depth of perception ... ADD perhaps. Chess must be impossible for you to grasp.
Probably all that food coloring in your junk food.
from 2 months ago
Whether it's a competition or an activity, it isn't a sport.
2 months ago
Great read, Kip. My head hurts from reading all the comments. You mention auto racing, everyone thought it was NASCAR. I would have thought Diego would have thought of F1 and not NASCAR. Johnny drive 400 miles in circles, you'll re-think NASCAR being a activity.
from 2 months ago
1. I think you meant to say "an" activity.
2. Driving 400 miles in circles should change someone's mind about NASCAR? I've driven well over 400 miles in one sitting, but it just happened to involve turns, stops and a couple of breaks for coffee and gas. If you're going to claim NASCAR is indeed a sport, you should use something other than the fact that they drive in circles for 400 miles. Perhaps the fitness of the drivers? The athleticism they must possess?
3. NASCAR is not a sport.
4. I respect the skill it takes to drive that fast for that long though.
5. NASCAR is still not a sport.
from 2 months ago
Im not a NASCAR fan, but it is a sport. Athleticism doesn't have anything to do with an activity being a sport, because that's all a sport is, a competitive activity. Simple as that. So racing cars or even planes is as much as a sport as baseball or soccer is. The participants aren't neccessarily athletes, but that doesn't mean the activity in which they part take isn't a sport.
from 2 months ago
By that logic, drinking games, checkers, poker, tic tac toe, video games, Guitar Hero and anything else that you can turn into a competition is a sport.
You are wrong.
The end.
from 2 months ago
I'm no NASCAR fan but it is a sport... I hate being the nerd who does this but a sport is defined as "an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature, as racing, baseball, tennis, golf, bowling, wrestling, boxing, hunting, fishing, etc."... NASCAR is an athletic activity that requires skill or physical prowess and is competitive... you really can't argue that...logic, drinking games, checkers, poker, tic tac toe, video games and Guitar Hero aren't athletic activities so obviously they aren't sports
2 months ago
I'm not a soccer fan but it is a 100x better than NASCAR.
from 2 months ago
sheeet , that's laughable! little gay guys in tiny shorts, running, kicking and flopping all over a ball that won't go in that HUGE freaking goal? WTF is a "red card"?
Versus ... a man?
from 2 months ago
Sounds like you know exactly what you are talking about.
Keep it up.
from 2 months ago
Lol thats what I'm talking about. Hope that was suppose to be ironic!
from 2 months ago
Ironic, yes.
2 months ago
Great article, well-written. I wish I hadn't already given my PotD away so I could give it to you.
Also, I couldn't edit the article so I'll tell you what I saw: in the newsflash sentence (which also appears to serve as a paragraphy) the "nothings" needs to look like "nothing's". Also in the 4th paragraph, last sentence - are you sure that doesn't need a question mark?
from 2 months ago
edits should be a private matter. next time just do the edit yourself and leave notes for the writer.
2 months ago
Love the article! Me as a crazy hoop fan will watch summer league games in depth, but even on that day I couldn't find a game to watch! five star piece & my P.O.D!
2 months ago
L.J., I write this simply in hopes that you keep checking in on your comments...
I have raced motocross my entire life, and personally have a very minute interest in football. Jealousy is hardly what I have for your "sport". I have grown up around the motorsports world. I am not some amateur writing on things I don't know.
Bring it, holmes.
from 2 months ago
Where would you like it?
Refresh my memory on the debate...it's been a while.
about 1 month ago
I happen to love football but America does not have the Premier League, so it's hard for us here to get into football as much as Britons do. We just have to keep signing top footballers to get the level of play up.
It bothers me that all the football clubs here in the States are moving out of big stadiums and into football-specific ones. The original stadiums they used were good enough.
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