2012 ESPYs: The 10 Best Categories

Nothing brings the sports world together and sparks more debate than the annual ESPYs.

The 2012 ESPYs are July 11 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN hosted by Rob Riggle. 

This year is the 20th Anniversary of the ESPYs and has no shortage of great teams, players, plays and performers.

The ESPYs are also known for their outstanding promotion of the V Foundation in honor of Jimmy Valvano. The foundation has been promoting cancer research since its inception in 1993.

A great cause and a great event.

Here is a look at the best of the categories, the finalists, who I voted for and who I think will win.

Best play is still in the voting stages.

View them all and vote here.

Best Comeback Athlete

Mr. or Ms. Resiliency—Best Comeback Athlete:

Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins)

Johan Santana (New York Mets)

Maria Sharapova (Tennis)

Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions)

Who I voted for: Sharapova

Who I think will win: Sidney Crosby

Best Female Athlete

Best Female Athlete:

Brittney Griner (Basketball)

Maria Sharapova (Tennis)

Lindsey Vonn (Skiing)

Abby Wambach (Soccer)

Who I voted for: Abby Wambach

Who I think will win: Brittney Griner.

Her stats don't lie. She dominated women's college basketball.

My issue is that it was due to her height, not necessarily her athletic ability.

Best Breakthrough Athlete

Best Breakthrough Athlete:

Anthony Davis (University of Kentucky)

Robert Griffin III (Baylor University)

Rob Gronkowski (New England Patriots)

Alex Morgan (USA Soccer)

Jeremy Lin (New York Knicks)

Who I voted for: Rob Gronkowski (Unless Alex Morgan wants to go on a date. Then I'll change my vote.)

Who I think will win: Rob Gronkowski. Simply due to the amount of Patriot football fans.

Best Moment

These moments are all great for different reasons, the finalists for Best Moment:

Derek Jeter (3000th Hit)

Tim Tebow (Sudden Death TD)

Bubba Watson (Masters Win)

MLB Season Ends (Last day drama)

Who I voted for: Bubba Watson—such a great television moment. Very sentimental time. I don't like golf but even I got behind this one.

Who I think will win: Tim Tebow. Ugh.

Best Record-Breaking Performance

Best Record-Breaking Performance:

Drew Brees (Single-season NFL Passing Yards)

Coach Krzyzewski, or Coach K (Most Career NCAA Men's Div. 1 Wins)

Mariano Rivera (MLB Career Saves)

Lexi Thompson (Youngest to win a multiple-round professional golf tournament)

Who I voted for: Drew Brees

Who I think will win: Drew Brees. America loves its football though Coach K could steal this award.

Best Coach

The people that put the stars in the position to make plays, Best Coach:

John Calipari (University of Kentucky)

Tom Coughlin (New York Giants)

Kim Mulkey (Baylor Women's Basketball)

Patrick Murphy (Alabama Softball)

Erik Spoelstra (Miami Heat)

Darryl Sutter (Los Angeles Kings)

My Vote: Darryl Sutter

Who I think will win: It better be Sutter, but probably Spoelstra.

Best Game

Best Game:

Missouri and Kansas (NCAA Basketball)

Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals (Game 6-World Series)

San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints (NFL Playoffs)

My vote: Missouri/Kansas

Who I think will win: 49ers/Saints, absolutely great ending to this game.

Best Male Athlete

The Best Male Athlete is quite the honor. It considers competitors from all sports, including NASCAR, as athletes. This year there are some great choices:

Novak Djokovic (Tennis)

LeBron James (NBA)

Aaron Rodgers (NFL)

Justin Verlander (MLB)

Who I voted for: LeBron James. He's a freak athlete.

Who I think will win: LeBron. He's just more athletic.

Best Championship Performance

Probably my favorite category, Best Championship Performance:

David Freese (World Series)

LeBron James (NBA Playoffs)

Eli Manning (Super Bowl)

Tony Stewart (Sprint Cup)

Jonathan Quick (Stanley Cup)

Who I voted for: Jonathan Quick

Who I think will win: LeBron or Eli

Best Upset

These games had us all glued to the television.

Best upset:

Iowa State over Oklahoma State (NCAA Football)

L.A. Kings (Stanley Cup playoffs)

Lehigh over Duke (NCAA Tournament)

Norfolk State over Missouri (NCAA Tournament)

Who I voted for: L.A. Kings

Who I think will win: Lehigh over Duke. I can't argue this one. Lehigh over the winning-est coach in NCAA Men's history is a pretty big upset.

Best Team

With all the story lines in sports from this past season and all the outstanding title winner, picking this one will be tough. The finalists for best team:

University of Alabama Football

Baylor Women's Basketball

Kentucky Men's Basketball

L. A. Kings

Miami Heat

New York Giants

St. Louis Cardinals

Who I voted for: Kentucky Men's Basketball

It pains me to vote for a Calipari coached team but they were on the top of the mountain the entire year and didn't slow down in the postseason when it counted.

Who I think will win: Miami Heat or Alabama Football.

The voting for this award runs all the way through the show on July 11 at 9 p.m. ET.

View and vote here