20 Athletes Who Had the Best Year Ever
There's no doubt Stephen Curry had the best 2015 in sports, right?
Well, let's think on that. What makes for the "best year ever" in the sports world? Personal achievement definitely counts. Carey Price was the MVP in the NHL; Derrick Henry won the Heisman Trophy. Those two had pretty good years.
Still, collective performance matters as well for those who play team sports. For instance, Bryce Harper had an absolutely dominant MLB season, but his Washington Nationals floundered. It's tough to say someone had the "best year ever" if their team didn't even make the playoffs.
Other things that make up a stellar year could include iconic performances, big contracts or just a fun life (look for Rob Gronkowski to steal that category).
No one can have a perfect year (not even the Golden State Warriors), but these 20 athletes came pretty close in 2015.
Honorable Mentions
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These athletes had epic years, save one major thing. For instance, Ronda Rousey was absolutely crushing 2015 until her shocking defeat at the hands of Holly Holm in November. Even though she lost, let's not forget her incredible accomplishments over the past year. Here are 2015's honorable mentions, all of whom would've made the list, if not for that one thing.
- Former UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, if not for her loss to Holly Holm.
- Washington Nationals outfield Bryce Harper, if not for his team's dismal season.
- Tennis legend Serena Williams, if not for her U.S. Open loss to unseeded Roberta Vinci.
- FC Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, if not for missing two months with injury (he's still on the Ballon d'Or shortlist, though).
- Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell, if not for a season-ending injury in Week 8.
- Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith, if not for a trip to the long-term injured reserve list.
Alexander Ovechkin
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Major Accomplishments: First-team All-Star, leading scorer among Russian-born NHLers
Washington Capitals left wing Alexander Ovechkin finished second in the Hart Trophy voting for NHL MVP in 2015. He became the all-time leading scorer among Russian-born NHL players. His team made it to the second round of the 2014-15 playoffs and is out to a solid start in the Metropolitan Division in 2015-16.
Simone Biles
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Major Accomplishments: All-around title at the World Gymnastics Championships, U.S. Female Olympic Athlete of the Year
Simone Biles is 18 years old and one of America's brightest stars heading into the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. In 2015, she became the first woman to win three consecutive world titles. With 10 world championship golds to her name (four achieved in 2015), Biles is already one of the most decorated female gymnasts ever.
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Draymond Green
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Major Accomplishments: NBA title, NBA Finals triple-double
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has become one of the most dominant presences in the NBA. With a 16-point, 11-rebound, 10-assist performance in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, he joined Magic Johnson as the only other player to record triple-doubles in the NCAA tournament and an NBA Finals clincher.
In the offseason, he signed a five-year, $82 million contract to remain with the Warriors. Also, he's just on the Warriors, which is pretty dope for all of those guys.
Rob Gronkowski
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Major Accomplishments: Super Bowl champion, one of the NFL's best tight ends, biggest bro in sports
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski suffered an injury in November, but even that can't take away from his epic 2015. Gronk loves party vehicles. He is a dancing machine. He is a commercial star and a game-show natural.
If outward appearances are any indication, this man has more fun than anyone in sports. This is a guy who chose his college based on the pool parties, after all.
Neymar
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Major Accomplishments: Leading La Liga in scoring (as of Dec. 21), on the Ballon d'Or shortlist
FC Barcelona—home of superstars Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar—won La Liga and Champions League titles in 2015. The only reason Messi received an honorable mention on this list was a two-month injury absence. Still, teammate Neymar has shined, with and without Messi.
Francesc Tomas of ESPN FC wrote, "The 10 goals Neymar has scored during Messi's absence are a true testament to his conscious effort to step up and lead during a potentially difficult period for the team."
Conor McGregor
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Major Accomplishments: Undefeated in three 2015 fights, became UFC featherweight champion
Conor McGregor saw his popularity and stature rise in 2015. In addition to wins in January and July, he knocked out the legendary Jose Aldo in 13 seconds to become featherweight champion in December.
Todd Martin of the Los Angeles Times wrote, "The man came in talking about how great he was from day one, talking himself up like few others ever have. He then proceeded to defeat every opponent and knocked out a dominant champion who hadn't lost in ten years in a matter of seconds."
Jake Arrieta
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Major Accomplishments: National League Cy Young Award, Best Breakout Player Award
Many (many) major league players had outstanding seasons in 2015. However, perhaps no player had a better individual season amid overall team success than Chicago Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta.
In his breakout year, Arrieta won 22 games with a 1.77 ERA. He was instrumental in the Cubs' incredible run to the National League Championship Series. He won the Cy Young with 17 first-place votes, besting heavyweights Zack Greinke, Clayton Kershaw, Gerrit Cole and Max Scherzer.
Holly Holm
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Major accomplishments: Undefeated in three 2015 fights, became UFC bantamweight champion
Holly Holm's season took a backseat to Ronda Rousey's for much of 2015, but in November, all that changed. Holm knocked out the previously undefeated Rousey in devastating fashion to claim the UFC Bantamweight Championship. Her fame instantly skyrocketed, and the inevitable rematch between the two fighters is already getting hella-hype.
Cam Newton
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Major Accomplishments: Clinched first-round playoff bye, led Carolina Panthers to a franchise-record win total
Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has a lot to dance about in 2015. After going 7-8 in 2014, his team has been dominant in 2015. In fact, they became the first team in NFL history to start a season 10-0 after a losing season. Through Week 15, the Panthers are 14-0, and Newton is solidly in the MVP conversation.
Lydia Ko
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Major Accomplishments: First major win, World's No. 1 ranking, LPGA Player of the Year
In November, Golf magazine called Ko the "Greatest Young Golfer in the History of the Game." The second-year pro won five tournaments on the year and topped the money list. She also took home the $1 million bonus that goes with the Road to the CME Globe for the second year in a row. At 18 years old, she became the youngest ever to win the LPGA Player of the Year Award.
Derrick Henry
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Major Accomplishments: SEC all-time single-season rusher, first-team All-American, Heisman Trophy winner
Alabama's Derrick Henry had a record-breaking season in 2015, and he is one of the big reasons Alabama is returning to the College Football Playoff. He led the FBS in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. His 1,986 yards on the season broke Hershel Walker's 34-year-old SEC record, and his 23 rushing TDs tied the conference record.
Salvador Perez
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Major Accomplishments: All-Star, Gold Glove catcher, World Series MVP
Really, every Kansas City Royal should be on this list. The team's road to its first World Series victory in 30 years was as much of a team effort as you'll ever see.
Jonny Gomes, who did not make the postseason roster, summed it up at the victory parade, per Pete Grathoff of the Kansas City Star: "Hey guess what, Cy Young winner, not on our team, beat him. Rookie of the year, not on our team, we beat him. MVP of the whole league, (turns around) sorry guys not on our team. But we beat that guy too!"
Still, since this is an individual list, let's give it to catcher Salvador Perez. His stellar defense and .364/.375/.455 series line helped earn him the World Series MVP Award.
Cristiano Ronaldo
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Major Accomplishments: Won the Ballon d'Or, on the shortlist to win it again, became Real Madrid's all-time leading scorer
Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo has led the Champions League in scoring the past four years, and he's on pace to do it again. In fact, Ronaldo became first player to score double-digit goals in Champions League group play.
On top of his on-field success, Ronaldo is also raking in the dough. According to Forbes, his $79.6 million makes him the third-highest paid athlete in the world in 2015.
Floyd Mayweather
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Major Accomplishments: Retired at 49-0
Like him or not, Floyd Mayweather belongs on this list. He handily beat Manny Pacquiao in May in one of the most highly anticipated boxing matches of the 21st century. He beat his next opponent, Andre Berto, to improve to 49-0 and retired a world champion. Plus, he has piles of cash. Literally.
Lewis Hamilton
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Major Accomplishments: Formula One world champion
Driver Lewis Hamilton had a big year. Not only did he win his third F1 world championship, but he became the first British driver to win two in a row.
Carli Lloyd
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Major Accomplishments: World Cup champion, Golden Ball winner, scored the fastest hat trick in World Cup history
With 202 international caps and 69 international goals, U.S. midfielder Carli Lloyd is a star with or without the 2015 Women's World Cup Final. Still, her legendary performance in America's victory over Japan made her an instant American hero and launched her into superstardom. Kobe Bryant even had her back against a Twitter troll in July.
Carey Price
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Major Accomplishments: 2014-15 Hart (MVP), Jennings (fewest goals scored against) and Vezina (top goalie) Trophy winner, first-team All-Star, Ted Lindsay Award winner for most outstanding player as voted by the NHLPA
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price took home some serious hardware in 2015. He led the NHL in save percentage and GAA (.933 and 1.96, respectively). In addition to individual success, Price's Canadiens made a trip to the Eastern Conference semifinals in May and are one of the best teams in hockey to start the 2015-16 season.
Jordan Spieth
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Major accomplishments: Masters champion, U.S. Open champion, PGA Tour Player of the Year, FedEx Cup winner, all-time PGA Tour earnings winner
Jordan Spieth had a breakout year in 2015 reminiscent of Tiger Woods' 1997 season. Not only did he become the second-youngest player to ever win the Masters, but he also won the U.S. Open and came in second at the PGA Championship. His FedEx Cup championship earned him a $10 million bonus and catapulted him back to the world No. 1 ranking. His $12,030,465 in earnings (before the bonus) is a PGA Tour record.
Novak Djokovic
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Major Accomplishments: Three Grand Slam titles (Australian Open, Wimbledon, U.S. Open), ATP year-end World Tour No. 1, ATP World Tour Finals champion
No male tennis player had a better year than Serbian Novak Djokovic in 2015. In fact, many are calling it one of the greatest seasons in history. He made it to the final in all four Grand Slams and won three of them. His $21 million in prize money set a record for earnings.
Steph Curry
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Major accomplishments: 2014-15 NBA MVP, All-Star, NBA champion
The Golden State Warriors aren't going to go 82-0 in 2015-16, but Steph Curry has had about as close to a perfect year as anyone is going to get. Not only did he win an NBA title and his first MVP Award, but he has also been a part of basketball history in 2015-16. The Dubs won 24 straight games to start the season, smashing the record for best start in NBA history and scoring at least 100 points in all 24 of those games.
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