Sports in Seconds: It's Christmas time for sports fans
It's the most wonderful time of the year.
Sure, everyone knows that line and everyone associates it with the excitement and thrills of the holiday season. You know, the time when people are jolly, and kids are giddy and all that jazz.
Let me tell you, if it is possible for this sports fan to ever be giddy, now is definitely the time.
In December people hang mistletoe in the hallways and beads around the Christmas Tree.
In October, Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers hang curveballs in the heart of the plate and turn around to watch in devastation as the ball sails over the wall for a game-winning home-run.
People often take family outings, sometime before Jolly Old Saint Nick makes his annual appearance, in search of that perfect Christmas tree to be placed in the living room.
The fall is the time when National Football League (NFL) linebackers go in search of unblocked running backs in hopes of driving their helmets into the ground causing a fumble.
After a hearty Christmas dinner, families can kick back and watch their favourite National Hockey League (NHL) team battle it out on television. In October, well, families can do the exact same thing, as the NHL regular season is just under way.
With the abundance of quality sporting events occurring at the same time, sports fans will have no problem finding a game to satisfy their craving for excitement, and entertainment in the sporting realm.
MLB began their playoffs on October 3 with many teams and many big-name stars battling toward world supremacy.
The American League's New York Yankees feature a lineup consisting of nine current and former All-stars and, despite them competing against my beloved Detroit Tigers in the divisional series, look poised to cruise into the World Series against the winner of the Oakland and Minnesota series. I will not give up hope though Detroit.
The National League championship is up for grabs as all four teams, the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, and San Diego Padres, all have question marks hovering over their respected teams.
Although another “subway-series” is very probable, I feel the Mets pitching staff is too injury-riddled to make it past Los Angeles in the divisional series, and subsequently the Dodgers will ride their recent hot streak all the way into the Fall Classic.
The NFL season is also in full swing as the Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens, and Chicago Bears sit atop the league with perfect 4-0 records.
If anyone read my columns last year, you would know that I bleed blue for the Colts, and I will maintain my bold prediction that they will finally become Super Bowl champions this season.
The NHL regular season kicked off on October 4 as well. All six Canadian teams made significant changes in the off-season, all adding different pieces to their puzzles in hopes of bringing a Stanley Cup north of the 49th.
Although I consider myself a Maple Leaf fan, I don't think it would be a strong bet tagging them as the champions this year, although Ottawa and Calgary should have a good shot at championship glory.
So in this so-called “sports holiday season” I will be enjoying myself immensely along with other sports fans across the country. Hopefully the franchises that I support can continue to be successful and reach their team's ultimate goal.
Sure, everyone knows that line and everyone associates it with the excitement and thrills of the holiday season. You know, the time when people are jolly, and kids are giddy and all that jazz.
Let me tell you, if it is possible for this sports fan to ever be giddy, now is definitely the time.
In December people hang mistletoe in the hallways and beads around the Christmas Tree.
In October, Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers hang curveballs in the heart of the plate and turn around to watch in devastation as the ball sails over the wall for a game-winning home-run.
People often take family outings, sometime before Jolly Old Saint Nick makes his annual appearance, in search of that perfect Christmas tree to be placed in the living room.
The fall is the time when National Football League (NFL) linebackers go in search of unblocked running backs in hopes of driving their helmets into the ground causing a fumble.
After a hearty Christmas dinner, families can kick back and watch their favourite National Hockey League (NHL) team battle it out on television. In October, well, families can do the exact same thing, as the NHL regular season is just under way.
With the abundance of quality sporting events occurring at the same time, sports fans will have no problem finding a game to satisfy their craving for excitement, and entertainment in the sporting realm.
MLB began their playoffs on October 3 with many teams and many big-name stars battling toward world supremacy.
The American League's New York Yankees feature a lineup consisting of nine current and former All-stars and, despite them competing against my beloved Detroit Tigers in the divisional series, look poised to cruise into the World Series against the winner of the Oakland and Minnesota series. I will not give up hope though Detroit.
The National League championship is up for grabs as all four teams, the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, and San Diego Padres, all have question marks hovering over their respected teams.
Although another “subway-series” is very probable, I feel the Mets pitching staff is too injury-riddled to make it past Los Angeles in the divisional series, and subsequently the Dodgers will ride their recent hot streak all the way into the Fall Classic.
The NFL season is also in full swing as the Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens, and Chicago Bears sit atop the league with perfect 4-0 records.
If anyone read my columns last year, you would know that I bleed blue for the Colts, and I will maintain my bold prediction that they will finally become Super Bowl champions this season.
The NHL regular season kicked off on October 4 as well. All six Canadian teams made significant changes in the off-season, all adding different pieces to their puzzles in hopes of bringing a Stanley Cup north of the 49th.
Although I consider myself a Maple Leaf fan, I don't think it would be a strong bet tagging them as the champions this year, although Ottawa and Calgary should have a good shot at championship glory.
So in this so-called “sports holiday season” I will be enjoying myself immensely along with other sports fans across the country. Hopefully the franchises that I support can continue to be successful and reach their team's ultimate goal.
