Favorite sporting event?

I'm sure this thread has been done a zillion times here, but it hasn't been done since I've been here, dammit, and I'm curious.

I was looking through You Tube clips tonight, and it only served to remind me how much of a sucker I am about the Olympics. They're over-commercialized, over-hyped and over-exposed, but damn if I didn't cry watching the highlight reels from the 1996 Games, one of the worst in all three regards.

I'm a sucker for the Triumph Of The Human Spirit storylines that always emerge, and nothing makes me cry happy tears faster than seeing any person in their moment of ultimate accomplishment. Yes, I am that much of a dork. But I own it. So there.

For those of you who've been around the block more than me, what's your favorite event to watch/cover/talk about/really anything? Why? I'm thinking event more in once-a-year-or-less terms, but if you love being around weekly chess matches, I'm sure that's just as compelling in some way.

We now return to your regularly scheduled political bickering.

 

Wimbledon or the Winter Olympics.

We've got local guys who ski, etc. And I was raised on Wimbledon. That was the first real sporting event I remember paying rapt attention to as a child.

 

The FIFA World Cup.

Nothing else comes close. Countries on all levels of economic and military development competing, and the playing field is becoming more wide open every time. The same group wins it all, but the semifinals always have interlopers. And again, the richest countries aren't automatically the best.

And . . .for what it's worth, I also cry when I remember the 1996 Olympics. Mainly because of our little redneck "Proud to be an American" (where at least I know I'M free!) tune as the gymnastics midgets had their "we won gold" presentation. A truly embarrassing moment, as we played THAT song with the world's eyes on us.

 

To cover? College basketball. Teams are small so you can know a ton about most of the players.
To watch? First round of the NCAA men's basketball tourney.

 

The World Cup is moving up my list, but for now it is: 1. Any Yankees playoff game, especially when they win. 2. March Madness. 3. Any Seahawks playoff game.

 

the first round of the ncaa hoops tournament
afc/nfc title game sunday
MLB opening day

 

The whole first weekend (Thursday-Sunday) of the NCAAs is like Nirvana for me. If I didn't have to work, I'd veg out for 4 days and crank up the home theater.

For live events, give me a NASCAR race. That campground scene can get wild.

 

By the time Sunday night rolls around, you find yourself demanding more college hoops... it is a drug -- a good one...

 

cockfighting

 

Dog shows.

 

1. FIFA World Cup


2. Super Bowl
3. NBA Finals











43254325. World Series