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All sports have the magical moments, some more than others, but what is the most exciting sport in America today. Now let me change gears for a moment, we all know that the most watched and followed sport in the world is soccer, this little rant will cover just the top three American sports; Football, baseball, and basketball. I cannot or wait correct that, I will not include hockey. The television ratings are at an all time low, surprised, not me!!
Football:
Probably the most exciting sport right now in the United States is football. For sure it is the number one rated sport on television. Weather it be professional or college, every fan follows their team fanatically. Some of the plays are heart wrenching, can make even the largest man cry, but the most exciting sport; I do not think so.
What kind of statement is this, why do I make such a bold statement; well my reasoning is simple and right to the point. In this day and age, football, at least professional, is 100 % predictable. Many football fans will tell you that there is so much parity in the National Football League; well this simply is not true. Gone are the days of upsets except maybe for one Sunday afternoon a so, so quarterback may lead their underdog team to victory over a favored opponent. The plays that hold you to the edge of your seat are few and far between.
Now I am sure that I will get blasted for that statement, but since I am writing this Rant, I can make this statement. This is not a fact; this just comes from my gut feeling. On my list, it comes in a distant second to the most exciting sport.
Basketball:
Need I say more, not that exciting to watch anymore is it! The television ratings are at an all time low. Sure every once in a great while you may see the last second 3 pointer which sends "overweight" Joe jumping out of his shorts. People pack arena's to watch the likes of Lebron James, the next Michael Jordan, but the excitement is just not there.
There are the Detroit Pistons and then there is the rest of the NBA. Everyone knows that the Pistons will win the upcoming 2006 NBA Championship; these playoffs are just a formality.
Basketball comes in a DISTANT third place on my exciting meter.
Baseball:
Baseball is known as America's pastime for a reason and has can make even the most eager of sports fans cry. Where else can you have the typical scenario of your team down 5-2, bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, 3-2 pitch count, in a game to win the pennant. Does it really have to be for the pennant, no, just a home stand will work.
Last September when Barry Bonds came back to play in those few September games, Giants fans received their second wind. There is a chance to win the pennant, for Christ sake, Barry is back. It was the most exciting moment in a true fans heart. You cannot create such a fantasy, even in your own mind. Against the Los Angels Dodgers, bottom of the 8th, Giants loosing, and Bonds hits one into McCovey Cove to win the game, from behind home plate for god's sake.
Now I use this example just because I am a Giants fan, but any true baseball fan has their own moment embedded into their mind. Dodger fans will still pay for Kirk Gibson's meal anywhere in Los Angels because of his 1988 homer against the Oakland A's, just as much as Bill Buckner still gets death threats from fans, and flowers from Met fans.
I could write and rant on why baseball is my number one most exciting sport. Shoot I could list off hundreds of examples why it is; well I could do that for every sport. I guarantee you one thing though; baseball's list is much longer!
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