We are coming up on that time of year where the seasons of our favorite sports-baseball, football, and basketball-merge together to create an exciting few months of fall. Here’s a look back at the happenings of this past summer in the MLB, NFL, and NBA.
MLB
Labor negotiations in baseball have threatened the season and might very well create an irreconcilable rift between fans, players and owners for years to come. Only time will tell if the summer we have just enjoyed will be the last of its kind.
If nothing else, Major League Baseball has produced plenty of captivating drama this summer. The Minnesota Twins have proved all of their doubters (including those in the commissioner’s office) wrong by running away with the American League Central. The resurgence of the Anaheim Angels has lead to a very tight playoff race in the AL West between them, the Mariners and the A’s.
In the National League, the Atlanta Braves have established themselves as the team to beat with the addition of Gary Sheffield, and the emergence of baseball’s best 4-man rotation in Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, Kevin Millwood and Damian Moss. They also possess the major league’s best closer, John Smoltz, who, with 45 saves is gunning for Bobby Thigpen’s single season record of 57. Here in St. Louis, the Cardinals are leading the Houston Astros and Cincinnati Reds in the NL Central and are poised to make the playoffs for the 3rd straight year.
However, things are far from great in the world of baseball. Last May, former MVP Ken Camminiti exposed the widespread problem of steroid use in an interview with Sports Illustrated. His statement that at least half of the players are using steroids became a major embarrassment for the players, but sadly this humiliation turned out to be only the tip of the iceberg for Major League Baseball in its long and agonizing summer.
The All-Star game in Milwaukee turned into a fiasco after Commissioner Bud Selig, along with team managers Joe Torre and Bob Brenly, ended the game after the 11th inning of a 7-7 tie. A few weeks later, Selig warned fans that several prominent teams were losing money at such a rapid rate that they might not be able to make the next pay period. As it turned out, the owners were able to avoid this disaster.
Currently, team owners and players are working together to try and avoid the impending strike date set by the players for this Friday, August 30th. Although many fans are adamant about never watching baseball again if the strike does happen, both the players and owners feel that these same fans will be the first to return to ballparks once a labor agreement is reached. Only time will tell if the MLB has finally pushed its fans too far in its struggle for profits.
NFL
During July and August, NFL fans have been paying careful attention to their favorite teams over training camp and the pre-season. In Washington D.C., head coach Steve Spurrier has injected new life into the Redskins with his aggressive offense and his talented defense, led by former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis.
Last year’s conference champions, St. Louis, Philadelphia, Chicago, Oakland, New England and Pittsburgh, have all taken steps to retain key players. However, they will face even greater competition this year from teams like Tampa Bay and Indianapolis, who are hoping that off-season coaching changes can lead them to the Super Bowl.
NBA
In the NBA, the Houston Rockets secured the right to draft all 7 feet 5 inches of Yao Ming from China with the first overall pick. Naismith Award winner Jay Williams was taken second overall by the Chicago Bulls, and is currently playing on the US national team along with such NBA players as Michael Finley, Jermaine O’Neal, Baron Davis and Ben Wallace.