1. Fourth of July Baseball
There is nothing more American than watching baseball on this grandest of American holidays. From the team donning red, white and blue to the patriotism we see from fans on this day, it truly goes to show us just how much baseball has meant to this nation. Fathers taking children to their first games. Mothers taking children to their first games. Families getting together on a sun-drenched July day to watch a sport that has represented this nation to a T since it’s inception.
2. Fans
Fans are the greatest. We make fun of fan bases often, but they are what make sports so gratifying—and popular. From the crazy fan streaking on to the field to others acting crazy in the stands, it truly is a sight to behold. Sometimes, I wonder if we showed these fans to attacking aliens, would they really want to take over Earth to harvest our brains? We also have those awesome ladies showing their support. Their passion and beauty should not go unnoticed.
And while sports fans the world over are great, there is a certain level of nationalism to it in the United States. The crazy shirtless guy in Lambeau, the Raiders fan that looks anything but human—it’s all so awesome.
3. Washington Nationals
When the Washington Senators became the Texas Rangers following the 1971 season, it was a sad day for America. The National pastime would no longer be in the nation’s capital. As the years and decades dragged on, the echoes of baseball in D.C. quieted. It took nearly 34 years, but when the Montreal Expos moved to D.C. to become the Nationals, baseball founds itself back in its rightful place. And while most of us true baseball fans still feel sorry for our friends up north, the idea of baseball in out capital brings us closer to the history of the most patriotic of sports.
4. History
Baseball is known as our national pastime because it’s been with this country through the ups and downs. From the first known competitive game at Elysian Fields in Hoboken, New Jersey in June 1946 to Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier over 100 years later, baseball spans a vast amount of our history. From pre Civil War America to World War II, it’s been with us through the toughest of times. When nearly 3,000 of our own people perished at the hands of terrorists on 9/11, it was baseball that helped pick America up again. Embedded within the DNA of this nation, baseball has always acted as an outlet. In this, it’s been the one constant for every generation of Americans since that one game in New Jersey some 170 years ago.
Football and basketball may not have a history as deep, but both have also played instrumental roles in this country. They are the reasons why tune out what’s happening in our daily lives to enjoy a “game” for three hours here and there. They bring families together. They bring friends together. And yes, they have proven to be able to bring a nation together.
5. NFL Offices are Closed
After Thursday’s onslaught of suspensions, I am pretty sure most of us are happy we won’t be hearing from the NFL offices on the Fourth of July. Whether we agree with what the league is doing, most of us are just sick and tired of all the off-field issues surrounding the game we love so much. We just want football to start. At least for one day, we can forget about Roger Goodell and company. That’s a positive.
6. Year-Round Sports
At the turn of any calendar year, the NBA and NHL seasons are in full force. Playoff pictures are starting to become clear, and the drama continues to increase until the playoffs end in June. Major League Baseball jumps into the party around March and lasts until late October, which is when the NBA and NHL both open another season. Though the NFL never really disappears from the headlines, it certainly occupies our time from August through January. Soccer never stops, and the sport is only growing.
So go ahead. Sit down with your beverage of choice and favorite snack, flip on your high-definition television and scan the guide for a sporting event. There’s a game being played, and you’re free to watch it.
Then repeat that process tomorrow. And the next day. And the next day.
Photo: USA Today Sports