======= ======= ====== ====== ====== ===== ==== ====== ====== ===== ==== ======= ======= ====== ====== ====== ===== ==== ====== ====== ===== ====
We’re finally on the cusp of September, and that means it’s here. No, not fall. It’s still scorching fucking hot outside guys. Get real. No, not Labor Day weekend (although I will be attending a Labor Day weekend wedding and trying not to embarrass myself). No, it’s not pumpkin spice fucking everything, you basic bitches. You know what I’m talking about, people. The best damn sports month has finally arrived.
We are about to reach peak sports. Now, I’m anticipating rampant disagreement, and I hear you. I respect your opinion and completely get your reasoning. Yes, March has March Madness and NBA playoff races. Yes, January has CFB Playoff and the NFL playoffs. I get what you’re trying to say, just know you’re wrong. September is the powerhouse sports month, and it’s time you recognized its superiority.
First, it’s baseball pennant chase time. If you’re just one of those “fuck baseball, it’s boring, not gonna do it” people: 1. You suck, and 2. Skip down, there’s plenty more reason to be giddy over September. If you’re on the fence about baseball, read this, and then get fired up for the pennant races.
Baseball has had a few miscues the past couple decades, what with the tied All-Star Game, the PED issues, and somehow not drafting me and my small frame/low-80s fastball despite being draft eligible four times. This can all be forgiven because they added a second Wild Card team, and now the September hunt is even more thrilling. Over half of the MLB is still clawing at a playoff spot right now, and I think it’s evident we’ll be in for a solid finish. You can argue that the NBA offers the same thing, but you know going into the NBA playoffs that half those teams don’t have a shot in hell of winning it all.
If your team sucks, good news! Everyone has a top prospect to bring up for a September audition, so at least you’ve got some young badass who you hope doesn’t bust to look forward to. In the NBA, you’re stuck watching the same shit bags finish out a tanking season while the non-contending NFL teams are just throwing guys up there that still have all their limbs and memories intact.
Let’s now turn our attention to football. Good old concussion giving, felon-players having, Johnny Football sobriety causing NFL, is back in prime time. Everyone loves football, and September graciously gives it back to you. Not training camp, not pre-season, but real meaningful games. I want to cry tears of sports fan joy just thinking about it.
What makes September great when it comes to football is that every team has a chance; there’s that glimmer of hope that flows through every sports fan. Your team may have been shit last year and are projected to be even worse this year, but dammit you never know. Are you a Bucs fan? In September, you’ve still got that hope that Jameis and the boys will be real “skrong.” I live and die with the Cowboys, and going into last year there were some lousy predictions being thrown our way, but I stubbornly held out hope. And as we all know, Jerry’s power squad made a little playoff run, and Dez caught that damn ball.
That hope is doubled for your college football team. You never know which recruits will change the face of your program, or which guys grew into certified monsters over the summer. In September, everyone’s got a fighting chance to be good. Again, we can take from my personal experience. As a Virginia Tech fan, September was wonderful. Upset Ohio State and looked primed to reclaim past glory. By October, I had realized that you needed to be able to score points to win football games, so my optimism was in the shitter, but hell, how great was September, right? Tailgating is a lot better when your team still has a shot at a decent bowl as opposed to when you’re just drinking so you don’t remember the game.
The month is about as well-rounded as any. You’ve even got NBA training camp firing up, and you know you’ll get daily Sportscenter updates from Cavs camp. I don’t care what your sport is, September has something for you (I’d imagine that some form of soccer is going right now, too, but don’t quote me on that). You’re getting baseball’s very best, and the chance to be optimistic in the face of what might not be a great season for your football team. Argue all you want, but September will shut you down. .
Image via YouTube
Respond
Kyle Bandujo
The artist formerly known as Crash Davis. My kid doesn't think I'm funny.
@kylebandujo
@bandujokyle
kyle.bandit
My sports betting account is funded, my Saturdays are open, and beers are in the fridge. I am ready.
Just wanted to reiterate that Dez caught the damn ball.
He 100% caught the damn ball.
Right up until the ball hit the ground. Cowboys will never rise again.
Came here to say the same.
Mentioning soccer but not hockey just seems wrong, even if the season doesn’t start until October.
Frankly, I completely forgot about hockey. Soccer was on right before Baseball Tonight so I assumed some form of soccer was still going on.
I just came here to say that I’m going to destroy you in fantasy football. I am going to beat that fantasy ass week in and week out and just know that next season…
via GIPHY
Good luck.
TTakenM
That guy gets killed too. Perfect metaphor…
via GIPHY
October?
I was gonna say because of the World Series… But I guess breast cancer is something you might associate with October.
Where the NFL wears pink just to get women to watch sports? Yeah, no thanks.
Your girlfriend is going to make you buy her a pink jersey so she’ll fit in with you and your buddies on game day Todd, just you wait.
As a Bucs fan I only hope Jameis keeps the team competitive for more than 10 quarters this year…
“As a Bucs fan…”
I’m so sorry.
European leagues all started over the past few weeks. Also, MLS also has a play off race heating up. But truthfully, soccer is my favorite sport and even I don’t care about MLS. Then again I’m also one of only 2 American males I know that does not care about the NFL or CFB. Seriously though, baseball is the best American sport and right now only one division (AL Central) doesn’t have a race. It’s gonna be a good Sept.
Well maybe if the Royals weren’t so goddamn good, it would be a race.
Can we just talk about the Nationals pulling off the greatest tanking/letdown of all time?
It’s great because prior to the season, half the team came out and said that not only do they think they are the team to beat in the NL, but that everyone else thinks that way as well. That kind of arrogant natitude puts a smile on my face when I see them out of the playoff chase.
To be fair, someone had to do it, and it wasn’t going to be the Mets for once.
Please do not jinx this yet. I’ve been waiting 9 years, and have been teased in the past.
As a Twins fan, the Royals suddenly turning into baseball Jesus is extremely frustrating.
“In Sano We Trust”
You have some very random rooting interests. Hokies, Twins, and I’m assuming Cowboys due to the Dez comment. And yes, that was a damn catch
Inherited the Cowboys and Twins from my Dad, and grew up in Virginia. First year I started getting into CFB was Michael Vick’s RS-FR year. He’s the GOAT.
Mets-Royals World Series. Party like it’s the mid-80’s.