The 2016 Brewskies
by rick olivares
It’s the year’s end and you know
what that means – it’s time to hand out the Brewskies – awards for the dubious
and hilarious and WTF moments in sports for 2016. And let me tell you, the past
year was really one for the books.
Curses Foiled Again Award
Heading into the World Series,
all the chatter between the two protagonists – the Chicago Cubs and the
Cleveland Indians was which clubbed was cursed the most in their baseball
history and how the loser will feel more cursed. The Cleveland Indians took a
3-1 series lead and only needed one more win to wrap it up.
Shockingly, they lost the last
three matches including an 8-7 heartbreaker in 10 innings during Game 7.
Rocky Colavito lives and
continues to be cursed in Ohio.
Dubious Achievement Award
The Golden State Warriors join
the Seattle Mariners and the New England Patriots as the teams with the all-time
season best record only to lose when it matters either in the playoffs or the
finals.
The Warriors’ broke the Chicago
Bulls’ 20-year record of 72-10 by winning one more game. Yet unlike those Bulls
and the 1972 Miami Dolphins who pled the NFL’s only perfect season, they won
the championship.
And to paraphrase the 1996 Bulls’
Ron Harper, “73-9 don’t mean a thing without a ring.”
Hit Maker of the Year
This ain’t no Motown
chart-topper! Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors takes this home for
the cheap shots of the year to Steven Adams (twice), LeBron James, James
Harden, Blake Griffin, Michael Beasley, and most recently, Phoenix Suns rookie
Marquese Chriss.
Sorry but unnatural me butt.
Green is Bruce Bowen dirty.
The Truth is Out There Award
Ryan Lochte and the Brazilian
police. The American swimmer came out with a story of how they were held at
gunpoint during one night during the Rio Olympics. A succeeding investigation
showed that the swimmer and some friends might have not been telling the truth.
Lochte was pilloried worldwide as an ugly American adding fuel to the fire of
all the problems of the Rio Olympics.
But a succeeding USA Today investigation
and a Brazilian witness showed that the Brazilian police also exaggerated their
tale of the Americans’ destroying a bathroom in a gas station (it wasn’t
destroyed at all) and that they demanded money from Lochte and company.
An unfortunate incident that
shouldn’t have happened. As it is, it didn’t do any party any favors at all.
Everyone’s reputation took a further hit.
The Mouth That Roared Award
Sam Allardyce and Hope Solo. The
former lasted only 67 days as England manager and after he was caught during a
sting operation for unsavory practices in football. On the other hand, former
US Women’s National Team goalkeeper Hope Solo couldn’t keep her mouth shut once
more when she uttered that the Swedish team that bounced them from the Women’s
World Cup were a bunch of cowards. USA Soccer suspended her for six months
effectively ending her time in a national jersey.
Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is Award
American golf fan David Johnson
foreshadowed the United States’ win at the Ryder Cup for this year when he was
dared to sink a 10-foot putt by Rory McIlroy after he heckled McIlroy, Henrik
Stenson, Andy Sullivan, and Justin Rose after all four pro golfers all missed
their putts. Rose bet a crisp new $100 bill that Johnson could make it. But the
American did. And he did the chicken wing dance after as he got hugs from all
the golfers. Plus, signed golf balls and the hundred-dollar bill.
If Looks Could Kill Award
This one goes to Michael Phelps
whose death stare was caught as rival South African swimmer Chad Le Clos looked
blissfully unaware. It only served to add to Phelps’ legend.
Diver of the Year Award
Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas was
on the verge of losing the gold medal to American Allyson Felix during the
Olympics’ 400-meter dash when she dove towards the finish line – yes, she
extended her arm and threw herself across – to win by .07 of a second! While “diving”
is legal in the sport, people frowned over the act of desperation. While she
isn’t the first to do it, you can say that people are still used to winning by
blazing through standing up.
Protest of the Year
More controversy from the
Olympics! After Mongolian wrestler Ganzorigiin
Mandakhnaran lost the bronze medal match to Uzbekistan’s Ikhtiyor Navruzov
when the judges awarded a penalty point after the finish of the match, the
former’s two coaches, Tserenbaatar Tsogtbayar and Byambarenchin Bayaraa threw a
challenge flag. When the judges explained the call couldn’t be challenged, they
ran out onto the mat stripped down in protest — one removing his shirt, and the
other removing both his shirt and pants, leaving on only his underwear.
It sure was a tough loss
and I totally sympathize with them (I believe it was an ill-timed and bad
call), maybe these coaches could receive a Hanes endorsement for their efforts.
Chant of the Year
“Will Grigg’s Is On Fire” that
fan chant “created” by Wigan Athletic fan Sean Kennedy (to the tune of “Freed
by Desire” by Gala) for striker Will Griggs became an internet sensation. A top
of the cart song, and a massive stadium chant for Wigan and Northern Ireland in
the European Championships. The funny thing too was when those loveable and
incredible Irish fans were singing it during the Euros, Will Grigg was on the
bench!
Jordan Crying Meme
The picture for this internet
meme was during basketball great Michael Jordan’s induction into the Basketball
Hall of Fame in 2009. The meme generated a lot of publicity in use following
the Golden State Warriors’ failed 2016 NBA campaign; the loss of Jordan’s alma
mater, the University of North Carolina to a Villanova buzzer-beater for the
2016 National Championship; and when US President Barack Obama awarded
basketball’s GOAT with the Presidential Medal of Freedom citing that he was “more
than just an internet meme”.
The Black Coffee Award
Goes to Conor McGregor after he
repeatedly insulted Nate Diaz during a CNBC television interview for UFC 196.
McGregor twice told Diaz to “bring me my coffee” during the interview and the
latter responded with a few choice expletives. Diaz had the last laugh when he forced
McGregor to submit via rear naked choke during the match.
The fighting Irishman got his
revenge when he won in UFC 202 via a majority decision.
Bizarre Call of the Year
Swedish
football Adam Lindin Ljungkvist who suits up for Jarna SK was shown a red card
for farting during a match against Pershagen SK. According to referee Dany
Kako, he cautioned then sent off Ljungkvist for releasing gas. ““I perceived it as deliberate provocation. He did it on
purpose and it was inappropriate. Therefore, he received a yellow card.”
Best Music Video of the Year
Former
French international footballer Eric Cantona for singing “Will Grigg’s Is On
Fire” during his incredible home video of his dissection of the European championships.
It is both hilarious and amusing.
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