Yes, sports is like all other major American industries — run by a handful of people who made out like bandits in this economic system of great wealth disparity. Because they have accumulated such vast wealth, they believe that is a sign of intelligence and that hubris frequently leads to poor decision-making both on and off the field of play. For all of the greed, drama, bickering, and dozens of pages of investigation findings, sports remains a highly compelling entertainment product. The players rise through the ranks as they go from children to adults, what they endure in the process, the disagreements with coaches and management, the agony of defeat, and eventually victory whether it’s a championship, an all-star appearance, or maybe just making a timely contribution on a big stage. The games are the payoff to storylines that sometimes last all season long, and there can be multiple on one team. The San Francisco 49ers have Mr. Irrelevant starting at quarterback, and also a talented coach with arguably the deepest roster in the league trying to finally finish the job and win a Super Bowl. The stories in sports can be downers like the ones involving Brett Favre and Daniel Snyder. However, there are others that remind fans of why they love sports, and keep reading the articles and watching the games. Here are some feel-good sports storylines from 2022. The Seattle Mariners making the playoffs source: Getty Images The 2001 M’s won an astounding 116 games. However, after falling to the New York Yankees in the ALCS, Seattle didn’t return to the postseason until 2022. The Mariners won 90 games with American League Rookie of the Year Julio Rodríguez providing a spark. The outfielder has all the makings of a Hall of Fame talent, and baseball fans across the Pacific Northwest rejoiced as the Mariners not only returned to the playoffs, but defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL Wild Card Series. Dusty Baker finally got his ring source: Getty Images Dusty Baker was the right choice to manage the Houston Astros in the wake of the sign-stealing scandal that led to the firing of skipper A.J. Hinch (and GM Jeff Luhnow). By all accounts, Baker is one of the most well-respected figures in MLB. Outside of Tony La Russa, he hasn’t garnered many enemies in the league. The Astros are still arguably the most hated franchise in MLB, but Baker, who had no connection to the tainted 2017 season, is someone to root for. Winning the World Series is the final stamp on a surefire Hall-of-Fame career for Baker, but the randomness of the MLB postseason finally going in his favor is far from the main reason he deserves the honor. In 25 years as a manager, his teams finished under .500 only eight times, and he has been named NL Manager of the Year three times. He is one of the greatest managers in the history of a sport that has had very few who share his ethnicity. Morocco magic source: Getty Images No African or Arab nation had advanced to the semifinals of the World Cup until Morocco made it in 2022, knocking off powerhouses Spain and Portugal in the process. While The Atlas Lions couldn’t get past France to advance to the finals — and lost to Croatia in the third-place game — the Morrocan players were still treated like royalty by supporters Jalen Hurts from replaceable to MVP? source: Getty Images If there were any lingering doubts about Jalen Hurts and his status as Philly’s starting QB after a poor playoff debut, those were certainly put to rest by his play so far in 2022. Before hurting his shoulder, Hurts entered Week 16 as the odds-on MVP favorite and is a big reason why the Eagles went 13-1 with him under center. The signal-caller isn’t simply managing to get the ball to playmakers in the most low-risk scenario possible. Hurts has been aggressive. He has improved as a passer, and is still leading Philly’s rushing attack. It would not be a surprise for him to be giving an MVP speech at the NFL Awards. That’s a long way from where he and the Eagles were on Jan. 16, 2022. Las Vegas comes up Aces source: Getty Images Drunk A’ja Wilson might have been the best character of all sports in 2022. When she was demanding that Drake attend the Las Vegas Aces championship parade, and for adults to show up no less than “ four shots deep,” her post-championship press conference was almost as good as her MVP season on the floor (19.5 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.4 spg). Wilson was great but she didn’t lead the Aces to a championship by herself. WNBA Finals MVP Chelsea Gray, and All-Star Game MVP Kelsey Plum also made major contributions. The Aces have been an outstanding basketball team for two seasons, and elevated their play even higher against the Seattle Storm in the 2022 semifinals. Their unfiltered and uncensored championship parade speeches were also a sight to behold. Talent and personality — that’s all that can be asked of a great team. Take a bow, Geno Smith, and tell Nolan Nawrocki to eat your shorts source: Getty Images Geno Smith was one of the quarterbacks who led those explosive West Virginia offenses of the late 2000s/early 2010s. As a senior, he completed 71 percent of his passes for 42 touchdowns against only six interceptions. Unfortunately, for him, the Mountaineer defense was one of the worst in the country and prevented Smith from playing in a major Bowl game. Smith was selected in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, and had his career seemingly derailed in his third season after he was punched in the jaw by a teammate over an alleged gambling debt. It took seven years before he received another opportunity to begin a season as a starting quarterback. How did that turn out? Smith was named a Pro Bowler. Smith’s career renaissance has aged Nolan Nawrocki’s pre-draft scouting report like milk. The punch heard ‘round the locker room may have led a sort of credence to Nawrocki’s assessments of Smith — from the “fake smile” and the signal-caller believing he was “above the law” — but that doesn’t appear to be the case. It turns out that Smith is a damn good NFL quarterback who, ya know, got drafted by the New York Jets. That misfortune has slammed the brakes on — or just derailed — the careers of many young quarterbacks. The gritty Detroit Lions source: Getty Images That defense hasn’t done much kneecap biting, but this team is on a roll. Early this season, after all of the gruff football talk on Hard Knocks, it was appearing more like Dan Campbell was a muscular version of The Dude from T he Big Lebowski doing an impression of a football coach. However, in a matter of weeks, Campbell has gone from The Dude to That Dude. Heading into Week 16, Detroit has won six of its last seven and has a legitimate shot at making the playoffs in a weak NFC. Jameson Williams and Amon Ra St. Brown are a dynamic wide receiver duo, and the Lions’ running game is one of the best in the league. Also, during this winning streak, the defense has shown a lot of the toughness that Campbell said he wanted at the opening press conference and on Hard Knocks. Brittney is home for Christmas source: AP Brittney Griner is finally home. The WNBA star doesn’t as a political pawn. Griner is back on U.S. soil and gets to eat Christmas dinner at home with her wife and other loved ones. A truly wonderful, early Christmas present. Relatedbetting football onlinetop betting sites for nflcollege football bettingnba betmlb betsonline nhl betsufc online betting sitessportsbooks for soccerfree copa america betting sites
Related Posts
Liverpool kept themselves in the hunt for a top-four Premier League finish as they earned a 2-0 win over Southampton at Anfield.
Sadio Mane s 31st-minute header and a late Thiago Alcantara strike his first for the club proved the difference as the hosts ensured their slim hopes of clinching Champions League qualification remain alive.
The Saints, meanwhile, failed to make themselves mathematically safe from relegation as they suffered defeat, though with 10 points separating them from 18th-placed Fulham, it is highly unlikely they will be dragged into the mix.
Liverpool s last two outings 1-1 draws against Leeds United and Newcastle United were largely defined by a failure to take their opportunities, rather than any issues creating them.
And Jurgen K…
Hansi Flick acknowledged he remains in contact with Mario Gotze after rumours circulated the Germany World Cup winner could return to Bayern Munich.
Gotze spent three years at Bayern between 2013 and 2016, winning the Bundesliga in each season and the DFB-Pokal twice, before returning to Borussia Dortmund.
The attacking midfielder was released at the end of last season, though, after struggling to regain the form that saw him rise through the ranks at Signal Iduna Park.
Flick was assistant to Joachim Low when Gotze scored the winning goal for Germany in the 2014 World Cup final and German publication Bild suggested the Bayern boss is keen on bringing him back to bolster his midfield, an option that has proved attractive as there is no fee involved.
Asked …
Sergio Ramos moved level with Iker Casillas as Spain s most-capped player on 167 appearances after being named in their starting XI to face the Faroe Islands.
Ramos, 33, has been an ever-present since making his international debut in 2005 and featuring on Sunday leaves him on the brink of history.
The centre-back was a key player in Spain s greatest international triumphs, helping them to European Championship success in 2008 and 2012, as well as their first World Cup title in 2010.
Casillas had been out in front by himself ever since retiring from international football in 2016, but Ramos is now just a single appearance from setting a new outright record.
167 Sergio Ramos has played 167 international games for Spain equaling Iker Casillas as the player …
Germany benefited from two own goals as they came from behind to seal a thumping 4-2 win over Portugal in Euro 2020 Group F on Saturday.
Cristiano Ronaldo had put holders Portugal ahead early on with a strike that took him level with Miroslav Klose as the European player to have scored the most combined goals (19) across the World Cup and European Championship.
Joachim Low s side stormed back before half-time, however, courtesy of two own goals in the space of four minutes from Ruben Dias and Raphael Guerreiro.
The 2014 world champions wrapped up an emphatic first victory of the tournament in the second half thanks to strikes from Kai Havertz and the impressive Robin Gosens, with Diogo Jota pulling one back for Fernando Santos men.
<…
Italy were drawn to face England and Germany in a tough 2022-23 Nations League group on Thursday.
The Azzurri beat England in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley in July and the two sides will do battle again in Group A3 of the Nations League.
They will also face Germany and Hungary home and away in matches that will take place next June and September 2022.
Holders France are in Group A1 along with Croatia, Denmark and Austria.
World champions France were crowned champions when they came from behind to beat Spain 2-1 at San Siro in October.
Spain were drawn in Group A2 and will come up against Portugal, Czech Republic and Switzerland in the third edition of the UEFA competition.
Belgium, who squandered a two-goal lead to lose against France…
And you thought the rivalry would calm down when he moved to Serie A…
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi might not be operating in such close proximity any more, but their exploits continue to prompt wonderment and debate over who is the best footballer of their era and all time.
Ronaldo fired an equaliser for Juventus in their 1-1 Derby d Italia draw against Inter on Saturday to bring up his 600th club goal.
Four days later, having already got on the scoresheet in Barcelona s Champions League semi-final with Liverpool, Messi dispatched a stunning free-kick from 30 yards to crown a 3-0 first-leg win for the Blaugrana and reach the same milestone.
Among the numerous parallels of excellence the fellow five-time Ballon d Or winners have thrown up during…
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker:
Turning their attention back to World Cup qualifying duties on Wednesday night, Portugal will welcome Ireland to the Estádio Do Algarve when the September international fixtures get underway.
Portugal
Starting with the hosts, eventually crashing out of this summer s European Championships without making much of a mark, Portugal will be seeking a much-welcomed boost on Wednesday night. Hit with a round of 16 1-0 loss at the hands of Belgium, the Seleção managed to collect just a single win during the whole of their European adventure, a run highlighted by that action-packed 4-2 loss against an inconsistent Germany. However, tipped as a landslide pick to make a return to winning ways in midweek, Head Coach Fernando Santos finds his s…
Harry Kane sits fifth in England s all-time scoring charts, but he could overtake Wayne Rooney s competitive record for the Three Lions against Andorra.
Kane has found the net nine times in 13 appearances in 2021 for Gareth Southgate s men to leave him 12 goals behind Rooney (53) as England s leading scorer.
However, the Tottenham forward has 36 goals to his name in competitive international fixtures – one fewer than Rooney – before the trip to the Estadi Nacional on Saturday.
Kane is also one shy of becoming just the second player to score 10 or more in two separate calendar years for the Three Lions, after Vivian Woodward in 1908 and 1909.
But comparisons between Kane and Rooney are likely to be the focus in the coming months, as the England…
It is finally official. Manchester City will be the new home of Erling Haaland next season after the announcement of an agreement with Borussia Dortmund for the superstar s capture.
Barring an unexpected issue with personal terms, the striker will arrive after two and a half years in the Bundesliga to bring even more firepower to the Premier League champions.
Having flirted with Tottenham s Harry Kane throughout last year s pre-season transfer window without landing their man, City have decided to go down the Haaland route to finally bring in the number nine they have sought since Sergio Aguero left.
Pep Guardiola has told anyone who will listen all season how incredible it is that his team has maintained the standards they have without a striker , which can …
Frank Lampard said Mason Mount would sign a new contract at Chelsea “in an ideal world” but accepted the situation may not be so straightforward for the England midfielder.
The 24-year-old is about to enter the final year of his contract and has been heavily linked with a move away from the club he joined aged six.
The parties have been in talks for much of the season over a new deal but have failed to reach an agreement, and it seems increasingly likely that he will leave with Liverpool and Manchester United reportedly interested.
If no extension is agreed it will mean he is free to begin negotiating with other clubs at the start of next year, but Chelsea could look to sell in the summer to avoid the possibility of the academy graduate leaving on a free tran…