Another year has come and gone.
Let’s celebrate 2014 by taking a look back at some of some of the year’s best moments in sports.
The Cream of the Crop
1) The San Francisco Giants win the World Series and Madison Bumgarner becomes an urban legend.
Madison Bumgarner’s playoff performance was one for the ages. The year saw “Mad Bum” throw an astounding 52 & 2/3 postseason innings and become the first player in history to get two wins — one, a shutout — and a save in the same World Series. We also discovered that the AP Male Athlete of the year is a champion beer-chugger.
All hail Bro King Bumgarner!
2) Damian Lillard has ice in his veins.
Lillard knocked down that three-ball as time expired in Game 6 of the first round of the NBA playoffs. The series winner broke Portland’s 14-year streak of not advancing past the first round.
3) T.J. Oshie is an American hero.
Unlike the NHL, international hockey allows players to take more than one shot during shootouts. Naturally, America sent out T.J. Oshie, our top sniper, to take four of the six shots in the Winter Olympics’ preliminary round-game against Russia. Oshie’s performance didn’t top 1980’s “miracle on ice,” but it was still damn impressive.
U-S-A! U-S-A!
4) Peyton Manning breaks the NFL’s all-time touchdown record.
You can’t help but like Peyton Manning. The NFL’s resident old guy passed Brett Favre on the NFL’s all-time touchdown list with this hook-up with Demaryius Thomas. The Broncos quarterback currently has 530 career scores on his resume and looks to avenge last year’s Super Bowl loss to Seattle.
5) Steph Curry establishes himself as one of the best 3-point shooters of all time
Golden State’s point guard had an amazing 2013-2014 season. Curry was flat-out lights-out from behind the arc and set the NBA’s single season record for 3-pointers with 271.
Oh, and he scored 22 points in a single postseason quarter… twice.
6) “The Captain” retires.
Whether you hate or love the New York Yankees, you can’t help but admire Derek Jeter. “The Captain” was one of the few players that emerged unscathed from baseball’s Steroid Era, and 2014 was chock-full of Jeter nostalgia. No. 2 ended his career in the most fitting manner, a walk-off opposite-field single.
Re2pect.