Today’s Starting Bankroll: $1,830.31 (Yesterday’s Bets)
The College Football season is about to kick off in a couple days and as an avid sports watcher it made me ask myself is this the best “season” of the year? From the high-octane energy of summer sports to the cozy allure of winter games to the rivalries of the College Football Season, each season offers something special. But which season truly reigns supreme? Let’s break it down, one season at a time, and see if we can settle this internal debate.
Fall: The Season of Rivalries
Those of you who use a traditional calendar are not going to like what I have to say next. The start of the College Football season is the start of fall. Yes, I know that fall technically does not start till the end of September but in a sports fanatics mind it starts on the first official day of the College Football season. Which this year is August 24th.
The College Football season typically always gets in 3 weeks before the NFL season kicks off. Once the NFL season starts in early September you the only days between the College Football Season and the NFL Season that you are not glued to your TV are Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s.
Let’s not forget about the MLB season which reaches its climax in the fall, with the postseason and World Series determining who will be crowned champions. The drama of October baseball, with every pitch potentially deciding a game, is unmatched. The crisp fall air, the sound of the bat connecting with the ball, and the roar of the crowd create an atmosphere that is hard to beat.
In my opinion the MLB Postseason is the only postseason in sports that are FAR greater than the regular season. Every other sport has at least half the games the MLB has and there is an allure to watch those games. The MLB is a daily grind of boredom, if the MLB made their season 82 games like the NBA and NHL I think it would be a far better product.
Speaking of the NBA and NHL, these seasons also begin in the fall, giving sports fans even more to look forward to. The early season games might not carry the same weight as those in the playoffs, but the anticipation of a new season and your teams hopes to have a great year are center stage.
The NBA and NHL have it right in the perfect balance of games per week. Most teams pay about 3 games in each of the league per week which allows for those Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s to be filled up.
If your looking for the climax point of the fall season for a sports fan look no further than the first week of November. This is when the College Basketball season kicks off. With over 300+ teams playing on a nightly basis it allows every fan to subscribe to ESPN+ and watch some of the smallest of schools fight for their conference glory.
Finally, the International Soccer season is just starting. The Premier League, all EFL Leagues, Bundesliga, La Liga, Ligue One, etc. all startup. If you are a fan of Soccer/Football this just adds to your Saturday mornings before the College Football games begin.
Fallās weather is another selling point. The cooler temperatures and changing leaves create a picturesque setting for outdoor sports. Football games under the Friday night lights, crisp Saturday afternoons, and Sunday gatherings with friends and family become a way of life.
In my opinion there is nothing like heading to Notre Dame for the College Football Season and tailgating with friends and family on a cool crisp fall morning.
Debate Point: Fall offers some of the most intense and meaningful sports moments with the College Football Season and the NFL Season, but, winter includes some of the BIGGEST moments.
Winter: The Heart of Tradition
In the sports world Winter starts when the calendar turns to December. Which ironically is the start of the College Football Bowl season. You know as a sports fan that it is winter outside because all of those college football teams fly down to warm destinations such as the Bahamas to play football rather than staying at home.
The end of the College Football season climaxes with the College Football Playoff. This year will mark the first time it will be a 12-team playoff which I think adds that much more heat to a sports fan in the dreary cold of the winter months.
Once the College Football season has been completed the NFL playoffs dominate the early part of January with it all culminating at the Super Bowl in February. This is arguably the biggest sporting event in the United States. For football fans, winter is the climax of the season, where legends are made, and unforgettable moments are etched into history.
But football isn’t the only game in town. The NBA and NHL seasons continue to be in full swing, offering nightly entertainment as teams battle through the grind of their long seasons. College basketball also heats up, there is typically only conference play taking place starting in January which lasts over two months.
Let’s not forget about Baseball in the Winter as well. Players report to camps in the second week of February and the allure of a grinding season is just around the corner.
Thereās also the Winter Olympics every four years, where sports like ice hockey, skiing, and figure skating take center stage on the global stage.
Winter’s appeal lies in its ability to bring people together. The cold weather naturally pushes people indoors, where gathering around the TV with friends and family becomes a cherished activity. This upcoming year will be my 12th Super Bowl party and there is nothing like having 30+ people over at your house enjoying each others company while watching the largest game on earth.
Debate Point: Winter offers the most variety and some of the most significant events on the sports calendar. But does the cold, and often dreary, weather dampen its overall appeal?
Spring: The Season of Hope
The spring season from a sports fans perspective when the calendar turns to March and the baseball season kicks off Spring Training. Honestly, I will eventually write a blog that deals with the Spring Training debate, but 1-month is far to long. Eventually at the start of April the MLB 162-game season starts. The early part of the season is filled with optimism as every team starts with a clean slate.
The College Basketball season comes to finale with March Madness in the Spring. Other than the World Cup, this might be the greatest month long tournament in sports. It’s hard for anyone to argue that point because even the College Football season has started now to go to a bracket style tournament.
Spring also marks the end of the NBA and NHL regular seasons, with the excitement of the playoffs on the horizon. I personally could care less for most of the NBA postseason. I think it is dull, one-sided in most matchups and boring.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs on the other hand are the best playoffs in all of sports hands down. You cannot tell me that after watching a game go into the 4th or even 5th OT of a sudden death match that you are not just on the edge of your seat. I think what makes it the best in all of sports is the watchability of being a non-biased onlooker.
I am not a huge golf fan other than the big tournaments and the spring has the biggest. The Masters Tournament offers the serene beauty of Augusta National as the backdrop for one of the most prestigious events in sports. For golf fans other than myself, the Masters is more than just a tournament; it’s a tradition unlike any other, where legends like Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus have cemented their legacies.
I will say the year that Tiger Woods chipped in was probably a Top 10 moment in sports that I have watched.
Springās weather is also a huge plus. As the days grow longer and warmer, thereās a sense of rejuvenation in the air. The transition from indoor to outdoor sports is seamless, and the opportunity to enjoy games in pleasant weather is a significant advantage. Also, with the exception of baseball most of the sports are inside so if there are “April Showers” there is no need to worry.
Debate Point: Spring brings new beginnings and the excitement of playoff action, but is it enough to outweigh the heavy hitters of other seasons?
Summer: The Season of Passion
Unlike all the other seasons, summer starts technically later than advertised for sports fans and is the shortest season for sports. Summer kicks off after the NBA and Stanley Cup Finals have been completed. This is probably why it is the worst season in all of sports, because most look at it with only the MLB taking center stage.
The MLB season in full swing does have the All-Star Game and the Home Run Derby serving as midseason highlights. But, as I stated in the beginning the allure of 162-day season is not great.
I do think though if you are an avid Soccer/Football fan summer could be in some years the best time to watch sports. The FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championship, and a slue of other tournaments like Copa America and the Gold Cup break the monotony of the MLB season. The passion and pride associated with these events are unparalleled, bringing together fans from all over the globe.
The outdoor aspect of summer sports cannot be ignored. We all like warm weather and even though it might be watching a baseball game. Nothing beats having a cold beer and a hot dog on a warm summer day.
Debate Point: Summer offers endless opportunities for sports enjoyment, but the lack of variety compared to other seasons could be a drawback.
Conclusion: A Season for Every Fan
Each season brings something unique to the table, making it nearly impossible to declare one as definitively the best for sports fans. Winter offers tradition and variety, spring brings hope and renewal, summer provides passion and outdoor enjoyment, and fall delivers rivalries and intense competition.
The best season for sports might just come down to personal preference. Do you thrive on the intensity of playoff action, the joy of new beginnings, or the tradition and nostalgia of certain sports? Maybe, like many sports fans, you find something to love in every season, making the year-round sports calendar a continual celebration.
In the end, being an avid sports watcher means appreciating the unique offerings of each season, knowing that thereās always something to look forward to, no matter the time of year. With the College Football Season about to kickoff in a couple days the only thing left to say is “Go Irish”!
Day #21 Recap
$200 ā”ļø $200K Challenge Bet: Giancarlo Stanton Over 2.5
- The top three batters for the Yankees combined for 6-10 with 8 RBI’s and 3 HR’s. Stanton in the clean up spot went 1-4. I knew that Cantillo was going to get shelled, just needed to look up the batting order a bit more.
Ryan Mountcastle Over 1.5 HRR
- I had moment of hesitation yesterday when I saw the Orioles were going up against Sean Manaea. Next time I need to take a few more moments and think about this.
- Mountcastle ended the day 0-4 with 2 K’s.
Dynamo Kyiv vs FC Salzburg Over 3
- How this one didn’t even end up a push will haunt me for the next couple days. 29 goal attempts with 10 SOG and nearly 3 xG.
- Salzburg the better team took a 1-0 lead into halftime and then came out and within five minutes made it 2-0. We had 40 minutes to find a third just to push.
- I watched this match and there were multiple posts hit, missed shots where someone was 1-on-1 with a keeper and it just ended up being a bad beat.
CJ Abrams Over 1.5 HRR
- I tweeted out yesterday “CJ Abrams might be the worst professional baseball player ever. Well after Mike Zunino.” I truly believe this. He has been so poor.
- In the month of August he is batting .180 with an OBP of .250 and SLG .361. He officially is now on my do not bet list. I think I am going to have to pin that list somewhere.
Parlay of the Day: 2+ RBI’s
- Francisco Lindor: 2-4, 1 RBI
- Lourdes Gurriel: DNP
- Willy Adames: 0-3, 0 RBI’s
Day #21 Profit/Loss: – $60.59
What I Learned:
Losing Every Bet Sucks: This was the first time in 21 days that I lost every bet on the board. It is not a great feeling, however, this moment right now this morning is what is the difference between a professional sports bettor and a recreational one. How do you manage your next day? Do you over bet, overcompensate and look to win the $60 back, or, do you forget about it and put it in the rear view mirror like it was nothing. I plan on doing the latter.
$200 ā”ļø $200K Sports Betting Challenge
Level 1.1
- Nolan Jones (+120)
Day #22: Best Bets Today
#1) UEFA Europa League Qualifying: Rigas FS vs APOEL Nicosia Over 2.5 (+115)
#2) UEFA Conference League Qualifying: Mlada Boleslav vs Paksi Over 2.5 (-134)
#3) UEFA Conference League Qualifying: St. Patrick’s Athletic vs Istanbul Basaksehir Over 2.5 (-112)
Parlay of the Day: 2+ RBI Milestone
Rhys Hoskins +450 | Bryan De La Cruz +750 | Gunnar Henderson +600
