2016 Sports Memories

Max, your birth year was one of the best years in sports history. You were probably too busy being born and learning how to be a human to remember any of it so here are some memorable moments :

-The Broncos won the Super Bowl, led by the greatest quarterback that has/will ever live, Peyton Manning. He hugged Papa John and then retired afterwards. 

-Villanova beat North Carolina on a last second shot in an amazing game to win the NCAA B-Ball Tournament. You're dad did not win any of the 12 brackets he filled out.

-A week after you were born, Nyquist won the Kentucky Derby. Back in the day, Derby Day was always a McCool family holiday. Your great-grandpa, Ranger Ralph McCool, ruled this day. He threw the biggest party in town and filled a bbq smoker with racks on racks of ribs.

-The Pittsburgh Penguins won the Stanley Cup which made your Uncle Ryan smile from ear to ear through his big bushy beard.

-Lebron and the Cavs won the NBA finals after being down 3-1 to the Warriors. The city of Cleveland hadn't won a championship in any major sport since 1964. The Cleveland Browns were still the worst team in football.

-The Chicago Cubs won the World Series. They hadn't won it in 108 years. They beat the Cleveland Indians after being down 3-1. It was one of the best World Series, capped off by one of the most exciting game sevens ever. 

-The 2016 Summer Olympics were a lot fun to watch. The US dominated and won the overall medal count by a lot. Michael Phelps, Katie Ladecky, the US woman's gymnastics team, and Usain Bolt all left Brazil as heroes in their sport. Ryan Lochte, not so much.

-In Golf, Danny Willett won the Masters, Dustin Johnson won the US Open, Henrik Stenson won the British, Jimmy Walker won the PGA, and the US won the Ryder Cup. Also, your dad was able to play a whole round of golf using only 15 separate balls. 

Max, one of my favorite things to do is watch and talk about sports with my dad. I think about all the moments growing up watching sports with him, and it makes me excited for all of the sports moments I will get to share with you.