Another week full of sport across the globe is on deck once again. However, before we look ahead to the phenomenal slate of what’s to come, we’re going to take a quick look back at what has happened over the past week or so and enjoy some of those big moments one more time before we dive into the new action.
With that said, there could have been many different moments to highlight from the past week, but we’ve managed to narrow it down once again to our top three.
So, let’s crack into it.
Shohei Ohtani’s Historic Day Out
In Game Four of the NLCS, the Dodgers were looking to their huge payroll to step up and propel them towards the World Series, which is currently being played between themselves and the Blue Jays. No doubt we’ll cover the World Series this time next week, but before that, we need to discuss the absurd performance from possibly the best baseball player of all time.
Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani once again showed why he was paid 700 million dollars to make the move from crosstown rivals, the LA Angels, to the team with the heart of the city in the Dodgers.
After rolling the Brewers through the first three games of the series and giving themselves an opportunity to sweep, the Dodgers didn’t let it slip. Specifically, Ohtani not only launched three home runs on the day as a hitter, but as the starting pitcher, he was on the mound for six innings. In doing so, he conceded no runs, only two hits, and posted a remarkable ten-strikeout stat line, as the icing on the cake.
After scouring the history of playoff baseball, there’s certainly a case to be made that what we saw from Ohtani, dominating in both key phases of the game in the series decider, was a once-in-a-lifetime performance.
The NBA Being Back
After what was capped off by a scintillating seven-game finals series, followed by an even more thrilling offseason of acquisitions, the NBA is finally back. To me, when the NBA returns, it’s one of the best times of the year. Not only because we have one of the greatest leagues on earth back in full swing, but because of what it symbolises.
The frequent nature and layout of the NBA schedule allow us to see some of the best athletes in the world perform at the highest level multiple times every day. This means that no matter what day of the week it is, we’re now guaranteed a high-octane matchup between the best players in the world. Whether you’re a contending team or one trying to foster young talent, each set of 48 minutes means so much to both the franchise and the fans.
Outside of that broader concept of having sensational sport on every day of the week, this NBA season promises so much in terms of the future of the league. It feels like a true changing-of-the-guard kind of year, where players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Dončić and Victor Wembanyama are becoming the new faces of the league. And while some of the older stars such as LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant remain key figures, we’re now going to see who will be the next group of players to lead the league for the next decade. Making this a potential monumental season in league history.
Canterbury Winning Another NPC
Personally, as a New Zealand rugby fan who doesn’t support either the Crusaders or Canterbury, you generally grow tired of seeing them constantly hoisting trophies and silverware. However, this weekend, while it would have been special to see that young Otago side win their first NPC title in a long time, you just have to sit back and applaud the excellence and dominance that is Canterbury rugby.
The fact that they’ve been able to win 15 titles since 1977, and their 10th since the format changed in 2006, is remarkable. To put that into perspective, since their first NPC title 48 years ago, they’ve averaged a win every 3.2 seasons. Since the format change, they’ve been winning more than once every other year.
This win, their first in eight years, was a significant feat for Canterbury, especially since Scott Robertson departed for higher honours. It capped off what was a rejuvenating year for both Canterbury and the Crusaders, by restoring the New Zealand rugby landscape to what has been one of the most dominant dynasties in sport history.