Three days ago, I sat on the couch with a cup of hot tea watching the Detroit Red Wings win the NHL Winter Classic at the frozen confines of Wrigley Field, on the North Side of Chicago.
Nine days ago, I sat on the couch with my feet up on a stack of newspapers watching the Los Angeles Lakers end Boston Celtics’ 19 game winning streak, in exciting fashion.
If you’re a hardcore sports fan, these are things you probably do every holiday season. You see, the National Hockey League has started a new tradition of playing an outdoor game on New Year’s Day-the Winter Classic. While lacking a name, the National Basketball Association also holds the tradition of uniting old rivals such as the Lakers and Celtics on Christmas Day.
As blunt as this may be: I LOVE THESE TRADITIONS!
The buck doesn’t stop with the NHL and the NBA. In America, football games are a perennial favourite on Thanksgiving, the fourth Thursday of November. Baseball, long since known as America’s favourite pastime, holds several day games as part of the Fourth of July celebrations.
In short, each of the four major North American pro sports leagues now have traditions of playing meaningful games on a day of significance. This tradition is already starting to turn into identity, and I believe that’s a great thing for the league and the fans.
The tradition of holding parades and fireworks and addresses from politicians have become all too common on days of significance. Though I cherish those traditions as much as anyone, I find it comforting to watch sports as part of the celebration. After all, these holidays, which are traditions by themselves, are meant to celebrate heritage and culture. No one can argue that sports is not part of that here in North America.
Though it makes us in the press work overtime, I hope these traditions are well-kept for years to come!
-D
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