Image via Complex Original
You wake up with a hangover, but not the too much bourbon kind. The one that hits every summer about this time when the NBA and Stanley Cup Finals are done. The competitive juices are gone, adrenaline stops flowing, and you’re left scratching your head wondering where it all went. Then you start to panic and sweat, a combination of the staggering heat, too much liquor, and the realization that baseball is the only thing left to watch. The annual nightmare that is the summer sports drought is in full effect. But don’t call the suicide hotline just yet, there’s hope. We know you’re skeptical, but what do you have to lose? Take a deep breath, put down the phone, and check out the Sports Fan’s Guide to Making It Through the Summer Drought.
Written by Adam Silvers (@silversurfer103)
Catch the MLB All-Star Game
Date: July 13-16
Location: Flushing, Queens, N.Y.
Over the last decade or so Bud Selig and Co. have made several moves to ensure that the MLB All-Star game does more than just signal the half-way point of the baseball season. Chief among these rules is the fact that the league that wins the All-Star game will secure home field advantage for its representative in the upcoming World Series. There's also a new format for the Home Run Derby that was introduced in 2011, and a slew of other events to get fans to turn up or tune in. The bottom line is this, the event always had a certain luster to it for even the casual sports fan, and everyone loves watching big leaguers crush a tiny white ball 400-feet plus. Grab a cold one, sit back, and enjoy the bombs.
Le Tour de France
Date: June 29-July 21
Location: France
This year's Tour de France is already making a splash, just ask Mark Cavendish. In all seriousness though, Le Tour has been around since 1903, and has been raced annually with the exception of the two World Wars. We may not get to cheer, or boo depending on which side of the debacle you were on,but this three-week-long Grand Tour is certainly an event worthy of any sports fan's attention. When else are you going to be watching cycling? If you're still skeptical of the excitement, take the NASCAR approach. Wait for one of those ridiculous 50-bike pileups that's sure to happen somewhere between the climb of Alpe d'Huez and the harsh conditions of Mont Ventoux. Exactly.
Watch the Gold Cup
Date: July 7-28
Location: United States
Any continental soccer tournament is a good thing, especially when the boys of Europe's big leagues are still on hiatus, or holiday, or whatever they call it. The Gold Cup, which is played every two years, is made up of nations from FIFA's CONCACAF region. Basically it's a tournament to decide who is the regional champion from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, so yes, the United States is involved.
Mexico has won three out of the last five events, including the most recent final in 2011 where El Tri came back from a 2-0 deficit against the Stars and Stripes to complete a 4-2 victory. Landon Donovan and Co. will look to rectify the situation this time around as they seek to not just avenge that bitter defeat of 2011, but stop Mexico from making this their third consecutive Gold Cup championship. Can't catch the live games? Stay up to date here.
Watch the FINA World Championships
Date: July 19-Aug. 4
Location: Barcelona
In its 15th year of existence, the FINA World Championships are run every two years in a selected host city, similar to the Olympics or the World Cup. This year Barcelona will play host to the world's swimming elite, as athletes will compete in events such as diving, swimming, and, wait for it...water polo. We know we pulled you in there. We're not saying you shouldn't tune in to reports from mini-camp for your favorite NFL team, but the summer is a great time to try new things, and watching the World Aquatics Championships is definitely a new thing for most sports fans. Did we mention the US is the all-time leader in medals since the event started in 1973? God bless 'Merica.
The Open Championship and the PGA Championship
Date: July 18-21, Aug. 8-11
Location: Muirfield, Gullane East Lothian & Oak Hill, Rochester, N.Y.
The Open Championship, often referred to as the British Open, is the oldest major of the professional golf calendar. This year's tournament will take place on the picturesque rolling hills of Scotland, where defending champion Ernie Els will try to conquer back-to-back titles like Paddy Harrington did in 2007 and 2008. 71 is par this year, so place your bets, pick a horse, and sip one of those fancy cocktails that you never normally would as you take in the action from the best professional golfers in the world.
The final major of the year, the PGA Championship, will take place later this summer. Nicknamed "Glory's Last Shot," because of it's status as the last major of the season, the winner of the PGA will gain guaranteed entry into the other three majors for the next five years, and will become exempt from qualifying for the PGA Championship for life. Now those are some stakes we can get behind.
Learn What a Wicket Really is
Date: July 10-Aug. 25
Location: England
What is a wicket? What is a bowler? We have no idea, and chances are you don't either. What we do know is that The Ashes is any Test cricket series involving England and Australia, and the name developed from one of these "Tests" back in 1882. There's a lot of history here, and we'd be remiss if we didn't at least try to make a case for it. Matches that last for days, guys diving all over the field for something that looks like the golden snitch from a round of quidditch, we can dig it. Hey, it's kind of similar to baseball, we think. Get your updates here, and don't blame us if you still have no idea once the tournament is over.
Follow Mike Tyson on Twitter
We really shouldn't have to say anything or make a case for following Iron Mike on Twitter. If you aren't following already, slowly remove yourself from the social situation you're in, find a device with Internet access, and let the good times roll. We'll even help you out with the direct link, just remember, biters always stick together. Check out these dudes while you're at it, too.
Major League Soccer
Date: Now thru Oct. 27
Location: United States
While many fans bemoan the fact that there's no major domestic sport besides baseball going on in the summer, they quickly forget that there is indeed another league that's in full flight. Cue the drum roll. Major League Soccer does in fact exist, and it's taking place right now all over the country. We've already told you why you should support MLS if you're already a fan of soccer, but if you know nothing about the world's game, what better time to tune in and see what the hoopla is all about? You probably have a club in your area to go check out a live game too. Tickets are usually pretty reasonable just to get inside, so grab the lads, or the family, and head to the stadium for a fun time.
Read a Great Sports Book
We know, we know, reading isn't exactly an action associated with most sports fanatics, but hold your horses. There's a plethora of great sports books out there that do a great job of not just entertaining readers, but helping to put into context the sports we so greatly love and follow. With the weather getting unbearably hot, the summer is a great time to head out to the porch, backyard, patio, etc. with a glass of something nice, and get lost in a story about the games we love. Non-fiction or novel, there's plenty to chose from on both sides. Grab one from this list soon, and find a new appreciation for the games you thought you knew.
Watch Major League Baseball
Location: United States
Okay, okay, we know a lot of us are skittish about the idea of sitting around for three and a half or four hours watching an entire game of baseball, but just hear us out. Baseball isn't about sitting there glued to the TV, watching every pitch like its Game 7 of the World Series. Baseball is about chilling out with friends, having a few cold ones, and feigning interest in what's actually going on during the game from time to time. Tickets are usually affordable if you're not looking to sit on top of Prince Fielder's shoulders. Summer night games are a great American tradition, and a great excuse to chomp away on a ballpark frank while sipping on a brew.
Follow Brandon McCarthy on Twitter
Seriously, if you're not following @BMcCarthy52 on Twitter, we're not exactly sure what you are doing with your Internet life. McCarthy, who currently pitches for the Arizona Diamondbacks, is one of these guys that will tweet pretty much anything that pops into his head. His rants and thoughts cover everything from baseball suspensions, to making sure his wife knows he's still being taken care of when the team is on the road. While it's great fun to follow McCarthy during the baseball season, this isn't just a summer activity, dude's tweets get more ridiculous during the offseason.
Get Out and Play Ball!
This one's a no-brainer, really. It's warm outside, it gets dark much later in the day, and the heat is not so oppressive by the time you're ready to slink out the back stairs of the office come 5 o'clock. See where we're going with this one? You love to watch your favorite athletes compete from fall to spring, so why not get out on the courts or fields yourself this summer? You had all winter and spring to study game tape. Stuff a pair of shorts and sneakers in your bag, and go play some pickup after work. The bar will always be there once you're done playing. Thank us later.
Enjoy the Offseason
Any real sports fan knows that watching sports can be just as taxing as playing in some cases. Follow the athletes' lead and completely remove yourself from sports in general. Turn off ESPN's 24-hour Aaron Hernandez coverage, step away from NBA trade talk, and simply remember the other things in life that bring you joy and get you through your day, like your significant other, family, friends, etc. You'll come back fresh and rested from the time off, and be ready to go straight into Sunday meltdown mode by the time the NFL kicks off.
It's Never Too Early to Prep for Your Fantasy Draft
So you've just about scratched your eyes out in anticipation of the upcoming NFL and NBA seasons, we get it, and it's okay. There's no shame in a hardened sports fan taking a look at the future and actually starting to plot their fantasy drafts. Your significant other may have a problem with this type of behavior, but we get your pain, and we fully support whatever you need to do to make it to Week 1.
Pick your players wisely, organize a spot for a live draft, and get the collection money in early so we don't have that guy from last year who didn't realize it was a cash league. We know one thing, this year's drafts are going to be slightly thinner at the tight end position, if you know what we mean. Don't be one of these guys either.
The Little League World Series
Date: Aug. 15-25
Location: Williamsport, Pa.
Whether you used to watch it as a kid, still watch it now, or didn't even know it existed makes no difference. You can still tune in this summer to watch kids from around the world compete in the Little League World Series. Every year, towards the end of August, baseball's 11-12 year old elite flock to Williamsport, Pa. for a chance to be crowned champions.
They only play six innings, and Harold Reynlods is no longer a part of the commentary team, so there's little to fear. All jokes aside, to watch kids travel from all over the world to compete for this prize and showcase not just their skill, but their sportsmanship as well, is something sports fans of an older age can certainly take a lesson from.
The English Premier League is Back
Date: 8/17/2013
Location: England
It's no secret that over the past few years soccer has become extremely popular in the United States, and in particular the Premier League of England appears to be the most watched in North America. Last season the EPL ended on May 19, and this season will start on Aug. 17, meaning there's only a two-month offseason for fans and players to lick their wounds and get ready for the new campaign. Just when it seems like the dog days of August have got you by the sweaty gruff, have no fear, the boys of Britain, and the rest of Europe, return to the pitch for some class action.
The US Open
Date: Aug. 26-Sep. 9
Location: Flushing, Queens, N.Y.
If you live in New York and have never made it out to the US Open, you are missing out on two of the best weeks the summer sports calendar has to offer. The United States' only Grand Slam tennis event draws spectators from all around the globe to Queens, N.Y. where patrons take in world-class action in Manhattan's backyard.
Day sessions provide multiple matches all over the grounds at the United States National Tennis Center, but there is nothing like watching a match under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Players and fans alike always seem to bring a little something extra to the night sessions, and the US Open signature cocktail only adds to the tennis enjoyment. Seriously, don't sleep on this late summer spectacle.