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The biggest sports stories of 2017
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The biggest sports stories of 2017

2017 was a banner year around the globe in the wide, wide world of sports. It featured a classic championship showdown in MLB, unforgettable championship games on the gridiron and a prizefight spectacle unlike the world has ever seen before....and perhaps ever again. Meanwhile, legends moved on, while others extended their legacies. And new ones were born, while new faces looked to get their names off the ground (some by any means necessary).

It was also a year where politics of all types collided with sports in ways never seen before, redefining the narrative and conversation around where games and reality intersect. Let's have a look back at a busy year around the global sports scene, and the highlights (as well as a few lowlights) from it.

 
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Clemson pulls off a shocker

Clemson pulls off a shocker
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

One of the biggest upsets in years kicked off the highlight portion of the year, when the Clemson Tigers upset the Alabama Crimson Tide 35-31 on a touchdown catch by Hunter Renfrow with one second left. It was the first time the Tigers led the entire game and capped a night in which Deshaun Watson set a new National Championship Game record of 405 passing yards.

 
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Serena Williams sets Grand Slam record

Serena Williams sets Grand Slam record
Presse Sports-USA TODAY Sports

For the seventh time, Williams conquered the outback, winning the Australian Open. In the process, she won her 23rd Grand Slam singles title, passing Steffi Graf for most all time. To cap it off, she later revealed that she was astonishingly eight weeks pregnant at the time of the victory.

 
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A Super Bowl for the ages

A Super Bowl for the ages
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Trailing 28-3, the New England Patriots would embark on a furious comeback over the final quarter and a half to pull even by the end of regulation. The first Super Bowl to ever be decided in overtime, a 2-yard run by James White capped a 75-yard winning drive for the Patriots, winning by a score of 34-28. Tom Brady won his fourth Super Bowl MVP and record fifth overall victory in the game.

 
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Team USA wins the World Baseball Classic

Team USA wins the World Baseball Classic
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

After coming up short in the first three incarnations of the worldwide event, the United States finally broke through to claim its first championship in the World Baseball Classic. The U.S. overcame a previously undefeated Puerto Rico team in the championship game behind six scoreless, no-hit innings from tournament MVP Marcus Stroman.

 
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Goldberg is back

Goldberg is back
WWE

Thirteen years after his last WrestleMania appearance, Bill Goldberg made his return to the spectacle for a rematch against Brock Lesnar. Having won the WWE Universal Title the previous month, Goldberg unsuccessfully defended the belt against Lesnar in a high-impact, thoroughly entertaining bout between the two premier heavyweight fighters of their generation. It capped a six-month revival run for the wrestler, who said his farewells the next night on Monday Night Raw.

 
6 of 41

Sergio Garcia finally gets his Major victory

Sergio Garcia finally gets his Major victory
Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

After 74 shots, Garcia finally got over the hump in a Major tournament. Although the 37-year-old had nine PGA Tour wins and five top three finishes in Major tournaments, the big one had eluded him more notably than perhaps any golfer ever. But by outlasting Justin Rose in a sudden-death overtime, Garcia finally got his green jacket by shooting nine under for the weekend in the Masters.

 
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A star is born in Edmonton

A star is born in Edmonton
Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

It must be something akin to déjà vu in Edmonton, as another precociously talented center took his turn rising to stardom in a way that has rarely been seen since Wayne Gretzky called the Oilers' ice his home. McDavid scored 100 points in his sophomore season, helping end the club’s 11-year playoff drought and making him the third-youngest winner of the Art Ross and Hart Trophies in history with his NHL-best 100 points.

 
8 of 41

Farewell to Joe Louis Arena

Farewell to Joe Louis Arena
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

After hosting the Detroit Red Wings since 1977 and becoming the second oldest venue in the NHL, Joe Louis Arena hosted its final hockey game on April 9, a 4-1 victory for the Red Wings. The venue hosted four Stanley Cup championship and six conference championship seasons, although the Red Wings ironically saw their 26-year playoff streak ended in the final season before moving over to Little Caesars Arena.

 
9 of 41

FC Barcelona's stunning comeback

FC Barcelona's stunning comeback
VI Images via Getty Images

The Spanish League champions were down 5-3 after 88 minutes before unleashing a furious comeback over the final seven minutes. As the match wound down, Neymar netted a pair of goals to even things up before Sergi Roberto came off the bench and netted his first goal of the year to cap the comeback. Barcelona became the first team in Champions League history to overcome a 4-0 deficit off the first pitch.

 
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Nashville becomes a hockey hotbed

Nashville becomes a hockey hotbed
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Twenty years ago, the notion that Nashville would become a hotbed for hockey would have been stand-up comedy-worthy content. Yet, the city adapted to the game, transforming into "Smashville" and becoming one of the most hostile home-ice advantages in the game. That is exactly what happened this spring, when the Predators embarked on a sprint toward winning the Western Conference and a strong showing in the Stanley Cup Final.

 
11 of 41

Takuma Sato becomes first Japanese driver to win Indy 500

Takuma Sato becomes first Japanese driver to win Indy 500
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

In 2013, Sato became the first Japanese-born driver to ever win an IndyCar race when he won the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Four years later, he conquered the biggest stock car race in the country when he emerged victorious at the Indianapolis 500, leading for 17 laps.

 
12 of 41

The Warriors fulfill their promise

The Warriors fulfill their promise
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Expectations were through the roof for the Warriors all season after the team rallied from losing the 2016 NBA Finals by bringing aboard former MVP Kevin Durant. With Durant joining Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, the Warriors went 67-15 and clinched a playoff berth by February. In their third pairing against LeBron James and the Cavs, the Warriors got their revenge for the lost championship from the year before, with Durant averaging 35.2 points en route to NBA Finals MVP.

 
13 of 41

The Pens do it again

The Pens do it again
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

It had been 19 years since a team had been able to successfully keep a grasp on the Stanley Cup until the Pens did so, defeating the Predators in six games. Sidney Crosby won the Conn Smythe Trophy for the second time in as many years, putting up one of the gutsiest playoff performances in history. Battling concussion symptoms, Crosby put up 27 playoff points and raised the Cup for the third time in his career.

 
14 of 41

The emergence of the Ball family

The emergence of the Ball family
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Starting with the rise of Lonzo as a freshman sensation for UCLA, the Ball family became the sports equivalent of the Kardashian clan seemingly overnight. Father LaVar’s penchant for outlandish statements and pushing his Big Baller Brand sportswear company at any cost pushed the Balls firmly into the pop culture spectrum. With Lonzo joining the Los Angeles Lakers and his younger brothers LiAngelo (who had a notorious brush with international law himself) and LaMelo coming up behind him, this is a sensation that is likely here to stay for the foreseeable future.

 
15 of 41

Branden Grace shoots a 62

Branden Grace shoots a 62
Ian Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

In the third round of the The Open Championship, the South African golfer made eight birdies and 10 pars for the first-ever score of 62 in a Major championship. 

 
16 of 41

Aaron Judge clubs his way to superstar status

Aaron Judge clubs his way to superstar status
Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

The breakout star of the MLB season was the hulking, 6-7 outfielder for the Yankees who made the incredible look routine. Judge launched an MLB rookie-record 52 home runs en route to a All-Star Home Run Derby title, runner-up finish in American League MVP voting and helped carry the Yankees on an unexpected run to the AL Championship Series.

 
17 of 41

Rafael Nadal's spectacular season

Rafael Nadal's spectacular season
Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

The King of Clay conquered Roland-Garros for a record 10th time and a 15th Grand Slam title, becoming the first male competitor to ever reach double-digit titles at a single Grand Slam event. Nadal’s French title was followed by a victory in the U.S. Open, the high points in a year in which he won six times and finished as the oldest player ever to end the year ranked No. 1 in the world.

 
18 of 41

The BIG3 League breaks out

The BIG3 League breaks out
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Ice Cube’s remix on what basketball could be turned into a full-blown touring sensation with some of the most popular retired NBAers of all time making up the ranks of the league. With names like Allen Iverson, Charles Oakley and Jason Williams on the court, and Hall of Famers Julius Erving, Gary Payton, George Gervin and Clyde Drexler roaming the sidelines, the BIG3 League proved to be far more successful —  and entertaining — than many anticipated.

 
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Froome's fourth Tour de France comes in a thriller

Froome's fourth Tour de France comes in a thriller
Artur Widak/NurPhoto

British cyclist Chris Froome won his fourth Tour de France and did so in the most thrilling fashion ever. Froome won by just 54 seconds over Rigoberto Uran. It marked Froome’s fourth win in five years, and he enters 2018 with a chance to tie for the most Tour victories in history.

 
20 of 41

Roger Federer's perfect romp to Wimbledon win

Roger Federer's perfect romp to Wimbledon win
Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

Federer was flawless en route to his eighth win on Centre Court, breaking a tie with Pete Sampras and William Renshaw for most titles in the event’s history. Federer did not drop a set during the fortnight, becoming the second player in history to win the tournament in such fashion, along with Bjorn Borg.

 
21 of 41

The short-lived return of Jon Jones

The short-lived return of Jon Jones
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

For the second time in two years, Jones had a victorious return sabotaged by his own doing. After a drawn-out rivalry with Daniel Cormier, Jones pulled off a resounding knockout victory to claim the UFC Light Heavyweight title. However, after the decision was retroactively declared a no-contest due to a positive test for banned substances, Jones was again taken out of action for the foreseeable future.

 
22 of 41

Tomlinson headlines Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees

Tomlinson headlines Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

After a career that saw him rack up over 18,000 all-purpose yards and 150 touchdowns, LaDainian Tomlinson headlined the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2017. Joining him in Canton were Kurt Warner, Jason Taylor, Morten Andersen, Terrell Davis and Jerry Jones.

 
23 of 41

Neymar becomes the most expensive athlete ever

Neymar becomes the most expensive athlete ever
Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

Paris Saint-Germai set out to acquire the superstar Brazilian forward, and did so by any means necessary. When it was all said and done, it cost the club a massive 450 million euros to lure him away from Barcelona, with a transfer fee worth $262 million in U.S. currency. The total value of the acquisition makes him the most expensive acquisition in pro sports history.

 
24 of 41

The Indians go streaking

The Indians go streaking
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

En route to winning a second straight American League Central title, for roughly three weeks, the Cleveland Indians seemingly forgot how to lose. The club embarked on an AL-record 22-game win streak that pulled it to top of the AL standings and ended as the second longest winning streak since 1916.

 
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End of the road for the world's fastest man

End of the road for the world's fastest man
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

After an unparalleled career that saw him win eight Olympic gold medals and set numerous world records, Usain Bolt’s final take to the track ended in a less than savory way. The legendary sprinter injured his hamstring in his final race, yet still rose to cross the finish line with the help of teammates.

 
26 of 41

Giancarlo Stanton puts on a show

Giancarlo Stanton puts on a show
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Stanton put on the signature power showing of his career over July and August, clubbing 23 home runs in 35-game period, including six games in a row and in 10 of 11 games. When it was all said and done, Stanton had 59 long balls, becoming the closest player to finish with 60 home runs since Barry Bonds hit 73 in 2001. It was a surge good enough to win Stanton National League MVP honors.

 
27 of 41

Cooperstown welcomes five to Baseball Hall of Fame

Cooperstown welcomes five to Baseball Hall of Fame
Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

After 10 years on the ballot, Tim Raines finally heard his name called for Cooperstown as the zero hour for his chances ticked down. The former Montreal Expos speedster was joined in induction by a trio of former MVPs in Jeff Bagwell, Ivan Rodriguez and Joe Torre, along with commissioner emeritus Bud Selig.

 
28 of 41

#HoustonStrong

#HoustonStrong
Brett Coomer-USA TODAY NETWORK

Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc on the city of Houston, forcing thousands to evacuate their homes and causing millions of dollars in property damage. The sports community of the city sprung into action to help aid the residents of the city, with the Houston Astros' #HoustonStrong awareness push and multimillion-dollar donations from ownership of the Astros, Rockets and Texans. Yet the breakout effort of the campaign came from J.J. Watt, who grew a viral campaign that started with a goal of $200,000 into a $30 million nest egg to help fund the city’s rebuilding efforts.

 
29 of 41

The curious unemployment of Colin Kaepernick continues

The curious unemployment of Colin Kaepernick continues
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

The driving symbol behind the protests that have divided the NFL and society, Colin Kaepernick remained an outcast from the ranks of the NFL after departing from the San Francisco 49ers following the 2016 season. As the months rolled past and multiple teams filled in their quarterback vacancies with other options, Kaepernick’s unspoken exclusion from the game became a rallying cause for many to stand behind the NFL’s protesting players — while also going on strike from the league themselves.

 
30 of 41

Sloane Stephens wins the U.S. Open

Sloane Stephens wins the U.S. Open
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

The underdog of the year may very well have been Stephens, who went from injured commentator on the Tennis Network to U.S. Open champion. She won out after a thrilling three-set showdown with Venus Williams, capping it with a win over Madison Keys in the finals.

 
31 of 41

McGrady, Lobo headline Baskeball Hall of Fame class

McGrady, Lobo headline Baskeball Hall of Fame class
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Former Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic and Toronto Raptors star Tracy McGrady and UConn and New York Liberty great Rebecca Lobo highlighted an 11-person class for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Joining the headliners were coach Bill Self, Jerry Krause and George McGinnis.

 
32 of 41

Mayweather vs. McGregor lives up to the hype

Mayweather vs. McGregor lives up to the hype
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

It should come as no surprise that the most hyped, sensational, financially successful and sometimes awkward event of the year was the Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor mega fight from September. It was the headline event after a world media tour blitz and war of words that nearly eclipsed the fight itself. In the end, Mayweather won via TKO in a surprisingly competitive fight against the two-division UFC champion, with both fighters clearing a rumored $300 million for the 10-round brawl.

 
33 of 41

Protests get political — and spread

Protests get political — and spread
Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Already contentious times in the NFL hit a new boiling point when President Donald Trump shared some choice words about the protesting players and a perceived lack of institutional control by league owners and Commissioner Roger Goodell. Affairs even went as far as Vice President Mike Pence leaving a Colts-49ers game in apparent rebuttal against the protests. In response, multiple NFL owners joined arms with their players in a show of league solidarity. However, that act went against the grain of the purpose of the protests in the first place, further irking some players.

 
34 of 41

U.S. Men's National Team fails to qualify for the World Cup

U.S. Men's National Team fails to qualify for the World Cup
Ashley Allen/Getty Images

The most embarrassing moment in the history of U.S. soccer transpired in October when at the feet of a 2-1 loss to Trinidad and Tobago, the USMNT was disqualified from the 2018 World Cup tournament. The loss was a proverbial brick wall in the recent growth of the men’s program. The loss led to the resignation of coach Bruce Arena, the second coaching change in two years’ time.

 
35 of 41

The Fall Classic lives up to its name

The Fall Classic lives up to its name
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Whomever ends up participating in the 2018 edition of the World Series has some big shoes to fill, as the Dodgers and Astros put on an act for the ages this fall. The series was the first time in 37 years that two 100-win teams would face off for the pennant, and it delivered by going the distance in thrilling fashion. Neither team would win consecutive games, and when the dust settled after a record 25 home runs hit, two extra-inning games and a seemingly endless string of lead changes, the Houston Astros emerged victorious with their first championship in franchise history.

 
36 of 41

Dale Jr. calls it quits

Dale Jr. calls it quits
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

After a career that included 26 wins, 15 poles and 260 top-10 finishes, the 15-time NMPA Most Popular Driver called it quits in November. A string of concussions and lingering concerns brought Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s career to a close. In his final season, Dale Jr. finished 21 st in the points standings but will live on as one of the most beloved competitors in the history of racing.

 
37 of 41

High-profile injuries ravage rosters across the NFL

High-profile injuries ravage rosters across the NFL
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY Sports

Football is a vicious and oft-unforgiving sport, but the rash of injuries that swept across the NFL this fall hit a caliber rarely seen before. A who’s who of losses, including the likes of Aaron Rodgers, Odell Beckham Jr., J.J. Watt, David Johnson, Ryan Tannehill, Carson Palmer, Dalvin Cook, Jason Peters, Julian Edelman, Richard Sherman and Eric Berry, among others, took an unavoidable toll on the direction of the season.

 
38 of 41

Ezekiel Elliott's off-field trouble extends to on-field

Ezekiel Elliott's off-field trouble extends to on-field
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

The Cowboys running back spent much of the fall avoiding judgment from the NFL. After an endless stream of appeals against a six-game suspension stemming from domestic violence accusations, Elliott stayed on the field for eight weeks before ultimately running out of steam just short of needing the Supreme Court to keep him in action.

 
39 of 41

College Football Playoff selections are the right kind of crazy

College Football Playoff selections are the right kind of crazy
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Although there have been some critics of the partiality of the College Football Playoff's selection process, it without a doubt added more intrigue to the final weeks of the season than ever before this fall. Entering conference championship week, eight teams had a legitimate shot at competing for the National Championship. Ultimately, Clemson and Oklahoma won their way in on the last Saturday of pre-bowl season, with Alabama sliding back in as a result of Ohio State handing Wisconsin its first loss of the year the night before playoff brackets were finalized — joining SEC champion Georgia.

 
40 of 41

Tennessee's search for a coach turns into reality TV

Tennessee's search for a coach turns into reality TV
Wade Payne-USA TODAY Sports

The fallout of the University of Tennessee’s decision to fire coach Butch Jones caused a tailspin of uniquely epic proportions. An agreement with Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano was rescinded due in part to an unprecedented social media backlash. The search that followed ranged from Jon Gruden to Purdue coach Jeff Brohm and Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy, only to come up embarrassingly dry. The entire event was mishandled badly enough that the program's athletic director, John Currie, ended up on the chopping block as well, with former coach Phillip Fulmer taking over in his place. It took a while, but Tennessee finally agreed to terms with Jeremy Pruitt to become head coach.

 
41 of 41

Scandal rocks U.S. Gymnastics program

Scandal rocks U.S. Gymnastics program
Robert Killips-USA TODAY Sports

When Larry Nassar was sentenced to 60 years in prison in early December, it brought an end to one of the most diabolical and wide-spanning scandals in sports history. The former physician for the USA Women’s Gymnastics Team, Nasser was charged with sexually assaulting 140 women. Among those who stepped forward with claims against him included gold medalists Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas and McKayla Maroney, providing one of the most stunning cases of sexual misconduct in a year where such cases changed the narrative of workplace conduct throughout the country.

Matt Whitener is St. Louis-based writer, radio host and 12-6 curveball enthusiast. He has been covering Major League Baseball since 2010, and dabbles in WWE, NBA and other odd jobs as well. Follow Matt on Twitter at @CheapSeatFan.

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