An Ode to September

Matthew Roberson | Sports Editor | @mroberson22

For sports fans, there are several times of the year that perk excitement more than others. I’ve always been a big fan of the month of March, when college basketball enters its postseason tournaments right as the MLB season is beginning and NBA and NHL teams are jostling for playoff positions. June is another fun one, with the NBA and Stanley Cup Finals coinciding with the early part of baseball season and the occasional World Cup or Summer Olympics.

However, the portion of the sports calendar that really captivates me is the month of September. Not only is football season kicking off all across the country, but the MLB postseason chase is taken to another level. While my beloved Seattle Mariners are usually out of the picture by the All-Star break, September always offers this baseball fan a chance to watch some intense action on the diamond.

This year is a prime example of why September baseball is pure bliss for devoted fans of America’s pastime. The real excitement comes from watching those clubs that are teetering on the brink of the playoff picture. As the calendar flips to September we have exciting races in the American League East and American League West which are sure to come down to the last few games of the regular season. There are also a handful of teams on the outside looking in when it comes to the elusive Wild Card spots.

One of the beauties of September is the intriguing juxtaposition between baseball and football seasons. With over 75 percent of the baseball season already completed, a handful of teams have effectively given up on their season, choosing instead to call up young prospects or trade away their aging stars in hopes of improving their future.

Football is experiencing the exact opposite of that, as the season is in its infancy and every team is optimistic about their roster. The 2015-16 NFL season is shaping up to be a fun one with a plethora of storylines. Will the Seattle Seahawks make their third straight Super Bowl? Will Bill Belichick smile for the first time in his life? Will the Cleveland Browns ever have a winning season again? Stay tuned to find out.