This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The hustle of Christmas shopping, the Thanksgiving turkeys and the celebration of the new year still is a ways off. So don't be alarmed just yet. Your money is still safe.
It is, however, mid-October. And it's the best time of the year for us die-hard sports fans. Our bank accounts exist, but it's the holiday season for us nonetheless.
This is the time where everything converges: Football is in full swing. The NBA is this close to starting its regular season. Hockey already would have begun if not for the lockout. The baseball playoffs have produced unforgettable moments.
We often have difficult choices to make with the remote control at our disposal. Do we watch the NFL? Or how about the Yankees and Orioles? Oh wait a minute, college football is on? Darn it. I want to watch the Jazz or the latest hotshot rookie make his preseason debut on NBATV.
Gone are the days of summer, where good sports on television is not much more than a mirage in the desert. Gone are the days of September where the weekends are eagerly awaited, but the first three days of the week can get a little boring.
Right now, the world is exploding with sports and storylines. There is a St. Louis Cardinals team that refuses to go away. There are the New York Yankees, the drama with Alex Rodriguez and the bloated payroll. There's Justin Verlander and his dominant pitching. There's San Francisco and the quest for a second World Series ring in three seasons.
And that's just baseball.
The intrigue at this time of the year is almost endless. So is the anticipation of intrigue and entertainment to come. It's the perfect storm.
So sports fans should grab a seat on the couch. Make some seven-layer dip. Men, identify the honey-do list and get it done. Children, prepare to be left to your own devices.
It's the holiday season of sports. Enjoy the ride.
Twitter: @tonyaggieville