FIFA World Cup, World Series & NBA Championship Highlight Best Latinos Sports Moments of 2014
What a year 2014 was to remember, especially in sports.
This year we saw numerous Latin American nations thrive in sports. Beginning in January was the annual FIBA Americas League Basketball Championship. This year's tournament was held in the Brazilian capital of Rio de Janeiro. In the end, Team Flamengo of Brazil won the competition.
Shortly afterwards, the 2014 Major League Baseball season began.
Right off the bat, Chicago White Sox rookie Jose Abreu inserted himself as one of the best young stars in the game of baseball. The 27-year-old Cuban who defected from his home country went on to win this year's American League Rookie of the Year Award. Abreu had one of the best rookie seasons in MLB history with 36 home runs and 107 runs batted in. On top of all that, Abreu maintained an impressive .317 batting average throughout his first big league season.
Beginning in March was the South American Games, a tournament that is similar to the Olympics. It is held once every four years in various South American nations. This year, Santiago, Chile was the host to more than 30 athletic sporting events. These games date back to 1978 since Bolivia was the host. Brazil went on to win this year for the second time in the country's history.
And who could forget about horse racing?
It was one of the most memorable horse racing years to date. Mexican jockey Victor Espinoza rode California Chrome to a convincing victory at the Kentucky Derby. He also won the 2002 Kentucky Derby. Just two weeks later, Espinoza and Chrome rode to victory at the 2014 Preakness Stakes. Now, they looked to make history, trying to become the first triple crown winner since "Affirmed" in 1978. Unfortunately, Espinoza and Chrome failed to win the Belmont Stakes.
Come summer time, the drama would only increase.
The San Antonio Spurs returned to the NBA Finals to face the Miami Heat in an NBA Finals rematch. Led by Argentine shooting guard Manu Ginobili and Brazilian center Tiago Splitter, the Spurs annihilated and embarrassed LeBron James and the defending champion Heat in five games for the Spurs' fifth world title. Ginobili won the fourth championship of his Hall of Fame career, while Splitter became the first-ever Brazil-born player to win an NBA championship.
And then, the biggest sporting event in the world took place. The 2014 FIFA World Cup was held in various cities throughout the South American country of Brazil. This World Cup would be an all-time great one to remember.
Latin American nations such as Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Paraguay and Chile were featured in the 32-team competition.
After group play, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Mexico and Colombia were all alive in the final knockout stage Round of 16 playoff. Led by arguably the greatest player in the world, Lionel Messi, Argentina made it all the way to the finals. Germany would win the game in extra time, 1-0. Despite not winning the World Cup, many Latin American players made a name for themselves on the biggest stage, particularly James Rodriguez of Colombia.
In late October, baseball was back on its biggest stage. The San Francisco Giants defeated the Kansas City Royals in a thrilling seven-game series. Starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner won the World Series MVP, but Venezuelan third baseman Pablo Sandoval was simply incredible.
Sandoval record a hit in six of the seven World Series games and 12 total hits overall in the World Series. Sandoval batted an incredible .429 this previous postseason, and he made the final out of the World Series, winning his third career world championship.
Come November, the 22nd running of the "Central American and Caribbean Games" was underway in Veracruz, Mexico. More than 35 different sports ranging from archery, swimming, golf and even bowling was on display. With 31 nations competing, Cuba took home the championship just one spot ahead of Mexico.
Cuba remained in the news in December when President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro sought to normalize relations. A better relationship between the two countries could have a huge impact in the baseball world. Cuban baseball players may be able to live their dream in MLB if this process continues.
Only time will tell what 2015 has in store.
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