The Athletes of 2015
The Best
Stephen Curry - Curry has had an eventful 2015. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers in June to win the NBA title. Curry was the League MVP. Curry then led the Warriors to a 28-0 record to start the season.
Tom Brady - Brady won his fourth Super Bowl ring in February and was the games MVP. Later that year he was suspended for his role in Deflategate. Brady would appeal and win his suspension. On opening night he would carve up the Steelers with four touchdowns. He is an MVP candidate and the Patriots sit at 12-3.
Bryce Harper - Harper had his best pro season in 2015. Harper at just 22 for most of the season hit 330 with 42 home runs and 99 RBI. Harper was named NL MVP and to his 3rd all star team in four years.
Floyd Mayweather Jr - Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao would finally square off in the super fight everyone wanted to see. Mayweather beat Pacquiao in a unanimous decision to move to 48-0. He would then defeat Andre Berto to move to 49-0. He says that he is going to retire but who knows what the future holds for Floyd.
The Comeback
Alex Rodriguez - Suspended for all of 2014 , 39 years old , many thought Alex Rodriguez was finished. He however was not. Rodriguez would comeback to hit 33 home runs and lead he Yankees to the wild card game. Rodriguez would reach many personal milestones such as passing Willie Mays on the home run list , getting his 3,000th hit , and moving to second on the all time RBI list.
Ryan Fitzpatrick - Fitzpatrick was brought in by the Jets to be the backup Quarterback. However after Geno Smith was involved in a incident Fitzpatrick would take over the team. With a win on Sunday Fitzpatrick will have the Jets in the Super Bowl.
The Clutch
Andre Iguodala - The Warriors won the NBA title and Iguodala was the Finals MVP. He did most of his work coming off the bench for the Warriors a new role for the veteran.
Wade Davis - The Royals won the World Series and veteran fire throwing closer Wade Davis was lights out at the end of games. Davis was able to shut down the Astros , Royals , and Mets throughout the playoffs. Davis emerged as baseballs best closer when it meant the most. He pitched to a zero era in the playoffs.
Patrick Kane - Kane was one of the NHL's most dominating players on one of the best teams in the league. The MVP candidate led the Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup finals and they would eventually
win the Cup.
Daniel Murphy - The Mets made there historic run to the World Series and Daniel Murphy made history hitting home runs. He hit home runs in 6 straight games.
The Most Entertaining
Cam Newton - The Panthers are 14-1 and Newton may be the NFL MVP. Newton has done everything from rush for 100 yards to pass for five touchdowns.
Odell Beckham Jr - The most explosive receiver in the NFL , Beckham has been better in his second year with Eli Manning.
Lebron James - Any time Lebron James is on the court it is big news. James led the Cavaliers to the finals in his first year back. James received MVP votes in the finals despite his team losing. He did
everything and kept the Cavs in it basically by himself.
Alex Rodriguez - No one gets the attention like A-Rod good or bad. He was a fixture and a comeback story in 2015. Rodriguez hit 33 home runs in his comeback season and even did work as a Baseball analysis for Fox in the playoffs.
Rob Gronkoswki - Gronkowski is by far footballs best tight end. Every week he does something special. Gronk has caught 11 touchdown passes this season.
Bryce Harper - Harper blasted 42 home runs and hit 330 at just 22 years old. Harper didn't turn 23
until October. He played great defense and the best offense which led him to the MVP.
The Rookies
Andrew Wiggins - Wiggins put the Timberwolves back on the map in his first season and is only getting better in his second season. He looks like a future MVP.
Todd Gurley - Gurley has emerged as one of the best running backs in football. He has 1108 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Jameis Winston - Winston has proved to be a franchise Quarterback right out of the gate.
Carlos Correa - Correa dominated with the bat and the glove as the AL Rookie of the Year. Correa led the Astros to the playoffs as a rookie shortstop.
Kris Bryant - The Cubs finally promoted the slugger rookie third basemen and they made a deep playoff run. Bryant was the NL Rookie of the Year.
Performances
Drew Brees and Eli Manning would go head to head in one of the best QB duels of all time. Manning would throw 6 touchdowns and Brees 7. The Saints beat the Giants by a field goal.
Jose Bautista would hit a go ahead playoff home run against the Rangers in game 5 of the ALDS. His
bat flip was more impressive than the home run.
Holly Holms was given no shot to beat Ronda Rousey but knocked her out to win the title.
Kobe Bryant calls it a career after the season and the Celtics fans cheered their long time enemy the other night in his final game in Boston.
Roberta Vinci would defeat Serena Williams in the US open ruining Williams' Grand Slam chances.
By Peter Vitella
@realpete13
