The 2014 SI Sportsman of the Year

If you use the word correctly, it's not a throwaway. Bumgarner's influence is pretty much limited to the field.

If on-the-field accomplishments are the only criteria, that's fine.

 

OK. So, the answer to my question of "Why?" was "because." Thanks for contributing.

 

Somebody probably told you once upon a time that there's no such thing as a dumb question. That person was incorrect.

Anyway, Boom is onto something -- there wasn't any transcendent figure or moment this year. Bumgarner isn't a great choice looking at the history of the award, but he isn't a bad choice either given the offerings. Kind of a commentary on the whole season -- there isn't much from sports in 2014 that would go in the time capsule to be opened in 2100.

 

The sports world is dying for transcendent figures... Hell, now UCLA is retiring the number 42 for ALL sports, for a guy who played there 70 years ago. That said, neither Sam nor Silver are transcendent.

Sam will be a popcorn fart in the wind in five years, a "Who is he? Ohhhh... that guy" type of guy.

 

You're smarter than this.

 

Blah. Can't think of anyone better, maybe Duncan for lifetime achievement, but feels like the Wade choice.

 

Nice choice. He has one of the lowest postseason ERAs ever, won 3 games in a WS (ok, technically I guess 2 wins a save, I think, but he 'won' game 7 for the Giants) like a throwback to the 60s. I like seeing the award given to people for on the field of play accomplishments, not off.

Waiting for Manky to weigh in here....

 

The vote was probably already in but certainly Kenny Britt would have warranted consideration
if you were looking for a transcendent figure

 

I'd have gone Howard and/or the entire USMNT.

 

Granted, I'm biased as a Giants fan, but excellent choice.

In recent years, what athletes have done off the field has been factored in (see also: 1987 selections and Drew Brees), but what Bumgarner did in the postseason transcends all that.

 

I thought that was well done.