2020 is perfect for socially distanced Newby Awards
In these scary times, it’s hard to pull off an awards show. Thankfully, the Newbys have always been a state of mind, so it shouldn’t be a problem to carry on safely in the midst of a pandemic.
We never got around to ordering trophies, or reserving a space, or rolling out an actual red carpet. It’s always been perfectly acceptable to just remain in your pajamas, camped out in front of a computer screen as the winners were announced.
It works out to be the perfect format for 2020.
So we now present our eighth annual Newby Awards — a look at the best, worst and mostly just bizarre of a maskedup, socially distanced, Zoomdominated year in sports that seemed more like a decade:
Fan of the Year
We had to get creative with this one since very few actual fans were allowed through the gates this year.
The Philadelphia Phillies did their best to compensate for the cold, sterile atmosphere by putting out an array of cardboard cutouts — an eclectic mix that included Ben Franklin, Walt Whitman, the 1980 World Series championship team, Chewbacca and Bob Uecker (occupying a seat on the last row, of course).
But the award goes to a brave stuffed bear in Oakland, who was drilled in the noggin with a liner off the bat of Arizona’s Ketel Marte but bounced right back up with a smile on its face.
The bear returned to its seat the next night sporting a bandage, but not to worry: The
A’s reported that it passed the concussion protocol.
Ignorance Cup
Kyle Larson managed to lose his job as a NASCAR driver while the series wasn’t even racing, at least not in real cars.
In the midst of playing a live-streamed virtual race, Larson blurted out a racial slur for everyone to hear.
Larson was quickly dumped by Chip Ganassi Racing (though he’s already lined up a new gig for 2021 at Hendrick Motorsports).
“I didn’t understand the negativity and hurt that comes with that word,” said Larson, sounding like someone who has spent all of his 28 years playing video games in his parents’ basement, oblivious to the outside world.
Dishonorable mention: Cincinnati Reds announcer Thom Brennaman, who used a homophobic slur while broadcasting the first game of a doubleheader, apparently not realizing he was on the air.
Right in the middle of calling the second game, he apologized for his hateful language and was removed from the telecast.
Where We Were Award
The good folks at CONCACAF were determined to finish their continental club championship despite the pandemic.
Nine months after North and Central America’s Champions League was halted because of the pandemic, the competition resumed at an empty stadium in Orlando, Florida.
Which set up ludicrous scenarios such as Atlanta United, which had wrapped up a dismal 2020 MLS season on Nov. 8, returning to the pitch 5 ½ weeks later to play one more game: the second leg of a quarterfinal series against Mexico’s Club América.
And when was the first leg played? Way back on March
11, just as the coronavirus was bringing everything to a screeching halt.
For the record, América won the nine-months-long series 3-1 on aggregate.
Disco Manager of the Year
It was quite a 2020 for A. J. Hinch and Alex Cora. Fired for a sign-stealing scheme. Suspended for one season by Major League Baseball. Already back on the job after serving their time.
But as impressive as those credentials may seem, the award goes to Tony La Russa.