Boivin: Paul Goldschmidt, LeBron James top compelling stories of 2015
We've left the midway point of 2015 in the dust. The sleepiness of the summer sports schedule becomes more bearable with the knowledge that the Cardinals open training camp in 13 days.
Excuse me while I weep with joy.
Before life becomes too football-centric, here are my five most compelling sports stories from the first half of the calendar year.
They're probably not yours.
- Paul Goldschmidt's brilliance coupled with his relative anonymity.
I know. I know. How can a guy voted into the All-Star Game be anonymous?
One of the most common social-media posts I saw during Major League Baseball's Midsummer Classic read something like this: "So that's what Paul Goldschmidt looks like."
The Diamondbacks first baseman has jaw-dropping numbers and a high-likability factor but no great need to attract attention with chest-thumping and outrageous quotes. National announcers regularly refer to him as one of baseball's most unreported stories.
BOIVIN: Dare we utter the words ' Paul Goldschmidt' and 'Triple Crown?'
- Malcolm Butler's game-winning interception in Super Bowl XLIX.
To this day, it's still hard to believe the play that unfolded in University of Phoenix Stadium, with New England's Butler intercepting a Russell Wilson pass at the goal line with 20 seconds remaining.
That it was Butler, a guy who worked at Popeye's during his junior college days and was undrafted out of West Alabama, made it even better.
- LeBron James' ability to lift Cleveland into the NBA Finals.
The rise of the Golden State Warriors is a great story but James' postseason greatness and the way he shouldered the load was unreal.
- Dustin Johnson's turnaround.
The golfer's shortcomings have been well-chronicled, from the Golf Magazine report that he tested positive for cocaine in 2014 to the 12-foot putt he missed that would have won the U.S. Open (and the 4-foot one that would have sent him into a playoff).
Even with the U.S. Open meltdown, everything about Johnson suggests he's in a better place. He credits new parenthood with girlfriend Paulina Gretzky.
- The return of Jose Fernandez.
It's just three games, but the Marlins pitcher has shown promise since his return from Tommy John surgery. In 2013, the rookie was baseball's best story. His next scheduled start is against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday. Will fans be watching a future Hall of Famer?
RELATED: Patriots' Malcolm Butler made early impression on Tom Brady
MATHIEU PSA
A nod of respect for Tyrann Mathieu, who was part of a PETA video about animal safety.
Mathieu is seen sitting in a car with the windows rolled up to demonstrate what an animal goes through. Mathieu couldn't take it after eight minutes when the temperature reached 120 degrees and he exited the car.
During the video, you could see the perspiration soak through his shirt and he looked visibly groggy.
"If you're going to make a dog a part of your family, then make him a part of your family," he said. "Don't treat him like someone you wouldn't care about."
MORE: Tyrann Mathieu stays in a hot car during new PETA ad
PHYSICAL PLAY
Aaron Gordon followed a standout performance in the Orlando Summer League with more physical play … but this one will cost him.
The Orlando forward and former Arizona standout broke his jaw after rough-housing with his brother, Drew. He underwent surgery in California and is expected to be ready for the regular season, a team spokesman told the Orlando Sentinel.
Drew Gordon, who played sparingly for Philadelphia last season and is with Miami for Summer League play, is clearly taking it hard. This is what he wrote on Twitter on Friday:
"I am deeply saddened and sorry for hurting my brother. I love him and my family more than anything. I know I cannot change the past I have certainly learned from this and will do everything I can to help him heal. He is an amazing person and brother I have NOTHING but love for him and my family."
BOIVIN: Aaron Gordon hopes former UA teammates win, embrace experience
THIS AND THAT
Gilbert High School and Arizona State graduate Jay Shi, 36, captured the silver in the men's 10-meter air pistol at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games. Shi's story is pretty remarkable. His family relocated to the U.S. from China to seek medical treatment after the 11-year-old Shi sliced his right eye while trying to cut a string.
He competed in archery when he was younger, setting the stage for his success today.
- Stories out of Texas say former ASU athletic director Steve Patterson is having a rocky time in the same job with the Longhorns. The Dallas Morning News reports that university president Greg Fenves "told Patterson of the need to change an approach that some see as impersonal or even arrogant."
- In case you missed it in our business section, the Harlem Globetrotters are relocating their headquarters to Atlanta after 20 years in Phoenix.
RELATED: Ex-ASU AD Steve Patterson coming under fire at Texas
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"One time, someone hit me in the back with some foil, all wrapped up, and there's like four joints in it. I went and stuck it in the ivy on the outfield wall, but I remembered where I put it. Once they saw me do that, the regular Bleacher Bums started throwing things at me every day; I'd get hit with a little packet, I'd look and there's a gram of coke in there." – longtime Yankees player Joe Pepitone to Rolling Stone magazine about his relationship with Cubs fans.
TWEET OF THE DAY
"Aight the only way I'll still come off the bench ... 1) I wanna left handed set of golf clubs. 2) Some Cambodian breast milk. ... And Steve Kerr gotta walk to juniors and get me some cheesecake." – Golden State wing Andre Iguodala feigning anger at Warriors coach Kerr, who said the player likely would start the 2015-16 season back on the bench. Iguodala was referencing the skit "Making the Band" from "Chappelle's Show."
Follow Paola Boivin at paola.boivin@arizonarepublic.com and on Twitter at Twitter.com/PaolaBoivin. Listen to her streaming live on "The Brad Cesmat Show" on sports360az.com every Monday at 10:30 a.m.