While we are only scratching (or tapping) the surface, 2009 was the year the iPhone emerged as an impact player in the sporting arena. From Tiger, to OchoCinco to Manny, these 10 apps best chronicle the biggest sports stories of the year.
Managing Tiger withdrawal
As Tiger Woods battles his way out of the rough while on “indefinite leave”, a more pristine likeness of the AP Athlete of the Decade can still be found on Tiger Woods PGA Tour by EA Sports. Unlike Tiger, this $4.99 game always operates in high fidelity. No word yet if future updates will block inappropriate text messaging before it’s too late.
Just because Tiger will likely not contend for his fifth Green Jacket next year doesn’t mean you won’t want to watch exclusive shots of The Masters Golf Tournament on your iPhone. The free application, which debuted in 2009, offers live video from Amen Corner, as well as dynamically updated Leader Board information. Just make sure to silence your iPhone if you find yourself at Augusta.
Super Bowl-caliber apps
Who knew Chad Ochocinco was as forward-thinking as ABC Sports legend Roone Alredge? While the (currently free) OchoCinco Experience may be the most self-serving iPhone app of all time, it is also changing how fans interface with athletes. Ask the Cincinnati Bengals receiver a question with the What Would Ochocinco Do? feature, and track his whereabouts with the Where’s Ocho geolocator map. Might we find Ochocinco on the field in Miami come February 7?
The ascent of the New Orleans Saints is the NFL story of the year, and there is no better way to get a local perspective of America’s new team than with WhoDatApp. The $2.99 application offers Twitter feeds from players and media members who cover the Saints, as well as clips from former Quarterback Bobby Hebert’s radio show.
James Harrison’s interception return for a touchdown against the Cardinals was arguably the greatest play in Super Bowl history. The only way a play like that can ever be recreated is on a game like Madden 10 by EA Sports. The $6.99 iPhone app sets a new bar for how sports games can be displayed on mobile devices.
Apps that hit it out of the park
Arguably the most significant iPhone app of 2009, MLB At Bat is a state-of-the-art way to enjoy the National Pastime. The 2009 version, for $9.99, offered live video feeds from one Major League game per day (extra games involved an a la carte charge). Audio broadcasts and condensed versions of games were also included in this app, which will no doubt offer new wrinkles its next time through the lineup.
The New York Yankees are once again World Champions. While Bronx Baseball is not a first ballot Hall of Fame app like MLB At Bat, at 99-cents, the news feed aggregation service won’t contribute to any luxury tax.
Manny Rodriguez will never again have to worry about injecting himself with a female fertility drug once he downloads MedsLog to his iPhone. The $1.99 app manages which medications you should take and alerts you to any missed or improper dosages. There is not too much information on performing-enhancing drugs, however.
This app is faaantastic
Showtime is back in Los Angeles as well as on your iPhone. For $39.99, NBA League Pass Mobile provides live video feeds of 40 NBA games per week. Watch the Lakers defend their title from the beach while sending game updates and fantasy information to your friends via Facebook and Twitter. Even if you miss a game, NBA Pass offers full replays for 48 hours after the final buzzer.
Thumbs up for SEC fans
With Florida and Alabama at the top of the NCAA College Football polls all year, the best app to get the inside skinny about each program in is SEC Sports. The officially sanctioned 99-cent app provides news, highlights and stadium information for every school in the Southeast Conference. As the college basketball season heats up, track John Calipari’s first year at Kentucky and see if Rick Pitino and Tiger will become golfing buddies.
