Maybe you didn't know it, but your life got substantially better today. Congratulations you! Why? Because FXX will begin streaming every single episode of The Simpsons beginning at 10 a.m. ET and wont stop until all 25 seasons have aired.
When a show lasts that long, it's safe to say almost everything has been covered and sports are no different. By our count there have been 28 different episodes centered on sports, covering almost everything that can be done on a field, ice, diamond or track. Sure you COULD watch hundreds of hours non-stop, or we can help you easily tune in and out to catch the 10 best sports episodes The Simpsons has to offer.
10. "Marge Gamer," Friday, Aug. 29, 3 p.m. ET
Why it's great: The core of this episode might be a World of Warcraft gag, but the subplot of Homer becoming a soccer referee is amazing. He takes to the pitch where Lisa is highly critical of his skills, before Homer calls his daughter a "flopper," which is put in his head by Ronaldo, who guest stars.
9. "MoneyBART," Sunday, Aug. 31, 5 a.m. ET
Why it's great: Lisa decides that she needs more extra-curricular activities on her resume, so she becomes the manager of Bart's Little League team. Applying "Moneyball" principles the team quickly sees success. A guest appearance from Mike Scioscia solidifies this as a good one.
8. "Saturdays of Thunder," Friday, Aug. 22, 7:30 a.m. ET
Why it's great: This episode is an oldie, but a goodie. It's a riff on Days of Thunder and many other motorsport-themed movies, except transposed to the world of Soap Box Derby racing. There's no celebrity guest star in this one, but many of the early episodes didn't need one. It's just solid all around.
7. "Hungry, Hungry Homer," Tuesday, Aug. 26, 9 p.m. ET
Why it's great: Homer taps into a pain some of us know all too well; seeing a team leave. He hears his beloved Springfield Isotopes are destined for a move to Albuquerque and staged a hunger strike at the stadium. The team exploits him and turns him into a mascot. All the while the rest of the family gain inordinate amounts of weight as they are forced to eat Homer's meal portions along with their own.
6. "Bart Star," Monday, Aug. 25, 5:30 a.m. ET
Why it's great: Homer put on his Tom Landry hat (literally) and becomes the head coach of Bart's Pee Wee football team after forcing Ned Flanders out of the job. Like any good parent, he immediately puts all his faith into Bart as quarterback, despite Nelson Muntz being more qualified for the job. Bart struggles, but a visit from Joe Namath (trapped in Springfield due to his car suffering vapor lock) lifts his spirits ... kind of.
5. "Homer and Ned's Hail Mary Pass," Thursday, Aug. 28, 1 p.m. ET
Why it's great: This episode has a bevy of celebrity sporting cameos, and some of the biggest the show has ever seen. Homer is caught performing an embarrassing dance which quickly becomes a viral video; the NFL picks up on the success and wants him to help choreograph the Super Bowl half time show. With visits from Tom Brady, LeBron James, Yao Ming, Warren Sapp and Michelle Kwan, Homer learns just how hard that can be.
4. "Lisa on Ice," Saturday, Aug. 23, 5 p.m. ET
Why it's great: One of the core tenets of a great sports episode is tension, drama and competition. This has all three. Bart is getting showered with love from Homer because he's "good at sports," prompting Lisa to put on the pads and become one of youth hockey's best goalies. Separated on opposite teams, the kids need to square off for Homer's love in a dramatic conclusion.
3. "Team Homer," Sunday, Aug. 24, 7:30 a.m. ET
Why it's great: In a ether-induced hallucination Mr. Burns thinks Homer is Pop n' Fresh and gives him $500 to start a local bowling team. The "Pin Pals" are the perfect union of skill and drunkenness, until Burns finds out and wants to be a part of the team too. The old millionaire is terrible, but they can't find the heart to kick him off the team when he makes specially-made uniforms for his new "friends."
2. "The Homer They Fall," Sunday, Aug. 24, 3:30 p.m. ET
Why it's great: It's a beautiful ode to professional boxing, with Homer discovering he has a genetic defect that cushions his brain from impact. He can take an incredible pummeling, so Moe channels his inner Don King to become Homer's promoter. Suddenly the local Springerfielder is in the fight of his life against Drederick Tatum (clearly modeled after Mike Tyson). Michael Buffer guest stars and makes this boxing episode truly authentic.
1. "Homer at Bat," Friday, Aug. 22, 11:30 a.m. ET
Why it's great: Everything. "Homer at Bat" is perfection rolled into 20-some minutes. This episode aired early in the series life, but is one of the most memorable for how many baseball players and references are made in a single episode. From Mr. Burns' crusade against sideburns, to "Wonderbat" this episode has it all. If you've somehow managed to miss this then it's an absolute must-watch.