American Pharoah a runaway choice in readers’ Sportsman of the Year poll
American Pharoah has won the online readers’ poll for Sports Illustrated’s 2015 Sportsman of the Year, topping 11 other candidates across all major sports as the one who embodied the spirit of sportsmanship and achievement this year.
The three-year-old colt ended a 37-year Triple Crown drought with a huge win in the Belmont Stakes—the 12th Triple Crown winner in history. He completed his career with a 6 1/2 length win in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic in his final start before heading off to the breeding shed.
American Pharoah won 47% of the vote when the poll closed on Saturday night. The Kansas City Royals came in second place with 29% of the vote and Lionel Messi finished in third place with 6% of the vote. American Pharoah also beat out Stephen Curry (4%), Jordan Spieth (3%), Simone Biles (2%) and Carli Lloyd (2%).
• Victor Espinoza: American Pharoah deserves Sportsman of the Year
See the full results here.
Sports Illustrated’s editors will choose the Sportsman of the Year. The winner will be revealed on Monday, Dec. 14, on SI.com and on the Today Show.
• The case for American Pharoah for SI's 2015 Sportsman of the Year
You can view the full voting breakdown below:
