When it comes to winning the ESPY award for best male or female athlete, a championship helps but the hardware is not necessarily required.
Jose Altuve of the World Series champion Houston Astros and Alex Ovechkin of the Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals are both first-time nominees for the award. But so are New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Houston Rockets guard James Harden.
Brady, a three-time ESPY best male athlete nominee, lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII.