Arizona can be unpredictable sometimes.
From legal gay marriage to a Phoenix snow day, here are 10 things you never thought you'd see in Arizona:
10.) A Walk-Off Hit Against Mariano Rivera to Win the World Series
Here's something no one expected: An expansion team in its fourth year of existence winning the World Series by getting two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning in game seven against the best closer in the history of Major League Baseball.
9.) Snow in Phoenix
According to the National Weather Service, the last time a measurable amount of snow was recorded in Phoenix was 1990. However, in early 2013, there was enough snow to coat Loop 101 in Scottsdale.
8.) A Recall of the State's Senate President
Russell Pearce, who was instrumental in many proposed laws regarding immigration enforcement, like SB 1070, was successfully recalled, which isn't something you see very often. It's been reported that Pearce was the first sitting senate president in the country to be recalled.
7.) The Pro Hockey Team Making It Almost 20 Years
People have been saying the Coyotes wouldn't last in Phoenix as long as they've been here, and it's always reported that they'll be leaving at any time. It's been more than 18 years at this point.
6.) An Atheist Politician
For the amount of religion-motivated politicians we have in Arizona, it probably came as a shock when Democratic Representative Juan Mendez announced he's an atheist. Plus, Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema has said she has no religion, but has denied being an atheist.
5.) An Entire Day of Rain in Phoenix
The rare times it rains in Phoenix, it usually rains for minutes. Earlier this year, though, it rained for hours, making for the rainiest day in Phoenix history, which caused widespread flooding, and almost surreal photos of cars floating down Interstate 10.
4.) The Cardinals in the Super Bowl
Before the Cardinals made that Super Bowl run in 2009, they could never be counted among the best teams in the NFL. If you predicted before the 2008 season that the Cards would be headed to the Super Bowl, you're probably lying.
3.) Joe Arpaio's MCSO Banned From Racial Profiling
For years, Sheriff Joe Arpaio has proudly been in the immigration-enforcement business, with deputies operating sweeps in Latino-heavy areas, looking to pull over possibly undocumented immigrants. That was put to an end last year, when a federal judge ordered Arpaio's office to end its racial-profiling practices.
2.) Legal Medical Marijuana
Republican-heavy Arizona probably isn't a state where you'd think voters would approve medical marijuana, especially in 2010, when two Democratic congressmen were defeated by Republicans, and voters elected Republicans to every single state office. Yet, despite Republican politicians continuing to fight medical marijuana, it remains legal in the state.
1.) Legal Gay Marriage
Arizona voters had overwhelmingly voted to amend the Arizona Constitution to ban gay marriage in the state. However, a series of federal court decisions just legalized same-sex marriage in the state earlier this month, and couples lined up to get hitched on the first day.
Follow Valley Fever on Twitter at @ValleyFeverPHX. Follow Matthew Hendley at @MatthewHendley.
