By Jeff
The year 2009 created more ink for newspapers, more keystrokes for the internet and more conversation off the field than on. Tiger, steroids, Brett Favre, Michael Phelps and Andre Aggasi created non-field issues that rivaled anything done on the field. However, I want to focus on the field.
Top Ten Highlights in 2009
10: The Florida Gators beat the Oklahoma Sooners in January to win the NCAA 2008-2009 Championship in college football 24-14.
9. Serena and Venus Williams played each other (again) for the Wimbledon Women’s title with Serena winning in two sets.
8. The New York Yankees won the World Series in baseball as Alex Rodriguez may have ended his October drought as he led the Yankees to their first World Series title since 2000. (As a Cubs fan the idea that Yankee fans were suicidal because of an 8 year drought between titles makes me sick).
7. Japan won the World Baseball Classic by beating South Korea 5-3 in the finals. The USA was beaten in the semis. (Makes you wonder why we call the MLB finals the “World” Series).
6. North Carolina defeats Michigan State 89-72 to win the NCAA Basketball Title. Tyler Hansbrough ends his great 4-year career with his first title.
5. The Pittsburgh Penguins upset the Detroit Red Wings in game 7 to win the Stanley Cup. The heavily favored Red Wings lost game 7 on their home ice.
4, Jimmie Johnson becomes the first driver to win 4 consecutive Sprint Cup Series Championship titles.
3. Roger Federer won the French Open and Wimbledon but was upset in the finals of the US open by Juan Martin del Potro and lost to Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open to keep him from a clean sweep of Tennis Majors.
2. Kobe Bryant led the Los Angeles Lakers to the NBA Championship as they beat the Orlando Magic in 5 games. Kobe won his first championship without Shaq and answered the question (for now) on whether he is a superstar without leadership qualities or is he a true leader.
1. The Pittsburgh Steelers won Super Bowl XLIII (43 for us non-Romans) by defeating the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 with a last second touchdown. This game was the most exciting Super Bowl since 2008 when the NY Giants upset the undefeated New England Patriots. I guess that shows you how swayed I am by Pro football!
These are my Top 10 picks for 2009. What are some of yours?
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Comments
4 Responses to 2009: A YEAR IN SPORTS
I really enjoyed the Bears win over the Vikings the other night. I also am enjoying Favre falling apart somewhat.
Thinking back, on the field I am not sure there were that many great moments or surprises. Off the field, there were plenty. They just did not seem to stop. The year certainly ended with a bang off the field with the saga of Tiger Woods and the death of Chris Henry, the Cincinnati Bengal who fell off the back of the pick up truck.
Yeah, thanks for bringing the stupid Yankees win up (totally kidding).
Speaking of suicide, I’m really hoping the Phillies didn’t commit suicide by trading Cliff Lee for Haliday. I am really nervous about that transaction but we did just acquire a righty which will be good. Our starting line-up is mostly left handed.
I wonder if the Eagles will win this week. They are surprising me this year.
Jeff, I bow to your superior knowledge of all things sports-related.
I have to confess, I think I am more interested in the off-the-field stuff. I quickly forget who won what.
Me, I am just trying to get caught up on this Mike Leach/Craig James/Adam James drama. I don’t think I knew who any of these people were until a few days, ago, but I like a good controversy!