Top Ten Sports Stories of 2011

As we are about to welcome 2012 or are currently welcoming 2012 in some parts of the world, we must take a look back at what was 2011 in sports. There has been plenty of good moments to bring up around the water cooler but here are my Top Ten Sports Stories of the Year.

10. Tied for 10 is Tony Stewert winning the Sprint Cup in NASCAR and the LA Galaxy winning the MLS Cup over the Dynamo, 1-0. Tony Stewert's title means the end of the Jimmie Johnson's magnificent run and the Galaxy winning with Beckham makes their ultimate goal come true.

9. A couple of milestones for Yankees. First, Derek Jeter hits his 3000th hit with a home run back in July against the Rays and David Price. He went 5-5 including hitting in the game winning run in the 8th with a single. It was all Derek Jeter at Yankee Stadium. When the night was over, he was at 3,003 career hits. Later Mariano Rivera gets his 600th career saves and then, less than a week later, gets his 602nd save making him the all time saves leader.

8. Japan wins the FIFA Women’s World Cup by defeating the USA in penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation and added extra time. A big win for the nation of Japan months after a tsunami hit their shores causing much tragedy and damage.

7. Miami U Scandal and Nevin Shapiro. Handing out of improper benefits from 2002-2010 at least. 72 counts were reported at the time. Whole program in shame and awaits sentencing. More like execution.

6. The collapse of the Red Sox and the Braves. Red Sox had a 9 game lead over the Rays in early September and lost it. Braves had a 10 ½ game lead over the Cardinals and lost it. The Red Sox cleaned house as a result getting a new manager and eventually a new GM. Braves, meanwhile, do nothing with management.

5. The Bruins winning the Stanley cup for the first time nearly 40 years, Vancouver going crazy, and Boston sports franchises winning a title in each of the 4 major sports in the last ten years. A big moment for the Boston and the New England area sealing up the last of the titles. Great time to be from there.

4. NFL and NBA Lockouts. Both went a bit differently as the NBA were the only ones to lose parts of their regular season but deals got done eventually for both leagues.

3. Penn state scandal involving Jerry Sandusky and several underage boys going back to the mid 1990’s. While a horrible story and definitely a tragic one, it is no doubt one of the biggest stories of the year and the biggest sports related scandals of all time if not the biggest.

2. Cardinals winning the World Series in dramatic fashion just edging out the Texas Rangers, 4 games to 3 and Albert Pujols going to the Angels. Hometown hero David Freese is the MVP and deservedly so. Great moment in St. Louis doesn't last forever, though, as Pujols leaving is the other big part to this story. The Cardinals will be fine in the long run. It's the Angels' budget in the future I'm worried about.

1. Mavericks win the NBA Finals over the Miami Heat, 4-2, with Dirk Nowitzki suddenly becoming the most popular man in the US and the world. The Miami Heat became the most hated team in history and everyone in the country outside of South Beach was rooting for their opponents. Anyone that could stop the Heat in the postseason would be instantly loved and that was the Mavs and Nowitzki. Dirk Finally gets his ring after 13 seasons in the NBA.

Biggest sports story that hasn’t happened yet is Pacquiao vs. Mayweather. Seriously?

My personal favorite story of the year: 49ers getting back into the playoffs. First time since 2002 the 49ers make the postseason and at the same time win the NFC West. I hope for bigger things in 2012.

Well their is my list with some added stories towards the end. I hope you all enjoy your New Year's parties, safely, of course.