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.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Lesnar Loses, Then Retires
Okay, I think this is my first UFC post ever so forgive me for being inaccurate or not caring.
Brock Lesnar, a so called star of UFC, had a fight last night against Alistair Overeem. Somehow Brock Lesnar seemed like no match for Overeem quickly losing in a TKO decision after getting hit in the stomach a bit too much. Lesnar losing the fight is only half the story. Afterwards, Lesnar seemingly retired from the sport saying "This is the last time you'll see me in the octagon." It seems the career of Brock Lesnar as a MMA Fighter is over.
Okay, why the hell was this guy ever popular? He had 8 total fights in his career, actually won a World Title in 4th match and lost that in his 7th match. All this in a 4 year career. Maybe a lot of that fame had to do with the fact that he was in the WWE for a while and very popular there but that was a long time ago. How is the fact that he was a fake fighter give him credit in UFC? It didn't work for Kimbo Slice.
Whatever Lesnar does now, I hope he will enjoy it. The minor WWE fan inside of me hopes that he will go back into the Pro Wrestling industry but that bridge seemed to have been burned a long time ago.
P.S. I also wrote this article because it was part of my 2011 New Year's Resolution. Just beat the clock on this one. Now how am I going to lose 75 pounds by midnight...
Brock Lesnar, a so called star of UFC, had a fight last night against Alistair Overeem. Somehow Brock Lesnar seemed like no match for Overeem quickly losing in a TKO decision after getting hit in the stomach a bit too much. Lesnar losing the fight is only half the story. Afterwards, Lesnar seemingly retired from the sport saying "This is the last time you'll see me in the octagon." It seems the career of Brock Lesnar as a MMA Fighter is over.
Okay, why the hell was this guy ever popular? He had 8 total fights in his career, actually won a World Title in 4th match and lost that in his 7th match. All this in a 4 year career. Maybe a lot of that fame had to do with the fact that he was in the WWE for a while and very popular there but that was a long time ago. How is the fact that he was a fake fighter give him credit in UFC? It didn't work for Kimbo Slice.
Whatever Lesnar does now, I hope he will enjoy it. The minor WWE fan inside of me hopes that he will go back into the Pro Wrestling industry but that bridge seemed to have been burned a long time ago.
P.S. I also wrote this article because it was part of my 2011 New Year's Resolution. Just beat the clock on this one. Now how am I going to lose 75 pounds by midnight...
Friday, December 30, 2011
Is Brady Injured?
As the postseason approaches, sometimes it's more important to keep your stars (QBs) healthy instead of trying to secure positioning in the playoffs. The Steelers have had to face that a bit with Ben Roethlisberger and now it looks like the Pats might need to start doing that with Tom Brady. Tom Brady had some X-Rays done yesterday centering around his left shoulder. While securing Home Field Advantage in the AFC is very important, a coach definitely wants to make sure their players are healthy for the playoffs.
It looks like nothing serious as it might be just be precautionary but if there was a team that couldn't survive without their QB more, it might be the Patriots. Sure the Packers depend on Aaron Rodgers and the Saints love the pass happy Drew Brees, but the Pats would be nothing this season without Tom Brady. He is arguably more valuable for his team than Aaron Rodgers is to his (and the Packers need Rodgers). The Pats just don't have a good defense at all and need Tom to be there.
If I was Belichick, my priority would be making sure Brady stayed healthy.
P.S. My off season priority would be to get a defense.
It looks like nothing serious as it might be just be precautionary but if there was a team that couldn't survive without their QB more, it might be the Patriots. Sure the Packers depend on Aaron Rodgers and the Saints love the pass happy Drew Brees, but the Pats would be nothing this season without Tom Brady. He is arguably more valuable for his team than Aaron Rodgers is to his (and the Packers need Rodgers). The Pats just don't have a good defense at all and need Tom to be there.
If I was Belichick, my priority would be making sure Brady stayed healthy.
P.S. My off season priority would be to get a defense.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Packers Take #1 Seed and Brees Sets a Record
It's been a fascinating last couple of days in the NFL. Last night on Christmas day the Packers faced the Bears at Lambeau Field hoping to give their fans what they really wanted for Christmas: Home Field Advantage throughout the playoffs. They definitely did that. The Bears kept it close for the first half but lost control of the situation by the third quarter. The Packers would beat the Bears, 35-21. Aaron Rodgers had a great day with 5 TD passes in the game. The big picture is, of course, the Packers secured the #1 seed in the NFC.
Week 16 ended today with Monday Night Football featuring the Falcons and the Saints. The last time these two teams faced each other it came down to OT and the questionable 4th down call by the Falcons. The Falcons would've loved to have made that decision again after this second time around. The Saints would march all over the Falcons, 45-16. Drew Brees was the story at the end of the game. He threw for 307 yards and 4 TDs. His 307 yards tonight barely gets by Dan Marino's record for single season passing yards as Brees now has 5087 passing yards for the season, 3 more than Marino in 1984. Brees came 15 yards short of this record in 2008 but now has broken it this year with 1 game still left to play.
This big Christmas weekend in the NFL is over. Only one game left for everyone and there is still a lot on the line. The AFC West has yet to settled, an AFC Wild Card spot is still up for grabs, and the NFC East will be decided between the Giants and the Cowboys. New Year's day will have a lot to look forward to.
Week 16 ended today with Monday Night Football featuring the Falcons and the Saints. The last time these two teams faced each other it came down to OT and the questionable 4th down call by the Falcons. The Falcons would've loved to have made that decision again after this second time around. The Saints would march all over the Falcons, 45-16. Drew Brees was the story at the end of the game. He threw for 307 yards and 4 TDs. His 307 yards tonight barely gets by Dan Marino's record for single season passing yards as Brees now has 5087 passing yards for the season, 3 more than Marino in 1984. Brees came 15 yards short of this record in 2008 but now has broken it this year with 1 game still left to play.
This big Christmas weekend in the NFL is over. Only one game left for everyone and there is still a lot on the line. The AFC West has yet to settled, an AFC Wild Card spot is still up for grabs, and the NFC East will be decided between the Giants and the Cowboys. New Year's day will have a lot to look forward to.
A Unwrapped NBA Season
Hope you all had a Merry Christmas. I sure did hanging out with family and friends and having a good time. So did many fans watching the first NBA games of the season.
The start of the NBA Season was the gift to the sports world as five games were played on Christmas day. A special gift went to the Dallas Mavericks as they were finally able to put up their first championship banner. Pity that Dallas' Christmas party was crashed by the same team the Mavs beat to get the banner: the Miami Heat. The Heat would win this one, 105-94. King James had 37 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists while his teammate, Dwayne Wade, didn't do too bad himself with 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. Good showing by the Heat.
Other games included the Knicks barely edging out the Celtics in MSG, 106-104. The celebs came out to see their Knicks play and got to see Carmelo Anthony put up 37 points in the win. In LA, the Bulls managed to pull off a win against the Lakers, 88-87, thanks to a great shot by Derrick Rose near the end. Looks like the MVP is already showing why he deserved that extended contract. Also featured were the Thunder defeating the Orlando Magic, 97-89, and the LA Clippers beating the Golden State Warriors, 105-86, with Chris Paul making his Clips debut.
A fair day of basketball to start off the season and to celebrate Christmas. As for my 2012 NBA Season prediction, why bother? I thought there wouldn't be a season to speak of. So much for the Vacancies winning the title this year.
The start of the NBA Season was the gift to the sports world as five games were played on Christmas day. A special gift went to the Dallas Mavericks as they were finally able to put up their first championship banner. Pity that Dallas' Christmas party was crashed by the same team the Mavs beat to get the banner: the Miami Heat. The Heat would win this one, 105-94. King James had 37 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists while his teammate, Dwayne Wade, didn't do too bad himself with 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. Good showing by the Heat.
Other games included the Knicks barely edging out the Celtics in MSG, 106-104. The celebs came out to see their Knicks play and got to see Carmelo Anthony put up 37 points in the win. In LA, the Bulls managed to pull off a win against the Lakers, 88-87, thanks to a great shot by Derrick Rose near the end. Looks like the MVP is already showing why he deserved that extended contract. Also featured were the Thunder defeating the Orlando Magic, 97-89, and the LA Clippers beating the Golden State Warriors, 105-86, with Chris Paul making his Clips debut.
A fair day of basketball to start off the season and to celebrate Christmas. As for my 2012 NBA Season prediction, why bother? I thought there wouldn't be a season to speak of. So much for the Vacancies winning the title this year.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
10 Things I Want For Sportmas
First I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Like everyone during this great gift giving season, there is a few things I would love for Christmas, at least for the Sports World. Here they are.
10. A good set of NBA Christmas Games. Tomorrow's openers look promising and fun for the league. Let's all unwrap this present to see if the quality is any good.
9. Sidney Crosby to come back for good. The NHL and I need Crosby to return just to hold the casual sports viewer's attention.
8. Goal Line Technology for Soccer. It's been on the horizon for a while but it has yet to be implemented. Let's get that done, FIFA.
7. The 49ers to actually stay in the city limits of San Francisco. It isn't going to happen but you never know.
6. A Giants Baseball Jersey. I have to be a bit selfish, okay.
5. Already some new uniforms for the Marlins. The ones they just got look horrible.
4. Some Discipline for the Red Sox. Let the hammer fall, Bobby.
3. College Football Playoffs. There is some talk about it happening. That's moving forward from last year.
2. Pacquiao vs. Mayweather. I've been waiting for this one for a while and it looks like it won't come soon what with Mayweather's sentencing.
1. To any 49ers fans out there, you can guess what #1 is.
Merry Christmas, Everyone.
10. A good set of NBA Christmas Games. Tomorrow's openers look promising and fun for the league. Let's all unwrap this present to see if the quality is any good.
9. Sidney Crosby to come back for good. The NHL and I need Crosby to return just to hold the casual sports viewer's attention.
8. Goal Line Technology for Soccer. It's been on the horizon for a while but it has yet to be implemented. Let's get that done, FIFA.
7. The 49ers to actually stay in the city limits of San Francisco. It isn't going to happen but you never know.
6. A Giants Baseball Jersey. I have to be a bit selfish, okay.
5. Already some new uniforms for the Marlins. The ones they just got look horrible.
4. Some Discipline for the Red Sox. Let the hammer fall, Bobby.
3. College Football Playoffs. There is some talk about it happening. That's moving forward from last year.
2. Pacquiao vs. Mayweather. I've been waiting for this one for a while and it looks like it won't come soon what with Mayweather's sentencing.
1. To any 49ers fans out there, you can guess what #1 is.
Merry Christmas, Everyone.
An NFL Christmas
Instead of playing most of the games on Christmas, the NFL did the right thing and scheduled almost all of them either before or after the big day. There is still that Sunday Night game with the Packers and the Bears but you can't get rid of them all. At least they tried to plan around it unlike some leagues (NBA).
Anyway, the highlight game of the day was arguably in New Jersey where the Giants and the Jets played it out before the a large crowd. As this game progressed, it was the G-Men that grabbed the attention. The Giants were able to win it, 29-14, thanks to some Jets mistakes at the end, one of which was a safety. Meanwhile, the Giants NFC East opponent, the Dallas Cowboys, lost to the Eagles, 20-7, but may have lost even more. Tony Romo hurt his hand during their first possession and had to sit out the remainder of the game. Romo plans to play against the Giants next week in an epic showdown for the division.
Other games that were played included the Pats coming from a 17-0 deficit to win, 27-24. You can't count Brady out as he threw a TD and ran for two more for the win. Tim Tebow gets a rough dose of reality as he and the Broncos lose a second straight game, this one to the Bills, 40-14. 4 INTs for Tebow is not what the Broncos wanted to see. Meanwhile, the Raiders win their game against the Chiefs in OT, 16-13. The Broncos still have a tie breaker advantage over the Raiders but they better not slip up next week vs. the Chiefs. Last one I'll mention is the Lions beating the Chargers, 38-10, as they win their 10th game this year and clinch a playoff spot. This win gives them a playoff berth for the time since 1999.
The only games left this week are that Sunday Night one and the Monday Night game with the Saints and the Falcons.
Anyway, the highlight game of the day was arguably in New Jersey where the Giants and the Jets played it out before the a large crowd. As this game progressed, it was the G-Men that grabbed the attention. The Giants were able to win it, 29-14, thanks to some Jets mistakes at the end, one of which was a safety. Meanwhile, the Giants NFC East opponent, the Dallas Cowboys, lost to the Eagles, 20-7, but may have lost even more. Tony Romo hurt his hand during their first possession and had to sit out the remainder of the game. Romo plans to play against the Giants next week in an epic showdown for the division.
Other games that were played included the Pats coming from a 17-0 deficit to win, 27-24. You can't count Brady out as he threw a TD and ran for two more for the win. Tim Tebow gets a rough dose of reality as he and the Broncos lose a second straight game, this one to the Bills, 40-14. 4 INTs for Tebow is not what the Broncos wanted to see. Meanwhile, the Raiders win their game against the Chiefs in OT, 16-13. The Broncos still have a tie breaker advantage over the Raiders but they better not slip up next week vs. the Chiefs. Last one I'll mention is the Lions beating the Chargers, 38-10, as they win their 10th game this year and clinch a playoff spot. This win gives them a playoff berth for the time since 1999.
The only games left this week are that Sunday Night one and the Monday Night game with the Saints and the Falcons.
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