That’s a rap.
With the click of the clock 2008 draws to a close.
Before the year past fades away take a moment at this roadside stand, and weigh in on the top sports events of 2008.
The year began with the Winter Classic. The hockey world converged on Western New York for a celebration on the frozen pond.
The great stories didn’t stop there.
Michael Phelps put his mark on the year with a never-seen-before performance in the Beijing Olympics. Phelps wasn’t the only great story of the Olympics.
Usain Bolt gave us a new definition of speed.
Dara Torres provided inspiration to 40-somethings around the world.
The U.S. Women’s Soccer Team surprised many by winning gold. Minus their leading scorer, Abby Wambach, the national team knocked off the Brazilian squad.
Was the gold medal win by the women’s team the surprise sports event of the year?
Or was it the New York Giants putting an end to perfection?
Perhaps the surprise of the year was Fresno State’s improbable run through the College World Series?
Maybe the Atlanta Falcons were 2008’s surprise of the year?
Did the Miami Dolphins create the biggest surprise of the year?
Could anyone have predicted that the Tampa Bay Rays would win the the AL Pennant?
Stephen Curry’s flurry of trifectas might have been the surprise of the year?
2008 was a year of great accomplishments. Which was the best?
The Boston Celtics? Or Rafael Nadal matching Bjorn Borg’s four consecutive French Open titles? Michael Phelps grabbing eight golds? Was it Bonnie Richardson’s winning team track and field title by herself? CC Sabathia tossing a complete game on three days’ rest? The Phillies giving the ‘City of Brotherly Love’ a World Series title? Who could forget Tiger’s drive to five. Maybe our own Chas and his 14:00 of distinction garners the honor?
2008 gave us some great examples of sportsmanship.
Michael Thompson showed us all the meaning of honor. Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace taught us a thing or two about sportsmanship. J.P. Hayes demonstrated honesty.
Do you have a story of a player showing us the true meaning of sports? Post it here.
And last but not least who had the comment of the year here on ccww/pickinsplinters.com? A tribute to the Clipboard Community.
crossword pete: Chas, I totally forgot that “10 minutes behind” quote. Quite prophetic indeed! And darn, I just realized I missed The Office and 30 Rock. No more Thursday night Challenges. Puhleeeze!
muels: For some reason I have a song in my head right about now…
“Let’s get it started… let’s get it started…”
Smitty: I cannot be there for Thursday… Sorry – I will be working at the wine store.
Abbey Gotham: Appreciate your view CASEY, but did anyone catch the crosstown shootout (Xavier vs. UC)? Talk of the town before the game was that Xavier, a top ten team, was going to be upset by UC. Although UC scored the first basket, they never came within three points for the rest of the game. I haven’t experienced a game that intense since I attended my school basketball team playing School of the Arts in the sectional final ‘05. Emotions were running high as seen from the six technical fouls, two of which went to Derrick Brown leading to his ejection. Fans were becoming unruly, two being in front of my roommate and me. Apparently, not having a football team also diminishes our basketball program? Either way, I may be biased in my point of view, but my game of the week definitely goes to the crosstown shootout down in the nasty ‘Nati.
Opey Taylor: Smitty,
Thanks for the information. I hate to be picky and all, but you still didn’t answer my question. What is bling?
Wally: I’ll never get that hour back. But I’m glad it’s over. Thanks, Chas!
Chas: Do you think I was trying to make another point by mentioning O’Hara, Diehl, Seubert, etc? Actually, that might have been a good point–that the “down in the trenches” guys have their act together more often than the name players–but I don’t deserve that much credit.
That was just another way for me to gratuitously celebrate the Giants offensive line.
Wally: OK … how did I get Lou’s thumbs again?!?!? This is tickin’g me off …
JD: Yes!!!!!
Helmet Sticker Please
Rey: I once held second place in season 1 of Who Am I. I answered all the challenge questions correctly but in less time than Chas, Smitty, and Muels. I’ve called Casey and bribed him to tell me the time of the next Who Am I post and still didn’t answer it in time. I currently sit in last place in season 2, but you wouldn’t know it because I’m not even on the freakin’ board.
Who am I?
Smitty: Waiting….waiting on sunny day….
Gonna chase the clouds away..
Waiting on a Who Am I….
Refresh…refreshing on a Thursday Night..
Gonna chase Chas in first place..
Waiting on a Who Am I…
Rey: Pete and Chas – could you please go take up a hobby for a few weeks so I can at least get on the board this season.
ZDubbz: I know that Santo being snubbed is a topic I have rambled on about before on The Clipboard…but Ron Santo deserves to be in the HOF…Along with Pete Rose
Rey: Q: Will Casey ever change his 70’s porn star avatar of Pat Riley? Everytime I see him comment, that picture creeps me out.
JD: Okay – I got Jose Reyes and Dave Bing so far.
Rey: I saw 20th century and knew I had a chance. Christmas Morning!
JD: Paul O’Neill was a hard nosed player but wanting to retire his number, come on now, he does not deserve that. I remember him more as a Red than a Yankee. Have they retired Steve Sax’s number yet – he was “6″ I believe, the number of years that O’Neill played for the Yankees.
ZDubbz: Go Cubbies!
Monty Jr.: At Night #2 in Chicago, Bruce busted out the tour premier of “Tunnel of Love” and needless to say, my sister and brother-in-law and me were bouncing with joy with that special treat. The album is extremely powerful.
Thrilla, GA tickets this time around (if they are doing it the same as the first leg of the tour) are done on a random ticket basis. You show up at the venue 4 hours or so before the show and you get a random number. An hour before the show, they choose a number randomly, and the first 200 or whatever numbers from that random one on, get into the front pit. The rest after that are just regular GAs. Unfortunately getting there early doesn’t improve your chances of getting the front pit.
The Thrilla: I LOVE TITOS VODKA
THE THRILLA
Doug Potter: Don’t forget I attend West Virginia and I WANT us to make a lot of noise this year and I definitely feel that we can, I just think that our lack of size and a true scorer will hurt us. Ruoff can get hot at times, but other times he can be non-existent. In ANY other conference, the Mountaineers would finish in the top 5. Losing Joe Mazzulla to a shoulder injury is a blessing in disguise I believe. Darryl “Truck” Bryant is not only a much better offensive player, but also a true freshman and in need of the experience, which will come in handy when he, Devin Ebanks, and Kevin Jones get older.
Chas says
My top 5 sports stories of 2008, in chronological order:
1. The Giants’ Super Bowl upset of the undefeated Patriots.
2. The Celtics’ incredible turnaround and subsequent NBA championship.
3. The Rays’ run from worst to first to the World Series.
4. Chas’ 14-minute Who Am I? time. 😉
5. The Lions’ dismal 0-16 season.
Wally says
Adding to Chas’s list:
— Michael Phelps record setting Olympics
— Tiger Woods winning a major on one good leg
Smitty says
– US Ryder Cup Team in its win over the Europeans at Vahalla, KY.
– The Red Sox improbable comeback in Game 5 of the ALCS.
– US Men’s Volleyball team that wins the Gold Medal, even after the coach’s parent-in-laws were tragically murdered in China on the first day of the Olympics.
– Josh Hamilton’s Mickey Mantle impersonation in the Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium