Tomorrow we ring in the new year, thus ending a fantastic 2008. 2008 was a great sports year, but is it the best? ESPN and many others sure think so. Lets review and decide for ourselves starting with this year's champions.
Super Bowl 42 Champions: New York Giants
The 18-0 New England Patriots were one win away from perfection. The simple task was to defeat the NFC's 5th seeded Giants. Enter Eli Manning and David Tyree two names now immortalized in championship history.! Eli breaks away from the Patriots' pass rush floats the ball downfield where 5th string WR David Tyree out of Syracuse catches the ball on his helmet over Rodney Harrison. The New York Giants because of this incredible play went on to hoist the trophy and end the Patriots run at perfection. The Giants pass rush lead by Michael Strahan put Tom Brady on his back all day never letting the MVP get comfortable.
Stanley Cup Champions: Detroit Red Wings
One of the best teams the NHL has ever seen in! a year where many hockey fans returned to the NHL after leaving it behind after the lockout. The Detroit Red Wings in a great hockey town beat Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Marc-Andre Fleury, Marian Hossa, and a young Pittsburgh Penguins squad in the Finals on their way to hoisting the Cup. The Red Wings won with great goaltending and chemistry that has been unseen in the NHL in years. There road to the Cup along with a great set of playoff matchups have helped revitalized a dying sport. Hockey is once again growing and the Red Wings are a big reason for this rise from the dead.
World Series Champions: Philadelphia Phillies
Absolutely no one saw it coming, a World Series trophy headed to Philadelphia. A championship starved city finally finds glory behind a group of hungry ballplayers. Ace Cole Hamels lead the way absolutely dominating hitters picking up a guaranteed win every start. The Phillies had the closer of all closers this season in Brad Lidge who never blew one save on route to the championship. Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, and Shane Victorino lead the way at the plate and helped Philly shock the Rays and take the championship. Philadelphia will always remember 2008 as the year championship glory returned.
NBA Champions: Boston Celtics
#17 was hoisted into the sky of the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston as the Celtics went from worst to first in a single year. GM Danny Ainge got Captain Paul Pierce and Head Coach Doc Rivers some serious help when he acquired all-stars Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to join Pierce and thus create a new Big 3 in Boston. But it was the role-players Ainge found that made the difference. James Posey, PJ Brown, and Eddie House proved to be keys to this championship run along with the Big 3. Let us not forget Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins two budding superstars. The Celtics defeated the Lakers in the NBA Finals bringing some attention back to basketball.
BCS Champions: LSU Tigers
NCAAB Champions: Kansas Jayhawks
NCAAH Champions: Boston College
College World Series: Fresno St. Bulldogs
Those are the teams who won it all, but lets recognize some individual athletes for their accomplishme! nts in 2008.
Athlete of the Year: Michael Phelps
8 Gold Medals is enough by far to be the premiere athlete of 2008. Phelps dominated the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and instantly became an international superstar. He passed Mark Spitz in the views of myself and many others as the greatest swimmer ever to hit the water. He broke so many records in the pool. No one dominated their sport like Michael Phelps this year and that is why he is your 2008 athlete of the year.
Golfer of the Year: Tiger Woods
Tennis Player of the Year: Rafael Nadal
NFL Player of the Year: Tom Brady NE
MLB Player of the Year: Brad Lidge PHI
NHL Player of the Year: Alexander Ovechkin WSH
NBA Player of the Year: Kobe Bryant LAL
Coach of the Year: Tom Coughlin NYG
Olympic Athlete of the Year: Usain Bolt
Here are some images of 2008:
So is 2008 the greatest sports year ever? Yes, it truly is.
