Now that we've said goodbye to the end of an era of mediocrity known as the Bush era and ushered in the new, you can't help but look back at the some of the greatest sports moments of 2008. Here's some that made you laugh, cry or just stare dumbfounded in disbelief. Yea Litall touched on this but as usual, but after much debating, here are MY top picks for best sports stories. Let the arguments begin............
TOP 8 SPORTS MOMENTS OF 2008
8.) Nadal Ends Federer's Reign At Wimbledon
Ok so I'll bite. Now that I've seen video clips, I've decided to kick off my second annual Top Sports Moments list with the history in the making match up between men's tennis
greats Rafeal Nadal and Roger Federer. The grueling five match showdown complete with rain delays was a testament to Nadal's toughness and tenacity and marked the end of Federer's five year reign, as Nadal was crowned Wimbledon champion.
7.)Rays Almost Sting Phillies In World Series
To the victor goes the spoils they say and while the Phillies have been named as the 2008 World Series Champions, the Rays fairytale journey into the World Series contention should definitely NOT go without notice. Just thinking about a team with a 200-1 shot at appearing in the World Series go from worst to first, beating out heavyweights New York and Boston is enough to place this moment in the Top 8 Sports Moments of 2008.
6.) Old Time Rivalry Renewed:Celtics vs Lakers
There's something about reliving the glory days when the NBA Finals was a clash of the Titans between two juggernauts, one from the East and one from the West. Ask anyone about the Celtics vs Lakers rivalry and the names Magic vs Bird, Russell vs come to mind. During the 2008 Finals, David Stern, the media and old school fans got their wish as Kobe led Lakers faced off against the Big 3 of the Celtics composed of K.G., Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. Despite the victory being favored to go to the Lakers, the defensive prowess of the Celtics proved to be too much for the Lakers and the Celtics went on to win the series in 6 games.
5.) Tiger Woods Against All Odds
Tiger Woods won the U.S Open on one leg and four other tournaments in just seven starts worldwide, including the World Golf Championship-Accenture Match Play, the Dubai Desert Classic and the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Even playing at half strength before a season ending knee surgery, Tiger Woods went toe to toe 91 rounds with Rocco Mediate in a grueling death match at Torrey Pines for a win that no one saw coming.
4.)Redeem Team Go For Gold
Not since the 1992 and 1996 Dream Team has the U.S Men's Basketball team dominated the global basketball landscape. With imports like Dirk Norwitzki, Yao Ming, Tony Parker, Paul Gasol to name a few calling the NBA home and foreign leagues like the on the rise, the competition for world dominance has become more leveled. Add that to the 2000 and 2004 embarrassing performances in the Sydney Olympics and World FIBA Championships, the Dream Team had manifested into a nightmare. The Redeem Team consisting of Kobe, LeBron, Kidd, Wade, Carmelo, Carlos Boozer, Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh, Chris Paul, Tayshaun, Michael Redd, Deron Williams descended upon Beijing, dominating China, Angola, Greece, World Champions, Spain, Germany and Australia by an average of 32.2points. On August 24, 2008, the United States defeated Spain 118-107 to capture the Olympic gold medal and a return to global dominance. Ahhh, sweet revenge!
3.) A Giant of a Superbowl
Call me a sucker for an underdog story however, in one of the most single-handed, memorable plays in Superbowl history, NY Giants rookie, David Tyree helmet clutch catch from an Eli Manning pass for a touchdown makes the Giants' Cinderella story a tie for best sports moment of 2008. While the Patriots were virtually perfect all season, the Giants' showed why they were super that night in a 17-14 upset over New England that salvaged the 1972 Miami Dolphins perfect season record and set New York on the road to a potential encore Super bowl appearance in Tampa.
2.) Usain Bolts World Record
Lightning may not strike twice but there was no denying that the world's fastest man, Usain Bolt. The tall, flashy Jamaican sprinter charged up screaming fans in a world record breaking frenzy at the Bird's Nest (Beijing Olympic stadium)as he shattered his own world record of 9.72 seconds in the 100m and that of U.S. Olympian sprinter, Michael Johnson (19.28 in the 200m). Bolt became the first sprinter since Carl Lewis to sweep both the 100m and 200m, setting the records at 9.62 seconds and 19.30 seconds respectively.
1.) Micheal Phelps 8 Karat Gold
The top sports moment in 2008 goes to another Olympian great, Michael Phelps in a heart pounding, 8 gold medal clinching performance that set world records and placed the United States on the forefront of its 110 Beijing Olympic medal tally. Phelps' 7 World record setting meets and 400-meter medley relay with his three American teammates, cemented Phelps' eighth gold medal and place in the history books as the most winningest Olympian, eclipsing Mark Spitz's seven-gold performance at the 1972 Munich Games. Yes he tops the majority of sports bloggers and writers lists but no one can argue that the phenom from Grand Rapids, MI quest for 8 gold medals didn't make the Olympics worth watching!
Honorable mentions
Dana Kilpatrick Drives Onto Indy Car Win; Kansas Upsets Memphis For NCAA Championship; Surprise! Redwings Win 11th Stanley Cup
Nice breakdown Qiana. A lot of people sleeping on that Wimbeldon match
Wait there was a baseball season?
What's funny is no matter how great every saw the Phelps moment, I really wasn't that effected by it, I guess I'm just weird.
Bolt>Phelps
If an American sprinter had won the 3 Olympic sprints, he would be higher on this list and everyone else's list. Usain Bolt is proudly Jamaican, but he is clearly unAmerican and will therefore not receive the accolades that he deserves. They LOVE him in Europe, and here in America, we have to continue this nonsense.
Same thing with Raphael Nadar. If he were American and not Spanish, he would be the darling of America.
Not only is American sports journalism biased, but it also reveals a nation of sore losers.
Nadar and Bolt are numbers 3 and 1 respectively. Phelps did nothing he wasn't expected to do.
I weigh my list based on how important it was to me as well as what I've seen collectively and the impact is has overall. I also am not going to add something to the list I know very little about.
If I were so biased I would of put the Redwings in my Top 8 because I'm from Detroit. Your welcome to your opinion as I am welcome to mine.
Michael Phelps got top honor because he created history regardless if he was expected to do it or not! That's not the point. His story made international headlines! I felt it had the MOST impact. It was the most coveted story of the Olympics next to the Chinese gymnasts and Usain Bolt.
If you were so unbiased sweety you'd be congratulating instead of hating on the list because most of it has Americans in it. Be glad some Jamaicans and Europeans were recognized at all! Top is still top!
Oh and FYI Other Americans had Nadar/Federer HIGHER on their Top 10 list. You might want to do your research before spouting off at the mouth. Just a "suggestion."
Cat fight
Excellent article overall even though I wouldn't necessarily put Phelps at the top of the list. I would have put the downfall of Roger Clemens as one of the top stories as well, if only to illustrate the hypocrisy in the way he has been treated by the media versus the way Barry Bonds was treated.
And for the record it's Rafael NADAL and not NADAR. Sorry to nitpick.
Clemens is on my worst sports moments list. Check it out. I just posted it. For some reason I was thinking Ralph Nader even though I was reading Nadal lol I'll correct that. Thanks
Am I the only one that thinks Phelps is a bit overrated?
i'm actually (pleasantly) surprised that bolt is ranked as highly as he is. let's be honest, americans really don't care about track and field unless americans are involved. it's MUCH bigger in europe (hence, bolt being named international athlete of the year).
overall, the list is spot on. of course, my giants should be #1. but that's just me being biased.
Hmmm... Tyre had a great helmet catch but it wasn't for a touchdown. Nice list otherwise.
Ok that statement on the Tyree catch is corrected too geesh..am I getting corrected this much cuz I'm a chic? Haven't seen this many corrections on Litall's articles lol
This article is dead on. Your top 5 is my top 5. And for the people complaining that Usain Bolt should be number 1 instead of Phelps, well you're crazy. I never even knew about Usain Bolt until I read this article. I'm sure I heard about it when I was watching the Olympics but it just slipped my mind because it wasn't made into a really big deal. I wish they would have made a much bigger deal here in America because that is a big deal. But they didn't so there is nothing we can do except accept the fact that Phelps deserves to be number 1
This article is dead on. Your top 5 is my top 5. And for the people complaining that Usain Bolt should be number 1 instead of Phelps, well you're crazy. I never even knew about Usain Bolt until I read this article. I'm sure I heard about it when I was watching the Olympics but it just slipped my mind because it wasn't made into a really big deal. I wish they would have made a much bigger deal here in America because that is a big deal. But they didn't so there is nothing we can do except accept the fact that Phelps deserves to be number 1
OK, I'm sorry to nit pick as well, but why hasn't anyone mentioned the fact that Dana Kilpatrick is not an honorable mention? Why? Because she doesn't exist. It's Danica Patrick.
8NE3BS
8NE3BS