The 10 most shocking Sporting Turn of Events in 2008
28 Sep
1. The Tampa Bay Rays Clinching the AL East
We all thought it was cute when the Rays were winning the American League in June. We thought it was funny and somewhat poignant in July. Well October first is around the corner and guess what: The Rays have clinched the AL East and are the 2nd most intimidating team in all of baseball (behind the Angels). They won 96 games (as of Sept 28th) and have a 7.5 game lead on the Yankees. And they are winning with a team that most baseball onlookers wouldn’t recognize a single player.
One more thing: remember when everyone clamored that they needed to sign Barry Bonds? Worked out fine without him.
2. The New York Yankees Missing the Playoffs; Finishing 3rd in AL East
Meanwhile, the Yankees are looking up to the AL East clinching Rays AND the 2007 World Series champion Red Sox. That means that their historic run of playoff appearances is over. In a year when they closed out Yankee Stadium (so fitting!), fired Joe Torre (so fitting!!), hired Don Mattingly who stunk as a manager (yes he did, you know it) and had a team of 40 year old broken down vets (so fitting!!!)
3. Duke Football Sitting Atop the ACC
I went to Duke University and was a student athete there from 2000-2004. In that period:
Duke went 0-11 in 2000
0-11 in 2001
2-9 in 2002
Yes. My first three years saw three Duke Football wins. My first two years had NONE. Now Duke is 3-1 in 2008, pounded UVA yesterday and sits atop the ACC.
4. UNC Football Sharing the ACC Football Lead
It’s not March folks. Duke and UNC sit atop the ACC in October! This is as much a story about the improvement of two previously terrible teams as it is an indictment of the ACCs collapse as a power football conference.
5. The New York Mets Having a Historical Collapse… Again
Last year’s Mets collapse was historic and we don’t need to revisit it.
Except, that the Mets are replaying it in 2008… so we are forced to revisit it.
The Mets are doing it again and now Shea Stadium could see its last game played on the last game of the season as they are tied with the Milwaukee Brewers for the Wild Card. The Mets spent a fortune on Johan Santana and he’s been great – but after the starting pitcher has to turn the ball over to relief… the game is over. Statistics say they would have an 11 game lead on the NL East if games ended after 6 innings. Wow.
6. The Milwaukee Brewers Contending?!
Meanwhile, the previously-who-cares-about-us Milwaukee Brewers are in contention after acquiring CC Sabbathia, knowing that they will lose him next season (no way he return to Milwaukee). CC has played three straight games on three days rest. Amazing. And they will likely win the Wild Card thanks to favorable scheduling: the Cubs are resting today and throwing a 7.1 ERA hurler on the mound. Against CC of course.
7. A Man FLYING Across the English Channel
Seriously. A man flew across the English Channel. All 22 miles of it with a 121 pound jet pack on his back. Seriously.
8. Manny Ramirez Slays the NL… While Playing in the NL
From SportsGuy: We must never forget that Scott Boras is the greediest, most manipulative agent in sports history. For example: Let’s say there was a happy-go-lucky slugger who was famous for sticking uncashed paychecks in his locker and glove compartment. Let’s say that same slugger hired Boras. Let’s say Boras got paid only if he could get the slugger’s team to drop his 2009 option, or else that commission would go to the old agents. Let’s say the slugger inexplicably became so moody and divisive that his team paid the rest of his 2008 salary for him to play somewhere else. Let’s say his new team immediately dropped that 2009 option. And let’s say the slugger immediately started hitting the crap out of the ball again, paving the way for one last monster deal this winter … and a big fat commission for Mr. Boras. Who do you think was the mastermind here? The happy-go-lucky slugger, or the greediest, most manipulative agent in sports history?
Shame on everyone who blamed the slugger.
9. The New England Patriots Being Unimportant in 2008
I am pained to write this: but the Patriots are irrelevant in 08. They started the season as massive favorites to win, potentially go undefeated thanks to revenge and a weak schedule, etc… well that lasted all of 8 minutes as Tom Brady went down and their season ended in a heart beat. Matt Cassel STINKS. 2008 is over.
Also strangely irrelevant in 2008: Peyton Manning and the Colts look terrible and Peyton is definitely not the same as he once was.
10. Michael Phelps Whoring Himself Out In Ways That Make Peyton Manning Embarrassed
Speaking of Peyton Manning: Michael Phelps has replaced him as the most eager to whore oneself out for cash money. Awful performances abound from the MTV Music Awards, Saturday Night Live, and commercial after commercial. Whore.
 |
Get all the iPhone Sports Apps by InGameNow: |
Nothing yet from the Peanut Gallery...