2010 Sportsmania Awards

2010 was a year of blood, sweat and tears in the sporting world. Controversies about Cam Newton and vuvuzuelas; accomplishments such as no-hitters in baseball and 59s in golf; risky decisions like an onside kick to start the second half of the Super Bowl or leaving Cleveland to take your talents to South Beach; and the heartbreak of being penalized on the last hole of a major or losing a perfect game on the last batter, all shaped the world of sports in 2010. And to honor the events of  this year, here are the 2010 Sportsmania Awards:

Annoying Analyst Award: Ed Cunningham
The ABC color commentator constantly complained about hard hits during college football games. His influence may have even led to the suspension of Nebraska linebacker Eric Martin.

Keith Jackson Award (Best Announcer): Jim Nantz
Nantz was the lead broadcaster for CBS during the Super Bowl, NCAA Tournament and the Masters, all of which occurred in a 64-day span. All three turned out to classics – New Orleans’ first NFL Championship, Butler’s near-miracle and Phil Mickelson’s “win for the family.” But it wouldn’t have been the same without Jim Nantz.

Bonehead Award: Boxing Hall of Fame
Although he played Rocky Balboa, Sylvester Stallone did not deserve to be in the Hall of Fame. Whereas Mike Tyson and Julio Cesar Chavez fought through tough careers, Stallone was an actor. The movies are an inspiration, but this is a slap in the face to boxers who haven’t made it into the Hall of Fame.

Dazzling Debut Award: Stephen Strasburg
The much-hyped Nationals ace recorded 14 strikeouts over seven innings during his first career start against the Pirates. Before he had a season-ending injury, he compiled a 5-3 record and 2.91 ERA.

Cry Baby Award: Roger Goodell
I’ve never seen so many players get fined for big hits in the NFL. Helmet-to-helmet hits can be dangerous, but some of the NFL’s rulings have been downright absurd.

WTF? Award: Baseball’s no-hitters and golf’s sub-60 rounds
Baseball and golf saw a lot of individual success in 2010. In the major leagues, Roy Halladay and Dallas Braden tossed perfect games less than three weeks apart from each other, while Ubaldo Jimenez, Edwin Jackson, Matt Garza and Halladay (in his first postseason start) threw no-hitters. In golf before this year, three 59s had been shot on the PGA Tour. But in one month, Paul Goydos and Stuart Appleby matched the magical number. In addition, Ryo Ishikawa shot a 58 earlier in the season, but it was a Japan Tour event.
Honorable mention: The end of the LSU vs. Tennessee football game.

D’oh Award: USA vs. Slovenia World Cup Officials
It seemed that the United States had scored a third goal to take the lead against Slovenia when the goal was taken back and the ball was given to Slovenia. No explanation was given to one of the most controversial calls in World Cup history as the two teams tied, 2-2.

Drama King Award: Dan Gilbert
ON THE NIGHT WHEN LEBRON JAMES MADE HIS “DECISION”, THE CAVALIERS OWNER OVERREACTED TO THE OUTCOME AND POSTED A LETTER ON THE TEAM’S WEBSITE. HERE IS AN EXCERPT FROM THE RANT:”I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘KING’ WINS ONE”.

Badass Moment Award: Wimbledon marathon match
In the longest tennis match in history, John Isner prevailed over Nicolas Mahut 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-6, 70-68. The battle lasted over 11 hours to complete in a span on three days.
Honorable mention: The events of April 5 that included Opening Day in baseball, Duke vs. Butler in the national title, Tiger’s return to golf, the beginning of Masters week and the NBA’s announcement of their Hall of Fame inductees.

Disappointment Award: BCS National Championship
Alabama and Texas went into the Rose Bowl undefeated for the much-anticipated national title game. But, on the fifth play from scrimmage, Texas senior Colt McCoy, the NCAA record-holder for wins as a starting quarterback, went down with a shoulder injury. Backup quarterback Garrett Gilbert, a freshman, came into the game and didn’t stand a chance against the Crimson Tide as the Longhorns fell, 37-21.
Honorable mention: Tiger’s year on the PGA Tour.

Mullet Award (Will Be Gone in 5 Years or Less): Brett Favre
After a successful 2009 campaign, the 41-year-old has struggled through a dismal 6-9 season with the Vikings, while throwing 11 touchdown passes and 19 picks. On top of that, his streak of 297 consecutive games started was snapped on Dec. 13 due to a shoulder injury. It seems like only a matter of time before Favre retires, even though we’ve been saying that for the last five years.

Not Surprised It Happened Award: Nebraska’s Move to the Big Ten
After a heartbreaking loss to Texas in the 2009 Big 12 Championship and talk of conference realignment in the summer, the Huskers said sayonara to their old conference and will join the Big Ten in July 2011.

Mike Tyson Award: The Decision
On July 8, the world wasted its time watching LeBron James announce he was taking his talents to South Beach in the worst show that ESPN has ever produced. LeBron should’ve just signed the contract for the team of his choice, but this narcissistic act was a slap in the face to the teams that weren’t selected and showed what sports in society has become.

Never Forgotten Award: George Steinbrenner and John Wooden
Numerous sporting legends passed away in 2010, but few left the impact that Steinbrenner and Wooden did. Steinbrenner, known for spending outrageous amounts of money to get the best players in baseball, made the game what it is today. Wooden, on the other hand, became the greatest coach in college basketball history, winning 10 national championships while at the helm for UCLA.

Best Quote: Phil Mickelson
Following his victory at the Masters, headlined by a risky shot from the pine needles on the 13th hole: “A great shot is one that you pull off and a smart shot is the one you hit when you don’t have the guts try it.”

Kournikova Award: Brooklyn Decker
Andy Roddick’s wife embraced the cover of the 2010 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. He can’t have too much to complain about.

Best Rivalry: Celtics vs. Lakers
Two years ago, Boston got the best of L.A. in the Finals, but this past summer, the tables turned in the NBA’s best rivalry as the Lakers came out on top in seven games. Kobe Bryant was named Finals MVP in their victory over Boston’s “Big Three”.

Underrated Performance Award: Tiger Woods
The season as a whole was a disappointment but his performance at the Masters was truly remarkable. The season’s first major was his first golf tournament since the infamous car crash outside of his house. Nobody knew what to expect from Tiger but he tied for fourth, shooting under par in all four rounds. His 68 in the first round was his best opening round ever at Augusta National.

Comeback Award: Michael Vick
Talk about redemption. After being one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons at the beginning of the decade, Vick served time in prison on dog-fighting charges. Then the Philadelphia Eagles picked him up as a backup quarterback. This season, Vick is in the middle of the talk for NFL MVP with his 21 passing touchdowns, nine rushing touchdowns and over 3,000 passing yards in 12 games.

Cinderella Award: Nevada Wolfpack
Boise State was up 24-7 at halftime, playing on the road against Nevada. It seemed as if their undefeated season would continue, but then the Wolfpack rallied. With 13 seconds left, Nevada scored to tie the game at 31 and seemingly sent the game into overtime. But after a miraculous pass by Kellen Moore, the Broncos were set to win the game with a field goal. Kyle Brotzman, however, missed the field goal as time expired and sent it into overtime. In the extra period, Brotzman missed again and Nevada cashed in their field goal to win, 34-31.

Mr. Clutch Award: Graeme McDowell
Pressure doesn’t get any bigger in golf than the final match of the Ryder Cup with the entire fate of your country resting in your hands. And if it does, then the final round of the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach must be where it is. In 2010, McDowell delivered in those pressure situations and delivered his best year as a golfer. And for good measure, he came back from four shots down in the final round to beat Tiger in a playoff at the Chevron World Challenge.
Honorable mention: Drew Brees.

Sportsmanship Award: Armando Galarraga and Jim Joyce
With the first 26 batters retired for Armando Galarraga, it seemed inevitable that he would add his name to the list of perfect games. But the 27th batter was called safe by Jim Joyce after the throw to first base. Instant replays showed that the batter was in fact out. Nevertheless, Galarraga retired the 28th batter and accepted that he didn’t throw a perfect game. Joyce reviewed the footage after the game and saw that he had blown the call. The next day, Joyce apologized and Galarraga received a brand new red Corvette.

Rocky Balboa Award: Dustin Johnson
How does a man come back from two heart breaks like Dustin Johnson experienced in 2010? First, at Pebble Beach he had a three-shot lead going into the final round but ballooned to an 82 and tied for eighth. Two months later at the PGA Championship, an apparent bunker on the 72nd hole costed him the title. He would’ve been put into a three-way playoff but he grounded his club in a bunker outside of the ropes and suffered a two-stroke penalty.
Honorable mention: Butler

Jimmy V Award: Mike Krzyzewski
In April, Coach K won his fourth national title with Duke over the Butler Bulldogs. On Dec. 29, he won his 880th game and passed Dean Smith for No. 2 on the all-time wins list for men’s coaches.
Honorable mention: Phil Jackson

Play of the Year: Landon Donovan’s goal against Algeria
After 90 minutes of frustration against Algeria, Landon Donovan scored the most dramatic goal in United States soccer history, advancing the Americans to the next round. The goal was celebrated around the country and increased interest in the sport.
Honorable mention: Saints’ onside kick in the Super Bowl.

Game of the Year: NCAA Championship: Duke vs. Butler
The national championship was back-and-forth the whole way as the favored Blue Devils held a two-point advantage over the hometown Bulldogs with 3.6 seconds remaining and Brian Zoubek at the line. He missed the second free throw which led to a Butler rebound and Gordon Hayward’s halfcourt heave that missed by a few inches. It was a classic David vs. Goliath championship but if that shot would’ve gone in, it would’ve been the greatest shot in basketball history.
Honorable mention: Gold Medal Hockey: USA vs. Canada.

Story of the Year: Connecticut women’s basketball
As of Dec. 29, the Connecticut women’s basketball team has won 90 straight games passing John Wooden’s teams at UCLA, when they won 88 consecutive. They have dominated nearly every team they’ve played in that stretch and won two straight national titles.

Moment of the Year: Saints win Super Bowl XLIV
Five years after Hurricane Katrina destroyed much of New Orleans, Drew Brees led the Saints to their first Super Bowl victory. He earned MVP honors for the game, going 32-of-39 for 288 yards, but the lasting image was him holding his son in the air as the confetti sprinkled down.
Honorable mention: Phil Mickelson’s win at the Masters.

Athlete of the Year: Cam Newton
We’ve all heard the allegations off the football field, but on the football field, Newton has been a man amongst boys for the Auburn Tigers. In one of the most dominating seasons as a quarterback in college football history, Newton won the Heisman Trophy and led his team to an undefeated season along with a date in the BCS National Championship Game.

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