Year in review, for the future

"History is the version of past events that people have decided to agree upon." - Napoleon Bonaparte

When we look back at the events that shaped the sports world in 2007, it is easy to assume that is was a very big year. Dogfights, gambling, spying, stealing, doping - you name it - it was a big black mark. But what will really be remembered after it is all said and done? There's no way to know exactly, of course, but if you really dig deep, you can get an idea. Here are the top stories of 2007, and what they will mean (maybe) in our near and distant future.

0-5 years

No surprise that most of the "big" stories in 2007 would hardly be remembered after their occurrence. The saddest one is Kevin Everett, who probably won't be mentioned in the seasons to come unless it's a book detailing the history of the Buffalo Bills.

Pacman Jones? Who was that again?

Kobe wants to be traded, then doesn't, then does again, and then - oops - turns out his team is actually good. This story will be buried in February, resurrected for the playoffs, and will die until his contract expires.

Don Imus's love for Rutgers got huge, national air time. Nobody cares anymore, already.

I don't even want to mention it, but the whole T.O./Jessica Simpson thing was a big story. Why, I don't know. But rest assured that it's already dead, which is why it shouldn't have been a story in the first place.

The college football upsets of 2007 were, well, awesome. But unless teams like Kansas, Missouri and Illinois actually become football powerhouses, I feel as though it will all be lost in the shuffle. Here's to hoping I am wrong, especially when it comes to Kansas.

And last, but not least, Michael Vick. Believe me, after he goes to prison, then comes back, I'll give it the whole six months it takes for him to realize he can't play again before nobody cares anymore. Plus, I just don't see this being relevant to historians. In hindsight, he was a mediocre player on a bad team who was into to murdering animals. I just get the feeling this will be omitted forty years from now. At least it should.

6-10 years

Congrats, NBA, you own this spot. Starting of is my boy Isiah Thomas. The only reason this goes past 5 minutes is because in a decade from now, when the Knicks are still horrible, we will be talking about everything that happened in the Thomas Era. And considering Isiah will probably still be coaching the team, I think it will be relevant.

The only other occupant here is referee Tim Donaghy, who fixed games (probably) for the mob. Well, 75% of the refs in this league have slicked back hair and look like extras in the Sopranos, so this wasn't a shock to anyone. But it will last, mostly due to the fact that when the federal investigation actually finishes (my guess: 6-10 years), we'll have to relive it. And if not, Suns fans will remind us.

11- 20 years

It's lonely at the top, which is why Spygate lands here all alone. For the next few decades, lazy sports writers will talk about how the lasting effect of the 2007 New England Patriots is that they were villainous cheats. But once that wears off, and we truly appreciate them for who they were, it will all change. See below.

20 years and beyond

The 2007 New England Patriots. Whether it be because they went 16-0, 19-0 or were the only team to get close to a perfect regular season, they will be remembered. Actually, all champions of 2007 will be remembered, because after all, that's what record books are for.

Then there is the Florida Gators, who won back-to-back basketball championships, with a football championship in between. They deserve special mention, because this might not ever happen again.

Barry Bonds breaking the home run record is definitely going to be remembered forever. Or at least until guys find better steroids and routinely hit 60-3,000 home runs per season. Which brings me to...

The infamous Mitchell Report. Every Hall of Fame vote, from here on, will be tainted by steroids. And this report will (hopefully) be remembered as the one that started it all, and lead to more investigations which busts guys all over again. Maybe this is just wishful thinking, but after this year, I don't blame myself.

.

Please bring me 2008.

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Going Bowling

You'll just have to trust me, but I had picked Utah to win over Navy last night. Hard to bet on a team whose premier win was over Notre Dame. Well, here's the rest of my picks:

Boise State, South Florida, Alabama, Boston College, Brigham Young, Rutgers, Florida, LSU, Kentucky, USC, Cincinatti, Virginia, Oklahoma State, Auburn, Connecticut, UCF, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Tulsa, Kansas, Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Arizona State, Central Michigan, Tennessee, Oregon State, Cal, TCU, New Mexico, Florida Atlantic, Hawaii.


We'll see how I do.

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ESPN turning into TMZ

I can't live without ESPN. It's where I get my news, my insight and my stats. I enjoy the majority of their opinion pieces, whether I agree with them or not, and they are always on the ball. While they had the same rubbish as everyone else concerning the Vick, Donaghy and Clemens stories, there were plenty of good articles giving the opposing (and correct) views. Compared to news sources such as CNN and MSNBC, they cover their niche better than most. In my opinion, there is more sports information coming out of Bristol than anywhere, save for maybe the Sporting News. But I'm not sure this will last.

The continuing trend of covering tabloid-style non-stories is embarrassing. Like when Terrell Owens jokingly told Jessica Simpson to "stay away", making fun of the idea that she makes Tony Romo play bad. That's not sad by itself, but what came after was. Apparently, ESPN took this story seriously, since a front page headline on ESPN.com today was T.O. reportedly says Simpson remarks just a joke. Reportedly? Gee, you think? Did they actually think T.O. seriously believed Simpson needs to stay away from games? I'm amazed that they employ people to cover these stories, and then pass it off as quality journalism by using words like "reportedly" and writing straight pieces on a joke. A joke that everybody was on but them.

I have no problem with "The Worldwide Leader" having fun with these stories, making them filler conversations on programs such as "1st & 10" and "Around the Horn", but let's stop with this so-called investigative journalism. This is US Weekly, Tom and Katie bullshit. Making these joke stories into actual articles is not only a sign of ESPN selling out, but it also shows how incompetent some of these writers actually are. Seriously: someone thought that Owens really wants Jessica Simpson stop coming to games. This same person either is currently or some time in the future going to be relied upon to gain actual information about things we care about. This is not a good thing.

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The Mitchell Report Worked

It was a witch hunt. Too much hearsay. Nothing would change. Yep, the naysayers were on the front line when the Mitchell Report came out, quick to dismiss what it had to say and to blast Bud Selig. After all, it was pointless, right? It's starting to look like a success to me.

We have Andy Pettitte to thank for that. His admitting to using HGH changed everything. When he washed the blood from his hands, players starting to get in line behind him, wanting to not to clear their name but to save their dignity. Since most of these fellows took the drug while it was still legal, the only stigma around them now is the burden of bad choices. The only ones with anything to lose are the liars.

Roger Clemens, where art thou? Ah, the Rocket has more to lose than his pinstriped friend. He has the Hall to think about. He's already denied the report, and there's no turning back now.

But the some players aren't as selfish. Brian Roberts and Fernando Vina have come clean. The admit to what we all know happen over the past couple of decades. And strangely, a simple "I'm sorry" has resonated more than anyone ever thought. Of course they feel bad about it, but nobody blames them. Nobody ever did. We know it was hard to turn down the juice back then, we understand.

But the further you dig that hole, the harder it is to dig yourself out. Every denial adds layers of anger. Some players, such as Clemens, just don't get it: we know what you did. Other players, hell, even one of his best friends, are proving the truth of the report. It's not a guessing game anymore.

So, Rocket, come clean. It's the only way to save your career. If Barry Bonds has a chance to get into the Hall, so do you buddy, but not if you continue lying. Voters tend to take that into account. Show some dignity, show some pride. Even if you don't get in, at least you'll be left out knowing you were a better man for it. You know, if that sort of thing matters to you.

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Better than 16-0

Now comes the question: do the Patriots play their starters and try for a perfect season? Usually, I would say yes. But with this team? I have something even better.

Belichick should sit his starters right now. And I mean everybody. Make it completely obvious that you don't care anymore. No linemen, no receivers, no safeties, no anybody. Any player that has played more than 30% of the snaps should sit out until the playoffs. Purposefully tank the next two games.

Why? Because then you can hold it over the '72 swine forever. Show how you were better and had more class. Let everyone speculate on what would've happened. Every year, during the Dolphins' celebration of the only undefeated season, they will be reminded of the '07 Pats. It will be bittersweet. The champagne will not go down smoothly.

Belichick, I know you have it in you. It is the ultimate end to what has been the perfect villainous season. Don't let Don Shula and company congratulate you on being in their special fraternity. Make them publicly pat each other on the back, while the rest of the world knows what would have truly happened. Every year would be an embarrassment for them.

Please make this happen.

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Dolphins are no feel good story

Apparently sports has changed since I was a kid. I remember celebrating while being good, not when being bad. Yesterday, the Miami Dolphins were laughing, crying and high-fiving each other like they just won the Super Bowl. Why? They won their first game of the year - halfway through December.

What is it about the Dolphins that makes them so hateable? First, you have the crew of '72, whose arrogant champagne party celebrating their perfect season (which they've yet to have this year) makes them look like old buffoons. Then there's these guys. After beating one of the worst teams in the league, at home, needing overtime, to become 1-13 - you would have thought it was 1972 all over again. And they acted with the same amount of class.

I know it's a relief not to go down in history as the worst NFL in history, but c'mon, you're 1-13! I don't need to see the owner crying or the head coach pulling a Jimmy V on the sidelines. The whole scene made me sick. Act like you've been there before. And by "been there", I mean "won a game". After all, they opted out of starting their future QB (John Beck) for the best chance to win (Cleo Lemon). That's right, at a time when they are guaranteed to be the worst team, they rather win one meaningless game to save face then help their chances next year. Disgraceful. Any questions now why they went into this game winless?

Good for you, Miami. Soak it up, which you are, on all of the radio and television shows this morning. Have fun while it lasts. Because in a week, the New England Patriots are going to remind you of what you really are - the worst team in the NFL.

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Explaining the Mitchell Report

There seems to be a lot of confusion about what is actually going on in baseball right now. Don't get me wrong, nobody is actually saying "I am confused". It's just that conflicting reports can give the wrong impression. So an explanation might be necessary.

1. George Mitchell

George J. Mitchell is not a Senator. He was, yes, but he no longer is. This is important because some people are under the impression that the U.S. government is heading this investigation. They are not.

Also, he is a director for the Boston Red Sox. Since the report named Roger Clemens and Andy Pettite, New Yorkers believe it's a conspiracy. This I cannot prove or disprove. Knowing politicians, he was probably elated to get a few big name Yankees, and more than likely tried to do so. But the reason for that is the net that was thrown to get these names happened to target that clubhouse. Whether that was on purpose or not doesn't really matter, since getting the users' names was the point anyway. I would suggest getting Rudy Giuliani to even things out, but he roots for whoever is leading the polls, so it's a moot point.

2. Legalities

Nobody is really in trouble. The report was done independently, with its focus directed on figuring what the hell went on and how to approach the future. Remember, the only reason Barry Bonds is being tried in court was because of perjury, not taking an illegal drug. None of these players would talk with Mitchell, so no perjury took place. Nothing extending to the courts should be done until Congress gets together in January to discuss the issue.

3. Consequences

The purpose of this whole report was to shed light. George Mitchell recommended that none of the players that were outed should be reprimanded, though it is likely Bud Selig will do a little house cleaning. What will happen now is unclear. MLB will likely implement a Department of Investigation, so the 90's will never happen again.

As far as the players go, nothing has been proven thus far. Just because the report says that players like Roger Clemens and Andy Pettite took steroids does not mean that it's proof. It was just an investigation, with the information mostly coming from a source the Players Union would call a disgruntled employee. But baseball, unlike other sports, encourages its people to look at reports like this when considering awards like being inducted into the Hall of Fame. There are no definitive lines; how this plays with the voters is completely subjective. However, I wouldn't expect Clemens to extend his career any longer.

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