YCS's 2007: Vinnie

BEST GAME I WATCHED ON TV:

I'm with Nate. That Padres-Rockies one-game playoff was one of the most exciting baseball games I've ever seen, and since baseball is hands-down the bestest sport ever, it's no contest.

BEST GAME I SAW LIVE:

A Cubs-Reds game I saw with my cousins in Septeber. I don't remember the exact date or the score--except that it was close--but the Cubs won; Geovany Soto homered, Adam Dunn hit one about 900 feet down the right-field line, and Ken Griffey Jr. tore his groin--an experience he later described as, "having an elephant attached to my nutsack by a string and thrown off the Golden Gate Bridge," or something along those lines.

(Please note that I love Junior and that his injury did not contribute to this game being the "best," but it was memorable, nonetheless.)

WORST GAME I SAW LIVE:

I didn't watch too many live sports this year, so I'll go with a game I participated in. Of course, I'm talking about the Midwest Suburban Adult Baseball League fall ball game where, within the span of three plays, I booted an easy grounder and botched the turn on an easy double-play ball to spark a five or six or eight-run rally that tied the game, which we would ultimately lose. It was at that point that I remembered how much I suck at baseball.

GAME I WISH I'D SEEN LIVE:

Any of the three games played in Oakland during that Mavs-Warriors series--especially the clincher. I love Mark Cuban and all, but that series was truly awesome.

GAME I'M GLAD I DIDN'T SEE:

The 30-3 game between the Rangers and Orioles. Sure, you might think, "What? That would be awesome to see a team put up 30 runs!" But watching bad middle relievers get raked by mediocre hitters for four straight 30-minute innings is probably the least entertaining form of baseball, especially when the score is so lopsided.

WORST STORY OF THE YEAR:

Even though I'm sure just about everyone from the Trib picked this too, it's hard to go with anything besides Sean Taylor's murder.

PLAY OF THE YEAR:

Georgia-Alabama. Overtime. 'Bama ahead by a field goal. Georgia's turn to answer.

Sure, there were tons of better plays this year as far as athletic feats go. But I truly honestly cannot think of another play I enjoyed more, thanks to a certain unfortunate call by a certain Mike Patrick.

Let's all enjoy it one more time before 2007 is over:



STORY OF THE YEAR:

In order:

1. A-Rod, ahem , "Stray"-Rod being captured on camera with a woman... who wasn't his wife!
2. Tony Romo's steamy romance with Jessica Simpson
3. What Terrell Owens thinks of Tony Romo's steamy romance with Jessica Simpson
4. Tom Brady wearing a Yankees hat
5. LeBron James wearing a Yankees hat at Jacobs Field
6. F.P. Santangelo being outed as a steroid user
7. The return of American Gladiators
8. These are the only stories of consequence from this past year.