While there are many things in the world far more important than sports, there were more than a few intriguing moments in 2010 that are worth reviewing.
Here is a snapshot of what transpired and gave sports fans plenty to watch.
The New Orleans Saints dominate the Indianapolis Colts in the second half of the 44th Super Bowl and win their first championship, 31-17. The game was viewed by 106 million fans, a new record for a television audience. The NFL would head into the following regular season with great uncertainty with an expiring collective bargaining agreement and possible owner lockout on the horizon.
The Los Angeles Lakers repeat as NBA Champions when they turn back the Boston Celtics in seven games. Kobe Bryant averages 28 points a game for his second straight Finals MVP award. Like the NFL, the NBA is staring an expiring agreement in the face and an owner lockout that could be imminent.
The Pacers miss the playoffs again and select Paul George and Lance Stephenson in the NBA Draft, and trade for Magnum Rolle.
The WNBA Championship belonged to the Seattle Storm as they defeated the Atlanta Dream in three straight games.
The San Francisco Giants defy the odds makers and capture the World Series by defeating the Texas Rangers four games to one and winning their first championship since they moved to California from New York in 1958.
MLB saw a phenomenal six no hitters tossed in the regular season.
Cubs and Bears fans looked on in amazement as their city became a hockey town again. The Chicago Blackhawks won their first NHL crown since 1961, as they defeated the Philadelphia Flyers in six games.
Alabama laid claim to the BCS Football Championship by turning back Texas 37-21.
Duke University barely defeats a spirited Butler University to capture the Men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament Title. Connecticut wins the Women’s Title for the seventh time when they defeat Stanford.
Spain wins the World Cup. Later in the year, the U.S. loses its bid to host the World Cup in 2022.
Dario Franchitti of Ganassi Racing wins his second Indianapolis 500-Mile Race in a dominant fashion. Franchitti also wins the series title for the third time in his career.
Jimmie Johnson continues his total domination of the Sprint Cup Series and wins the title for a mind- boggling fifth straight year. Jamie McMurray wins both the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400 while also driving for Ganassi Racing.
The Formula One driving title goes to Sebastian Vettel who drove for Renault.
Rafael Nadal wins the men’s crown at Wimbeldon for the second time. Serena Williams cruises to her fourth women’s title.
Phil Mickelson wins the Masters for the third time in his career. Tiger Woods finished in a tie for fourth, five strokes back. Woods, competing under the intense scrutiny of his personal life, loses all of his major endorsements with the exception of Nike, and would not win a tournament in 2010.
The sports world lost the greatest college basketball coach ever when Indiana native John Wooden passed away at the age of 99.
Danny Bridges, who still thinks the undefeated Ben Davis ladies basketball team was the top sports story in 2010, can be reached at (317) 578-1780 or Bridgeshd@aol.com.
