Happy Birthday

On July 9th of last year, the first edition of “The Grandeur of the Game” appeared. So there is no better way to celebrate a birthday than by looking at the highlights from the past year.
The first event on the “Grandeurian” calendar was the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Unfortunately what will be remembered most from the competition will Zinedine Zidane’s headbutt into Marco Materazzi’s chest. It was a sad way to end one of the greatest careers in the sport. By the way, Italy took home the little gold trophy on penalties.
Tiger Woods racked up two major championships (The British Open and the PGA Open), two runner-up finishes (The Masters and the U.S. Open) and one kiddo (Sam Alexis Wood). Phil Mickelson continues to well, umm, be Phil Mickelson.
The St. Louis Cardinals beat the Cinderella Detroit Tigers in five games to take home the World Series after winning only 83 regular season games. Barry Bonds continues to close in on Hank Aaron’s homerun record; and still nothing has been proven.
Terrell Owens joined the Cowboys and then pulled his hamstring, almost killed himself with drugs, hurt his hand, cried some and was probably accused of spying for China or something like that. Whatever.
Peyton Manning finally won the Super Bowl to confirm what was already true: he’s an all-time great. The Colts should send Rex Grossman a fruit basket.
Florida pretty much destroyed Ohio State in the BCS National Championship game. Man, those guys were fast. The Gators then did the same to the Buckeyes in basketball to take home their second straight title in hoops.
Billy Donovan then left Gainesville to go to Orlando. Then he left Orlando to go back to Gainesville. Apparently he figured out something about the NBA before most coaches who leave college do: it’s horrible.
Until the playoffs, then it’s kind of fun. Everyone starts playing defense, we get some pushing and shoving and we all have a lot fun. Then the Spurs bring us all back to earth, LeBron too (we are all witness too…the fact he needs some teammates that can shoot), with their brutally efficient basketball. Those guys know how to win. But unlike what most are saying, their not a true dynasty, they have not won two in a row. Tony Parker then affirmed what I said but saying the same thing on David Letterman. Please feel free to email letters appreciating the great forecasting.
Kobe then dominated the early off-season headlines by demanding a trade, then saying he wanted to stay in L.A., then demanding a trade, then saying he wanted to stay in L.A. etc. Terrell Owens and him should really get together.
Roger Federer won Wimbledon for something like his 54th million major. That Rafael Nadal guy should just go make a clay castle.
So it was great birthday, but recover from the party quickly. There is another year of sports right around the corner.