Monday, December 31, 2001
Year in Sports
Top 10 national stories
Sports just wouldn't be sports without the good and the bad, without success and sadness. Three deaths came in their sports and are among the most significant national events of the year: NASCAR's Dale Earnhardt from a crash at Daytona, the Vikings' Korey Stringer and Northwestern's Rashidi Wheeler from heat at their respective training camps. It made this year sadder than most.
1. Sports takes week off after terrorist attacks.
The terrorist attacks of Sept.11 left the sports world trying to figure out how best to proceed. Every day, more and more events were called off amid debates of whether the nation needed sports as an escape or needed to escape sports and concentrate on mourning. Eventually, every major sporting event was called off through the weekend, and the word “heroes” stopped being thrown out for athletes.
2. Dale Earnhardt dies in crash.
The final lap of the Daytona 500 became the final lap for NASCAR's marquee performer. He crashed into the wall and was killed, stunning a nation of auto racing fans and showing the mainstream sports world just how powerful the sport's appeal is. The crash also touched off the greatest push yet for NASCAR to be held more accountable for drivers' safety.
3. Jordan comes out of retirement — again
In a year when Cal Ripken Jr., Tony Gwynn, Ray Bourque, Troy Aikman, Mark McGwire and Denny Crum exited, when Jennifer Capriati, Bob Knight and Rick Pitino resurfaced, Michael Jordan's unretirement received the most air time.
4. Tiger's Grand Slam — sort of
Some called it a Grand Slam. Tiger Woods received universal acclaim for winning the Masters to become the first golfer ever to hold all four major titles at the same time.
5. Bonds shatters home run record
Never exactly a media darling or the most popular of players, Barry Bonds stirred mixed feelings as he began his assault of Mark McGwire's record of 70 home runs. It was hard not to take Bonds' 73 home runs without a degree of awe.
6. A Fall Classic; a classic miscue
Major League Baseball crowned a memorable season by crowning a new champion following a brilliant World Series. After the Yankees seemed destined to bring celebration to New York after pulling out Games 4 and 5 behind two-out, ninth-inning home runs, Arizona came back to win in seven games. But commissioner Bud Selig quickly doused the enthusiasm, declaring two days later that impoverished Major League Baseball needed to contract two teams.
7. Quote the Ravens: We are the best
Linebacker Ray Lewis led a defense that challenged the 1985 Chicago Bears as the best of all time as the Baltimore Ravens steamrolled through the NFL the way the fledgling XFL could not. The Ravens proved rightful Super Bowl champions; the XFL quickly proved He Hate Me wasn't just a nickname on a jersey, but the feeling of viewers.
8. O'Leary and Almonte: To tell the truth
Danny Almonte seemed to be a national treasure when he was striking out the world for New York's Little League World Series team. But the accomplishment became an embarrassment when it turned out his birth certificate was doctored — something to which George O'Leary could relate. The Golden Dome became a sideshow when O'Leary resigned because he had embellished his resume years ago.
9. Stringer, Wheeler die amid controversy
The sanity of conducting training camps in the hot summer sun became a major issue when Minnesota Vikings lineman Korey Stringer collapsed and died from heat stroke. The heat also played a part when Northwestern football player Rashidi Wheeler also died during a workout. A question loomed over whether nutritional supplements were causing dehydration and could lead to more deaths.
10. A bicyclist built for three
Lance Armstrong, whose comeback after surviving cancer made for an amazing story when he won the Tour de France the first time, continued to extend his legend when he won for the third straight year.
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Steelers-Bengals photo gallery
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SULLIVAN: No field day for Rackers
Kitna sets personal bests
Receivers reach milestones
Bean gets big scoop on fumble
Hawkins injured after interceptions
Farmer aches, but pain is Steelers'
Steelers take step backward
NFL playoff scenarios
Redskins 40, Saints 10
Bilas praises XU's West as unselfish superstar
Prep basketball page
Winton Woods, Roger Bacon close tourney
This week's boys basketball schedule
This week's girls basketball schedule
Ohio boys basketball scores
Ohio girls basketball scores
Kentucky boys basketball scores
Kentucky girls basketball scores
Indiana boys basketball scores
Indiana girls basketball scores
Year in Sports: Top 10 national stories