10 Sports

Top Ten Sports Stories of the Year
The highs and lows of 2010

January 19 + Over the Edge

BROCK CAMPBELL
SPORTS EDITOR

10. Longest Tennis Match Ever but that is a story all its own. chased out of his house by wife Elin Nordegren,

crashed his car just outside their Florida home and

John Isner of the United States and Nicolas Mahut 6. World Cup: South Africa the truth about the alleged affair was revealed. Tiger

of France immortalized themselves in tennis history
by competing in the longest tennis match ever at
the 2010 Wimbledon Championships. Isner won the
match 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-6, 70-68 in an epic battle that
lasted eleven hours and five minutes and spanned
three days (play was cancelled twice due to poor
visibility). Unlike the U.S. Open, Wimbledon does
not adhere to fifth set tie-break rules, the final set
must be decided by a two game advantage, which
of course led to the marathon match. Several
records were broken, including longest set which
lasted eight hours and eleven minutes, as well as
most aces in a single match by Isner who served up
one-hundred thirteen.

Blackhawks End Stanley Cup Drought

Patrick Kane’s overtime goal four minutes into
first overtime ended the longest Stanley Cup
drought in the NHL: forty-nine years. The Chicago
Blackhawks, who last claimed the cup in 1961, beat
the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 in game six of the finals.

hearts of Canadians across the country with their
golden performance in Ice Dance, and who could
forget Jon Montgomery marching through Whistler
Village with a pitcher of beer following his gold
medal win in the Skeleton. Of course the icing on
the cake was Canada’s Gold Medal in Ice Hockey

Aside from the Olympics the World Cup of Soccer is
the largest and most popular international sporting
event in the world and in 2010 for the first time ever
the event was held in Africa. South Africa, a nation
historically limited from hosting international sporting
events, welcomed the soccer world. There were of
course doubts about security with looming riots a
possibility, and controversy surrounding evictions
of several slum dwellers in efforts to beautify host
cities. Nonetheless, the World Cup was determined
asuccess by FIFA officials and seen as an event that
united the nation and the continent. Spain ended
up champions after winning a fairly nondescript
game 1-0 over the Netherlands. Perhaps the most
popular story emerging from South Africa was the
overwhelming use of the vuvuzela. The ubiquitous
horn became famous for the constant ominous
buzzing heard during broadcasts of games and
after many players complained about the annoying
sound.

The news about Tiger Woods’ sex scandal broke
in November 2009 when The National Enquirer
reported that Tiger had engaged in an affair with
nightclub manager/celebrity mistress Rachel Uchitel.
A media frenzy ensued when Woods’, after being

admitted his “transgressions” after several other
mistresses revealed they too had sexual encounters
with Woods. Tiger took an indefinite hiatus from
golf and even entered sex rehab. In February 2010
Woods officially announced his numerous infidelities
and publicly apologized to his family, friends, fans
and colleagues. As 2010 continued several more
mistresses and inappropriate encounters were
discovered and Elin filed for divorce, which was
finalized in August. In April, after four months from
the game, Tiger returned to golf entering the 2010
Masters. Tiger was in contention all tournament
and finished tied for fourth, however, following the
Masters Woods struggled all season and even
missed the cut at the Quail Hollow Championship,
something he had not done in seven years.

The Decision

After the Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the Boston
Celtics in game six of the Eastern Conference
Semi-Finals Lebron James promptly removed

Kane’s wrist shot from the left-corner fooled Flyer’s 5. Brett Favre Retire/Un-retire and Sex Scandal his Cavs’ jersey and immense speculation about
goalie Michael Leighton beating him five-hole. whether he would re-sign with Cleveland or enter
Jonathan Teows was awarded the Conn Smythe After having one of the most storied careers in NFL the free-agency market snowballed. After becoming
Trophy as Playoffs MVP having scored seven goals history Brett Favre’s legacy may not be recognized a free-agent on July 1, 2010 Lebron infamously
and twenty-two assists. for his endless NFL records but rather his constant announced a week later on live television that
flip-flopping over retirement and struggles on and he would be taking his “talents to South Beach”.
Roy Halladay: Perfect Game and No-Hitter off the field as his illustrious career ended, or what Bedlam ensued as Cavalier fans disheartened
one can only hope is the end. In 2010 Favre was by the loss of their prodigal son burned James
Arguably the best Toronto Blue-Jay ever and once again involved in constant speculation over his jerseys, while Miami Heat fans relished in the
the best pitcher in the Major Leagues, Roy “Doc” return to Minnesota and once again un-retired for prospect of a championship as James joined
Halladay left Toronto after eleven seasons in search the second time to play for the Vikings. However, his Dwyane Wade and newly acquired Chris Bosh to
of a championship ring. Although Halladay and the career would collapse as quickly as the Metrodome form the league’s newest three-headed monster.
Philadelphia Phillies fell short of making the World roof after a heavy snowfall. Favre would struggle Immediately following James’s arrival to Miami an
Series, losing to the Giants in the National League all season to put up the same numbers as 2009 elaborate parade of sorts, replete with fireworks,
Championship Series, Halladay had a miraculous with Minnesota losing seven of twelve games and pyrotechnics, over-confidence and arrogance,
individual season. Doc pitched a perfect game on missing week fourteen with an injury putting an was thrown to unveil the trio of Bosh, Wade and
May 29th against the Florida Marlins, and in his end to his 297 consecutive starts record. In thirteen James. The Heat struggled early in the season but
first career post-season appearance pitched a no- games played, Favre threw nineteen interceptions have begun to gel lately going on a twelve game
hitter against the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds game and had seven fumbles before going down with win streak and now only trail Boston for the lead in
marked the first time a pitcher in the Major Leagues injury. Nevertheless, the bigger story occurred in the Eastern Conference. On December 2nd James
has thrown a perfect game and a no-hitter in the the tabloids when it was revealed that Favre was was welcomed by a barrage of boos and chants of
same season and was the sixth no-no thrown that accused of committing sexual harassment by model/ “ASSHOLE!” when the Heat played their first road
season in what was described as the “Year of the TV Personality and Jets game host Jenn Sterger. game against the Cavaliers. But it was Lebron who
Pitcher’. For his efforts Halladay was awarded the According to Sterger, Favre sent lewd pictures to had the last laugh as he torched the Cavs for 38
National League Cy Young Award for best pitcher, her phone and left several suggestive messages points in a 118-90 thrashing.
finishing the season with 21 wins, 219 strikeouts. on her voice mail in 2008. Favre is currently under
Doc led the majors in innings pitched with 250, investigation by the NFL and reports indicate that he Golden Goal
complete games with 9 and most shutouts with 4. is receiving preferential treatment by the league.
Henderson in ’72, Gretzky to Lemieux in ’87 and
Vancouver 2010: Canada Owns Gold 4. Tragedy at Olympics now Crosby in 2010 these are all historical hockey
goals that Canadians will forever remember where
Although the Canadian Olympic team did not In what should have been a moment of celebration, they were the day those goals were scored. Before
accomplish the initial goals set out in the Own the opening day of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics the final day of competition in Vancouver, Canada
Podium (OTP) program, the initiative’s success can began with horrific tragedy. During his final practice had amassed thirteen gold, the most by any
be measured by Canada’s record breaking gold run, Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili was country in Winter Olympic history, however, this
medal count. OTP was established by the federal launched from the track after losing control on the accomplishment would likely have been all for not
government in 2005 with the intention of improving final corner of the Whistler Sliding Centre slamming had Team Canada lost in the Men’s Hockey final
athletic performance on the international scene and into an unpadded pillar. Kumaritashvili would later against rival United States. It is only fitting that
primarily focused on developing Canadian athletes die in hospital from his injuries. The luge track Sidney Crosby Canada’s golden boy and arguably
to lead the total medal count in Vancouver 2010. The quickly became the focus of intense scrutiny and the best player in the world would clinch the gold
government dished out $118 million over five years investigation. Lugers continually remarked that medal for Canada in a feverish overtime win. As
devoted to preparation, technology, research and the track was too dangerous and several reports the third period neared an end Canada could not
development and human performance research. demanded that the event be cancelled. While hold onto its 2-1 lead when Zach Parise slid one
Canada would eventually place third in total medals investigators recognized the track to be faster than past Roberto Luongo with twenty-four seconds left
behind Germany and the United States; however, usual, the death was blamed on “athlete’s error’. shocking the entire nation. Nevertheless, Crosby
Canada won fourteen gold, the most by any country Despite the track not being determined as the cause would solidify himself in Canadian folklore by
ever in the Winter Olympics. Some notable winners of the accident, it was shortened for competition to beating Ryan Miller five-hole 7:40 into overtime
include Alexandre Bilodeau, the Men’s Moguls gold reduce the luger’s speed. giving Canada a 3-2 victory and igniting Canada
medalist, who won Canada’s first gold on Canadian into a nationwide frenzy.
soil; Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir who captured the 3. Year of the Tiger