BY GEORGE B. EICHORN What a year in sports! 2018 was a watershed year across America in sports – some of it good and some of it bad.
Top ten national stories
- Michigan State and USA Gymnastics doctor, the disgraced Larry Nassar, is found guilty of sexual abuse of more than 100 female athletes as well as on child pornography charges and is sentenced to life in prison. The sport is rocked by neglect and cover-up allegations.
- Philadelphia Eagles win their first Super Bowl in a stunning 41-33 victory over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
- Boston Red Sox withstand an 18-inning Game 3 loss in the World Series to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers. Sox win their fourth world’s championship since 2004.
- Villanova defeats Michigan to take the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Earlier, 16th seed Maryland -Baltimore County upset No.1 seed Virginia, a first in NCAA history.
- Las Vegas Knights, an expansion team, makes it to the Stanley Cup Finals before losing to the Washington Capitals. It’s the first Cup title for the Caps.
6. U.S. Supreme Court strikes own a law prohibiting sports betting outside Nevada, New Jersey, Mississippi and West Virginia, clearing the path for other states to allow legal bets on sports.
7. Nick Saban and Alabama win a fifth national football championship in recent years after freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa comes off the bench to led ‘bama over Georgia 26-23
8. Simon Biles dominates the gymnastics world and is named the Most Dominant Athlete of 2018 by ESPN.
9. Tiger Woods makes a comeback in golf by winning The Tour Championships and coming close to wins at The British Open and PGA Championship.
10. (tie) (a.) Justify became the thirteenth thoroughbred to capture racing’s Triple Crown under trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Mike Smith. He was undefeated at retirement. (b.) Golden State Warriors spoil LeBron James’ eighth consecutive NBA Finals appearance as they defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers in four straight. Later in the summer, James leaves Cleveland for the Los Angeles Lakes.
OTHERS TO MENTION: Joey Lagano of Team Penske captures the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series title; Mikaela Shiffrin rules alpine skiing with World Cup domination; Scott Dixon of Chip Ganassi Racing takes the IndyCar points crown while Will Powers wins Indianapolis 500;LeBron James wins the Male Athlete of the Year Award; Brooks Koepka rules men’s golf in 2018 with Player of the Year as he wins the U.S. Open and PGA Championships; Novak Djokovic rules men’s tennis with Grand Slam wins at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, and Serena Williams loses in the Wimbledon and U.S. Open Finals.
Deaths: Paul Allen, Dave Anderson, Roger Bannister, Bob Beattie, Earle Bruce, George H.W. Bush, Jose Castillo, Daedra Chares-Furlow, Ed Charles, Don Carter, Dwight Clark, Richard DeVos, Anne DOnovan, Dan Ewald, Red Fisher, Tito Francona, Oscar Gamble, Joe Gilmartin, Hubert Green, Hal Greer, Dan Gurney, Doug Harvey, Bruce Hood, Wayne Huizenga, Mari Hulman George, Humboldt Hockey Team, Edwin Jackson, Keith Jackson, Johnny Kline, Chuch Know, ,Bruce Lietzke, Carol Mann, Willie McCovey, Mick McGeough, Johnny McKenzie, Stan Mikita, Dave Newell, David Pearson, Burt Reynolds, Darryl Rogers, Red Schoendienst, Jordan Scott, Jerry Sneva, Alex Spanos, Rusty Staub, Jim Taylor, Bill Torrey, Kevin Towers, George Tuma, Jo Jo While, ,Tex Winter, John Ziegler, and Paul Zimmermann.
Reach George Eichorn at geichorn@yahoo.com
