Top Sports Stories of the Decade

Although performance enhancing drugs were in the news in every major sport, they did not make the news in other sports the same way they did in baseball, and the use or alleged use of such drugs by major baseball stars was one of the top sports stories of the decade. Depending upon what Internet source one reads, he can find different items on a list of the top sports stories, but drugs in baseball made about every list and was listed by some as the top sports story of the decade. Some of the top stories are listed here in no particular order.

Among those accused of using the drugs were some of the biggest stars of the game: Rafael Palmeiro, who has more than 3,000 hits for his career; Mark McGuire (who has recently admitted he used steroids, including during the season he broke Roger Maris' home run record) and Sammy Sosa, who always seemed to be in a home run chase; Alex Rodriguez, who has won three MVP titles; Manny Ramirez and David Ortis, who helped the Red Sox finally win the World Series; and Barry Bonds, who passed Hank Aaron's home run record. Bonds was being investigated for alledgedly using steroids at the time he set the new record.

The success and fall of Tiger Woods was another one of the top sports stories of the decade. He was news because of his success-including 12 major championships. More recently he made news because after admitting he had been unfaithful to his wife, for allegedly attacking his wife, and for a car accident.

The on again off again success of the New England Patriots and allegations of cheating by the team was another top sports story of the decade. The team did something in the decade of the 2000's that few teams had ever done-won three Super Bowls in four years. While the team made news for that, it also made news when it became the first 16-0 team in league history and took a 14-10 lead into the final minutes of the Super Bowl to the New York Giants-only to lose when David Tyree made a circus catch that set up a game winning touchdown by the Giants. The Patriots also made news for videotaping opponent's signals and were punished for that.

Kobe Bryant was another top story for a lot of reasons. He won two championships, but he feuded with teammate Shaquille O'Neal. He was accused of sexual assault, although the charges were dropped.

The success of Lance Armstrong in winning the Tour de France bicycle race six times during the decade, all while overcoming testicular cancer, was another top story. He retired in 2005, only to return to competitive cycling and finish third in the race in 2009.

For the first time ever two brothers won the Super Bowl as starting quarterbacks-Peyton Manning as the starter for the Indianapolis Colts, and Eli Manning as the starter for the New York Giants.

Roger Federer won five straight Wimbledon titles during the decade. He also 15 Grand Slam tennis titles, all the while avoiding the scandals that entangled many other sports stars.

Michael Phelps won a record eight gold medals swimming at the 2008 Olympics. He swam 17 races and set several world records.

Michael Vick, a successful quarterback at Virginia Tech and for the Atlanta Falcons, often won more games because of his rushing ability than by his passing. He couldn't run from charges he was involved in a dog fighting ring, however, and he was sentenced to 23 months in prison.

Something that it is hard for a Buckeye fan to write, but another top sports story of the decade was the University of Florida beating Ohio State for national championships in football and basketball in 2007.

The death of Pat Tillman, who walked away from a successful NFL career as a safety for the Arizona Cardinals to serve his country in Afghanistan, only to be killed in action, was another top sports story of the decade.

NASCAR lost one of its biggest stars when Dale Earnhardt died after a multi-car crash on the final lap of the Daytona 500 in 2001.

A group of Duke Lacrosse players made the news in 2006 when they were accused of raping a white stripper. They made the news again when the story of the alleged victim fell apart, and people began to believe in their innocence. Before her story fell apart, Coach Mike Pressler lost his job.

The Boston Red Sox broke through after 86 years and many close calls, and won the World Series, beating the St. Louis Cardinals four games to none. In the American League Championship Series, the Red Sox had become the first, and so far only, major league baseball team to rally from a 0-3 deficit in the playoffs to claim the American League title. The Sox have since won another title, beating the Colorado Rockies four games to none.

Citations: Top Stories, by Lee Jenkins, Sportsillustrated.com
The Top Sports Stories of the Decade: the Lists, by Mark McGuire, Blog.timesunion.com
Top 10 Sports Stories of the Decade, by Kevin Dunleavy, Washingtonexaminer.com