Upon Further Review: Looking back at a wild year

The year of 2005 is coming to an end, and for many of us older folks the years keep going by quicker and quicker.

The new year will bring much of the same as last. And each year in the sports world you can look forward to someone embarrassing themselves, or their team. You will find heroes and goats, winners and losers, those who want no glory and those who crave all of the attention.

There were those who were supposed to win, and those who weren’t, but did.

For me as a sports writer, my proudest moment was when the Pioneer football team broke its losing streak by beating Bradley Central. Not only did they finally put a notch in the win column, they posted five wins and a trip to the playoffs.

The Warren County High School 2005 football season brought a community together and restored some pride ? not only at the high school, but for every person who lives in Warren County.

There were several big national stories this year, as well. Some were good, some were bad ? and some were just plan funny.

One of my favorite moments happen at the Skins Game, when Annika Sorenstam hit her tee shot past playing partner Fred Funk. Sorenstam pulled a pink skirt from her bag and gave it to Funk to wear for the rest of the round.

In the World Series, the Chicago White Sox defeated the Houston Astros in what some called a big upset. Chicago swept the Astros and won the title with few big named stars, compared to Houston’s star-studded lineup.

Speaking of upsets, Afleet Alex was the only horse racing in the Kentucky Derby ? or at least that’s the way the odds makers were looking at it. But a horse called Giacomo had other ideas, coming in as a 50-1 shot to win the race.

Looking back it seems there were more embarrassing moments than great.

Major League Baseball was ridiculed for its drug testing policies by Congress.

Jose Canseco let the cat out of the bag with his book, which named several players who used steroids.

Congress called Canseco, Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro to testify, with McGwire refusing to make any statement and Palmeiro stating he never used the juice, only to have one of his drug tests to come back positive a few months later. Isn’t that sad?

But the man who lost the most respect in 2005 had to be Terrell Owens, although it’s hard to lose something you never had. Owens, who has killed every team he has played for, finally met his match when the Eagles kicked him off the team. Being a loud mouth and playing to the fans is one thing, but T.O. talked trash about his own teammates and coach. The NFL would be better off if he never played another down.

For some, seven is a lucky number and for Lance Armstrong the number seven etched his name in stone as one of the greatest athletes ever, after winning his seventh straight Tour de France.

No matter what 2006 brings it will sure to be filled with surprises and disappointments.

Happy New Year, and I hope each and every one of you finds success and satisfaction in everything you do.