Strories from 2009

Over the next few days, I'll be bringing back some of the stories and events that made sports headlines from 2009. I have a few here that were great stories, but didn't quite make my top 5 in each category. These fall into the Honorable Mention title.

1. Usain Bolt at the World Championships

Is there any question who's the fastest guy on the planet? Bolt set new world records in both the 100 meters (9.58 seconds) and 200 meters (19.19 seconds). His charisma brings a new and fresh feel to the track and field world as is on display in the picture to the left. Bolt is just the jolt the sports needs. You can't help but love this guy. You also can't overlook his Sports Center commercial.

2. The continued struggles of Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

After signing with Hendrick Motorsports prior to the 2009 NASCAR season, a lot of Junior's fan, and haters, thought he would be back in the Chase. Not so much. Junior struggled to a 25th place in the final standings. No poles, no wins, only 2 top 5's and 5 top 10's made the 2009 season one to forget for the #88 team. One consolation was that he was once again voted the sports most popular driver.

3. The untimley death of Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry

Much has been said about the former West Virginia Mountaineer over the past couple of weeks. The most startling fact is that Henry was on injured reserve at the time of his death. A broken forearm against the Baltimore Ravens forced Henry to miss the remainder of the '09 season. If he hadn't been on IR, he would have been with the Bengals making preparations for its next game.

4. Cries of more replay in baseball

With all the technological advances in the world these days, why not? After a number of missed calls by umpires in the postseason, fans all over were screaming for the replay rule to be expanded. Commissioner Bud Selig seems somewhat reluctant to make such change, but I think it's inevitable. There's a long road to go on this, but with Selig to leave office within the next couple of years, it might happen sooner rather than later. That could leave a positive legacy on Selig's reign as commissioner. Those who don't want it say the obvious: it would slow the pace and change the flow of the game. And MLB does not need that.

5. LPGA ousts Commissioner Carolyn Bivens

In a move that, in the end, surprised no one, some of the LPGA more prominent players held an informal meeting with plans for a change of  direction at the top of the tour. On July 13, Bivens announced her resignation as commissioner. A bit of controversy looms over her reign. Bivens imposed a clause in the media credentials contract stating that the LPGA would hold free rights to all the photos and stories from events. Many publications were irked at this and boycotted covering the first round of the 2006 season opener. There's also the "requirement" that Bivens wanted to impose requiring LPGA members to become proficient in English by 2009 or a suspension would result. That was later reversed in order for the tour to avoid potential lawsuits. Dwindling sponsorships and dollars were also viewed as an ends to justify the means.

If you have any sports events or stories from 2009 that you think you should be listed, let me know and we'll grade them against what we already have in mind. If we choose an event you suggest that we haven't already chosen, proper credit will be given. When you submit, please leave any information (website, blog, etc.) and we will gladly link it to you.