2008 Summer Games: The Medals You Didn't Know About

After three exciting and eventful weeks, the 2008 Summer Olympic games have come to an end. I hardly need to mention that this was one of the best games in recent history; the stories, the drama, and the performances by athletes from across the globe were captivating. So in honor of one of the greatest Olympic traditions, the gold medal, here are some medal-worthy accomplishments from the summer of 2008.

This summer’s “Chip-on-the-Shoulder” gold medal goes to minor league baseball player John Odom, a pitcher for the Class-A Augusta Greenjackets who was traded in May to the Laredo Broncos, an independent team, for 10 baseball bats.

Odom’s situation got me thinking: What athletes in other sports would be worth (or worthless) enough to be traded for such a small price? The name “Joakim Noah” immediately came to mind. The guy is such a waste of space the Bulls could easily trade him for a few basketballs and an air pump, and maybe throw in some headbands if he gets water for his teammates during timeouts. (Ok, Noah may not be that bad, I just don’t like him. Remember his little dance?). Ideas, anyone?

The “Most Likely to Become the Next Chuck Norris” gold: Only two people in history have come close to attaining this mythical status: Jack Bauer and now Joba Chamberlain. While perusing ESPN.com in the days before Joba’s first start for the Yankees in early June, I came across comments like these:

“Joba is the reason Waldo is hiding.” “There is no theory of evolution, just a list of creatures Joba has allowed to live.” “Joba is the only man to defeat a brick wall in a game of tennis.”

Ok, so the Chuck Norris-ism has gotten a little old for my taste, but it gives you an idea of the kind of hype surrounding the young Yankee starter from Nebraska.

(Side note: The best comment I read all summer came in regards to Joba: “I’m blowing off attending the birth of my first child to watch Joba’s first start. I can always have another child, but there will only be one Joba&rsquo

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