2008 Sports Girls Gone Wild

2008 was not a big year for Anna Kournikova.

Nevertheless, I couldn't see doing this without her. She once made us all interested in everything Russian...and even a little bit interested in tennis.

The year did bring us many great sports stories, and yes, I was able to find a link to a beautiful woman for just about all of them.

Of course, there were the Summer Olympics, with the likes of Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt stealing the spotlight. And there was Tiger Woods and his magical finish at Torrey Pines (which I had the pleasure of witnessing first hand).

However, I think we've all seen about enough of their mugs, so I chose to put my own slant on the Year in Sports. Enjoy!

January: ELI SCORES!

In one of the best and perhaps most surprising Super Bowls in history, Eli Manning and the Giants knocked off the almighty and undefeated New England Patriots.

Just like brother Peyton the year before, Eli walked off with the most coveted trophy in sports...and the girl (Abby McGrew).

Will the brothers face off this January?

February: HAPPY VALENTINE'S

Each February we all walk a bit more briskly down to the mailbox in the hopes that the latest SI will be waiting. No, not for the midseason NBA recap, or a pre-preseason look at Major League Baseball. You know why>

To see the latest SI swimsuit and see what wonderful ways they've come up with to keep our attention in the age of Victoria's Secret and the internet. (3-D anyone?)

March: CHEERLEADER MADNESS

Sure, there was a tournament. There is every year. And yes, it was fantastic (in fact, perhaps college football should have one...has anyone looked into that).

Kansas dropped a miracle three to force OT and took out Memphis in the extra period. Good stuff. And there were plenty "shining moments" for all.

April: THE GIRLS OF SUMMER

I know Derek Jeter isn't dating Jessica Alba anymore, but I'm not sure I care. The baseball season got underway, one that would end up with an upstart Phillies team knocking off a young Tampa Bay Rays squad.

Roger Clemens came under fire and Jeter kept landing more ladies. God bless him...

May: DESPERATE SPURS

The 2007 NBA Champs were unable to repeat (losing in five to the Lakers, as Kobe's crew went on to lose to KG and the Celtics in the Finals) but the 2007 Finals MVP, Tony Parker, was able to celebrate his one year anniversary to Desperate Housewives beauty, Eva Longoria...Parker.

June: TORREY FINE

I was lucky enough to follow Tiger for all eighteen holes of that miracle run at the 2008 US Open. And no, I wasn't distracted by Elin.

In fact, I was more distracted by what felt like 20,000 other patrons surrounding him at all times. I'm not even sure if she was there.

But what a tournament. And what a moment. Now let's get that knee ready for 2009 Tiger. The tour needs you.

July: A NEW ANA!

...and she can play. In fact, this summer saw Ana Ivanovic win the French Open and rise to No. 1 in the world...and No. 1 in our hearts.

August: PERFECT 10

The Olympics were definitely the Michael Phelps' (and his 8 gold medals) show, with a little Usain Bolt sprinkled in.

But not to be outdone were Nastia Liukin (above) and Shawn Johnson who battled young (perhaps too young) Chinese gymnasts...and a few "impartial" judges to bring home some gold of their own.

September: BRADY GOES DOWN

Yes, it happened in August, but when the NFL season began in September without it's poster boy, it was huge news.

And 2008, in total, was not a good year for Mr. Brady (I guess other than the fact that he spent the majority of it with Gisele Bunchen).

First the heartbreaking loss to the Giants in the Super Bowl, followed by the season ending injury before his 2008 season could even get started.

October: D'OH!

The Simpson-Romo affair is still front and center this NFL season. Romo took some time off, perhaps to figure out how to balance his passes among Jessica, Jason Witten and T.O.

Meanwhile, Peyton Manning and brother Eli appear to be on a collision course for the Super Bowl. Where is Archie going to sit?

November: THE NHL GETS SLOPPY

Elisha Cuthbert deserves better. However, she was the sole reason many of us even noticed the NHL in 2008.

College Football dominated the month, with the Big 12 beating each other up and Oklahoma surviving...with only Florida standing in their way of a National Title.

December: JENNIFER & ME

No, she has no real connection to sports. Although this photo was taken at the French Open and she did have a hot dog at Wrigley with Vince Vaughn in the "Break Up".

Yes, I did just put her in here for my own selfish reasons. And she's everywhere else right now (get GQ if you can), so why not?

December is bowl season as we anticipate potentially the best national title game in some time: Oklahoma vs. Florida. But imagine the excitement if the NCAA College Football Playoffs were underway?