Best and Worst of 2009

2008 was a year to remember. From the BCS National Championship way back in January, to the Patriots falling short of a perfect season, from the resurgence of the Celtics in the NBA to the spectacle that was the Beijing Olympics, from the drama of Tiger winning on one leg to the Phillies finally winning a championship for the fans of Philadelphia, and from Jimmie Johnson's Three-Peat to a great NFL season so far, 2008 was a year to say, "I was here when this happened."

2008 BCS National Championship

Matt Flynn of LSU celebrating the BCS National Championship win over Ohio State.

Perfect Season?

New England fans celebrate the Pats' perfect 16-0 regular season, en route to Super Bowl XLII against the New York Giants

Super Bowl, Super Catch

New York Giants receiver David Tyree makes the catch of the year on a broken fourth-quarter, fourth-down play from a scrambling Eli Manning. The catch kept the drive alive and helped the Giants beat the then-unbeaten Patriots to win Super Bowl XLII.

Daytona 500

Kevin Harvick celebrates his 2008 Daytona 500 victory.

Rock Chalk, Jay Hawks

Mario Chalmers hits a game winning shot over future-No. 1 pick Derek Rose in the 2008 NCAA Championship game.

Another One For Pat

The Lady Vols celebrate another hoops championship for coach Pat Summit.

Opening Day in Japan

Boston's erstwhile favorite son hits a home run during the Opening Series in Japan. The Red Sox and A's traveled to Japan to begin the 2008 season.

16 and Counting

Long-time Celtic Paul Pierce celebrates a hard fought NBA Championship with his teammates and the city of Boston, who won their NBA-record 16th title, the first in 22 years.

Who Needs Two Legs?

Tiger Woods grimaces in pain after hitting a drive in the final round of the 2008 U.S. Open. Woods fought off crowd favorite Rocco Mediate in an 18-hole Monday playoff to win the U.S. Open. Following the tournament, Tiger found out that he was in essence playing on one leg, with significant damage to his left knee that kept him out of play for the remainder of the 2008 season.

Hockey Town Again!

The Detroit Red Wings begin to celebrate with their Game 6 win over Sid the Kid and the Penguins to capture the 2008 Stanley Cup Championship, once again solidifying Detroit as Hockey Town, USA.

Greatest Athlete Ever?

Michael Phelps reacts while winning one of his record-setting eight gold medals at this summer's Beijing Olympics.

Phinally Philly Phans Can Breath

Brad Lidge jumps for joy after recording the final out of the 2008 World Series. The Phillies' win broke the longest championship drought of any city that has all four major sports.

He-Is-[The]-Man

Oklahoma quarterback Chad Bradford shows off the new hardware after winning the 2008 Heisman Trophy. He won despite not even having the most first-place votes (last year's winner Tim Tebow had more). He beat out Florida's Tebow and fellow Big-12 QB, Texas' Colt McCoy.

The Brady Mess

Tom Brady went down in the first game of the season for the Patriots. In came long-time backup Matt Cassell. Cassell hadn't started since high school. He has won 10 (possibly 11) games and is on the verge of a great, playoff bound season.

He Shot Who? Himself?!

A couple of days following the shooting of himself, Plaxico Burress is taken away in handcuffs after he turned himself in to NYC police on felony gun possession charges.

Can't Win The Big One

Ohio State again went to a BCS National Championship and again lost to a far-better SEC team.

15 and counting

The Detroit Lions became the first team in NFL history to lose their first 15 games. They have a chance to be the first team ever to go 0-16 on Dec. 28 against the Packers.