As the 2005 calendar year winds down we remember what has been yet another crazy 12 months in the world of sports.
The New England Patriots started 2005 the same way they started 2004, flexing their muscles as Super Bowl champions. But at least this year we didn’t have to endure the Boston Red Sox winning the World Series.
No instead we’re rewarded with another perennial loser, the boys from the Southside of Chicago winning the coveted trophy.
What’s next the Cubs?
At this rate the Devil is going to need to register at Macy’s for winter coats. It might not have frozen over down there yet but it’s got to be getting awful chilly.
And then we had the year of the hot heads led by the poster children of spoiled brats Terrell Owens and Ron Artest.
But enough is enough about the national sports scene. Let’s change the channel to what we in these parts really care about – local sports.
Wow, what a year. The three South Valley Newspapers in Gilroy, Hollister, and Morgan Hill certainly had plenty to rush to the sports pages for this year.
And that’s where we need your help. Our Cracker Jack sports staff has compiled what we consider to be the best of the best in sports for our area during 2005 but we want to hear from you to see if you agree.
As of Monday we will be posting what we consider the top sports stories and we want you the reader to vote and let us know which story you thought was the biggest of the year.
We will keep the poll running until Thursday, December 29 and will post the fan results in the December 31 edition of all three newspapers.
Each newspaper’s respective website will have there top stories posted. For example a visitor to gilroydispatch.com will find the following stories that appeared in the Gilroy Dispatch as some of the year’s best:
Gilroy Little League Softball Team goes to World Series
Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero loses first fight.
Wrestling takes 6th at state.
GHS gets Garcia-Elder Sports Complex
GHS field hockey goes to CCS semifinals for first time in 20 years
Darren Yafai resigns after 7 years as GHS coach
Jeff Gacia signs with Lions
GHS Giirls Basketball advances to CCS Semifinals
Alfonso Motagalvan becomes first GHS soccer player to ever sign with a D1 program and to be named CCS Player of the Year
Bobby Best named TCAL Most Valuable Offensive Lineman and CCS First team
A visitor to morganhilltimes.com will be able to vote on the following stories that appeared in the Morgan Hill Times as some of the year’s best:
Live Oak softball win CCS championship
Live Oak boys water polo advances to CCS final
Two Raiders’ Pop Warner Cheer teams place at Cheer and Dance Championship in Florida
Live Oak football gets share of TCAL crown
Sobrato’s inaugural varsity football season
49er Ulbrich breaking leg, ending his season
Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero losing his first match
And make a pitstop at freelancenews.com and you’ll be able to vote on the following stories that appeared in the Hollister Free Lance as some of the year’s best:
In the Hollister Free Lance some of the year’s best were:
Pee Wee Vikings roll all the way to national championship game in Pop Warner football
Southside girls hoops ensures dynasty with fourth-straight undefeated season
San Benito football claims CCS title with thrilling, last-minute victory over Oak Grove
‘Baler football wins Prune Bowl with 30-point rout of Gilroy to keep trophy in Hollister
Behind Kyle Sharp, ‘Baler boys hoops notches 25 wins, reaches CCS semifinals
San Benito girls volleyball rides wave to NorCal semis, finishes with 36 wins
Why not visit all three websites and cast your votes. They’ll also be a spot marked other where you can tell us if your favorite story hasn’t made the list. You can also call the Green Phone at 1-800-687-0836 or me directly at 408-842-9858 and let us know if we missed a story.
If 2006 is anything close to how 2005 ended we might just have to all chip in and by that devil a space heater. Local sports – You gotta love it.
John Coscia is the regional sports editor of South Valley Newspapers and can be reached at 408-842-9858 or by email at
jc*****@gi************.com
