2006

[edit] Baseball

The Detroit Tigers are one of the stories of the year in baseball, going from fourth place in their division to having the fourth best record in baseball. The defeated the New York Yankees and Oakland Athletics in the playoffs but lost the World Series.

The New York Mets go 97-65, tied for the best record in baseball, and win the National League East division. They ended the Atlanta Braves's streak of 14 straight division titles.

Second year first baseman Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies hits 58 homers, among the most all-time. He breaks the team and second-year player records.

The New York Yankees, despite a payroll over $200 million, lose in the first round of the playoffs to the Tigers. They did go 97-65 during the regular season, but their bats didn't show up for the playoffs.

Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins and Freddy Sanchez of the Pittsburgh Pirates win their respective league batting titles. Mauer hits .347 and Sanchez hits .344.

Johan Santana of the Minnesota Twins wins the Pitching Triple Crown, with a 2.77 ERA, 245 strikeouts, and 19 wins.

The Miami Heat win the NBA Finals over the Dallas Mavericks in six games. Dwyane Wade is named Finals MVP. The series was controversial on a number of points. First was the 2-3-2 series format that gave Miami three straight home games in the NBA Finals. Second was the overly-physical play they were allowed to get away with during the series, especially at home. Miami's place in the Finals, and the series win, was considered a fluke. That opinion has proved correct over time since then.

Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns wins his second straight MVP award. Nash led the Suns to the best record in the NBA. His outstanding passing and ball-handling elevated the team to contender in his very first year in Phoenix.

The Colts become the second team in NFL history to start 8-0 in back-to-back seasons. They do so with a 27-21 victory over their rival Patriots.

The BC Lions defeat the Montreal Alouettes 25-14 in the 94th Grey Cup in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Dave Dickenson was named MVP and Paul McCallum was named Top Canadian.

The UCLA Bruins shock the USC Trojans 13-9 to break the Trojan's seven year winning streak against the Bruins, and knocked USC out of the BCS National Championship Game.

The #9 Boise State Broncos wins the Fiesta Bowl against the #7 Oklahoma Sooners 43-42 in overtime with a Statue of Liberty play. Boise State is only the second team in a non-BCS conference to win a BCS bowl.

The Carolina Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup in seven games over the Edmonton Oilers. Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward wins the Conn Smythe Trophy for playoff MVP.

Italy wins the 2006 World Cup over France, winning 5-3 in penalty kicks after a 1-1 score in regulation. In a losing effort, Frenchman Zinedine Zidane won the Golden Ball.

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