2008 ESPYS NOMINEES – BEST IN SPORT (19 CATEGORIES)
BEST MALE ATHLETE
Tiger Woods, Golf
Earned his 14th major title by winning 2008 U. S. Open … Joined Jack Nicklaus as the only players to win each major three-or-more times … Won seven of the 16 PGA Tour events he entered in 2007 … Won four of the six PGA Tour events he entered in 2008.
Tom Brady, New England Patriots
NFL MVP … Led the Patriots to NFL’s first 16-0 regular season … Set NFL single-season record for touchdown passes with 50 … Led NFL in completion percentage (68.9) and passing yards (4806).
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
NBA MVP … Led Lakers to top record in Western Conference and a berth in NBA finals …Finished second in scoring during regular season (28.3 ppg.).
Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees
AL MVP…Hit .314 and led the Majors with 54 home runs and 156 RBI during 2007 season … Also led the Majors in runs with 143.
BEST FEMALE ATHLETE
Lorena Ochoa, Golf
Ranked #1 in the world ... Became first LPGA golfer to earn over $4 million in one season ($4,364,994 in 2007) … Won eight events in 2007 en route to her second-straight Rolex Player of the Year, Vare Trophy … Won six times in first 11 tournaments played in 2008 … Won her first major, the 2007 Women’s British Open, by four strokes.
Candace Parker, Tennessee Basketball/Los Angeles Sparks
Led Tennessee Lady Vols to back-to-back NCAA championships … Averaged 21.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.4 blocks and 2.3 steals in 38 games during 2007-08 season while leading her team to a 36-2 record and the program’s eighth NCAA championship ... Selected number one overall in WNBA draft by Los Angeles Sparks …Won AP women’s college basketball Player of the Year and Naismith Award.
Danica Patrick, Auto Racing
Became the first female winner in IndyCar history, taking the Indy Japan 300 … Won in her 50th career IndyCar start … Posted four top five finishes in 2007.
Lindsey Vonn, Skiing
Won 2008 overall skiing championship, becoming the first woman to win the World Cup overall since Tamara McKinney in 1983 ... Became only second American to win World Cup downhill title, joining Picabo Street.
BEST MOMENT
Jon Lester’s No-Hitter
Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester, less than a year after returning from being diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma, threw a no-hitter vs. the Royals on May 19, 2008.
Danica Patrick Wins
Danica Patrick became the first female winner in IndyCar history, taking the Indy Japan 300. Patrick finished 5.8594 seconds ahead of pole-sitter Helio Castroneves on the 1.5-mile Twin Ring Motegi oval. The 26-year-old Patrick won in her 50th career IndyCar start.
Great Sportsmanship
Central Washington University vs. Western Oregon University Softball … Western Oregon won the Division II Great Northwest Athletic Conference game, 4-2 … With the score 0-0 and two runners on base, Sara Tucholsky of Western Oregon hit her 1st career home run. She missed first base, started back to tag it and collapsed with a knee injury. Members of the Central Washington team stunned spectators by carrying Tucholsky around the bases so the 3-run homer would count – an act that contributed to their own elimination from playoff contention.
BEST TEAM
Boston Red Sox
Won World Series in four-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies, its second championship in four years … Tied for major-league high in wins (96).
New York Giants
Upset the New England Patriots to win the Super Bowl … Marched to championship as a wildcard team after losing six games in the regular season, and setting the NFL record for consecutive road wins with 11.
Boston Celtics
Won its 17th championship by beating the Lakers in six games in the finals … Enjoyed 42-game improvement (24 wins in 2006-07 to 66 wins during 2007-08 regular season) … Had best record during the NBA regular season (66-16).
Kansas Men’s Basketball
Won its first national championship since 1988 … Finished season with 37-3 record.
Tennessee Women’s Basketball
Won second straight NCAA championship and eighth in school’s illustrious history … Finished season with 36-2 record and SEC tournament championship.
Detroit Red Wings
Captured its 11th Stanley Cup and fourth since 1997 … Won its sixth Presidents’ Trophy as the League’s top regular-season club … First team to lead NHL in points and win Stanley Cup since Detroit did it in 2001-02.
BEST COACH/MANAGER
Terry Francona, Red Sox
Led Boston to its second World Series championship in four years ... With a 96-66 record (.593), had the 2nd highest win total for a Red Sox manager in the last 29 years (beginning 1979) to his 98-64 mark in 2004.
Tom Coughlin, New York Giants
Led Giants to Super Bowl championship … His team enjoyed a record 11 straight road wins.
Pat Summitt, Tennessee Women’s Basketball
Earned her eighth national championship … Led Lady Vols to 36-2 record … Has 983 career wins.
Doc Rivers, Boston Celtics
Led Celtics to first NBA championship since 1986 … His Boston team enjoyed 42-game turnaround (from 24 wins to 66 in 2007-08 regular season).
BEST GAME
Super Bowl: Giants over Patriots
It was the Giants’ fourth consecutive postseason away win and the first time the Patriots tasted defeat in more than a year… The Giants rallied to take the lead twice in the fourth quarter and won 17-14.
Men’s Basketball National Championship: Kansas over Memphis
Mario Chalmers’ three-pointer with two seconds left in regulation sent the game into overtime; Kansas then came away with a 75-68 overtime victory … Kansas trailed 60-51 with 2:12 left in regulation, but closed the second half with a 12-3 run.
NBA Finals, Game 4: Celtics over Lakers
The Celtics rallied from a 24-point deficit and beat the Lakers, 97-91 … Previously no team in NBA finals history had ever overcome more than a 15-point deficit after the first quarter, yet Boston was down 35-14 after the initial period … It gave Doc Rivers’ squad a 3-1 series lead en route to the championship.
BEST CHAMPIONSHIP PERFORMANCE
Venus Williams, 2007 Wimbledon
Seeded 23rd, she became the lowest seed to win the championship, her fourth Wimbledon singles crown ... Beat three of the top six seeds (Sharapova, Kuznetsova and Ivanovic) to win title ... It was just her eighth tournament of the year.
Josh Beckett, 2007 Baseball Playoffs
Went 4-0 with a 1.20 ERA, 35 strikeouts and two walks in 30 innings pitched in the 2007 postseason … Allowed one earned run, six hits and struck out nine batters in seven innings in game one win at the World Series.
Rafael Nadal, 2008 French Open
First player to win the French Open men’s singles without losing a set since Bjorn Borg in 1980 … Nadal also had just seven unforced errors in the three-set final … Lost just four games in championship match win over Roger Federer … Beat five seeds in winning the title, including Federer and Novak Djokovic.
Tiger Woods, 2008 U.S. Open
Despite needing reconstructive ACL surgery on his left knee, he walked 91 holes en route to the championship … It was also revealed that Woods had a double stress fracture of his left tibia … He made a brilliant putt for birdie on the 72nd hole to set up an 18-hole playoff against Rocco Mediate … He earned his 14th major title by winning the U.S. Open (only four behind Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18).
BEST PLAY
Mississippi Miracle
Trinity University, a Division III team in San Antonio, used 15 laterals after a completed pass on the final play of the game for an unlikely touchdown and 28-24 victory at stunned Millsaps … Seven different Trinity players touched the ball, including two offensive linemen.
Super Bowl: Eli Manning to David Tyree
On a third-and-five from the Giants’ 44, Eli Manning got out of the grasp and connected with David Tyree, who made a leaping grab for a 32-yard completion to the Pats’ 24-yard line.
Big Ten Stunner
Minnesota’s Blake Hoffarber scores on a length of the court pass to stun Indiana in the Big Ten tournament … He previously won an ESPY for Best Play in 2005 as a high school player.
Nash Shoots and Scores
Columbus Blue Jackets’ Rick Nash made several moves to score a phenomenal game-winning goal at Phoenix … Nash took a long outlet pass from Michael Peca just outside the Phoenix blue line and outmaneuvered defensemen Keith Ballard and Derek Morris before faking goaltender Mikael Tellqvist to the ice and firing into the open left side of the net.
BEST FINISH
McMurray Edges Busch
Jamie McMurray beat Kyle Busch at Daytona International Speedway on July 7, 2007, ending a 166-race winless streak by a bumper to the finish line of the Pepsi 400 ... McMurray was drag racing with Busch for much of the final two laps at Daytona International Speedway. The cars appeared to touch several times on their final trip around the famed track, and McMurray nosed across the finish line a mere 0.005 seconds ahead of Busch.
Hilltoppers Advance
Western Kentucky got past Drake in 1st round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, winning on a buzzer beater by Ty Rogers … Rogers hit a desperation 26-foot 3-pointer with three defenders in his face and no time on the clock as 12th-seeded Western Kentucky turned in the upset of Drake, 101-99, in overtime.
Spurs Prevail
Suns vs. Spurs, Game 1, in the NBA playoffs … Michael Finley’s basket sent the game into overtime … Tim Duncan’s first three-pointer of the season with three seconds left sent it into a second overtime … Steve Nash’s three-pointer tied it late in the second overtime, with Manu Ginobili’s driving layup with 1.8 seconds left providing the game-winning score.
Pens Stay Alive
Red Wings vs. Penguins, Game 5 of the Stanley Cup finals … Penguins beat Red Wings, 4-3, in 3 OT … Maxime Talbot scored with 35 seconds left in regulation to tie the score and keep the Wings from winning the Cup (until game 6) … Petr Sykora scored the game-winning in 3rd OT … Marc-Andre Fleury made 55 saves for Pens.
BEST UPSET
Appalachian State: Stuns Michigan in College Football, 34-32
The Wolverines, ranked #5 in the nation, saw a blocked field goal in the final seconds conclude a shocking season-opener before well over 100,000 fans in Ann Arbor, as Appalachian State became the first FCS (formerly known as 1AA) team to beat a top five team.
Da’ Tara: Wins the Belmont Stakes as a 38-1 Longshot
Da’ Tara upset 1-4 favorite Triple Crown candidate Big Brown (which finished last).
New York Giants: Beat Patriots in the Super Bowl
The Giants ended the Patriots’ dream of a perfect season by scoring a late touchdown to win the Super Bowl … Patriots entered the game with an 18-0 record …The Giants were in the playoffs via wildcard berth, having lost six games in the regular season. Eli Manning hit WR Plaxico Burress on a six-yard fade for the game winning touchdown with 35 seconds to go in regulation.
Fresno State: Beats Georgia to Win the College World Series
Fresno State was a regional #4 seed to start the tourney, making it the lowest-seeded team ever to reach the College World Series, as well as the lowest-seeded to ever reach the championship round (final two teams) of any NCAA tournament for any sport ... Beat Georgia to win only the second NCAA tournament in the school's history, in any sport ... Won with its best player, RHP Tanner Scheppers, out with a shoulder injury since May 4.
BEST BREAKTHROUGH ATHLETE
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
Running back set NFL single-game rushing record (296 yards vs. San Diego on 11/4/07) … Led the NFC in rushing with 1,341 yards … Scored 12 rushing touchdowns … 2007 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Stephen Curry, Davidson Basketball
He totaled 128 points in four NCAA Tournament games, including three straight 30-point performances (Gonzaga 40, Georgetown 30, Wisconsin 33) in leading the Wildcats to their first Elite Eight appearance since 1969 ... His Davidson team beat three higher seeds before falling to Kansas in regional final.
Kyle Busch, NASCAR
Started off 2008 with five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins as of July 1st … Leading 2008 Sprint Cup points race (through July 1st) … Had won four Sprint Cup races in previous four years.
Ana Ivanovic, Tennis
Earned her first Grand Slam singles title, winning the 2008 French Open … Lost just one set in winning that championship … Moved into #1 spot in world rankings in 2008.
BEST RECORD BREAKING PERFORMANCE
Barry Bonds, San Francisco Giants
Broke Hank Aaron’s all-time home run record of 755 … Hit number 756 off of Washington Nationals pitcher Mike Bacsik … Now has 762 career home runs.
Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers
Broke Dan Marino’s mark for career touchdown passes … He threw the record-breaking 421st touchdown to Greg Jennings in a September 2007 win over Minnesota … Retired with 442 career TD passes.
Usain Bolt, Track & Field
Sprinter broke world record in 100-meters … Ran 9.72 in the Reebok Grand Prix meet in New York in May 2008 … Broke the record previously held by Asafa Powell, which was set in September, 2007.
Tom Brady and Randy Moss, New England Patriots
Quarterback Tom Brady set the NFL single season touchdown pass record with 50 (Peyton Manning previously held it with 49) and wide receiver Randy Moss broke Jerry Rice’s single season touchdown reception record with 23 (Rice had 22).
BEST SPORTS MOVIE
Resurrecting the Champ
An up-and-coming sports reporter rescues a homeless man ("Champ") only to discover that he is, in fact, a boxing legend previously believed to have passed away. Starring Samuel L. Jackson and Josh Hartnett.
The Game Plan
An NFL quarterback living the bachelor lifestyle discovers that he has an eight-year-old daughter from a previous relationship. Starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Semi Pro
Jackie Moon, the owner-coach-player of the American Basketball Association’s Flint Michigan Tropics, rallies his teammates to make their NBA dreams come true. Comedy starring Will Ferrell and Woody Harrelson.
Leatherheads
A romantic comedy set in the world of 1920s football, where the owner of a professional team drafts a strait-laced college sensation, only to watch his new coach fall for his fiancée. Stars George Clooney and Renee Zellweger.
BEST MALE COLLEGE ATHLETE
Tim Tebow, Florida Football
Heisman Trophy winner… Became the first college football player to throw for 20+ touchdowns and run for 20+ touchdowns in the same season … Threw 32 touchdown passes and only six interceptions in 2007 … completed 67 percent of his pass attempts.
Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina Basketball
Named 2007-08 Collegiate Player of the Year by The Associated Press, the NABC, the USBWA … Won Wooden Award and Naismith Award … Averaged 22.6 ppg., 10.2 rpg. and 54 field goal percentage.
Michael Beasley, Kansas State Basketball
Finished third in Division I in scoring (26.2 ppg.) and first in rebounding (12.4 rpg.) during 2007-08 season … Had 30+ points and 10+ rebounds on 13 occasions during season … Drafted #2 overall by the Miami Heat.
BEST FEMALE COLLEGE ATHLETE
Candace Parker, Tennessee Basketball
Led Tennessee Lady Vols to back-to-back NCAA championships … Averaged 21.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.4 blocks and 2.3 steals in 38 games during 2007-08 season while leading her team to a 36-2 record.
Angela Tincher, Virginia Tech Softball
The pitcher finished career third on all-time NCAA strikeout list … Led her team to its first-ever NCAA College World Series this year after a 38-10 season in which she maintained the nation’s lowest ERA (0.63), with a nation-leading 13.8 strikeouts per seven innings.
Rachel Dawson, North Carolina Field Hockey
National Player of the Year … She led the Tar Heels in goals this year with 19, captaining her team to the NCAA title and a 24-0 season … Named ACC Defensive Player of the Year for the second time, the two-time All-American was also named ACC Tournament MVP.
BEST MALE ATHLETE WITH A DISABILITY
Matt Scott, Basketball
His defensive stop on Canada’s Pat Anderson as time expired helped the U.S. Men’s Wheelchair Basketball Team win the gold medal, 52-50, in the 2007 Paralympic Pan American Games ... Led the team with 13 total steals in the six-game tournament.
Phil Scholz, Swimming
Set American swimming records in the 50-meter butterfly, 800-meter freestyle and 1500-meter freestyle.
Marthell Vazquez, Soccer
Was named the MVP of the 2007 World Soccer Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ... Vazquez was the leading scorer for the U.S. team, notching four goals in the tournament.
Ryan Kocer, Wrestling
From Wagner, SD, Kocer lost his leg (below the knee) in an accident during the football season … With only a few months to prepare for the wrestling season, the three-time defending state champion qualified for the tournament again and finished in 4th place despite his disability.
BEST FEMALE ATHLETE WITH A DISABILITY
Patty Cisneros, Basketball
Captain of the U.S. women’s wheelchair basketball team that won at the Parapan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ... Also helped U. S. squad win 2008 North American Cup.
Jessica Galli, Track & Field
Set world records in women’s wheelchair 200m, 400m, and 800m.
Susan Beth Scott, Swimming
Set a world record in the 400-meter freestyle at the 2008 U.S. Swimming Trials.
Shay Oberg, Softball
This collegiate softball player from Montana State Billings was born without a left hand … Switch-hitting, starting centerfielder finished the season hitting .280 with 3 HRs, 13 RBIs.
BEST INTERNATIONAL MALE ATHLETE
Kaka, Soccer
The Brazilian was named FIFA’s best male soccer player for 2007 season.
Manu Ginobili, Basketball
Averaged 19.5 ppg. and 4.8 rpg. during 2007-08 NBA regular season … Won NBA’s Sixth Man award.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Soccer
Scored 31 goals in 34 appearances for Manchester United during 2007-08 season.
Rafael Nadal, Tennis
Had 70-15 match record in 2007 … Won fourth straight French Open in 2008 … Did not lose a set during 2008 French Open.
BEST INTERNATIONAL FEMALE ATHLETE
Marta, Soccer
Scored a brilliant goal in World Cup semifinal win over the U.S. … 2007 FIFA Women’s Player of the Year.
Lorena Ochoa, Golf
Became first LPGA golfer to earn over $4 million in one season ($4,364,994 in 2007) … Won eight events in 2007 en route to her second-straight Rolex Player of the Year, Vare Trophy.
Lauren Jackson, Basketball
WNBA MVP … Led the WNBA in scoring (23.8 ppg) and rebounding (9.7 rpg) … Tied the WNBA record for points in a game (47) … Third in WNBA in field goal pct. (51.9).
Justine Henin, Tennis
Won 2007 U.S. Open … Won 10 tournaments during 2007 season … Finished 2007 as #1 ranked player in the world …retired in 2008 while still holding #1 ranking.
INDIVIDUAL SPORTS (17 CATEGORIES)
BEST BASEBALL PLAYER
Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees
AL MVP … Hit .314 with major league-high 54 home runs and 156 RBI in 2007.
Josh Beckett, Boston Red Sox
Only pitcher in major leagues with 20 wins in 2007 season … Went 4-0 with 1.20 ERA, 35 strikeouts and two walks in 30 innings pitched in 2007 postseason.
Jimmy Rollins, Philadelphia Phillies
NL MVP … Hit 30 HR, drove in 94 runs and stole 41 bases in 2007 season.
Jake Peavy, San Diego Padres
NL Cy Young award winner … Finished 2007 season with 19-6 record, 2.54 ERA and 240 strikeouts in 223.1 innings pitched.
C.C. Sabathia, Cleveland Indians
AL Cy Young award winner … Went 19-7 with 3.21 ERA in 2007 season.
BEST NBA PLAYER
LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Led NBA in scoring (30 ppg.), becoming the second-youngest in league history to accomplish that feat … Third player in NBA history to average at least 30 ppg., 7.9 rpg. and 7.2 apg. (Michael Jordan and Oscar Robertson were the others).
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Led Lakers to top record in Western Conference, as well as berth into NBA finals … Finished second in scoring (28.3 ppg.).
Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets
First player to lead NBA in assists (11.6) and steals while averaging at least 20 ppg. … Led Hornets to second-best record in Western Conference and a +17 game improvement.
Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
Led NBA in double-doubles with 69 ... Averaged 20.9 ppg., an NBA-high 14.2 rpg. and 38 minutes per game.
Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
Led Celtics to NBA-record 42-game improvement … Averaged 18.2 ppg. and 13 rpg. during NBA finals.
BEST WNBA PLAYER
Lauren Jackson, Seattle Storm
WNBA MVP … Led the WNBA in scoring (23.8 ppg.) and rebounding (9.7 rpg.) … Tied the WNBA record for points in a game (47) … Third in WNBA in field goal pct. (51.9 pct.) … Defensive Player of the Year.
Diana Taurasi, Phoenix Mercury
Third in WNBA in scoring (19.2 ppg.) … Scored 37 points in a game vs. Houston on May 25, 2007 … Shot 83.5 FT pct. … Led Mercury to WNBA championship.
Becky Hammon, San Antonio Silver Stars
Fifth in WNBA in scoring (18.8 ppg.) … Second in FT pct. (93.1) … Led San Antonio to a seven-game improvement and its first playoff berth … Runner-up in WNBA MVP voting.
Seimone Augustus, Minnesota Lynx
Finished second in WNBA in scoring in 2007 (22.6 ppg.) … Shot 50.8 percent from the field during ‘07 campaign.
BEST NFL PLAYER
Tom Brady, New England Patriots
NFL MVP … Completed 398-of-578 passes (68.9 percent) for 4,806 yards and record 50 TD with just eight interceptions … Led Patriots to unbeaten regular season.
Randy Moss, New England Patriots
Caught 98 passes for 1,493 yards and a single-season record 23 touchdowns … Had eight regular-season games with multiple touchdown receptions.
LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers
Led NFL in rushing with 1,474 yards … Scored 15 rushing touchdowns.
Bob Sanders, Indianapolis Colts
Totaled 132 tackles and 3 ½ sacks for Colts … Named Associated Press NFL Defensive Player-of-the-Year.
Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers
Completed 66.5 percent of his passes for 4,155 yards and 28 touchdowns … Led Packers to NFC title game.
Eli Manning, New York Giants
Led Giants to the Super Bowl championship … Threw six touchdown passes and only one interception during postseason.
BEST NHL PLAYER
Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames
One of three players to score 50 goals during 2007-08 regular season … He tallied his second career 50-goal season and recorded a career-best 98 points (50 goals, 48 assists) in 82 games.
Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
NHL MVP … Led NHL in scoring (112 points) and goals (65) … He set the single-season NHL record for goals by a left wing, surpassing Luc Robitaille’s 63 with Los Angeles in 1992-93, and his 65 goals were the most by NHL player since Mario Lemieux in 1995-96.
Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
Second in NHL in scoring with 106 points (47 goals, 59 assists) in 82 games … Recorded a +16 plus/minus rating during regular season.
Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings
Led NHL in plus/minus (+41) and finished fourth in scoring (97 points) … Also won Selke Award as NHL’s top defensive forward and Lady Byng Trophy (sportsmanship).
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
Totaled 72 points in 53 games in regular season … Recorded a + 18 plus/minus during regular season … Totaled 27 points in 20 playoff games … Captained Pens to Stanley Cup finals.
BEST MLS PLAYER
Luciano Emilio, D.C. United
Led MLS in goals during 2007 regular season with 20 … Named MLS MVP.
Juan Pablo Angel, New York Red Bulls
Scored 19 goals in 24 regular-season games in 2007 … Finalist for MLS MVP and Newcomer of the Year in 2007.
Landon Donovan, Los Angeles Galaxy
Totaled eight goals, 13 assists in 2007 regular season … Scored 11 goals in first 10 games of 2008 season.
Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Chicago Fire
Four goals, seven assists in 14 games in 2007 … Finalist for 2007 MVP.
David Beckham, Los Angeles Galaxy
Had four goals and six assists in first 12 games of 2008 season for LA Galaxy.
Matt Reis, New England Revolution
Had 14-8-8 record, 1.43 goals-against-average and 10 shutouts in 2007 … Started all 30 games in 2007.
BEST MALE ACTION SPORT ATHLETE
Shaun White, Skateboarding/Snowboarding
First X athlete to win gold in Summer and Winter X Games … Won skateboard vert competition in summer and snowboard superpipe in winter.
Kevin Robinson, BMX
Selected as X Games 13 Most Outstanding Athlete by defending his Gold Medal on the BMX Big Air ramp.
Chad Reed, Supercross
Dominated the 2008 AMA SuperCross circuit winning nine races and earning the overall AMA World Champion Title.
Kevin Pearce, Snowboarding
Accomplished snowboarder who won three medals (two silvers, one bronze) at WXG 12 … Also won the Arctic Challenge and Burton European Open.
BEST FEMALE ACTION SPORT ATHLETE
Gretchen Bleiler, Snowboarding
Won superpipe gold medal at 2008 Winter X Games … Finished first in halfpipe at 2007 World Cup in Lake Placid … Also won at 2007 Grand Prix, Tamarack and 2007 Breckenridge Grand Prix.
Jessica Patterson, Motocross
Won the 2007 Women’s Motocross Association title.
Stephanie Gilmore, Surfing
The 19 year-old from Australia became the first surfer ever to win an ASP world title in rookie season (2007) ... Recorded four Elite Tour victories in 2007.
Lindsey Jacobellis, Snowboarding
Came back from infamous, Gold Medal-losing falls before the finish line at 2006 Winter Olympics and 2007 Winter X Games to dominate the boardercross circuit this season including the Gold at 2008 Winter X Games … Won her second consecutive SBX World Championship in 2007.
BEST BOWLER
Walter Ray Williams Jr.
Led all PBA bowlers in average (228.34) … Made eight championship round appearances (tied for second).
Chris Barnes
Made PBA-high nine championship round appearances … Cashed in all 21 events he participated in.
Norm Duke
Led PBA bowlers in earnings ($176,855) … Became just the second bowler in history to win the four Grand Slam events.
BEST DRIVER
Jimmie Johnson
Won his second straight Nextel Cup championship in 2007, beating out Jeff Gordon … Recorded 10 victories, four pole awards, 20 top-five finishes and 24 top-10 finishes.
Dario Franchitti
Indy Car champion … Recorded 12 top-five finishes in 2007 … Was only Indy Car driver to finish in the top seven of every race in 2007.
Lewis Hamilton
2007 F-1 runner-up… Finished 2007 season with four victories, 12 podium finishes and six pole positions.
Kyle Busch
Started off 2008 with five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins as of July 1st … Finished with one win, 11 top-fives and 20 top-10s in 2007.
Scott Dixon
Won 2008 Indianapolis 500 … Posted four Indy Car wins during 2007 season … Finished second in Indy Car points race in 2007.
Tony Schumacher
For second season in a row, he delivered what seemed impossible, clinching yet another World Championship title with final pass of final race of 2007 … Won fourth straight World Championship, a POWERade Series Top Fuel record.
BEST FIGHTER
Floyd Mayweather, Boxing
Defeated previously-unbeaten Ricky Hatton on 10th round TKO … Improved career record to 43-0 with the victory over Hatton in the WBC welterweight title bout.
Joe Calzaghe, Boxing
Crowned undisputed world super-middleweight champion with a unanimous decision win over previously-unbeaten Dane Mikkel Kessler … Recorded his 21st WBO title defense while adding Kessler’s WBA and WBC belts to his collection. He followed that up with a victory over Bernard Hopkins.
Kelly Pavlik, Boxing
Scored seventh-round TKO over Jermain Taylor for middleweight championship, then beat Taylor a second time in a non-title bout … Also beat Gary Lockett in a middleweight title defense.
Georges St. Pierre, Mixed Martial Arts
Regained his UFC Welterweight Championship with TKO of Matt Serra … Sports a 16-2 record.
Holly Holm, Boxing
Defeated previously-unbeaten Mary Jo Sanders in June … Also defeated Belinda Laracuente in a 10-round unanimous decision for the IFBA welterweight title.
BEST GOLFER
Tiger Woods
Won inaugural FedEx Cup … Led PGA Tour in scoring in 2007 (69.1) … Led PGA Tour in money earnings in 2007 ($10,867,052) … Earned his 14th major title by winning 2008 U.S. Open; became sixth player to win at least three U.S. Opens … Won seven of his 16 PGA Tour events entered in 2007 … Won four of the six PGA Tour events entered in 2008.
Lorena Ochoa
Ranked #1 in the world … Became first LPGA golfer to earn over $4 million in one season ($4,364,994 in 2007) … Won eight events in 2007 en route to her second-straight Rolex Player of the Year, Vare Trophy … Won her first major, the 2007 Women’s British Open, by four strokes … Won six times in first 11 tournaments played in 2008.
Annika Sorenstam
Won three tournaments and posted eight top 10 finishes in her first 11 starts on the LPGA Tour in 2008 … Recorded six top-10 finishes while playing just 13 events in 2007 due to a back injury … Second in LPGA world ranking.
Phil Mickelson
Won three tournaments in 2007 … Recorded over $5.8 million in prize money in 2007 … Ranked #2 player in the world … Won two tournaments early in the 2008 season.
BEST JOCKEY
Garrett K. Gomez
Rode 266 winners in 2007…His purses exceeded $23.8 million.
Robby Albarado
Rode Curlin to victory in Breeders Cup Classic … Rode 253 winners in 2007… His purses exceeded $19.3 million.
Kent Desormeaux
Rode Big Brown to victory in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in 2008.
BEST OUTDOOR ATHLETE
Skeet Reese, Angler
Won a BASS event in 2007.
Lance Mackey, Dog Musher
Won Iditarod in 2007 and 2008 and Yukon Quest the last four years (2005-08) … He is the only musher to ever win both races in same year and now he has done it twice … In 2001 he was diagnosed with neck cancer and underwent surgery and radiation; he is now cancer free.
Skip Storch, Marathon Swimmer
Completed a record swim on August 31, 2007, by circling the island of Manhattan three times in 32 hours, 52 minutes, 30 seconds … The 50-year-old beat the previous record by 37:30, and set a record for two trips around Manhattan, which he did in 20:56:17 … After the swim he was briefly hospitalized for muscle tears, abrasions and hypothermia.
Captain Scott Smiley, Mountain Climber
Believed to be the only blind person to climb Mount Rainier (7/17/2007) … Smiley, a platoon leader, was blinded by a roadside bomb in Mosul, Iraq, on April 6, 2005. He needed four surgeries after shrapnel damaged both eyes … Smiley was named the Army Times Soldier of the Year in 2007.
Dave Hahn, Mountain Climber
Reached the summit of Mount Everest on May 25 for the 10th time, setting a record for American climbers … Hahn also holds the record for most summits of Vinson Massif (highest point in Antarctica -16,050 feet) with 25.
BEST MALE TENNIS PLAYER
Roger Federer
Won 2007 Wimbledon and U. S. Open … Finished 2007 as #1 ranked player in the world for fourth straight year … Won over $10 million in prize money … Had 68-9 match record in 2007.
Rafael Nadal
Had 70-15 match record in 2007 … Won fourth straight French Open in 2008 … Did not lose a set during 2008 French Open.
Novak Djokovic
Won 2008 Australian Open … Moved up to #3 in world rankings.
Bob and Mike Bryan
Number one doubles team in the world … Combined to post 77-9 doubles record in 2007.
BEST FEMALE TENNIS PLAYER
Justine Henin
Won 2007 U.S. Open … Won 10 tournaments during 2007 season … Finished 2007 as #1 ranked player in the world … Retired in 2008 while still holding #1 ranking.
Maria Sharapova
Won 2008 Australian Open without losing a set … Totaled three tournament wins in first four months of 2008 … Also spent time ranked #1 in the world in 2008.
Ana Ivanovic
Earned her first Grand Slam singles title, winning 2008 French Open … Lost just one set in winning that championship … Moved into #1 spot in world rankings in 2008.
BEST TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETE
Tyson Gay
Beat Asafa Powell in 100 meters at World Outdoor Track and Field Championships … Won three gold medals at Worlds, including 100 and 200-meters and 4 X 100 M … Set 100 M meet record at 2007 USA Outdoor Championship (9.84) … Ran wind-aided 9.68 seconds to win the 100 final at the 2008 U.S. Olympic track and field trials.
Allyson Felix
Second woman to win three golds at World Track and Field Outdoor Championships in 2007 … Won 200, 400 and 4X 400 M relay … Won the 200 M in a personal best of 21.81, the fastest time run by a woman this century.
Jeremy Wariner
Won 400 and 1600 relay in World Outdoor Track and Field Championship … Posted a personal-best time of 43.45 at that event … Ranked #1 in the world in the 400 M for four straight years.
Usain Bolt
Broke world record in 100-meters (9.72) in a meet in New York … Shattered record previously held by Asafa Powell.
SPONSORED AWARDS
HUMMER “LIKE NOTHING ELSE” AWARD
Manny Ramirez high 5’s a fan, and then throws out the runner at second base
Sidney Crosby scores an OT goal in the snow – outdoors in Buffalo – on New Year’s Day
Ashley Force the first female to win a funny car national event and she beat her dad to win the southern nationals.
George Martin walks across America
UNDER ARMOUR UNDENIABLE MOMENT
The Little League World Series Championship Game is being recognized (Dalton Carriker’s walk off home run in the bottom of the 8th inning (extra innings) gives Warner Robins Georgia a 3-2 win over Tokyo).
SPECIAL AWARDS
ARTHUR ASHE COURAGE AWARD
2008 Recipients: John Carlos and Tommie Smith
The 1968 Olympic medalists stirred emotions at home and abroad by raising their fists in the air, while on the podium in Mexico City receiving their medals.
JIMMY V AWARD FOR PERSEVERANCE
2008 Recipient: Kevin Everett, former Buffalo Bills TE
After suffering what was deemed a paralyzing spinal cord injury during an NFL game, he has gone through rehab and is walking again.
BEST COMEBACK
2008 Recipient: Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers
After several years battling addiction issues, he has played up to his potential during the 2008 season, posting Triple Crown contending numbers.
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