We here at weworemasks try to branch out as often as possible – though you may not see it much. Usually every year around this time we have a user-submitted list post that goes live and features a list very similar to this one. My cousin, an alumni of The Ohio State University (Look, I had to say it.), has been putting together a “Top 10 Moments in Sports” list for two years, but it’s never been as in-depth and interactive as it was this year – thus, I gave him his own post.

Without further ado, here’s the Top 10 Moments in Professional Sports, as per Vishal Bhatt. If you dig this piece, be sure to follow him on twitter or his newly created tumblr page.

-grizzly

Top 10 Moments in Sports for 2010 by Vishal B.

Honorable Mention:

Shaun White – Olympics

Wins gold and completes a variety of insane tricks during the Winter Olympics.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

USC and Reggie Bush

USC post-season ineligible for two years, loses scholarships. Reggie Bush loses Heisman and it’s as if he never was at USC.

UConn Women’s Basketball

Definitely a “pending top 10 mention.” If they end up breaking UCLA’s streak of consecutive wins, they will be on the top 10 next year. Until then, it’s just women’s basketball. The current streak is at 87, the record is 88 and UConn’s next game is against Ohio State (December 19) who is in the top 10.

The Top 10 Sports Moments of 2010

10. Tiger Woods: The face of Golf

Tiger Woods was at the top of the golf world, and suddenly had everything taken from him. Tiger started off the year with his apology. In a monotone voice and awful blue curtain background, Tiger managed to emerge and on his way to recovery. Soon after, we’d learn that Tiger was going to come back to play for the Masters. Here, Woods would have an amazing showing, finishing tied for 4^th. That was as high as his golf game would get in 2010. Tiger would end up losing every tournament he played in and lost his number 1 ranking as well. The man who was at the top of the world tried two new things: changing his swing and changing his facial hair (see: “tiger goatee fail”)

As for the rest of the golf world? Well here were your winners in case you stopped watching after Tiger fell out of contention:

Masters winner: Phil Mickelson
U.S. Open winner: Graeme McDowell
British Open Championship winner: Louis Oosthuizen
PGA Championship winner: Martin Kaymer

See also: The Apology.

9. NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois

The first top moment in the Stanley Cup Playoffs happened in the second round between the Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins. The Bruins held a commanding 3-0 series lead, and needed one more win to advance to the conference finals. Instead they let Philadelphia come back to force a game 7. In game 7, Boston went up 3 goals to 0, and again let it slip away from their hands losing 4-3. One of the most remarkable comebacks we’ve seen in awhile.

See also: The Comeback [VIDEO]

The Flyers would carry the momentum past the conference finals and meet the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Final. One of the most entertaining series’ as far as goal-scoring goes finally ended in the 6^th game when Patrick Kane hit the game-winning shot in overtime to give the Blackhawks their first Stanley Cup since 1961. Kane’s goal almost went unnoticed, even to the hockey announcers who have super-human sight. It was that good of a goal. Jonathan Toews ended up winning the MVP and the young Blackhawk team finally showed their potential with this victory.

See also: The game winning goal [VIDEO]

8. MLB Playoffs and World Series
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; San Francisco, California; Arlington, Texas

Kind of combined the two into one, due mostly to Roy Halladay’s no hitter in his first ever post-season game with the Phillies. In game 1 against the Cincinnati Reds, Roy Halladay became the second pitcher to ever throw a no-hitter in the post-season. And became the first player to throw two no-hitters (one was a perfect game) in one year.

See also: Roy Halladay’s final out

In what looked as though it was going to be the Yankees and Phillies in the World Series, when the improbable happened and both teams lost. The Texas Rangers and the San Francisco Giants both ended up making the World Series. The Giants were one of the few teams who were able to have their way with Cliff Lee, the Rangers ace who was simply unstoppable in the postseason. In 5 games, the Giants got their first World Series since 1954. Edgar Renteria was the MVP. As for Barry Bonds? He was seen crying at the local “supplement” shop outside the stadium. When asked why he was crying, he replied “I’m just so emotional for some reason.” Hmmmm.

(Note: Barry Bonds was not seen crying, it is just a little humor)

See also: Renteria’s go-ahead HR [VIDEO]

7. Wimbledon Match: John Isner and Nicolas Mahut
London, UK

Vodpod videos no longer available.

This is one of those events that will not only be remembered for years to come, but one of those events that will stand the test of time. Due to Wimbledon rules, the final set does not have any tiebreakers so games are played until the player wins by 2. This is why we got the match that we did. Isner and Mahut played a tennis match that lasted over 11 hours over a span of three days. The last set alone lasted over 8 hours. In total 183 games were played.

The final was won by Isner with the scores: 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (3), 70-68

6. World Cup Soccer: Team USA
South Africa

I’m not a diehard soccer fan. Hell, wouldn’t even call myself a soccer fan in general. As one of the most played recreational sports as children, soccer is popular in that sense (until the kids grow up and learn its irrelevance – ha ha). However this event did give me something to watch while at work (compliments of espn3.com). The fact that this sport is a worldwide phenomenon and a great event is the reason why it’s so high on the list. Plus you can read the word “vuvuzela” and know exactly what it is and the annoyance that surrounds it.

See also: The Vuvuzela [VIDEO]

However, just like #5 on this list, this time around there was a lot of pride and excitement around Team USA. Getting past their group play and into the round of 16 was a definite step up from recent play. After tying the first two games against England and Slovenia, The United States needed to get a win to ensure a spot in the round of 16. During the final minutes of an “exiting” 0-0 game, Landon Donovan would hit a goal that will be remembered for many years to come.

See also: Donovan’s game winner against Algeria [VIDEO]

5. Winter Olympics: Hockey Gold Medal Game
Vancouver, Canada

What makes this game so exciting is that fact that it was not only the Gold Medal game, but it was Team USA versus Team Canada. Hockey stars from both countries, some that play on the same NHL teams, were going against each other. Superstars against superstars playing with other superstars. You get that?

The rivalry between the two countries was at an all-time high, and American pride was flying at its highest – especially for hockey. The game was as epic as the match-up. Canada would go up 2-0 and looking to upset Team USA. Down 2-1 in the third and final period, in the final minute of the game, Team USA puts one in the net, and we head to overtime. In OT, Sidney Crosby, one of the top superstars in the NHL today hits the game winner and Team Canada wins the Gold Medal in the 2010 Winter Olympics. This game winner by Crosby destroyed the hearts of American ones. Hell, even some Canadians were upset.

See also: The Game-winning goal by Sidney Crosby [VIDEO]

4. NBA Finals
Los Angeles, California; Boston, Massachusetts

The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics squared off in another NBA Finals as we got to watch a seven game series between one of the biggest rivalries in sports. We saw Kobe dominate the first six games of the series helping the Lakers win when they did; while the Celtics had different players step up at different times to get their three victories.

In Game 7 of the NBA Finals in Los Angeles, started off as a relatively close game. However in the third quarter, the veteran Celtic team would get up as many as 13 points, and looked to be cruising to another NBA championship as Kobe Bryant was struggling. However other Lakers’ players would step up, complete the comeback and go on to win their second consecutive championship and avenged their 2008 Finals loss to Boston.

This was Phil Jackson’s 11^th Championship as a coach, and Kobe’s 5^th championship and second consecutive Finals MVP. We even got a Ron Artest hip-hop song out of it!

Game 7 Highlights:

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See also: Ron Artest Speech [VIDEO]
See also: Ron Artest – Champions [MUSIC VIDEO]

3. Super Bowl XLIV
Miami, Florida

The New Orleans Saints, only years after the city of NO was devastated by Hurricane Katrina, made the Super Bowl, only to play Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. After narrowly escaping the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship game, the Saints were looking to bring the city of New Orleans even more hope with a Super Bowl victory.

Drew Brees had an amazing year, but he would have to face Peyton Manning who was coming off winning his fourth MVP and not many people outside of New Orleans were giving the Saints a chance. After jumping off to a 10-0 start, the Colts looked as if they were going to win their second Super Bowl under Peyton Manning. The Saints wouldn’t give up that easily were only down 10-6 at halftime. Right out of halftime would come one of the gutsiest calls we have ever seen in a game of this magnitude. The Saints would attempt an onside kick, and catch the Colts by complete surprise and go on to score.

See also: The Onside Kick [VIDEO]

Flip-flopping back and forth the Saints would find themselves up 24-17 and had to stop Peyton Manning and the Colts offense from scoring. Deep in Saints territory, Peyton Manning was intercepted and the pick was returned for a touchdown, all but sealing the Saints’ victory and biggest celebration that Bourbon Street would see.

See also: The Interception [VIDEO]

Watch highlights:

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2. NCAA Tournament
Indianapolis, Indiana

The NCAA tournament failed to disappoint us once again. We saw so many upsets this year to many top teams. We saw a Big East power, Georgetown, go down to Ohio University. Then we saw Northern Iowa pull off one of the biggest upsets over the number 1 seeded Kansas Jayhawks.

See also: Northern Iowa upsets Kansas. [VIDEO]

Vodpod videos no longer available.

The biggest surprise of the tournament would be the Butler Bulldogs. This #5 seed quietly got into the sweet 16 and then the rest was in the history books. Beating Syracuse (#1 seed), Kansas State (#2 seed), and then Michigan State (#1 seed) in the Final Four, the Bulldogs would play the Duke Blue Devils (#1). This would be one of the most exciting games that the Championship game produced. A hard fought battle that literally came within inches after Butler’s Gordon Hayward missed a half-court shot at the buzzer. Duke would go on to win the National Championship, as Coach Krzyzewski’s legend continues to grow.

1. The Decision
Greenwich, Connecticut; Miami, Florida; Cleveland, Ohio

Vodpod videos no longer available.

It was the most anticipated free agency in the history of sports. Never have we had the arguably the top player in a sport be a free agent looking to relocate. Lebron James had a lot to think about and this was not only a big deal in sports, but in general. Whether you watch the NBA or not, this was one of those moments in history that will be looked back on for years and years to come.

In an unprecedented announcement Lebron James decided to hold an hour special on ESPN. Here was the catch: It would on Lebron’s terms. For a company like ESPN to miss out on this opportunity would be costly, but the criticism they would receive was a media nightmare. Many people faulted the way Lebron handled leaving the city he grew up in, the city he led to the NBA Finals (only to lose) in the worst way possible.

The city of Cleveland retaliated, which started with the owner of the Cavs in his letter to Lebron. I won’t mention that the owner’s use of Comic Sans MS in this letter was the true disaster. Lebron would eventually come out with his own Nike commercial addressing his character. Many spoofs would soon hit youtube. Then Lebron made his return to the Cavs in the Heat uniform. Quicken Loans Arena would be home to the boo-birds that started off booing Lebron and ended with booing their Cavs who failed to show up to the game.

The Return:

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What Should I Do:

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See also: Noteworthy spoofs:

Steve Carell and Paul Rudd’s “Decision”
South Park’s response to Lebron’s Nike commercial
The Cleveland response to Lebron’s Nike commercial
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I hope you all enjoyed the list. I also normally do a “top album list,” but due to my laziness, I didn’t hear nearly as many albums to truly critique all of them on a scale. Instead I decided to make a more comprehensive and detailed “top sports moment” list. Hoping that I entertained those who share my love for sports and music. If you got any comments or questions, don’t be afraid to comment. You can tweet at me whenever, especially if you like healthy discussions about sports (and even music at times).

Much love to Grizzly, Panda, Sunbear for giving me a guest post on their site.

Here’s to a great 2011.

Cheers,

Vishal

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Grizzly footnote: For any readers out there, if you have an interesting concept for any variety of topics that you feel needs to be shared, you know where to find us. I’m positive we’d approve of the “guest post” and allow the measly platform that you desire. For the record, this does not include your run of the mill album or show review. But let’s say for example – a band’s final show, a reunion show or a one-off from a defunct band – good to go. There’s a wide range of topics involved here, so be sure to shoot any ideas over to weworemasks@gmail.com.