When you tune in to watch the 2009 ESPY awards show on Sunday night don't worry if you wonder what fans were thinking. I scratched my head a couple of times during the taping at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles.
Here's where I think I differ from the voting public.
In the category of Best Upset, the choices were: last season's Oregon State victory over USC, the Tampa Bay Rays beating the Red Sox in the ALCS to get into the World Series, USA Soccer's recent upset of Spain in the Confederations Cup and Mine That Bird's win at the Kentucky Derby. The winner was USA Soccer.
I would have picked Mine That Bird. Does that make me unpatriotic?
In the category of Best Female Athlete, the choices were: Serena Williams, Maya Moore of U Conn, Candace Parker, Nastia Liukin, Team USA Olympic women's all-around gold medal winner and Natalie Couglin, Team USA Olympic swimmer. The winner was Nastia Lukin.
Again, am I unpatriotic to have rooted for Serena Williams? I don't think so. It's the incomparable number of Grand Slam trophies for the last year that are sitting in her home. And I include the championships she won with sister Venus in the doubles competition.
When you tune in to watch the 2009 ESPY awards show on Sunday night don't worry if you wonder what fans were thinking. I scratched my head a couple of times during the taping at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles. For a complete list of the winners, click here. And for a slide show, click here.
Here's where I think I differ from the voting public.
In the category of Best Upset, the choices were: last season's Oregon State victory over USC, the Tampa Bay Rays beating the Red Sox in the ALCS to get into the World Series, USA Soccer's recent upset of Spain in the Confederations Cup and Mine That Bird's win at the Kentucky Derby. The winner was USA Soccer.
I would have picked Mine That Bird. Does that make me unpatriotic?
In the category of Best Female Athlete, the choices were: Serena Williams, Maya Moore of U Conn, Candace Parker, Nastia Liukin, Team USA Olympic women's all-around gold medal winner and Natalie Couglin, Team USA Olympic swimmer. The winner was Nastia Lukin.
Again, am I unpatriotic to have rooted for Serena Williams? I don't think so. It's the incomparable number of Grand Slam trophies for the last year that are sitting in her home. And I include the championships she won with sister Venus in the doubles competition.
While I merely disagreed on those two awards, the next one got me a bit agitated. In the category of Best Game the nominees were: the 2009 Super Bowl, the six-OT game in this year's Big East basketball tournament between Syracuse and U Conn and Nadal vs. Federer in the 2008 Wimbledon final. And the winner was, the Super Bowl.
Come on. now. The clips of that basketball game helped me recall just how drained the athletes were, how many had fouled out and the toughness of those that were left on the court. I know it wasn't the final game and some deference has to be given to that. Although the Steelers win over the Arizona Cardinals was an exciting game and the final catch by Santonio Holmes was spectacular, the game ended in regulation and I still am suspect of the calls at the end of the game.
OK, that's it for my level of dissatisfaction. One of the gossipy tid-bits you come up with when you're live on the scene is to see who the stars think is the top dog at the show. Answer: undoubtedly Kobe Bryant was the sun and all other planet-types were spinning around him.
Even TO, who was sitting in the same row but a few seats away, got up with his lady friend for the evening and walked the 10 feet over to Kobe's seat. He introduced his date to Kobe and Mrs. Kobe and slapped hands as he smiled up a storm.
Look for some very funny bits of comedy with host Samuel L. Jackson. And Twitter makes its debut at an awards show at the expense of some audience members. Hint: an LA Galaxy star was a bit chastened.
While I merely disagreed on those two awards, the next one got me a bit agitated. In the category of Best Game the nominees were: the 2009 Super Bowl, the six-OT game in this year's Big East basketball tournament between Syracuse and U Conn and Nadal vs. Federer in the 2008 Wimbledon final. And the winner was, the Super Bowl.
Come on. now. The clips of that basketball game helped me recall just how drained the athletes were, how many had fouled out and the toughness of those that were left on the court. I know it wasn't the final game and some deference has to be given to that. Although the Steelers win over the Arizona Cardinals was an exciting game and the final catch by Santonio Holmes was spectacular, the game ended in regulation and I still am suspect of the calls at the end of the game.
OK, that's it for my level of dissatisfaction. One of the gossipy tid-bits you come up with when you're live on the scene is to see who the stars think is the top dog at the show. Answer: undoubtedly Kobe Bryant was the sun and all other planet-types were spinning around him.
Even TO, who was sitting in the same row but a few seats away, got up with his lady friend for the evening and walked the 10 feet over to Kobe's seat. He introduced his date to Kobe and Mrs. Kobe and slapped hands as he smiled up a storm.
Look for some very funny bits of comedy with host Samuel L. Jackson. And Twitter makes its debut at an awards show at the expense of some audience members. Hint: an LA Galaxy star was a bit chastened.
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