2008 Woodie Awards
2004: A tumultuous year in sports
Michael S. Miller Jr.
Issue date: 12/14/04 Section: Athletics
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On Friday, Nov. 19th, Ron Artest charged into the stands at the Palace at Auburn Hills and attacked a fan after having a cup of liquid thrown at him. Artest was attempting to stay out of a dispute between Pacers players and Pistons players after a hard foul he commited on Ben Wallace. In one of the worst moments in sports history, a huge brawl broke out among players and fans, with punches and popcorn being thrown with reckless abandon. After it was all over, prosecuters filed misdemeanor charges against five Pacers players and several fans.
In a follow-up incident, Latrell Sprewell was suspended a game last Tuesday by the NBA for yelling a sexual vulgarity to a female fan during a Timberwolves/ Clippers game. Sprewell is also known for choking his former coach, P.J. Carlisimo at a practice in 1997. Sprewell was originally suspended for a year, but the suspension was later reduced to 68 games.
The NBA's already shaky image is becoming increasingly unappealing. For a change, Philadelphia was not involved in a fan-player dispute. Days after the Ron Artest melee, the 76ers beat the Washington Wizards in overtime after a game-winning steal and bucket from Allen Iverson.
After the play, Iverson jumped into the stands and, in sharp contrast with what happened in Detroit, celebrated with fans instead of punching them. Congratulations Philly fans, we are off the hook. At least for a little while. The brawls weren't limited to basketball. On Nov. 27, in what should have been a game honoring legendary coach Lou Holtz on his retirement, players form Clemson and South Carolina broke out into an ugly fight late in the fourth quarter. The fight caused both teams to lose possible bowl bids. This combined with the fight in Detroit, was part of an embarrassing week for sports.
The Major League baseballseason was one for the ages. The Boston Red Sox won their first World Series since 1918. Before absolutely dominating the St. Louis Cardinals in four games, the idiot crew came back from three games to none to shock the Yankees in the ALCS. Curt Schilling pitched heroically even with a stiched up ankle. The celebration continues in New England but the baseball world is ridden with the stench of the steroids scandal. Barry Bonds' career is in question after he reportedly admitted to a federal grand jury that he used substances he didn't know were steroids. There is no question what a great player Bonds is, but it's impossible to tell where he'd be without using steroids.
In 2004, many lines were crossed. We saw the greatest of sport in the Red Sox and some of the worst player/ fan behavior ever witnessed. The steroid scandal will continue to damage baseball for a long time. Let's just hope we don't see the worst of 2004 in 2005.
In a follow-up incident, Latrell Sprewell was suspended a game last Tuesday by the NBA for yelling a sexual vulgarity to a female fan during a Timberwolves/ Clippers game. Sprewell is also known for choking his former coach, P.J. Carlisimo at a practice in 1997. Sprewell was originally suspended for a year, but the suspension was later reduced to 68 games.
The NBA's already shaky image is becoming increasingly unappealing. For a change, Philadelphia was not involved in a fan-player dispute. Days after the Ron Artest melee, the 76ers beat the Washington Wizards in overtime after a game-winning steal and bucket from Allen Iverson.
After the play, Iverson jumped into the stands and, in sharp contrast with what happened in Detroit, celebrated with fans instead of punching them. Congratulations Philly fans, we are off the hook. At least for a little while. The brawls weren't limited to basketball. On Nov. 27, in what should have been a game honoring legendary coach Lou Holtz on his retirement, players form Clemson and South Carolina broke out into an ugly fight late in the fourth quarter. The fight caused both teams to lose possible bowl bids. This combined with the fight in Detroit, was part of an embarrassing week for sports.
The Major League baseballseason was one for the ages. The Boston Red Sox won their first World Series since 1918. Before absolutely dominating the St. Louis Cardinals in four games, the idiot crew came back from three games to none to shock the Yankees in the ALCS. Curt Schilling pitched heroically even with a stiched up ankle. The celebration continues in New England but the baseball world is ridden with the stench of the steroids scandal. Barry Bonds' career is in question after he reportedly admitted to a federal grand jury that he used substances he didn't know were steroids. There is no question what a great player Bonds is, but it's impossible to tell where he'd be without using steroids.
In 2004, many lines were crossed. We saw the greatest of sport in the Red Sox and some of the worst player/ fan behavior ever witnessed. The steroid scandal will continue to damage baseball for a long time. Let's just hope we don't see the worst of 2004 in 2005.
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