(this appears in my column in Business Mirror today, December 10, 2007)
Welcome to the second ever Brewskies Awards (our year-end awards) where we hand out no-prizes to sportsmen and women as well as to events that made 2007 very memorable.
Music up and under: Bad Manners’ “Special Brew”
Best Welcome to the Big Leagues Greeting
Former Miami Heat forward James Posey – living up to his billing as Chicago Public Enemy #1, Posey breaks Bulls’ rookie Tyrus Thomas’s nose in the first game for both teams for the 2006-07 season.
Some People Never Learn Award
Brian Viloria. Given two chances to reclaim his world title belt, he comes out flat and loses twice.
Next HBO Fight Blockbuster
Joey Crawford vs. Tim Duncan
Freefall of the Year
After setting the tennis world on fire after winning everything in sight, Roger Federer lost to Guillermo Canas in the second round of the Pacific Life Open. The loss also ended his bid to break Guillermo Vilas’ record of 46 consecutive wins in a row and to tie eight-title wins in a row.
Federer would lose again to Canas in the next tournament the Sony Ericsson Open then back-to-back losses to Rafael Nadal in the Monte Carlo Masters and an exhibition match that was played on a half-clay and half-grass court. Then he lost to Filippo Volandri in the third round of the Rome Masters.
Honorable Mention: The UE Red Warriors for bombing out of the UAAP once more.
Disappearing Act of the Year
Chicago Bears Quarterback Rex Grossman during Super Bowl XLI.
Honorable Mention: Dirk Nowitski in First Round vs. Golden State Warriors
The Ron Artest Team Player of the Year Award
Jose Antonio Reyes of Arsenal/Real Madrid. Reyes was the player who Spanish National Coach Luis Aragones addressed his infamous racist remarks about Thierry Henry. Reyes and Henry were teammates at Arsenal at that time. Although he was indirectly involved in that incident, Reyes ironically has been one very controversial player. His first ever goal for the Gunners was an own goal. He was also caught on tape as saying that he didn’t like London and playing for Arsenal and that he longed to go back to his native Spain. He did get his wish as he was loaned to Real Madrid where he helped them win the La Liga. Unfortunately, he was shipped to Atletico Madrid in the off-season.
Zinedine Zidane Award for Headbutt of the Year
Jorge Solis on Manny Pacquiao. Solis’ cabezada in the sixth round whether intentional or not, woke up the Pacman from his listlessness and angered him. Knocking him down twice in the eighth round and winning the fight.
Mark Benitez Scholarship Award
PCU’s “Jaypee Importante” and whatever the hell his real name is.
The Scapegoat Award
The New York Yankees. After starting the season on a losing note, the Yankees fire rookie Conditioning Coach Marty Miller allegedly for the cause of the team’s many injuries. After another disappointing play-offs, the Yanks tell their players to take off-season conditioning seriously. Hmm.
The American Idle Award
Carl Pavano. In 2005, the New York Yankees signed pitcher Pavano to almost $40 million for four years. But in three years he’s only pitched 19 games with a record of 5-6. He has been on the disabled list for the better part of the three years he’s been with the Yankees.
The British Idle Award
Andriy Shevchenko, Chelsea FC. One of the blockbuster moves of football’s 2006-07 season was all but a dud. Hear that AC Milan is willing to take him back.
Best Doug Moe Impersonation
Golden State’s Don Nelson. His Warriors never met a shot they didn’t like.
Best Trash Talk of the Year
Tiger Woods vs. Michael Jordan at the Wachovia Pro-Am
Honorable Mention:
Ariel Vanguardia vs. Franz Pumaren in Fil Oil Pre-Season Tournament
Comeback of the Year
Real Madrid vs. Espanyol. Down 3-nil at the half, the Los Blancos score four goals afterwards.
Gag Me With A Spoon Award
Jason Giambi. Long suspected of using steroids, Giambi has been off the hook for a while what with all the attention given to Barry Bonds. Probably missing being in the news himself, he suddenly admits that “it was wrong to use that stuff” to a journalist prompting a reopening of the case against him. Said Yankees owner George Steinbrenner,himself ever so quotable, "Shut up, Jason."
Hotdog of the Year Award
Joey Chestnut current holder of the Mustard Yellow Belt for eating the most number of Nathan’s hotdogs in Coney Island. Chestnut beat Takeru Kobayashi, the six-time winner of the event by devouring 66 hotdogs in 12 minutes. That’s one hotdog for every 10.9 seconds. When Chestnut first dated his wife he took her to a hotdog stand foreshadowing his future gastronomic exploits.
Sour Grapes Award of the Year
FEU’s Anton Montinola and Mark Molina who like jilted lovers asked ex-Baby Tamaraws Mark Lopez and Socrates Rivera to pay back school dues they accrued during their years with FEU-FERN after they transferred to the University of the Philippines for college.
No Balls Award of the Year
The UAAP Board. Our two-time awardee for their failure to police their ranks and for passing midnight laws to suit the whims of member schools.
The Magic Johnson Award
LeBron James for passing up shots at the most crucial of situations.
Best Demonstration of Gratitude
Real Madrid for showing manager Fabio Capello the pink slip for the second time. In 1996, Capello’s first year with the club, he led them to the La Liga title and was given the boot after. In his second go-around with the Spanish giants in 2006-07, Madrid rallies in the season’s second half to win but Capello is still booted out. Much of it has to do with the internal strife he caused with his benching of players and his poor rapport with fans.
Honorable Mention:
San Beda College for sacking Koy Banal who led the Red Lions to their first NCAA crown after 28 years.
Tigas Award
UST for trying to field former ace gunner Jojo Duncil in spite of birth certificate irregularities.
Mr. Fix-it Award
Tom Donaghy. One man out. One league down.
He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother Award
Franz Pumaren. After younger brother, Dindo, coach of the UE Red Warriors, thrashed Franz’s Green Archers in the first round UAAP Men’s Basketball 96-76, the elder Pumaren walked past the victorious coach without even shaking his hand.
Front Row Tickets to Euro 2008 Finals
Team England. All they had to do was draw with Croatia. Instead, the team that they pooh-poohed as not being good enough to play in the English Premier League beat them 3-2 to send the Three Lions home with their tail between their legs.
The Ambassador of Kwan Award
Alex Rodriguez. Need we explain?
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