2018 was a memorable year for sports. From long droughts being ended to first time victors, history was seemingly made every month of the year. So let’s take a look back at some champions (and one non-champ) in the sports world.
First Time Champions
Philadelphia Eagles – Super Bowl 52
As a New England boy this one stung. The Eagles were led through much of the 2017 campaign by second year quarterback, Carson Wentz. But a major knee injury late in the season sidelined Wentz and thrust Nick Foles into the starting role. Following the injury to Wentz everyone wrote off the Eagles. Philadelphia used the ‘”underdog” mantra as fuel and went on a terrific run to capture their first Super Bowl title over the defending champion New England Patriots. Like I said, I’m a Pats guy so I’ll go to my grave telling you that Alshon Jeffrey was offsides on the “Philly Special” and that Corey Clement never had possession of the ball while inbounds on his touchdown. However, you have to give credit where credit is due and the Eagles deserve it all.
Washington Capitals – Stanley Cup Finals
For years the same question was asked….”Is this the Caps year?” For years the answer was the same….no. Suddenly the question wasn’t getting asked anymore. A few still remained, but many people gave up on it being the Caps year. Then the Washington Capitals won it all. Led by Alexander Ovechkin, the Capitals played like a team possessed and won their first Stanley Cup over the expansion Vegas Golden Knights in five games. Along the way they faced their Everest, the Pittsburgh Penguins, and finally were triumphant over the club who had ended their season so many times.
USA Men’s Curling – Winter Olympics
Some are calling it “The MiraCurl on Ice”. After years of misery in curling, Team USA shocked the world and won their first ever gold medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea. The team of John Shuster, Tyler George, Matt Hamilton, John Landsteiner, and Joe Polo was considered the Misfit team. Their skip, Shuster, was constantly criticized for his play in recent Olympics. Then it all changed in 2018. A 5-4 record in round robin play got the team to the playoffs where they topped Canada and Sweden en-route to gold and one of the greatest stories of the 2018 Winter Olympics.
UMBC Retrievers – NCAA Basketball (Not Champions…but a 1st timer)
The Retrievers didn’t go too far in the NCAA Tournament, but they made history in one of their two games. As a #16 seed they took on the #1 seed, Virginia Cavaliers, in their opening round matchup. Prior to their meeting no #16 seed had ever beaten a #1 seed. The Retrievers changed that handmade history with a 74-54 victory. The excitement for the club didn’t last long as they were beaten by Kansas St. in the round of 36. Despite the quick exit, the UMBC Retrievers will be remembered throughout history.
The Return To Glory
Boston Red Sox – World Series
The Red Sox lost their first game of the 2018 campaign in an ugly way. They then went on to win 108 games in the regular season and go 11-3 in the playoffs to become the first team in the 21st century to win four World Series titles. After four seasons without a title, the Sox regained baseball supremacy with what will go down as one of the greatest teams in the history of the MLB.
USA Women’s Hockey – Winter Olympics
20 years after their last gold medal in the Winter Olympics, the USA women’s hockey team gained gold again. After a devastating loss in 2014 against the Canadians, the American women got their redemption in 2018. Trailing 2-1 entering the third period the Lamoureux twins took over for America. Monique Lamoureux tied the game up in the third and in the shootout her twin sister, Jocelyne, scored one of the greatest shootout goals you eyes will ever see. 20-year-old goalie, Maddie Rooney, made the final stop for Team USA and they celebrated gold for the first time in 20 years.
Tiger Woods – 80th Career PGA Tour Win
Five years. That’s how long it had been since Tiger Woods last saw the winners circle. That all changed on a fall day in Atlanta, GA. Woods had tried to return from injury a few times over the five year period but they always ended in another injury. 2018 was different. Woods was back and was contending. It was only a matter of time before Tiger won again. And he finally did in the final tournament of 2018. As he walked up the 18th fairway he was followed by a mob of fans. When his final putt fell it looked like a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders and gave us a glimpse of what could come in the future.
Dynasties Forged
Golden State Warriors – NBA Finals
I won’t say much about this one. The Warriors were stacked. They should’ve won and they did. Boring.
Alabama Crimson Tide – CFB National Championship
See above. Only exciting thing about this one was that Tua Tagovailoa came into the game and gave one of the greatest performances you’ll see from a freshman backup. Outside of that….boring.
–Kevin Maggiore
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