It is 4 days into the new year, 2013. So I may be a little bit late, but I wanted to take a look back at 2012 and highlight of few of the exciting things that happened last year. For me, it was one of the wildest and craziest, yet most exciting years I have ever had. Actually, 8 of the 12 months were fairly normal, just day to day living. But the 4 months from April to July were some of the craziest of my life. I crammed as many life changing experiences as I possibly could into those 4 months. First I graduated college at the beginning of April, two weeks later I got married, followed up shortly by moving to a new city, San Francisco, and to top it all off I started my first real job out of college.
I could write an entire article about all the ups and the downs of my personal life in 2012, but that is not the point of this blog. I am here to write about sports and sports only. So instead of me giving you the details about my wedding or what it was like to look for an apartment in a city we had never been to, lets look back on 2012 from a sports prospective. I want to focus on my top 5 memories of the year in sports. I could have included many different things that happened this year like the most boring college football national championship game ever played, or an average quarterback, Eli Manning, miraculously winning another Super Bowl over one of the games all-time greatest, or even my new home town team winning their second World Series in three years and what it was like to attend their parade in downtown San Francisco, but I did not pick any of those moments. Instead I picked 5 moments that made me remember why sports are so special. In a world that is so full of sadness and tragedy, sports have the ability to bring so much happiness and joy. These 5 moments gave me a great sports high, and reminded me of when I was a kid in Tucson. When I was younger, my parents encouraged me to keep a journal. I have since found that journal and after reading through it found that it includes nothing of great significance from my childhood, instead it is full of my experiences with sports and my favorites teams. These 5 moments, my top 5 moments of the year, are what I would call "journal worthy" moments. But instead of writing them in my own personal journal, I am putting them on the blog. So lets begin:
5. April 21 and August 15
This is a two part experience and one that I did not live personally, but I lived it vicariously through my brother-in-law, Michael. On April 21, I was not focused on sports, instead, I was doing other things, like getting married. But after the wedding, we went home to my wife's family home to rest before the reception. As we got home, her brother Michael was watching a Mariner's game, which he did almost every day. But he did not have a happy look on his face, instead he looked sad and upset. We soon realized that the opposing pitcher for the White Sox, Phillip Humber, was on the verge of pitching a perfect game against the Mariners. Michael was devastated. This is the kind of thing that is exciting to see happen when it happens to any team except your own. When it was all done, Humber did throw a perfect game. I did not think too much of it and just went on with the rest of my day.
Four months later on August 15, I was at work when I got a text from Michael telling me that Felix Hernandez, the Mariner's ace was in the 6th inning of a perfect game. I was shocked that he would tell me, assuming that verbally acknowledging it would jinx it. But I guess a text is not a verbal acknowledgment. To make it even better, Michael was at the game sitting in King Felix's cheering section. Hernandez did throw a perfect game and all the sadness that Mike had experienced month's earlier when it happened to his team was instantly sucked away and spit back out as an overwhelming feeling of happiness and satisfaction. After the game and over the next few days, Michael and I talked about what it was like to be at a perfect game. As I saw how happy he was, it reminded me of the joy sports can bring into someone's life. He still to this day, months later, feels so much pride that he got to be there for such a historical event. So much so that for Christmas, his mom framed his King Felix shirt and "K" sign that he was given for sitting in his cheering section along with his ticket, and the Seattle Times newspaper from the next day. On Christmas day, there was smoke and a funny smell in the upstairs of their home and we all needed to evacuate in case of a fire. In the heat of the moment, Michael only had time to grab one thing from burning in the fire, he grabbed his frame which will always be a reminder of that special day he experienced. Luckily, there was no fire, but it was good to see what was most important to him.
4. November 29
When I was younger I decided that when I got married there were only two requirements for my future bride: first, that she like sports, and second, that she like Mountain Dew. I will admit that I took girls on dates simply because they met one or both of those requirements. When I met my now wife, I soon learned that even though she liked sports, she was not as much of a fanatic as I am and she also prefers Dr. Pepper over Mountain Dew. But I guess all her other qualities made up for lacking those other two. She grew up cheering for the teams in Seattle, but mostly because her brothers and dad cheered for them. But none of them were into basketball so she knew little to nothing about the sport. I on the other hand grew up in a town where basketball was king. I had tried to watch both college and NBA games with my wife Stephanie, but she would lose interest in the games after a few minutes would spend the rest of the time on Pinterest. On November 29 I took her to her second Warriors game at Oracle Arena. The first game was fun, but probably did not create a lasting memory on her. In preparation for her second game, I bought her a Warriors shirt, which, since she is a girl, made her happy to have new clothes. She felt like she belonged there and fit in with the other fans. The Warriors were playing the Nuggets to whom they had already lost twice earlier in the month. Golden State fell behind early in the game by double digits and I was concerned that if they did not get back into the game, Steph may want to leave early to avoid traffic. The Warriors did make a run and took the lead back half way through the 4th quarter. The game went back and forth from that point on until with 3 seconds left, with the Warriors leading by 3, they fouled Andre Iguodala behind the 3 point line. After he was fouled, he waived his hands in the air trying to sell that he was fouled in the act of shooting. But he wasn't. He was clearly fouled before he "took a shot:." But the refs did not see it that way and awarded his acting skills with 3 free throws. Iggy dropped in the first two before missing the third. The ball was loose and eventually knocked out of bounds off of the Warriors but with only 0.7 seconds remaining on the clock. Denver in-bounded the ball to Iguodala who pump faked and drained a long jumper giving the Nuggets the victory. But this time, the referees could review the monitor to ensure they got the call right. After what seemed to take several minutes, it was clear that the ball was still in his hands when the game clock expired and the
Warriors won the game. As we left the arena and took the train back to our car, Stephanie was so excited to the point that unless I were to slap her, her smile was not going to be taken from her face. Since that game, she has become an NBA fan. If there is ever a Warriors game on TV, she wants to watch it. But not only does she watch it, she gets into it. She knows all the players names gets so happy when the Warriors win. Her two favorite players are Steph Curry and David Lee. Maybe because her first name is Steph and last name is Lee, but I like to think it is because she likes the way they play. Seeing my wife develop a love for basketball was one of the best moments of my year.
3. April 4
On this day, my younger sister turned 20, but she was an ocean away in Hawaii, and sadly, I forgot to call her. I hope she had a good day, but I know I sure did. The day before I had taken my final test in college and was only lacking the diploma to become a college graduate. When I woke up on the morning of the 4th, I did not have any plans for that night. I assumed I would still be studying and taking finals, but I had finished 3 days earlier than I had anticipated. So I decided I deserved a reward. I was gonna go see my favorite NBA team, the Phoenix Suns play down in Salt Lake City against the Jazz. The only problem was that I did not have tickets and I did not have anyone to go with me. But I was not going to let that get in the way. I called up my friend Kyle, who was at work and asked if he could find a way to take the rest of the day off to go with me to the game. He had to ask his boss for permission, but miraculously, it was granted. And thanks to stubhub.com, I was able to find us tickets for about $4 each. We were on our way to the NBA. A few hours later we found ourselves down in Utah mingled with my least favorite people in the world, Utah Jazz fans. Of course since I was wearing a Suns jersey I got cursed at, booed at, yelled at, and more. I did not want to leave that arena hearing even more taunts from the already annoying Jazz fans.
The game was close from the opening tip and with the Suns leading by two with just over a minute to play, Channing Frye banked in a wild 3 right as the shot clock buzzer went off. But the Jazz would score 5 unanswered points to tie the game with under 30 seconds remaining. Nash then made a fade-away jumper to put the Suns back up by 2, but the Jazz would again respond and tie the game back up with under 10 seconds left. But just as Nash always does, he came up clutch again hitting a leaner from the elbow to give the Suns a two point lead with 1.7 seconds on the clock. The Jazz took a timeout to advance the ball to the front court and in-bounded the ball to C.J. Miles who took a desperation 3 from the corner. He air balled it, but no one from the Suns blocked out Paul Milsap who tipped it in to tie the game. But once again, the tip was after the clock had expired and
the Suns were victorious. There are two things that make me really happy: watching the Suns win and watching the Jazz lose. I was so glad I got to experience both in the same night and walk out of the arena holding my head high.
Side note:
my teams sure have gotten lucky with buzzer instant replay recently.
2. May 13
This day just happened to be Mother's Day and my dad's birthday. But it was also an epic and unforgettable sports day. But this game took place on the other side of the world in Manchester, England. The title of English Premier League was up for grabs between the two Manchester teams, City and United. Going into the final day of the season both teams were tied with 86 points, but City had the advantage in goal difference. As long as Manchester City could beat Queens Park Rangers who were facing relegation, they would win their first title in England since 1968. Going into the fixture, I was not worried about the game, I was sure that my favorite club, Manchester City, would win easily. How could they possibly choke on the final day of the season against one of the worst teams in the league?
City took the lead in the 39th minutes as Pablo Zabaletta scored from the right side of the pitch just outside the six meter box. That would be all the scoring in the first half as City went to the break with the lead. But only 3 minutes into the second half, Joleon Lescott, the Man City defender, tried to clear the ball forward but instead headed the ball backwards right to a QPR player who stuck the ball with his right foot in stride into the back of the net. The match was tied. On this day, a tie would be counted as a loss for City who, unless they won the game, would lose the league title. But things only got worse when in the 66th minute, QPR made a run down the left side of the pitch sending a ball into the box right as Jamie Mackie, the QPR midfielder arrived to meet the cross and head the ball into the goal. Rangers took a 2-1 lead.
From that point on, Man City looked frustrated and deflated. They could not connect on any of the balls into the box and although they got close on a few set pieces, no ball found the goal. City would go into stoppage time still trailing by a goal. Two minutes into stoppage time, David Silva sent a corner kick into the box and found one of City's few tall bodies, Edin Dzeko, who headed the ball into the goal. City got a goal back, but their time was nearly up. It seemed to be too little too late. But just as City did not give up when they were trailing Manchester United by 8 points in the table, they were not going to give up in the final game of the season. In the 4th minute of stoppage time, in what was sure to be City's final chance before the whistle blew, Sergio Aguero, who was completing his first year with the club, had possession of the ball outside of their 18 meter box. He passed the ball down to the Italian, Mario Balotelli, at the top of the box, who fell down but was able to return the ball to Aguero as he made his move in stride. Aguero dodged the first defender and moved to his right who then, falling away from the goal and off-balance, struck the ball with his right foot sending it past the QPR keeper and giving Manchester City the amazing victory and the title of the English Premier League. It was and still is, the greatest Soccer match I have ever seen. I have since
watched the highlights and relived this experience over and over again.
1. December 15
This day was special in two different ways. The excitement started at 10:00 am when Arizona faced off with Nevada in the New Mexico bowl, the first bowl game of the 2012 season. But all the excitement was gone fast as Nevada opened up a quick 21-0 lead. But Arizona would respond by scoring three consecutive touchdowns to tie the game. At half time, it looked like this was going to be a close game as Nevada took a 31-28 lead into the break. But the second half did not go Arizona's way. Nevada scored two touchdowns in the third quarter to take a 17 point lead. Arizona would score at the start of the 4th quarter to bring the lead down to 10, but could not get any sort of offensive momentum and threw an interception and had a punt on their following two possessions. Nevada got the ball with just over 6 minutes remaining and in Arizona territory. They milked the clock and took over 4 minutes to move the ball only 29 yards. Nevada made a field goal taking a 13 point lead with only 1:48 remaining in the game. It was over. Arizona would have to score twice if they wanted to win the game. But they had not been able to move the ball the entire second half and I had given up hope.
The Wildcats got the ball at their own 25 yard line and miraculously, Matt Scott, Arizona's quarterback was able to complete 5 straight passes and in just over a minute, Arizona scored a touchdown. The extra point cut the Nevada lead down to 6, but unless the Cats could recover an onside kick, the game would be over. But that was exactly what happened. Arizona recovered the onside kick and 3 plays later, scored a second touchdown in less than a minute to tie the game. They would add the extra point giving them a one point improbable victory. I was absolutely shocked at what I had witnessed. I watched the replay of the final 3 minutes over and over again unable to believe what I had just seen.
But that was only part one of this memorable day.
That night Arizona's basketball team which was undefeated and ranked 8th at the time, took on the number 5 and also undefeated Florida Gators in Tucson. From the start of the game, Arizona looked out of sync and unable to match Florida. Arizona trailed for the majority of the first half but was able to go on a mini run in the final minutes cutting the Gators lead to 3 at the break. The second half was more of the same as Florida led by double digits. Arizona was able to keep it close, but fell behind by 6 points with under a minute remaining. As long as Florida kept executing their plays as they had and kept making free throws, they would win the game. But the great thing about sports is that they do not always go as planned. Arizona was able to make two free throws to cut the lead down to 4 and on the pursuing in-bounds play, Florida would turn the ball over giving the Cats a chance to reduce their deficit. Soloman Hill drove to the hoop and made a layup. Florida led by just 2. Again as the Gators tried to pass the ball in, Arizona's defense came up with the steal and eventually Grant Jerrett, one of Arizona's freshman was fouled. He would only make one of two free throws forcing the Wildcats to foul on Florida's next possession. If Arizona had made a list of all the players they would not want to foul in this situation, Kenny Boynton would be at the top of that list. But that's who the Cats fouled, sending the 90% free throw shooter to the line. But a miracle happened again, Boynton missed the front end of the one-and-one and Arizona got the rebound. The point guard Mark Lyons brought the ball up court and called a play for himself. He drove the ball right and while leaning away from the basket, put up a shot over Florida's 6'9" center. The ball banked in off the backboard giving Arizona the lead and the
eventually victory. What an amazing day it was to be an Arizona fan. One of the most special days I can remember, it took me a few extra hours to sleep that night I was so exited.
I can only hope that 2013 can be as memorable of 2012 was.
Yesterday afternoon, deadspin.com reported that his girlfriend, the one that he had cried about and told ESPN in an interview that she was the most beautiful girl he had ever met, was revealed to have never existed. There was no record of her death, no obituary, no record of her college enrollment, no record of her birth, no record of her whatsoever. According to deadspin, she was a fictional girl created by a man named Ronaiah Tuiososopo; it was all a hoax. It is still unclear as to Te'o involvement in the hoax and whether or not he was the victim or someone's "sick joke" as he called it, or if he was involved and used this death as a chance to gain publicity. A day after the story broke, it is even less clear than ever what is truth and what is fabricated. Te'o has since admitted that he never met this girl in person but instead, developed an online relationship with her and "grew to care deeply about her." He has said that he kept this story from the public because he was understandably, "incredibly embarrassed." 
My second story is about a basketball player from the University of Arizona who did suffer a real and unbelievable tragedy. Kevin Parrom, who is currently a Senior guard for the Wildcats and is having a great season, did not fare so well the summer before his junior year. Within the space of a few months, Parrom was shot in the leg and had both his mother and grandmother pass away. I cannot imagine something so tragic happening. But unless you are a fan of Arizona basketball it is very likely that you never heard about Kevin Parrom and his tragedy. I understand that some people are very public with the details of their personal life other people like to keep their personal lives personal. In the case of Kevin Parrom, his devastation was not a headline story on College Gameday. Like Te'o, Parrom was playing for a top tier team. Arizona may not have quite the same pageantry and tradition of Notre Dame, but it has been among the elite college basketball programs in the country for now 4 decades. I tend to think that most people suffering from such horrendous circumstances would not want to do newspaper, phone, and TV interviews. I understand that Te'o did not go out of his way to seek such publicity, it came as part of playing for such a famous team, but if he did in reality lose his grandmother and girlfriend in the same day, I can only imagine that he would want to grieve in private, and not in front of an American audience. I am not suggesting that Te'o was involved from the beginning and that he helped to create this fake girl with the goal of obtaining more publicity, but again, it just doesn't make sense and we are only left to assumptions. 
