Before we ring in 2009, let's take one last look back at 2008, and hand out our First Annual Cliffy Awards!
It's fairly simple, we're going to take the time to honor those that made 2008 what it was in Wisconsin sports. Let's start ripping envelopes and start naming the winners!
Comeback Player of the Year: Avery Smith, UWM Panthers: Rewind exactly one year ago, and Smith was nowhere to be found. That's because he was suspended by Panthers head coach Rob Jeter indefinitely for violating team rules. Apparently, Smith used that time off to his advantage. He's back, he's walking the straight and narrow, and, at over twelve points per game, he's the second leading scorer on this UWM club. Smith might be the Comeback Player of the Year both on and off the court.
Honorable Mention: Dave Bush, Milwaukee Brewers: 'Bushie' had a wild ride in 2008. He started the year in the rotation, was bumped out, demoted to the minors, and then turned it around. Outside of CC Sabathia, Bush (at one point) was the most consistent Brewers starter in the second half. He was the only pitcher to hold the Phillies in check during the NLDS. He may never be a front end of the rotation kind of guy, but he is someone you can put in the back end of the rotation and feel fairly comfortable with at this point.
Breakout Player of the Year: John Clay, Wisconsin Badgers: The Racine product started 2008 fighting for carries behind both P.J. Hill and Zach Brown. He ended it as one of the players Bret Bielema can point to as a strength for 2009. Clay ran for 845 yards and nine touchdowns, had three hundred-yard rushing games. If Hill decides to leave for the NFL (you never know), Clay would step in and the Badgers wouldn't miss a beat. If Hill returns, the Badgers might have the best 1-2 combination in the country.
Honorable Mention: Salomon Torres, Milwaukee Brewers: When the Brewers traded for Torres, they figured they were getting a dependable arm for their bullpen. Someone who could pitch anywhere from the sixth inning on. Torres, before the Sabathia trade, might very well have been the team's MVP. When Eric Gagne faltered and got hurt, it was Torres who stepped in and more than held his own. He rolled up a career high 28 saves, and turned the back end of the bullpen into a strength as opposed to a question mark. His retirement leaves the Brewers as thin in the 'pen as they are in the rotation.
Newcomer of the Year: CC Sabathia, Milwaukee Brewers: The easiest category by far to pick a winner from. Let's see, 11-2 as a Brewer with a 1.65 ERA. His efforts in the last week of September pitching on three days rest are the stuff movies are made of. There may never have been an athlete to come to Wisconsin who had the kind of instant impact Sabathia had. Sure, Brett Favre had a gigantic impact, but he had no experience, and it took him a number of years to lead the Packers to the promised land. Sabathia was a Cy Young Award winner in his prime, and it only took him three months to carry the Brewers to their first postseason in twenty-six years.
Honorable Mention: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers: Rodgers may not be a newcomer, but he had almost zero experience in NFL game action when the season started at Lambeau against Minnesota in September. No player in the NFL had more pressure on him. No player in the NFL was playing under a bigger microscope. After all, he was taking over for a legend. A legend that wanted his old job back. He may not have led the Packers to double digit wins or the playoffs, but he did prove that he wasn't as fragile as most thought he was. And, statistically, his numbers were every bit as good as Brett's were (this year). Now, if he can only do something about winning a game in the final seconds...
Executive of the Year: Doug Melvin, Milwaukee Brewers: He may not have been able to keep CC Sabathia from going to New York, but he was able to trade for him, which is enough for him to be awarded this Cliffy. The Brewers were the team that would routinely trade star players for prospects, but in early July, Melvin sent Matt LaPorta to Cleveland for Sabathia. The move had everyone in baseball finally taking the Brewers seriously. Melvin also signed Ryan Braun to a $45M contract extension that was seen as a victory for the Brewers.
Honorable Mention: John Hammond, Milwaukee Bucks: Hammond was hired in early April, and it didn't take him very long to put his stamp on the Bucks. Scott Skiles was brought in as coach, giving the Bucks their first coach with a track record since George Karl. The big move of the off-season was the trade for Richard Jefferson. Not only did Hammond bring Jefferson here, he convinced New Jersey to take Bobby Simmons' bloated contract. The Bucks aren't ready to challenge the big boys of the NBA just yet, but there's a plan in place. There is hope, which hadn't been there for a number of years.
Coach of the Year: Bo Ryan, Wisconsin Badgers: Every year, before the college basketball season starts, Bo Ryan and the Badgers are overlooked. The national experts always seem to leave the Badgers out as one of the nation's elite programs. Every year, though, the Badgers make those experts seem foolish. This past season was no different. The Badgers were expected to take a step back following the loss of Alando Tucker to the NBA. They did anything but, winning the Big Ten Conference regular season title, post-season tournament, and getting to the Sweet Sixteen, where Cinderella Davidson ended the Badgers season in Detroit. It doesn't matter what the roster looks like. It doesn't matter what kind of talent he has at his disposal. Ryan gets the most out of his players and then some.
Honorable Mention: Lance Leipold, UW-Whitewater: In 2007, Leipold led the Warhawks to the Division III National Championship. Some saw it as Leipold benefiting from all the hard work the legendary Bob Berezowitz did in his time at Whitewater. Some said Leiopold won with Berezowitz' players. Well, this year, he had to re-stock the shelves. He proved up to the task, taking Whitewater to its fourth consecutive Stagg Bowl, coming up just short against Mount Union.
Team of the Year: The Milwaukee Brewers: This one wasn't much of a contest. The 2008 Brewers, with all of their ups and downs, did something no Brewer team had done since gas was under $1.00 a gallon. They did something no Brewer team had done since Ronald Reagan was President. They did something no Brewer team had done since Sylvester Stallone was relevant. They made the playoffs. The summer sun went away, fall set in with the usual Wisconsin chill, and still the city was on fire. Milwaukee baseball fans, even those that had long ago given up the dream of seeing The Crew play meaningful baseball in October, rallied behind a team that put them on an emotional roller coaster for six months. It proved how good of a baseball city this really is.
Honorable Mention: Marquette Women's Basketball: In a year that saw the Packers go from being a Super Bowl contender to an also ran, the Bucks win just 26 games, the Badgers football team fall well short of expectations, and both Wisconsin and Marquette Men's Basketball teams fail to complete a run to The Final Four, Terri Mitchell's Lady Golden Eagles beat Michigan State 81-66 to win the WNIT. Women's basketball doesn't get the attention that the men's game does, but MU did win, they did raise a championship banner, and they deserve to be recognized for it.
Player of the Year: CC Sabathia, Milwaukee Brewers: Sabathia picks up his second Cliffy Award. No player had a bigger impact in Wisconsin in 2008. He struggled to start the season in Cleveland, but once he got to the Brewers, there was no slowing him down. It was like he smelled the post-season and decided he was going to carry the Brewers into October on his back. Without his starts against the Pirates and Cubs on three days rest in late September, it's likely that the Brewers miss the playoffs. No player on any of our teams was more valuable than Carsten Charles Sabathia.
Honorable Mention: Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers: Braun made the transition from third base to left field flawlessly, which surprised a lot of people. Even though his batting averge went down, his power numbers went up. And, even though he struggled for most of September with an injury, he recovered in time to hit the two biggest homers of the season - the grand slam that beat the Pirates in the tenth inning to close out that series, and the big shot he hit on that final Sunday against the Cubs that helped the Brewers into the playoffs. In any other year Braun probably wins the award, but there was some guy named Sabathia in town that stole his thunder.
That's a wrap for The 2008 Cliffy Awards. Let me know what you think by sending an email to http://us.mc526.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=saundersonsports@yahoo.com.
It's fairly simple, we're going to take the time to honor those that made 2008 what it was in Wisconsin sports. Let's start ripping envelopes and start naming the winners!
Comeback Player of the Year: Avery Smith, UWM Panthers: Rewind exactly one year ago, and Smith was nowhere to be found. That's because he was suspended by Panthers head coach Rob Jeter indefinitely for violating team rules. Apparently, Smith used that time off to his advantage. He's back, he's walking the straight and narrow, and, at over twelve points per game, he's the second leading scorer on this UWM club. Smith might be the Comeback Player of the Year both on and off the court.
Honorable Mention: Dave Bush, Milwaukee Brewers: 'Bushie' had a wild ride in 2008. He started the year in the rotation, was bumped out, demoted to the minors, and then turned it around. Outside of CC Sabathia, Bush (at one point) was the most consistent Brewers starter in the second half. He was the only pitcher to hold the Phillies in check during the NLDS. He may never be a front end of the rotation kind of guy, but he is someone you can put in the back end of the rotation and feel fairly comfortable with at this point.
Breakout Player of the Year: John Clay, Wisconsin Badgers: The Racine product started 2008 fighting for carries behind both P.J. Hill and Zach Brown. He ended it as one of the players Bret Bielema can point to as a strength for 2009. Clay ran for 845 yards and nine touchdowns, had three hundred-yard rushing games. If Hill decides to leave for the NFL (you never know), Clay would step in and the Badgers wouldn't miss a beat. If Hill returns, the Badgers might have the best 1-2 combination in the country.
Honorable Mention: Salomon Torres, Milwaukee Brewers: When the Brewers traded for Torres, they figured they were getting a dependable arm for their bullpen. Someone who could pitch anywhere from the sixth inning on. Torres, before the Sabathia trade, might very well have been the team's MVP. When Eric Gagne faltered and got hurt, it was Torres who stepped in and more than held his own. He rolled up a career high 28 saves, and turned the back end of the bullpen into a strength as opposed to a question mark. His retirement leaves the Brewers as thin in the 'pen as they are in the rotation.
Newcomer of the Year: CC Sabathia, Milwaukee Brewers: The easiest category by far to pick a winner from. Let's see, 11-2 as a Brewer with a 1.65 ERA. His efforts in the last week of September pitching on three days rest are the stuff movies are made of. There may never have been an athlete to come to Wisconsin who had the kind of instant impact Sabathia had. Sure, Brett Favre had a gigantic impact, but he had no experience, and it took him a number of years to lead the Packers to the promised land. Sabathia was a Cy Young Award winner in his prime, and it only took him three months to carry the Brewers to their first postseason in twenty-six years.
Honorable Mention: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers: Rodgers may not be a newcomer, but he had almost zero experience in NFL game action when the season started at Lambeau against Minnesota in September. No player in the NFL had more pressure on him. No player in the NFL was playing under a bigger microscope. After all, he was taking over for a legend. A legend that wanted his old job back. He may not have led the Packers to double digit wins or the playoffs, but he did prove that he wasn't as fragile as most thought he was. And, statistically, his numbers were every bit as good as Brett's were (this year). Now, if he can only do something about winning a game in the final seconds...
Executive of the Year: Doug Melvin, Milwaukee Brewers: He may not have been able to keep CC Sabathia from going to New York, but he was able to trade for him, which is enough for him to be awarded this Cliffy. The Brewers were the team that would routinely trade star players for prospects, but in early July, Melvin sent Matt LaPorta to Cleveland for Sabathia. The move had everyone in baseball finally taking the Brewers seriously. Melvin also signed Ryan Braun to a $45M contract extension that was seen as a victory for the Brewers.
Honorable Mention: John Hammond, Milwaukee Bucks: Hammond was hired in early April, and it didn't take him very long to put his stamp on the Bucks. Scott Skiles was brought in as coach, giving the Bucks their first coach with a track record since George Karl. The big move of the off-season was the trade for Richard Jefferson. Not only did Hammond bring Jefferson here, he convinced New Jersey to take Bobby Simmons' bloated contract. The Bucks aren't ready to challenge the big boys of the NBA just yet, but there's a plan in place. There is hope, which hadn't been there for a number of years.
Coach of the Year: Bo Ryan, Wisconsin Badgers: Every year, before the college basketball season starts, Bo Ryan and the Badgers are overlooked. The national experts always seem to leave the Badgers out as one of the nation's elite programs. Every year, though, the Badgers make those experts seem foolish. This past season was no different. The Badgers were expected to take a step back following the loss of Alando Tucker to the NBA. They did anything but, winning the Big Ten Conference regular season title, post-season tournament, and getting to the Sweet Sixteen, where Cinderella Davidson ended the Badgers season in Detroit. It doesn't matter what the roster looks like. It doesn't matter what kind of talent he has at his disposal. Ryan gets the most out of his players and then some.
Honorable Mention: Lance Leipold, UW-Whitewater: In 2007, Leipold led the Warhawks to the Division III National Championship. Some saw it as Leipold benefiting from all the hard work the legendary Bob Berezowitz did in his time at Whitewater. Some said Leiopold won with Berezowitz' players. Well, this year, he had to re-stock the shelves. He proved up to the task, taking Whitewater to its fourth consecutive Stagg Bowl, coming up just short against Mount Union.
Team of the Year: The Milwaukee Brewers: This one wasn't much of a contest. The 2008 Brewers, with all of their ups and downs, did something no Brewer team had done since gas was under $1.00 a gallon. They did something no Brewer team had done since Ronald Reagan was President. They did something no Brewer team had done since Sylvester Stallone was relevant. They made the playoffs. The summer sun went away, fall set in with the usual Wisconsin chill, and still the city was on fire. Milwaukee baseball fans, even those that had long ago given up the dream of seeing The Crew play meaningful baseball in October, rallied behind a team that put them on an emotional roller coaster for six months. It proved how good of a baseball city this really is.
Honorable Mention: Marquette Women's Basketball: In a year that saw the Packers go from being a Super Bowl contender to an also ran, the Bucks win just 26 games, the Badgers football team fall well short of expectations, and both Wisconsin and Marquette Men's Basketball teams fail to complete a run to The Final Four, Terri Mitchell's Lady Golden Eagles beat Michigan State 81-66 to win the WNIT. Women's basketball doesn't get the attention that the men's game does, but MU did win, they did raise a championship banner, and they deserve to be recognized for it.
Player of the Year: CC Sabathia, Milwaukee Brewers: Sabathia picks up his second Cliffy Award. No player had a bigger impact in Wisconsin in 2008. He struggled to start the season in Cleveland, but once he got to the Brewers, there was no slowing him down. It was like he smelled the post-season and decided he was going to carry the Brewers into October on his back. Without his starts against the Pirates and Cubs on three days rest in late September, it's likely that the Brewers miss the playoffs. No player on any of our teams was more valuable than Carsten Charles Sabathia.
Honorable Mention: Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers: Braun made the transition from third base to left field flawlessly, which surprised a lot of people. Even though his batting averge went down, his power numbers went up. And, even though he struggled for most of September with an injury, he recovered in time to hit the two biggest homers of the season - the grand slam that beat the Pirates in the tenth inning to close out that series, and the big shot he hit on that final Sunday against the Cubs that helped the Brewers into the playoffs. In any other year Braun probably wins the award, but there was some guy named Sabathia in town that stole his thunder.
That's a wrap for The 2008 Cliffy Awards. Let me know what you think by sending an email to http://us.mc526.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=saundersonsports@yahoo.com.
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