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Spellman’s Scorecard: The lists just keep on coming
The New Year is always a time when everyone and their brother publishes lists, lists and more lists.
Fortunately, I like lists.
So, I’m going to sprinkle in a few lists here but not delve into all the negative that 2012 has provided — both in sports and in real life. Let’s keep it a little upbeat, OK?
But before we go on ... :
A little quiz on the year that was just to test your midterm memory:
1. Who were the 2011-12 Stanley Cup champions?
2. Who won the British Open?
3. Who is the reigning NFL MVP?
4. Who won the Daytona 500?
(Answers later.)
2012: The very good:
ŸChuck Pagano
ŸAdrian Peterson
ŸOscar Pistorius
ŸI’ll Have Another
Things I’d like to see in 2013:
ŸA repeat of last season by Alfonso Soriano.
ŸMore of those iPad music-centric commercials.
ŸPhil Emery summoning his inner Jim Finks and drafting nothing but O-linemen.
ŸOne of those local police departments actually cracking a case on “Criminal Minds.”
2012: The very good (locally):
ŸNorthern Illinois football
ŸBrandon Marshall
ŸThe Ryder Cup
ŸAlex Rios
ŸAnthony Rizzo
Big sandwich day:
Bears-Lions followed by Packers-Vikings followed by Cowboys-Redskins … in the words of Homer Simpson, “Bye-bye belt!”
BTW:
Suddenly the Bears have become awfully yappy.
What’s up with that?
Sunday could literally be a slugfest.
Enough is enough:
The NHL lockout just passed the 100-day mark, and the two sides haven’t met in more than a week.
Time to send in John McDonough and get this thing settled.
Ready to be bowled over:
New Year’s Day is going to be something with NU playing in the morning and NIU in the evening.
A big day that would’ve been even bigger with the Winter Classic live from the Big House sandwiched in between.
A guy can dream, right?
Things I know I’ll see and hear in 2013 (whether I want to or not):
ŸMore adventures of angry toothbrush guy and his family.
ŸThe phrase “The total package.”
ŸThe never-ending Victory Auto Wreckers commercial. I don’t remember a year in my life without it.
41 and counting:
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: How great is it to see Bob Frisk’s byline back in the Daily Herald?
Good luck:
To Hawthorne GM Jim Miller, who begins a new career in horse racing beginning in January.
There’s no doubt he’ll do well.
Interested in seeing in 2013:
Attendance at the Cubs Convention now that they’re neither cuddly nor borderline competitive.
Quiz answers:
1. L.A. Kings. 2. Ernie Els. 3. Aaron Rodgers. 4. Matt Kenseth.
A final wish for 2013:
That you have a healthy, happy and safe New Year!
mspellman@dailyherald.com
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