The world of sports endured another wild and wacky year in 2008, from Al Davis making overhead projectors cool again to John Daly running around topless while Mike Singletary was pantsless.
But none of them was able to crack the list for the fourth annual "Benchie Awards," which honor everything ludicrous and mock-worthy. Fortunately, they brighten everyone's day along the way.
It was a difficult year to squeeze into the not-so-coveted top five, so with apologies to Isiah Thomas, Rich Rodriguez, Pacman Jones and Roger Clemens, here are this year's winners (and by winners, I mean losers):
No. 5, Sarah Palin: We've already had one vice president who shot a man in the face, but that almost was topped by Miss "I Can See Russia From My House." (This doesn't qualify as Gotcha journalism, does it?)
No. 4, Chinese air: So thick it almost hid the bombast and overblown nature of the Summer Olympics. And here you thought it was smoke and mirrors.
No. 3, Chad Ocho Cinco/Terrell Owens: Remember when wide receivers weren't annoying windbags who occasionally mangled the Spanish language? Neither do I.
No. 2, Plaxico Burress: I don't know which was more shocking: shooting himself in the leg, or wearing sweat pants to a club. This late entrant climbed all the way to No. 2 in a short time, but it shouldn't be a surprise who claimed the top spot. Yet again.
No. 1, The Detroit Lions : With their fourth consecutive "Benchie" win, the Lions officially are a dynasty. Sort of. At this rate, I'm not sure fans would know how to handle success. Probably in some sort of Daly/Singletary combination.
But I don't think that's something they have to worry about in 2009.
Quickly
Reader response: From Tom Cole: "Do you suppose the two players about to be charged with assault are going to Florida for a New Year's Day bowl game? If they do travel with the team, is it any wonder the MSU Football team continues to get so little respect? This is a decision Mark Dantonio should make. Personally, I'd leave them home."
