MLB 2001

1. Randy Johnson: Was the Co-MVP of World Series and won the Cy Young.

He went 3-0 in Series, the first pitcher since 1968 to win three games in a WS.

Johnson was the starting pitcher for National League All Star team.

His 372 strikeouts were 3^rd most in season in modern history. He led  the league with 13.4 SO/ 9 IP.

The Big Unit led the NL with a 2.49 ERA, and 1.00 WHIP.

His 21 wins were 3^rd in senior circuit and his 249.7 IP                      were 2^nd.

Johnson tied a ML record with 20 strikeouts vs. the Reds                      in May.

He pitched a CG 3 H SHO with 11 Ks in Game One of NLCS vs. Atlanta.

Johnson won Game Five of NLCS with 7 IP 8 SO and 2 ER to close out the Braves. He finished the series with a 1.13 ERA.

He had a repeat performance with another 3 hit shutout in Game 2 of   the World Series with 11 Ks.

His arm and bat helped the D’Backs force Game Seven. He picked up the win giving up two earned in seven innings. He also scored two and drove in one of Arizona’s 15 runs.

In the Series deciding game, Johnson recorded the final four outs as Arizona dramatically came back in the bottom of the ninth.

The Diamondbacks won 92 games and the West by 2 games. They were the quickest expansion team (four seasons) to win a World Series.

2. Curt Schilling: Was the Co-MVP of the World Series.

He was 2^nd in the Cy Young and Sporting News Pitcher of the Year.

Schilling was 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA in the World Series with 26 SO in 21.3 innings. 

In the regular season, he led the NL in wins with 22, IP with 256.7 and 6 complete games.

He was 2^nd in ERA (2.98), 2^nd in Ks (293), 3^rd in WHIP (1.08).

Schilling started the postseason by shutting out the Cardinals with 9 strikeouts.

In the decisive Game Five he got Arizona to the LCS while giving up just one earned in another complete game victory.

Schill tossed his third straight CG, and stuck out 12 Braves in Game Three of the NLCS.

He beat Roger Clemens in Game One of the Series with 7 IP and 8 K’s.

He fanned nine more Yankees in Game Four.

In the classic Game Seven, Schilling dueled with Roger Clemens. Schilling left trailing 2-1 in the eighth, but blanked NY in the first six innings.

During the playoffs he was 4-0 with 1.12 ERA in playoffs with 56 SO in 48.3 IP.

The Diamondbacks won due or die games vs. St. Louis and New York with Schilling on the mound.

3. Ichiro Suzuki: Was the AL MVP, Was the only the second rookie to win MVP (Fred Lynn 1975).

He won the Gold Glove, Rookie of the Year, and Silver Slugger.

Ichiro was the starting CF for the American League and Sporting News Player of the Year.

The Japanese star led the AL in batting (.350), hits (242), steals (56), and at bats.

He was second in runs with 127. His hits totals were a rookie record and ninth most in a season.

He was top 10 in the AL in triples and total bases.

Seattle matched the 1906 Cubs with 116 wins, the most in regular season history.

Ichiro hit a go ahead RBI single in 7^th of Game Four of the ALDS against Cleveland. Seattle won Game Four 6-2 to force a deciding Game Five.

In Game Five Ichiro went 3-4, including singling and scoring in the seventh to extend Seattle’s lead to 3-1.

He finished the series 12-20 with 4 R and 2 RBI.

In Game Three of the ALCS, the M’s only win in the series, Suzuki reached base three times and scored twice.

Overall in 10 playoff games he hit .412 with seven runs scored.

Seattle won the West by 14 games over Oakland, who had the 2^nd best record in baseball.  They led AL in scoring and batting average.

NBA 2001

1. Shaquille O’Neal: Won his 2^nd straight Finals MVP by averaging 33 points 16 rebounds five assists and 3.4 blocks per game. He shot 57% from the field.

In the regular season he was 1^st team All-NBA, 2nd team All-Defense and player of the month in April. He was 3^rd in the MVP voting.

Shaq was 3^rd in scoring (28.7) and rpg (12.7) and 4^th in blocks (2.8).

He led the league in field goals made and field goal % (57). He was 5^th in free throws. 

O’Neal has 60 double-doubles in 74 games.

During the playoffs, in 16 games he led all players with 30 ppg and put up 15.4 rpg and 2.4 bpg.

Against the Kings he averaged 43.5 ppg, 20.5 rpg, 5 bpg, 60 % FG in Game 1-2 wins.

O’Neal had 35-17 in just 35 minutes in the Lakers 39 point blowout of the Spurs in Game Three of the West Finals.

Shaq had a near quadruple-double (28-20-9-8 blk) in Game Two of the NBA Finals to carry LA to an 1-1 series tie.

Los Angeles won 56 games in the regular season, including the last eight. They carried the momentum to take their 15 of 16 games in the playoffs. They won their 2^nd straight title.

2. Allen Iverson: Was the NBA MVP. He was 1^st team All-NBA and player of the month in January.

He led the NBA in scoring (31 PPG) and steals (2.5). A.I was 2^nd in the FTs and minutes (42).

He led the East to a dramatic comeback win behind 25 points. He was named MVP.

Iverson helped the Sixers past the Pacers in the 1^st round of the playoffs behind his 45 point and 9 assist performances in Game Two.

 Indy had beat Philly the previous two years in the playoffs.

He outdueled Vince Carter in a classic second round series. 

Iverson had 54 in Game Two and 52 in Game Five to give his team a 3-2 series led.

In Game Seven, “The Answer” had 21-16 ast. to help Philly past Toronto 88-87.

He got the 76ers into first NBA Finals in 18 years with 44-6-7 in Game Seven win over the Bucks.

He hit 17-33 shots including 4-6 threes.

In Game  One of the Finals Iverson carried Philly past LA with 48 points including this huge jumper in overtime. 

He averaged 35-5-4 1.8 steals and 47 minutes in Finals.

The Sixers won 56 games, had the best record in the East. They were the only team to beat the Lakers in the playoffs.

3. Kobe Bryant: Was 2^nd team All-NBA and 2^nd team All-Defense.

 

He was the player of the month in December.

He was 4^th in scoring (28.5), 6^th in FT, and 7^th in minutes.

Bryant also averaged six rebounds and five assists per game.

In the playoffs, Kobe averaged 29-7-6 in 43 minutes per game.

He averaged 43-11 in Games 3-4 vs. the Kings (48-16 in the closeout), and Game 1 in San Antonio.

Kobe had 26-12-6 in the title clinching Game Five.

En route to the title the Lakers beat All-NBA first team players (Webber, Duncan, and Iverson) 11 of 12 games.

College Basketball 2001

1. Shane Battier: Had one of the great all around seasons in modern college basketball. He won nearly every player of the year award.

 

He also the national defensive player of the year for the 3^rd straight year.

He was the Final Four, ACC tournament MVP, and co-ACC POY.

Battier averaged 20 ppg 7.3 rpg 2.3 bpg 2.1 spg and shot 42% on 3s.

The Duke senior led the ACC in minutes per game (35), was 3rd in scoring, steals and blocks, and 8^th in rebounds.

He averaged 23-11 2.7 blks and two steals per game in six NCAA tourney contests.

At #6 UNC Battier put up 25-11-5blk in 39 min in 95-81 win.

He had 20-13 a week later vs. the Tar Heels in the ACC tournament final, a 26 point rout.

In the tournament wins over Missouri, #14 UCLA and #25 USC he had at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and played 119 of 120 minutes.

In the national semis vs. #9 Maryland he had 25 points including four 3s, eight rebounds, and four blocks.

Battier had 18-11-6 in the finals vs. #4 Arizona. His signature play was this block that led to a transition three and a ten point Duke lead.

Duke finished #1, won the ACC tournament and won its 3^rd national title. They were 35-4, including four epics games vs. Maryland.

2. Jason Williams: NABC Player of the Year and consensus 1^st team All American.

He was also all-Final Four, All-ACC tourney, and the East Regional MVP.

He had his Reggie Milleresque moment in January vs. Maryland.

J-Will led NCAA tourney in total pts FGs, 3FG, and assists. He was the first player since 1996 (Allen Iverson) to score 100 tournament points before the Final Four.

Williams led the ACC in scoring 21.6 (15^th in NCAA), FG, 3FG, 2^nd apg (19^th in NCAA), and 5^th in spg. He had 24 games with 20+ points.

In NCAA tournament play he put up 25.7 points and 5.2 assists per game.

He had 31 and 9 ast., in round two vs. Missouri.

Williams had 34 pts and six 3s vs. UCLA, and 28-7-6 in reg. final vs. USC.

Duke became the 2^nd team in the NCAA tournament expansion era (since 1985) to win all six games by at least 10 points. (Michigan St. 2000).

They finished their 3^rd straight regular season ranked #1 while setting a NCAA record for most three pointers made in a season.

3. Tayshaun Prince: Was the regular season and SEC conference tournament MVP.

He had 26-12 with 6 3s (title game record) over #14 Mississippi.

He was a consensus second team All-American.

Prince put up 17-6-3 with 50% FG.

He led the SEC with 84 FT%; he was 2^nd in mins (33), 4^th in scoring, and 6^th in blocks.

He led Kentucky to the Sweet 16 with 31-7 assists in 2^nd rd. vs. #24 Iowa.

Tayshaun averaged 21-5-5 54%FG in three tourney games.

Kentucky finished 24-10, #9 in the polls and were SEC champions.

NFL 2000

1. Ray Lewis: Was the Super Bowl MVP.

He was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year, consensus All-Pro and a Pro Bowler.

In the “Big Game”, Lewis had five tackles and four pass break ups.

During the postseason, in four games he had 31 tackles, two Interceptions, and nine pass break ups.

In the regular season Lewis posted 137 stops along with 3 sacks, 2 Ints, and recovered 3 fumbles.

Lewis helped clinch the Ravens’ divisional round upset on the road in Tennessee. It was his 4^th quarter pick six that put Baltimore in the AFC title game.

Behind the play of the their star middle linebacker, the Ravens set league records for the least amount points and rushing yards allowed in a 16 game schedule.

They had four shutouts and allowed just 16 offensive points in four playoff games.

Baltimore went 12-4, earned a wild card, and won their first ever Super Bowl.

2. Marshall Faulk: Was the NFL MVP.

He was named Offensive Player of the Year for the second straight season. He was a consensus All-Pro and Pro Bowler.

Despite missing two games to injury, he set the single season record with 26 total TDs.

Marshall ran for 1359 yards and league high 5.4 yards per carry.

Faulk added 81 catches and 830 yards and 8 TDs.

He finished 2^nd with 2,189 yards from scrimmage. He led the NFL in total points with 160, a rarity for position players.

He had two 200+ rushing games and scored at least four TDs in three other games.

In the playoffs, Faulk helped the Rams rally from down 31-7 in the second half with 99 yards receiving, a TD and two point conversion.

Their comeback would come up short, and the Saints would win 31-28.

The Rams went 10-6, won a wild card spot, while setting an NFL record with 540 points in a season (33.8 per game).

3. Edgerrin James: Led in the NFL in rushing for the second straight year with 1,709 yards.

James also led the league with 2303 yards from scrimmage.

He added 63 receptions and 5 TDs

James was 1^st team All-NFL by Pro Football Weekly and Sporting News and 2^nd team by the AP

He was a Pro Bowler.

Edge was second in the NFL with 18 total TDs. and carries with 387.

He had three straight 100 yard games (all Colts wins) to finish the season and propel the Colts to the playoffs. He had nine games over 100 on the season.

In the Wild Card round vs. Miami, James ran for 107 and had 33 yards thru the air.

Indy was 10-6 and 4^th in the NFL with 26.8 PPG.

College Football 2000

1. Drew Brees: Won Maxwell Award as top player in the NCAA.

            He was 3^rd in Heisman voting and was a finalist for the second straight season. He won the Big Ten Player of the Year.

Brees led the nation in total offense with 358.1 yards per game.

The Purdue quarterback led the Big Ten yards, TDs, comp. % (60.5) and completions.

He threw for 3393 yards and 24 TDs. Brees also ran for 546 yards (6.0 YPC) and 5 TDs.

Against #11 Michigan he threw for 286 yards and 2 scores and ran for 80 more. The next week he threw for five TDs vs. Northwestern.

He helped Purdue upset then #3 Ohio St. on this touchdown pass.

In the Rose Bowl vs. #3 Washington he threw for 275 yards. His two TD passes helped the Boilermakers tie the game at 17 in the 3^rd quarter. 

Washington would go on to win 34-24.

Purdue won the Big 10 and was 8-3 in the regular season. They finished #13 in the final 

polls.

2. Dan Morgan: Was national defensive player of the year. He won the Nagurski, and Bednarik awards. He was named top linebacker and won the Butkus award.

 Morgan was also a consensus 1^st team All American, and Big East defensive POY.

He compiled 138 total tackles in including 90 solo tackles, 4 sacks and 2 Ints.

The Canes captain tallied 20 tackles vs. #3 Washington, Miami’s only loss.

Morgan controlled then #1 FSU with 13 tackles, an Int and forced fumble.

In the Sugar Bowl vs. #10 Florida, he made 12 stops and had a goal line pick to seal a 37-20 victory.

Miami finished #2 in the final polls and 11-1. They missed out at a chance for the national title by 

finishing #3 in the BCS standings, despite beating #2 Florida St. in regular season.

3. Marques Tuiasosopo: Was the Rose Bowl MVP and led Washington past Purdue.

In the granddaddy of them all, he ran for 90 yards and TD on just 15 carries and threw for another TD in 34-24 win.

He was also named Pac-10 offensive POY, a finalist for QB of the year and 8^th in the Heisman voting.

    

                

Tuiasosopo threw for 2146 yards and 14 TDs and ran for 6 TDs.

He threw for 231 yards TD ran for 45 and TD in 34-29 upset of #2 Miami.

The Huskies QB passed for 223 yards, and had a TD running and passing in 33-30 win over #4 Oregon St.

Washington was 11-1, were Pac-10 champs and finished #3, its highest ranking in nine years.

2000 MLB

1.       Derek Jeter: Was the MVP of the World Series. He hit .409 and homered twice and scored six runs.

He was also All-Star game MVP. He singled and later scored game’s first run in the 3^rd; broke a 1-1 tie in the 4^th with a 2R single. Jeter finished the game 3 for 3.

During the regular season Jeter hit .339, good for ^th in the AL. His 201 hits were 4^th and 199 runs were 6^th.

He added 15 HR 78 RBI and 22 SB.

In Game 3 of the division series vs. Oakland, the captain put New York in front with a RBI in the 3^rd and 4^thof 4-2 win.

In the ALCS he hit .318 drove in five runs and scored six, as the Yankees got past the Mariners in six.

Jeter guided New York to their 4^th Series title in five years and third in a row.

2. Alex Rodriguez: Was named the Player of the Year by Baseball America.

He was 3^rd in MVP voting, an All-Star, and a Silver Slugger.

A-Rod topped position players and offensive WAR.

Rodriguez was 5th in slugging, 2^nd in runs (134), 4^th in HR (41), and 6^th in RBI (132).

He hit .316 and walked 100 times, became first SS ever with 100 RBI runs and walks in a season.

His RBI single in Game One vs. Chicago put Seattle up 1-0. They would go on to win 7-4. A-Rod was 3-5 in the game. He hit .308 in the Mariners’ three game sweep of the White Sox.

Rodriguez played a key part in both wins in the ALCS.

His solo HR in Game One of the ALCS helped Seattle to its 4^th straight postseason win, 2-0 over NY.

His two run single provided the Mariners with a 3-2 lead in the 6^th of Game Five. Seattle would go on to force a Game Six.

A-Rod hit .409 in the series, drove in 5 runs, and scored four more.

Seattle won the wild card with 91 wins (tied for the 2^nd most in the AL).

3. Jeff Kent: He was the MVP of the NL, after helping lead the Giants to the NL West title

He was also an All-Star and Silver Slugger.

Kent was named Player of the Month in June.

He hit .334 (6^th in NL) with 125 RBI (4^th), 33 HR and scored 114 runs.

In San Francisco’s only playoff win their second basemen went 1-3 with a RBI and run scored.

Kent hit .375 in the NLDS series loss to the Mets.

The Giants posted the top record in baseball with 97 wins. They were third in the NL in runs and team batting.

2000 NBA

1.       Shaquille O’Neal: He was the near unanimous regular season MVP by one vote.

He also earned the Finals MVP with 40 plus point games 1, 2 and 6 which were all wins. He averaged 38 ppg and 16.7 rpg.

O’Neal  was on the 1^st  team all NBA and 2^nd team all-Defense.

Shaq was the Player of the Month in November, February, and March.

He led the league in fgs fta fg % (57.4) total points 2^nd in rebounds 3^rd in blocks.

O’Neal notched his second scoring title with 29.7 ppg. He added 13.6 rpg 3.0 bpg and 40 minutes per game.

He had 63 double-doubles in 79 games, including a 61-23 beatdown on the Clippers.

He led the playoffs with 30.7 ppg and 15.4 rpg shot 56% in 23 games.

As the playoffs opened, he had 46-17-5 blks in Game One vs. the Kings.

He averaged 37.3 ppg 15.3 rpg 44.7 mpg 58% fgs in 3-0 series lead over Phoenix.

In Game One win over Portland in the WCF, O’Neal had 41-11 7 assists and 5 blocks.

Kobe and Shaq sealed Game 7 with this dunk.

The Lakers won 67 games, tied for 6^th most in history. They beat the Pacers in six games to capture LA’s first title in 12 years.

2. Alonzo Mourning: He was the Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight year.

He was second team All-NBA and first team all-Defense.

Mourning averaged 21.7 ppg 9.5 rpg  and lead the league with 3.7 bpg and shot 55%fg (3^rd in the league)

He was an All-Star and had 15 and 7.

He was third in the MVP voting and Player of the month in December.

Zo pounded Detroit with 20-9-9 blks in Game 1 win.

He had 26 and 23 in Games 1 and 3 wins vs. NY. Miami lost in seven to the Knicks.

The Heat won 50 games and the Atlantic Division.

He helped the USA win gold in the Olympics. He had 16 pts in the semis vs. Lithuania. 

3.       Gary Payton: Was first team All-NBA and All-Defense.

He was an All-Star, April Player of the Month, and 6^th in the MVP voting.

GP won his second gold medal in Sydney.

He led the NBA in three pointers made, total assists and games played.

He was second in minutes (41.8) 7^th in scoring (24.2), and 8^th in steals (1.9). Payton also added 6.5 rebounds per contest.

Seattle won 45 games and was the 7^th seed in the West.

He had 23 points, 10 assists, 7 rebounds. in 48 minutes in Game Three to beat Utah while down 2-0 in the series.

Payton put up 35-10-11 triple double with six steals in a Game Four win 104-93.

The Sonics would fall in the decisive fifth game but Payton still managed 26-7-7 for the series.