2008, I almost didn't see you coming.  It started off so innocently, with Ohio State losing (yet again) in a national title game to a team from the SEC.  Forgive me if I didn't instantly recognize your brilliance.  Stupid me - I thought it was going to be the same old stuff of 2007.

But then it happened.  Brett Favre and his Packers make a run to the NFC Championship game, only to lose in a magical game with the Giants.  I'm pretty sure that's when it happened.  2008, you had me at overtime.

Ever since Tiger's legendary run at the U.S. Open, I've been thinking a lot about how great 2008 has been for the sporting world.  Honestly, if you start listing the truly memorable moments that have happened in 2008, it's already an impressive list.  From the Giants beating the unbeatable Patriots in the Super Bowl to a historic NCAA Basketball Championship in which all four #1 seeds reach the Final Four - to be concluded with another overtime game.  You have tremendous individual efforts by Roger Federer and Rocco Mediate upstaged by iconic performances by Rafael Nadal and Tiger Woods.

That's just scratching the surface.  Penguins vs. Red Wings.  Lakers vs. Celtics.  The Tennessee Women's Basketball dominance continued.  And it wasn't just the powerhouses having memorable performances when it counted.  The Fresno State Bulldogs not only made an unlikely trip to the College World Series - they won the whole darned thing.

I know I'm not the only one trying to put 2008 in its proper place.  David Steele of the Baltimore Sun has also been impressed with 2008.  Of course, I think he spent too much time focusing on the negatives of 2007.  In my opinion, 2008 can stand alone with any of the great sports years, regardless of the disaster of a year it followed.  Yeah, I could have written about how it's great that the Yankees are fading or that it's wonderful that Barry Bonds isn't playing this year, but why go for the low blow when you have so many great things to write about?

2008, you wanna know what I think is best about you?  You're only half over!  The fine folks at NBC are planning on providing 1,400 hours of coverage of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad in Beijing.  Even though Yao Ming probably won't be 100%, I'm sure the games will only add to the lore of 2008. 

It's not just the Olympics we have to look forward to, though.  There look to be plenty of great pennant races shaping up in baseball.  Of course, there's always college football on the horizon!  Plus, whether you hate them or love them, it should be pretty interesting to see how the Patriots respond to their crushing end to last year's dream season.

2008, I know you have to end sooner or later.  Hey, it's a Leap Year, so we get some extra time together, right?  And although I know you'll leave me in six months, I'm going to choose to enjoy the remaining time we have together.

2008, you've been very, very good to me so far. Keep it up, buddy.