Fred Bowen's "The Score" column,
November 23, 2001, Washington Post

Sports Cornucopia

Thanksgiving is the time of the year when we give thanks for all the good things in life: family, friends, good health and . . . Sports!

If you are a sports fan like me, sports is one of the good things in your life. So in the spirit of this holiday weekend, here are some of the people, places and things in sports that I am thankful for.

Michael Jordan's comeback. I know that things are not going as well as Wizards fans had hoped, but just think of how boring the team would have been if MJ had decided to sit out the season.

Mark McGwire's retirement. I am glad that Big Mac decided to call it quits. I didn't want to see this great slugger try to play hurt anymore.

Tiffeny Milbrett. Forget Mia Hamm. This 5-foot-2 dynamo from the New York Power is America's best, and most exciting, women's soccer star.

Allen Iverson. I am not crazy about the tattoos or the raunchy rap lyrics, but name me one NBA star who plays harder than this guy.

University of Maryland teams. The Terps' new football coach, Ralph Friedgen, and some exciting players have made Maryland football fun to watch again. And don't forget the Terps' field hockey team. They made it all the way to the national finals this season.

The 2001 World Series. This year's Fall Classic was maybe the best ever. (And boy, am I ever thankful that the New York Yankees did not win it all again.)

The 2002 World Cup. Thank the soccer gods that America's men's team qualified for next year's big tournament. It would have been a shame if this country missed out on the biggest sports event of them all.

The Winter Olympics. I'm already getting excited about the Salt Lake City Games. The battle for the hockey gold medal should be even better than the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Final Four. Men's, women's, it doesn't matter. Every year the NCAA college basketball tournament with its "one-loss-and-you're-out" format is filled with upsets and unforgettable drama.

The WNBA and WUSA. Okay, I'll admit that the pro women's basketball and soccer leagues have a ways to go before they hit the big time. But isn't it great that female athletes finally have a place to play?

Camden Yards, Wrigley Field, Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium in October. Some ballparks are just perfect places to watch a game.

ESPN SportsCenter. If there was a spectacular catch, buzzer basket or unbelievable goal anywhere on the planet last night, Dan Patrick and the crew at SportsCenter will have it packaged and ready for sports fans everywhere.

The Washington Post Sports section. Packed with scores, statistics and stories, this has always been my favorite part of the daily newspaper.

Volunteer coaches. When people start talking about heroes, maybe we should remember all the men and women who give their time and enthusiasm so that kids can play the games they love.

I could go on, just like any sports fan. Try making up your own list of great sports stuff. There is so much to be thankful for.

Enjoy the holiday.

Fred Bowen is the author of sports novels for kids.

© 2001 The Washington Post Company