Top Sports Moments of the Decade

Everyone seems to be doing these so I felt obliged to put together some of the top moments or accomplishments of the last decade in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati Sports. These are just a few that came to mind for me. If you have some that you would like to add please add them to the comments. (If your an author add them to the post)

Cincinnati Reds acquire Ken Griffey Jr. - February 12th 2000

Ken Griffey Jr. was one of the best players of the 90’s. Junior captivated America while playing for Seattle with his trademark swing, towering home runs, and acrobatic defense in centerfield. In February of 2000 the Cincinnati Reds signed Griffey, at that time the richest package in baseball history. “Well, I’m finally home,” he said at the press conference announcing him. His time for the Reds would become a little tumultuous with injuries slowing him down considerably. But Griffey hit milestone home runs number 500 and 600 with the Reds.

Bengals win the AFC North Division- 2005

Prior to the 2005 season the Cincinnati Bengals had not made the playoffs since 1990. They finished the season 11-5 behind pro bowlers Willie Anderson, Shayne Graham, Chad Johnson, Carson Palmer, and Deltha O’Neal. Palmer had the offense rolling throughout the season but was knocked out of the game with a knee injury early in the first game against Pittsburgh. The Bengals have not made the playoffs since.

Cincinnati Cyclones win the ECHL Kelly Cup- 2008

There was a standing room only crowd at US Bank arena to see the Cincinnati Cyclones win their first ever Kelly Cup Championship. There were a number of records set that night including the 71 combined wins for the Cyclones and the third 100 point team to win the title. Cincinnati was led by Cedrick Desjardins in the goal and rookie David Desharnais who won the MVP and Rookie of the Year awards that season.

Cincinnati Bearcats finish season undefeated and head to the Sugar Bowl- 2009

Perhaps an unexpected Orange Bowl appearance in 2008 is a bigger moment. But after graduating a number of seniors Brian Kelly was able to bring his high powered offense back in 2009 to lead Cincinnati to a perfect 12-0 ranking and a final regular season ranking of #3 in the country. Cincinnati will now compete in the Sugar Bowl against Florida. Consider this, prior to appearing in the Orange Bowl in January of 2009 the Bearcats competed in the Motor City Bowl, New Orleans Bowl, PlainsCapital Fort Worth Bowl, International Bowl, and Papajohns.com Bowl.

Corey Dillon breaks Walter Payton’s single game rushing record- October 22, 2000

There wasn’t much to hang your hat on with the Bengals during the 1990’s. Then in 1997 came Corey Dillon. Dillon ran for 246 yards in a game his rookie season and we thought we would never see anything like it. Not until a game in 2000 at the brand new Paul Brown Stadium against the Denver Broncos. Corey Dillon rushed for 278 yards breaking the single game record that was previously held by Walter Payton. (The record has since been broken by Jamal Lewis and Adrian Peterson.)

Brandon Phillips goes 30/30- 2007

The Reds did not make the playoffs in the decade of 2000 so we have to focus more on what they accomplished individually. One of those accomplishments was completed in 2007 by second baseman Brandon Phillips. Phillips became the third player in Reds history to hit more than 30 home runs and steal more than 30 bases. The other two players to accomplish this feat were Eric Davis and Barry Larkin.

Cinderella Xavier Musketeers make their first Elite Eight- 2004

Xavier wasn’t even the best team in their conference that year, St. Joe’s had their best team in school history and after beating Xavier at the Cintas that year Xavier had fallen to 10-9 and in danger of missing post season play. But things turned around for the Musketeers that season after a 21 point loss at George Washington Xavier began to rally. When they met the #1 team in the country undefeated St. Joseph again in the A-10 tournament X drilled them 87-67. Xavier went on to win the A-10 tournament and clinch a tournament berth. Seeded seventh in the region, the Musketeers rallied from a 14-point second-half deficit to defeat 10th-seeded Louisville, 80-70, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. They then earned their second trip to the Sweet 16 by upsetting second-seeded Mississippi State, 89-74. Third ranked Texas was their next victim falling 79-71 to the Musketeers. Their Cinderella run ended in their first ever Elite Eight appearance losing to #1 ranked Duke 66-63.

Kentucky defeats #1 ranked LSU- 2007

There are not too many Kentucky Football Highlights of the past decade or even the past century, but on a night in Commonwealth Stadium in 2007 they were able to knock off one of the top dogs in the SEC. LSU was coming into the game undefeated and coming off of a win against #7 Florida. LSU was the heavy favorite in the contest but the high powered Kentucky offense just would not go away. The Tigers had a 13 point lead in the third quarter but could not hang on as Kentucky would go on to win in a triple overtime thriller.

Meeks scores a record 54 points- January 13, 2009

Dan Issel held the Kentucky scoring record for 39 years until one night in Knoxville when sharp shooter Jodie Meeks had the best individual game ever by a man in blue. Meeks went 15-22 from the floor, 10-15 from 3 point line, and 14-14 on free throws for a total of 54 points, just one more than Dan Issel. Unranked Kentucky defeated the #24 Volunteers 90-72 that night. Kentucky was mired in the middle of one of their worst seasons since Eddie Sutton and Meeks magical night reignited the Big Blue Nation.