Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick leaves a federal court on Aug. 27 after pleading guilty to a federal dogfighting charge. (Steve Helber-Pool/Getty Images)
2007 - Year in Review
Sports highs and lows
The good (Sidney Crosby), the bad (Chris Simon) and the ugly (Michael Vick) from the year in sports
Last Updated Fri., Dec. 28, 2007
Tony Care, CBC Sports
HIGHLIGHTS
The good Bonds
After years of chasing a legend, Barry Bonds takes Washington Nationals pitcher Mike Bacsik deep for his 756th career homer to break Hall of Famer Hank Aaron's all-time record and become baseball's new home run king.
Sid the kid shines
Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby becomes the youngest player in any professional sport to earn a scoring title, enabling him to win the Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player and, later, be named Canada's top male athlete.
A world standard
With the world watching, Canada sets a new FIFA U-20 World Cup attendance record by drawing a total of 1,156,187 spectators in 50 games, surpassing the previous mark set in Mexico 24 years ago.
The new kids on the block
Before Toronto FC plays one game in its inaugural Major League Soccer season, the team announces its 14,000 season tickets were sold out, making BMO Field the envy of the entire league.
Canada three-peats
Forward Jonathan Toews and goaltender Carey Price lead Canada to a 4-2 win over Russia en route to the country 's third straight world junior hockey title. Price, who played every minute of Canada's games, is named tournament MVP.
Downhill demon
Quebec skier Erik Guay wins the first World Cup victory of his career in Germany, becoming the first Canadian to win a downhill race since Cary Mullen did it in 1994.
The CFL king
Winnipeg Blue Bombers veteran receiver Milt Stegall catches a one-yard pass from QB Kevin Glenn against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, passing Mike Pringle and Hall of Famer George Reed to become the CFL's all-time touchdown leader with 138 majors.
Class acts
Considered one of the best classes ever, Mark Messier, Al MacInnis, Scott Stevens and Ron Francis are inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. The newest inductees combined to win a total of 12 Stanley Cup titles.
Canadian sweep
Canadian curlers win both the men's and women's world championships for the first time since 1980. Glenn Howard captures his first world title after disposing of Germany's Andy Kapp 8-3, while Kelly Scott doubled Angelina Jensen of Demark 8-4.
Coming to America
International soccer star David Beckham makes a big splash across the ocean when he signs a staggering $250-million US five-year contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy of MLS.
Surprising turnaround
A win over the Philadelphia 76ers coupled with the Nets' loss against the Chicago clinches the Toronto Raptors' first Atlantic Division title. The Raptors enjoy a league-best 16-win improvement under the guidance of new general manager Bryan Colangelo after going 27-55 the previous year.
Still the ones
Spurred on by a capacity crowd in Winnipeg, the Canadian women capture an unprecedented ninth hockey world championship following a convincing 5-1 win over their American rivals.
Favre supplants Marino
Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre passes Hall of Fame pivot Dan Marino for most career touchdowns (421) and yardage (61,362).
Rookie impact
First-year running back Adrian Peterson gashes the San Diego Chargers for a record 296 yards, besting Jamal Lewis's four-year-old mark by one yard.
French connection
Canadian Daniel Nestor and partner Mark Knowles of the Bahamas win their first French Open men's double's title and third Grand Slam championship overall.
American dream
Dallas Stars centre Mike Modano scores two goals against the San Jose Sharks, passing Phil Housley for career points by a U.S.-born player. The 37-year-old Michigan native scored 1,233 points in 1,253 games - 242 fewer contests than Housley.
LOWLIGHTS
Vick sent to prison
Altanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick is sentenced to 23 months in prison for his role in a dogfighting conspiracy. Vick admits he bankrolled the Bad News Kennels dogfighting operation and helped kill six to eight dogs.
The bad Bonds
All-time home run king Barry Bonds is indicted by a San Francisco grand jury on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. Bonds, who's been investigated for four years, is accused of lying after he testified in 2003 that he never knowingly used steriods.
NHL clamps down on Simon
In a span of one year, New York Islanders forward Chris Simon is suspended for a total of 55 games for two separate incidents. Last season, Simon was benched for 25 games after a two-handed stick swing that hit Rangers forward Ryan Hollweg in the face and neck. This year, Simon received a record 30-game suspension for deliberately stepping on Pittsburgh's Jarkko Ruutu's foot with his skate.
Chilean players in melee with Toronto police
At least half a dozen players from Chile's under-20 soccer team are handcuffed and taken back into BMO Field in Toronto following a melee with police. While Toronto police Chief Bill Blair said his officers acted appropriately, Chile's foreign minister filed a formal complaint with Ottawa, calling the actions as "unjustified aggression."
The Mitchell Report
The 20-month investigation by former U.S. Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell reveals more than 80 major league baseball players are linked to steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs. Among the names mention in the report are Roger Clemens, Bonds and Canadian Eric Gagne.
Jones comes clean
Three-time Olympic gold medallist Marion Jones pleads guilty to lying to federal investigators when she repeatedly denied using performance-enhancing drugs. The American then returns the five medals she won at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Staggering punishment
McLaren is fined a staggering fine of $100 million US and had all of its constructors' points are taken away after a spying scandal shakes up Formula One. The World Motor Sports Council alleges the McLaren team used leaked secret technical documents that belonged to the rival Ferrari team.
Accident claims Diego Corrales
Boxer Diego Corrales, whose career was highlighted by a remarkable comeback stoppage victory over Jose Luis Castillo in 2005, is killed in motorcycle accident. It was later revealed that Corrales was legally intoxicated.
Gambling scandals hit NBA, NHL
The NBA and NHL are rocked with gambling controversies that hit both leagues. Former referee Tim Donaghy pleads guilty to two felony charges after he admitted to betting on games, including ones he officiated. Former NHLer Rick Tocchet was sentenced to two years' probation for his role in an illegal sports gambling ring. Tocchet says he never bet on NHL games and will be allowed to return to the Phoenix Coyotes as an assistant coach on Feb. 7.
Bertuzzi-Moore incident adds new twist
CBC News obtains court documents that allege Todd Bertuzzi's infamous sucker-punch of Steve Moore came after former Vancouver Canucks head coach Marc Crawford pointed at a dressing room board and said "he must pay the price." Moore has filed a $38 million civil suit against Bertuzzi.
England booted out of Euro
England suffers a 3-2 loss to Croatia, eliminating the soccer-mad country from the Euro qualifying tournament and forcing the team to sit and watch the 2008 European Championship.
NFL mourns player deaths
Four active NFL players suffer tragic deaths, including Washington safety Sean Taylor and Denver cornerback Darrent Williams, who were both killed following separate shooting incidents.
Everrett suffers career-ending injury
Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett suffers a devastating neck injury in the season opener against the Denver Broncos and goes through life-threatening spinal cord surgery. While doctors initially fear the worst, Everett makes a miraculous recovery and begins to walk.
O.J. Simpson in trouble again
Twelve years after he was acquitted of murder in the killings of his ex-wife Nicole Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman, Hall of Fame running back O.J. Simpson and five other men are charged with robbing two sports memorabilia dealers at gunpoint in a Las Vegas hotel room.
Barbaro euthanized
Barbaro's eight-month battle for survival ends when he his euthanized. The former Kentucky Derby winner shattered his right leg during the 2006 Preakness and endured several surgeries in an attempt to save his life.
Top Matchups
Sidney Crosby vs. Roberto Luongo
In a matchup that will be talked about for some time, Luongo foils Crosby
twice - once during a penalty shot in overtime and then again in the shootout.
FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid
Spanish soccer's ultimate rivalry, dubbed El Gran Classico, produces
another classic match at Barcelona's Nou Camp stadium, as Argentine wizard
Lionel Messi netted a hat trick during a 3-3 tie in a 90-minute, thrill-a-second
contest between two great teams playing at a breakneck pace.
Roughriders vs. Blue Bombers
Defensive back James Johnson picks off a Grey Cup-record three interceptions, helping the Riders to a 23-19 win over Winnipeg to give the franchise its first title since 1989.
Rafael Nadal vs. Roger Federer
Nadal denies Federer for his third French Open title in four sets. Federer returns the favour to claim his fifth straight Wimbledon crown in a five-set classic.
Mike Weir vs. Tiger Woods
Even with the Americans on their way to winning the Presidents Cup, Weir holds off the mighty Woods with a birdie on 17 to win their hotly contested individual match.
San Diego Padres vs. Colorado Rockies
Trailing by two runs in the 13th inning of the 163rd game of the season, a tiebreaker to see which team would advance to the post-season, the Rockies finish off a three-run rally against baseball's all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman when Matt Holliday scores following Jamey Carroll's fly ball.
Boise State vs. Oklahoma
Instead of prolonging overtime in the Fiesta Bowl, Boise State coach Chris Petersen decides to go for a two-point conversion and the win. QB Jared Zabransky fakes a throw with his right hand and hands off to RB Ian Johnson with his left. Johnson then runs into the end zone against the unsuspecting Sooner defence, giving the Broncos a thrilling 43-42 upset victory.
Israel Vazquez vs. Rafael Marquez
Each Mexican 122-pounder lands a ton of punches in the first five rounds, highlighted by an unbelievable third round. In the sixth round, Vazquez hurt Marquez and pounded him until the referee intervened.