WHAT JUST HAPPENED?

Yeah, we know 2009 sort of went by in a blur and it never hurts to recap the year in which a lot of weird stuff went on especially if it involved superstar golfers, SUVs and supermodels. ‘Get Sporty’ takes a random walk…
1. At the US Open, a group of children have their most fruitful school field trip ever as they witness Serena Williams enrich their vocabulary during the semifinal against Kim Clijsters.
2. Somewhere in the US, sportscasters finally can shout ‘The Yankees Win! Th-e-e-e Y-a-a-a-n-n-k-k-e-e-e-e-s win!’
3. The Umpiring Decision Review System (UDRS for short) is launched by the ICC allowing all three umpires to be part of virtually every decision on field. The result is a proliferation of the very kind of errors the system was supposed to eliminate. In totally unrelated news, ‘3 Idiots’ releases.
4. Some Indian girl wins something important in badminton or some such sport.
5. Liverpool, the club I support, end the year much the same way they began it – by flattering to deceive.
6. Tiger Woods sends everyone scrambling for their nearest thesaurus with his imaginative use of the word ‘transgressions’.
7. A phenomenon completes 20 years at the world level. A giver of joy to millions and someone who redefined the rules of the game, the phenom proves amazingly durable and yet flexible. Yes, the internet turned 20 in 2009. Oh yes, Sachin Tendulkar too completed 20 years of international cricket.
8. Brett Favre, the NFL quarterback, who retired and then ‘unretired’ to join the Minnesota Vikings discovers the aphorism – ‘indecision is the key to flexibility’. His status update of the same on Facebook is liked by Lance Armstrong and Michael Schumacher.
9. A cricket match is cancelled in Delhi due to an ‘unfit’ pitch. Turns out, the groundsmen at Delhi thought the supposed to be used for the Commonwealth Games, which are like light years away yet, right?
10. Thierry Henry, paranoid about touching anything with his hand, refuses to hold the hand of an old lady to help her cross a street in Paris. In related news, Ireland demand an automatic qualification spot for the Handball world cup.
11. Record number of athletes get on to tweeting (e.g. Lance Armstrong or Aussie batsman Philip Hughes who broke the news of his being dropped via Twitter) and fans rush to ‘follow’ them and are deluged with ‘tweet nothings’. Bon Jovi, meanwhile, valiantly tries to remind everyone that ‘We weren’t born to follow’.
12. The cricket themed film ‘Victory’ releases featuring a bunch of international cricketers. Hurman Baweja gives out valuable tips on the fine art of sledging. Ricky Ponting reportedly gives it two fingers up – not sure if they were thumbs, though!
13. The IPL’s second edition is won by the Deccan Chargers led by a 37 year old Adam Gilchrist beating the Bangalore Royal Challengers led by 38 year old Anil Kumble. Fans mull over calling it the Indian Pensioners League.
14. The H1N1 virus spreads across the world leading to empty football stadiums in Mexico, NBA teams falling sick and even affects cricketers. Meanwhile, Sreesanth dares Bhajji to slap him as he sneezes on his face.
15. Usain Bolt shatters his own 100m world record and is now busy finding out how early in a 100m race he can start celebrating. His target for the next Olympics is to strike his winning ‘lightning bolt’ pose as soon as the starting gun is fired.
16. And finally, according to the Chinese calendar, 2010 is supposed to be the year of the Tiger. Seriously, you have to hand it to the Chinese for their ironic and wicked sense of humor.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! :)