Rank 'Em: Top 20 from the ESPN 100

Created: December 18, 2007, 3:46 PM

The Patriots are doing what most said couldn't be done.

Barry Bonds was indicted for perjury and obstruction of justice. Michael Vick went to prison for dogfighting. Referee Tim Donaghy bet on NBA games. Marion Jones broke down and admitted to taking steroids.

But it wasn't all bad. The year in sports also provided us with jaw-dropping perfomances from the New England Patriots as they pursued perfection, the Florida Gators who double-dipped with championships in basketball and football, Tiger Woods who won his 13th major and Boise State, who brought back memories of playground games from long ago when a statue of liberty play would win the game as thousands watched and cheered.

The ESPN 100 is a review of the stories sports fans were talking about in 2007, as selected and ranked by approximately 250 executives, editors and decision-makers across the TV, website, Magazine and radio platforms of ESPN.

Below are the top 20 from this this year's list. Re-rank them according to your take on what mattered in 2007.

Simply click on the photos to add them to your rankings.
 

 
  • Barry Bonds' quest to break Hank Aaron's all-time home run record came to an end with his 756th round-tripper, but Bonds' historic achievement was marred when he was indicted on charges of perjury and obstruction charges.
  • Perhaps no athlete has ever fallen farther from grace than former Falcons QB Michael Vick. Found guilty of financing and operating a dogfighting ring, Vick will spend the next 23 months in jail.
  • Still think Peyton Manning can't win the big one? After overcoming a huge deficit against longtime foil New England, the Colts destroyed the Bears in the Super Bowl.
  • It was the year of the Gator, at the expense of the Buckeye. Chris Leak and Tim Tebow overcame an early deficit to beat Ohio State in the National Championship, 41-14, while the Gator Boys basketball squad overcame Greg Oden and Mike Conley Jr. to win their second championship.
  • The NBA was rocked by a potentially-devastating scandal that has called the integrity of the game into question. Referee Tim Donaghy was found to have engaged in a point-shaving racket which could extend beyond just one renegade referee.
  • Baseball's steroid problem was brought to the forefront of the national discourse with the release of former Senator George Mitchell's report on performance-enhancing drugs. Among those named in the report: David Justice, Andy Pettitte, and most importantly, Roger Clemens.
  • The long, painful saga of the Duke Lacrosse rape case came to an end this year with the dismissal of charges against all players involved. Former prosecutor Mike Nifong was disbarred as a result of his conduct durring the case.
  • Former gold medalist Marion Jones admitted to lying to federal agents about using steroids during her track and field career. Jones was stripped of her five gold medals and barred from participating in the 2012 Olympics.
  • After a videotaping scandal called the Patriots' achievements into question, Bill Belichick set to systematically destroying his opponents. The Patriots started the season 14-0 and are on the verge of breaking several records.
  • Alex Rodriguez had perhaps his best season ever in 2007, but it wasn't enough to propel the Yankees to a World Series win. After the season, Rodriguez opted out of his contract with New York, before re-signing with the club after a fallout with agent Scott Boras.
  • After the birth of his daughter, Tiger Woods wins his 13th major and is named Player of the Year for the ninth time in his career.
  • Boise State WR Vinny Parretta throws an overtime touchdown pass in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, setting up a Statue of Liberty play that beats Oklahoma. After the game, Boise State RB Ian Johnson proposed to his girlfriend on the sidelines.
  • Roger Federer outlasts Rafael Nadal to capture his fifth consecutive Wimbledon title. He also wins three of the four Grand Slams for the third time in his career.
  • Don Imus makes racially insensitive comments about the Rutgers women's basketball team; he defends himself by saying rappers use the same offensive language.
  • The underrated Terry Francona leads the Boston Red Sox to the team's second World Series championship in four seasons.
  • The San Antonio Spurs win their fourth NBA title in nine years.
  • Hendrick Motor Sports dominates the year in NASCAR, taking hald the checkered flags and the NEXTEL Cup championship.
  • Kevin Durant's dominant freshman season turns heads in the Big 12, and the Seattle Supersonics make him the second pick in the NBA draft.
  • Retired players push the NFL to increase benefits. A new report detailing the damage from concussions fuels their cause.
  • LeBron James scores 50 points, including 25 straight and 29 of 30 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals, leading his Cavs past the Detroit Pistons and eventually into the NBA Finals.