2008 Los Angeles Sports Awards
Sparks forward Candace Parker was named the 2008 “Sportswoman of the Year” as she turned heads in ’08 by becoming the first WNBA player to win the league’s Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season. The University of Tennessee standout also won a gold medal with Team USA at the Beijing Olympics.The L.A. Sports Awards were created by the Sports Council in 2005 to recognize the year’s biggest and best moments in sports in the Los Angeles/Orange County area.
Highlights of the awards show will be televised in a one-hour special on FSN Prime Ticket on Friday, January 30, with several repeat broadcasts to follow.
During the awards gala the overall Top 10 moments of 2008 were announced in ranked order.
Top 10 moments of 2008:
- Dodgers Get Manny: Manny Ramirez turns Los Angeles into “Mannywood” and leads the Dodgers to the National League Championship Series. (July 31)
- Kobe Nets MVP: Bryant wins his first NBA Most Valuable Player award. (May 6)
- Lezak’s Golden Touch: Irvine 's Jason Lezak swims the anchor leg of the men's 4 x 100 meter freestyle relay, leading the U.S. team to gold and thereby preserving the second of Michael Phelps’ eight gold medals. (August 11)
- Lakers Return to Finals: The Lakers defeat San Antonio in five games to win the Western Conference championship and advance to the NBA Finals. (May 29)
- Dodgers Advance to NLCS: The Dodgers defeat the Cubs in a three-game sweep of their Division Series to advance to the National League Championship Series for the first time since 1988. (October 4)
- Bruins Earn Third Straight Final Four Trip: UCLA’s men’s basketball team swept through the West Regional to earn its third consecutive trip to the NCAA Final Four. (March 29)
- Trojans Win Pac-10, Again: USC’s football team defeats UCLA, 28-7, to earn an unprecedented seventh straight Pac-10 championship. (December 6)
- Walsh & May Repeat in Beach Volleyball: Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor win their second consecutive Olympic gold medal in beach volleyball at the Beijing Games. (August 21)
- Angels Reach 100 Wins: On the last day of the regular season the Angels set a club record with their 100th victory in a win over Texas. (September 28)
- Parker Shines in Rookie Campaign: Candace Parker becomes the first player in WNBA history to win the league’s Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year awards in the same year. (October 5)
