I'm sure most of us are happy to see 2001 go away. It was a terrible year in many ways and sports were no exception. It's said that sports mirrors life and that was painfully clear several times. But, as painful as the year was, sports were also the savior. It provided us with a diversion from our pain. A moment to cheer instead of cry. A chance to celebrate instead of mourn and wonder. The sports page has always chronicled man's successes while the front page has chronicled his failures.

2001 started off as a bummer. Dale Earnhardt was killed in what looked like a "fender bender" type crash at the Daytona 500. Only a handful of athletes are the icons of their sport and also have a strong bond with the fans of their sport. Earnhardt was NASCAR's poster boy. With seven driving championships, he drove his sport from the back page of the sports section to the front page, from an after thought mention on sportscasts to the lead story, from an image of hick and hillbilly and grease under the fingernails to sophisticated, articulate athlete. Earnhardt was the leader in showing sports fans that an athlete can make a lot of money, but still be down to earth and be the "guy next door."

Fan reaction showed that people who compete can be heroes. It may not be right, but in this case the adulation was justified. Earnhardt worked hard, drove hard, won, respected his sport, held himself and others to a high standard and in the end probably had no regrets. He died as a warrior in a sport he loved. His death was tragic, but his life was also complete. In being a driving force in NASCAR racing, he also left a legacy. Even in death he's contributing to his sport. As a result of his death and others recently, safety changes are being made. A rule requiring a neck device has been instituted and track safety is being re-evaluated. The pain and sadness of the loss of Dale Earnhardt has given way to the hope in the new year that his legacy will prevent others from following him.

This summer, sports again reflected life when Corey Stringer of the Minnesota Vikings died following a workout. His death was also tragic, but the real tragedy was that it was preventable. Heat, his weight and pro football's "macho" attitude combined to kill him. While his death will make the NFL and teams pause and think about how not to have this occur again, it will happen again. Football has been compared to "going to war." An exaggeration, but like war, there are serious injuries and even death. We need to gain a new perspective on football. We must find a balance between what's good for the player and giving your all, including possibly your life, for the game. Unlike Earnhardt's enduring legacy of safety changes, I'm afraid Stringer's legacy will just be a fading memory.

Baseball is America's pastime and we had to remember that to help us through America's nightmare in 2001. In a sense, baseball was our salvation in the aftermath of September 11th. But, it also stands on the verge of being another American institution that collapses if the players and owners don't find a common sense solution that makes the game financially viable, competitively interesting, and fan friendly again. Here's hoping 2002 marks the start of the return of baseball again as the sport that unites us in great memories of days of watching the game and going to the ball park, getting an autograph and being more interested who wins on the field then who wins in arbitration and in contract negotiations.

Baseball's enduring magic was the highlight of what otherwise was a hellish year. The World Series, especially in a city that endured and reflected the pain of the country, will never be forgotten. The World Series in New York at Yankee Stadium showed the world we were alive as a country and we had examined our priorities. In some ways, the Yankees wins in games 4 and 5 were a reflection of life. Never quit, it's not over 'til the last out and in the direst moment something good can happen. Arizona's ultimate win of the series also showed that the agony of defeat in games 4 and 5 can indeed turn into the joy of victory in the long run. Stay the course. The beauty of the game, the drama and the similarities to life's lessons all give hope in the New Year.

In 2001, baseball provided us with another wonderful drama. Barry Bonds breaking of the single season home run record. In some ways this drama was more interesting than the one three years ago when Mark McGwire broke Roger Maris' single season home run mark with 70. McGwire's effort was "feel good" and was aided by his battle with Sammy Sosa, another baseball good guy. Bonds' quest was a solo effort and challenged one's support and enthusiasm because of his publicized dark demeanor and cranky personality. In the end, Bonds obliterated McGwire's mark with 73 home runs, but it's doubtful that it will have the enduring, feel good quality that McGwire's effort had. The positives of Bonds' effort are the joy of watching such a talented player ultimately succeed in the face of enormous pressure, on again, off again support from the fans and the begrudging respect of other players. The hope is that the experience had such a profound effect on Bonds that in 2002 and whatever years he has left in baseball that he enjoys the game, and lets that joy be seen by others rather than the Barry Bonds of the past.

2001 has been a profound year. One that has led us to reflect, re-evaluate and hopefully appreciate and cherish what we have. Sports can only be an aid, not an answer in that effort. I look at the glass as half full instead of half empty. Therefore, I can only look at the year ahead in sports as one of positive promise. Let's hope this time next year we're all smiling and cheering that hope.

I feel better now.

I'm Ron Barr.

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