The Packers usually dominate the top spot among the Wisconsin sports stories in any one year, but in 2005 the Pack faded and the Brewers came on strong.
Manager Ned Yost's Crew broke a 12-season losing streak by going 81-81. They had great attendance in owner Mark Attanasio's first year. And, Attanasio promises to keep the momentum going in 2006.
"Wow, what a season! It seems as if just yesterday, I greeted the team at the opening of Spring Training in Maryvale, Ariz.," owner Mark Attanasio gushed in a season-ending statement. "Importantly, our players formed a cohesive clubhouse where they were supportive of each other, giving us terrific chemistry and a foundation for the future.
"General Manager Doug Melvin, Manager Ned Yost, and Assistant General Manager Gord Ash -- as well as our dedicated coaches -- provided leadership, direction, and a steady hand to guide our talented ballplayers, veterans and rookies alike.
"This, my rookie year as the Brewers' principal owner, would not have been as successful without the enormous support of the community, our sponsors and marketing partners, and our employees. However, my most heartfelt thanks are reserved for you, the greatest fans anywhere, for welcoming my family and me to Milwaukee, encouraging my efforts to improve the team, and making home games such an electric experience throughout this breakthrough season. I look forward to seeing you on April 3, 2006 at Miller Park -- our first home opener in a decade -- against the Pirates, just 144 days from now."
So, the Brewers earn the No. 1 sports story of the year.
Other top stories include include:
2. Bowl in Barry's Swan Song -- The UW Badgers made the Capital One Bowl with a 9-3 record in coach Barry Alvarez's final season. The Jan. X game will end a 16-year run for Alvarez that has put UW among the top college programs in the country.
One of the few negatives to the season was a loss to Iowa in Alvarez's last home game, but the coach, who will remain as athletic director, still found it an emotional goodbye.
"It's hard after a loss to sit there and reflect on the 16 years," he said. "You see all the good things and appreciate someone like Donna Shalala, as busy as she is, takes time to come back and pay tribute. Any time the players talk it's very touching to me. It's hard not to break down when guys like Joe Panos say things and I know he means it. A tough ceremony to go though, but I was humbled and I was very appreciative.
"It was fun to watch (the ceremonial video after the game). Just watching the players with a bounce in their step and how they played the game. It was fun. It's always good to hear from some of those guys.
"You set a goal and you talk about Rose Bowls or you'd never get there. You don't just show up at a Rose Bowl some day. You have to have a vision and a plan and finally believe that you could get there. It was a good group of kids and a heck of a staff and very loyal people. Guys believed in what we were selling. Early on we were selling blue sky, but they came here and helped us get the program going. I'll be appreciative of that."
3. Packers Go South -- The Packers still have to be among the top stories, even when they lose. Their collapse this season raises all kinds of questions for the off-season, about the status of Brett Favre and coach Mike Sherman, how long will it take to come back to respectability, etc.
4. UWM in NCAA -- The UWM Panthers went deeper into the NCAA tournament than ever before and ended up taking on Illinois, which made it into the championship game. Coach Bruce Pearl exited for bigger things shortly after, leaving it up to Rob Jeter to keep the improvement in the UWM program going.
5. Admirals Sold -- The Admirals were sold to a young, aggressive ownership group, headed by Harris Turer. It looks like the move will keep hockey in Milwaukee.
6. Bucks Make Changes -- The Bucks fired coach Terry Porter, hired Terry Stotts to replace him, drafted Andrew Bogut No. 1, traded their most popular player and look like they are more competitive.
7. Chelsie Is World Champ -- West Allis' Chelsie Memmel won the World Championship in gymnastics overall in Melbourne, Australia.
8. Marquette To Big East -- Marquette entered the Big East Conference at a time when its basketball program seems to be rebuilding. But, the Golden Eagles won the Alaska Shootout and have given some other indications in pre-conference play that they might surprise some people. Plus, they have finally settled on what to call themselves.
9. State college powers -- UW-Stevens Point won the NCAA Division III basketball championship for the second straight year. Whitewater finished second in Division III football.
10. Soccer Buzz -- The Wave and Wave United continued to create buzz among local soccer fans. The Wave will host the MISL All Star Game in 2006 and WU played an independent schedule for the first time. A new attempt at building a downtown soccer stadium also started in 2005.
As for stories to look for in 2006, here are five:
1. Brewers post winning record and just miss a wild card berth.
2. Chelsie Memmel wins more world championships in gymnastics.
3. Mike Sherman goes. Who knows about Brett Favre?
4. The Bucks creep into the playoffs, but make an early exit.
5. UWM wins the Horizon League title, but gets eliminated in first round of NCAA.
If you have any choices for top 2005 stories, or want to predict some for 2006, post them in the Talkback section at the end of this column.
