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Best male athlete: Michael Phelps

Yea, I know he smoked pot, but that was after he won 8 gold in 8 tries, setting world records in 7 events, and set the world record for most gold medals in a single Olympics.

Best female athlete: Serena Williams

I wasn’t crazy about most of the choices, but she won 2 majors this year and is in a position to win her 2nd straight Wimbledon as we speak.

Best championship performance: Michael Phelps

The other performances were nice, but this guy captivated the world.

Best breakthrough performance: Evan Longoria

The only one of the candidates on there that I would say is a future Hall of Famer. He dominates at the game, cleanly I might add, and he’s only 23.

Best record breaking performance: Michael Phelps

8 gold in 8 tries enough said.

Best upset: USA Soccer

Not only did they knock off Europe’s best, Spain, but they made America like soccer again. That’s a huge upset.

Best game: Federer vs. Nadal

I wanted to put the 6 OT college basketball game between UConn and Syracuse, but Federer Nadal was on a world stage for a Wimbledon title.

Best moment: USA Swimming

The world watched as Michael Phelps’ teammate came from behind to make sure Phelps had a shot at the record.

Best play: Roethlisberger to Holmes

Nothing beats a Super Bowl winning catch.

Best team: Los Angeles Lakers

This was honestly the most complete sports team I have seen in a while. They just had no weaknesses.

Best international male athlete: Usain Bolt

Simply put, he flew. He crushed the world record despite high stepping it for about the last 20 meters.

Best international female athlete: Lorena Ochoa

I wasn’t crazy about any of the candidates, but she’s the best player on the LPGA tour.

Best coach/manager: Phil Jackson

If he wins again next year, he’ll need to start wearing rings on his feet. He’s the greatest NBA coach, maybe even sports coach in general, of the last 20 years, and he won it again this year.

Best NFL player: Adrian Peterson

Tom Brady is the best NFL player, but he was hurt, so he wasn’t a candidate. I give the nod to Peterson in a close one over Peyton Manning, who probably wouldn’t be there to accept the award because he was eating oreos.

Best MLB player: Albert Pujols

He’s a machine. He’s the best all around clean MLB player since the 70’s. That’s saying a lot.

Best NHL player: Alexander Ovechkin

He didn’t win the cup, but 2 straight MVPs gives him the nod here.

Best driver: Jimmie Johnson

I shouldn’t give this “sport” any dignity, but picking here, but Johnson won the cup. Even though I think I’m a pretty good driver.

Best NBA player: LeBron James

Kobe won the championship as part of the best team, but LBJ is the most complete NBA player.

Best WNBA player: Candace Parker

She may be pregnant and out for the season, but she’s the face of a sport that was once faceless.

Best fighter: Manny Pacquiao

No one wants to win more in professional fighting than Pacquiao.

Best US male Olympian: Michael Phelps

Why were there any other candidates?

Best US female Olympian: Nastia Liukin

Again, I’m not crazy about the candidates, but Nastia Liukin was the most impressive.

Best male golfer: Padriag Harrington

I couldn’t give it to Tiger because of his injury. Pady Harrington dominated while Tiger was out.

Best female golfer: Lorena Ochoa

She’s ranked #1 on the LPGA tour for a reason.

Best male tennis player: Rafael Nadal

This was close, but because Federer hasn’t won Wimbledon yet this year, Nadal was still the best tennis player this year.

Best female tennis player: Serena Williams

2 majors and in line for her 2nd straight Wimbledon.

Best male college athlete: Tim Tebow

A bit of a surprise over dominant Stephen Strasburg, but no one wants to win more than Tebow.

Best female college athlete: Maya Moore

Only one I knew…

Best male action sports athlete: Shaun White

I pick him every year. No action sports athlete is more versatile than he is. It doesn’t matter what type of board he’s on, he’s winning.

Best MLS player: Landon Donovan

I wanted to select “anyone but David Beckum,” but that didn’t seem to be an option.

Best bowler: Chris Barnes

#1 rated on the PBA tour.