TOP TEN- 7-10-06

Everybody has a Top 10. NS is no different. But rather than focus just on college football or Major League Baseball, we’ve decided to throw every sport –FIFA, bowling, jump-roping- into the same pool and simply fish out the best athletes/teams each Monday. Let the debating commence…

1. Italy- Overcoming media scrutiny, 31 serious contenders and one scary head butt, the Italians leave Germany on top of the world.
2. France- No the French didn’t win the Cup, but their runner-up finish, coupled with Amelie Mauresmo’s women’s title at Wimbledon, was magnifique!
3. Germany- Yeah, they only won the bronze, but maaan, was that reception gold medal-worthy!
4. Roger Federer- Though the prince (Rafael Nadal) put up a valiant fight, Federer’s 4^th straight Wimbledon victory assures all that the king likes his thrown.
5. Detroit Tigers- Will the All-Star break cool off the most surprising team of the first half?
6. Boston Red Sox- Not even a six-hour marathon vs. the Chicago White Sox can keep Beantown from staying gassed up.
7. Jeff Gordon- With the win at the Sheetrock 400, Jeff grabs a solid footing in the Nextel top 10. Guys, objects in your mirror may be closer than they appear…
8. New York Mets- David Wright may be your first-half NL MVP. This team is unquestionably your first-half NL Champ favorite.
9. D.C. United- Here’s hoping a 12-1 record (and whatever World Cup buzz remains) is good enough to get folks into the MLS season.
10. Floyd Landis- Screw drug scandals and Lance’s daunting shadow. Landis, second place after 8 Tour De France stages, is making a name for himself.

Almost Made The Cut: Allen Doyle (Won the U.S. Senior Open), San Diego Padres (8 games up in the NL West), Tiger Woods (Second-place finish at Western Open), Minnesota's Joe Mauer (.371 at the break)

Three WORST: Detroit Red Wings (First Yzerman, now Brendan Shanahan!), Pittsburgh Pirates (30 games under .500), Zidane (Keep reading...)