Packers roll on
The "team of destiny" cliche was worn out in 2003, and usually with little pay-off for the teams involved (think Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox).
But sure enough, the NFL play-offs began with another team wearing the destiny tag - the Green Bay Packers.
The Pack made the post-season in the most improbable of ways, on a miraculous last-second comeback by the pathetic Arizona Cardinals to beat Minnesota.
Then they beat the Seahawks on, of all things, a defensive touchdown in overtime to advance to the second round.
Those events, coupled with the sudden death of quarterback Brett Favre's father and his superb performances ever since, have many football fans thinking Green Bay is destined for the Super Bowl.
The tale of Favre and the Packers has been the best story in American sport during the holidays, but the Philadelphia Eagles probably have not been listening.
Though they may not have destiny on their side, the Eagles do have the best team in the NFC.
Look for talent to topple destiny yet again when the Eagles beat the Pack on Sunday.
Rose with thorns
Here is hoping that the long, sad saga of Pete Rose will come to a swift end.
The only thing more pathetic than Rose gambling on baseball has been his constant campaigning for reinstatement to the sport that refuses to acknowledge his career.
The man obviously deserves to be in the Hall of Fame for his on-field achievements, and he just as obviously will not go away until he is inducted.
So let's just get on with it.
Then, hopefully, the only time we will have to see Rose's face is on a small plaque in Cooperstown, rather than in tell-all interviews or on the covers of dull books.
How does your Garden grow?
It did not take Isiah Thomas long to make his presence felt as new president of the New York Knicks.
His deal bringing Stephon Marbury and Penny Hardaway to New York is a great move for the Knicks for more than one reason.
In the Big Apple, success at the box office is nearly as important as success on the court.
And Thomas has brought in players who will immediately put people in the seats at Madison Square Garden.
On the surface, the trade appears completely one-sided in favour of New York.
But it gives the Suns something they desperately wanted - spending money, and lots of room under the NBA salary cap.
Count on the Suns to go after the biggest free agent prize in years this off-season - Lakers guard Kobe Bryant.
After Bryant himself, the person most hoping to hear those two magic words - "not guilty" - will be Suns owner Jerry Colangelo.
Anti-climax
Thank you very much, BCS.
The college football season ended in let-down yet again.
LSU beat Oklahoma in the "national championship game" four days after the national champions had been determined - in the eyes of many - by top-ranked USC's win over Michigan.
USC's shock omission from the title game sparked lots of controversy.
And the powers that be will tinker with the Bowl Championship Series formula, probably giving a human selection committee the final say on who plays in future title games.
But what is really needed is an end-of-season tournament.
That way college football can at last crown an undisputed champion and watch its popularity sky-rocket.
Kevin will be providing weekly updates on the gossip and key issues affecting American sport throughout 2004.
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