Quite a year for sports. There was the Mark McGuire meltdown at the US Senate hearing about steroids in baseball. It was more than Mark, and most watching, could bear.

Mr. McGwire pushed things to the legal limits in enhancing his baseball career. These days, what he did, is considered using steroids. For a person who did nothing wrong at the time, a person who respected his country, sport, and fellow man, the fact being called into question broke his spirit. A low point in sports this year. Certainly a low spot for a fine man and ballplayer.

Sports in general is a practice of highs and lows. A gamble to view where a player may end. Some see both ends, deserved or not.

No matter the outcome of sports moves on.

Lance Armstrong went from the low end of having cancer. He defeated that and in 2005 won his seventh Tour de France. Along the way he made cycling something a cross stream of sports fans watched on television. Can Lance do it? Win again?

Who does not feel that they could win again? No matter what they battle.

The White Sox did! The Eagles were just happy to have Philly fans use the term Super Bowl (SB) players by their name. Instead of SOB players.

Hockey owners, managers, and players rejoined the real world. Despite various rule changes all I still see is hockey. I am glad to see it. Watching "Texas Hold Them" is satisfying for only so long, and still gets too much air time on television. Stay with us hockey, with fans you can only get your goal by playing. Not going on strike!

Basketball stars seem to have settled most of their quarrels, and court cases, in 2005. They even got a dress code which I think is good. Call me old fashion but I like when millionaires look like millionaires. At least when it comes to going to work. I think it sends a positive image to many a folk of all ages. Most importantly the young, our future.

As Jerry and I felt when we started this, site the word "sport" is pretty broad-based. It could be fishing, golfing, bowling, and all those various Olympic things people who can bend do. We just know how much we appreciate the contributions you send in. We do use most of them.

A special thanks to Mike Indri and the Retired Boxing Foundation. They have been in our corner since almost day one. They have gone from being contributors, to being friends. A plus side of the website.

Also thanks to Ange Coniglio and his family of AFL friends. All great stuff you send in.

To those willing to stick their necks out on football picks this past season thank-you. During some weeks it took bravery to allow your picture above the picks.

We receive countless questions and submissions from many a kind reader. You have no idea how much that means to us at Sports Lore. Thanks our sporting friends. Please keep them coming.

So as 2005 comes to a close Webmaster Jerry and I just want to wish all of you a wonderful Holiday Season in whatever way you enjoy it. Thanks to you we will be back in 2006, as will the high and lows of sports.

Oh Yes, to that lady in Dale, Oregon. We do not quite consider Bingo a sport. At least not just yet, but thanks for asking.

Have a wonderful 2006!

Mike Toone - Editor
Jerry Landers - Webmaster