There is Nothing Like the Trifecta

As a huge sports fan, there are some special moments that come along every now and then in which you celebrate some huge victory, signing, or accomplishment. This week registered completely off the Richter Scale and each of my three favorite teams shared headlines with great news.

Washington Redskins

Today the 2008 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees were announced. The inductees are headlined by two members of the Washington Redskins, wide receiver Art Monk and cornerback, Darrell Green. Green entered on his first year of eligibility and Monk on his 8th try. Monk's induction is long overdue and his being passed over recently has been very controversial.

At only 5 feet 9 inches, Green was one of the shortest players in the league. He was also one of the fastest, winning the NFL's Fastest Man competition in all four years of its existence. He made the Pro Bowl seven times, and played for the Redskins for an amazing 20 years.

Monk was on the all 80's Decade Team, earned 3 Pro Bowls and has three Super Bowl rings. He once owned the mark for most receptions in a season and he was the first player to catch over 900 passes.

What I would give to be at that ceremony on August 2nd!

Redskins WR, Art Monk

Redskins CB, Darrell Green

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers looked like on of the best teams in the Western Conference of the NBA until two weeks ago when promosing 19-year-old phenom center Andrew Bynum went down with a knee injury that could sideline him for two months. Since then, the Lakers were 3-5.

Then yesterday, the Lakers pulled off an incredible trade that landed them a All-Star power forward while only losing draft pics, a rookie, and overrated center. Pau Gasol who was the best player on the Memphis Grizzlies and a former NBA Rookie of the Year, will now play along side Kobe Bryant, Andrew Bynum, and Lamar Odom.

Gasol can help fill in for Andrew Bynum while he is out. When Bynum returns, it will give the Lakers the best front court in the league to go along with the best player, Kobe Bryant. The trade has fans and other NBA teams moaning in fear as they recognize the Lakers are now front and center with a chance of getting to the NBA Finals for the next few years.

Lakers PF, Paul Gasol

New York Mets

Last, but certainly not least, my baseball team. The Mets have been one of the premiere teams in baseball over the last two seasons. They lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series in 2006. Last year, the Mets appeared on pace to get to the World Series before their infamous September collapse that kept them out of the playoffs.

The Mets recognized they needed to bolster their pitching staff, and have traded for Johan Santana of the Minnesota Twins. Santana is widely regarded as being the best starting pitcher in the American League. He has won the Cy Young award twice and is about to turn 29-years-old. He makes the Mets one of the favorites to represent the National League in the World Series.

Mets SP, Johan Santana

Everything is nearly perfect in my sports universe right now. At least until next week...