Merry Christmas

Being a sports fan in San Diego brings with it much frustration, usually more aggravation than celebration, unfortunately. But as we approach Christmas, we are blessed with many gifts we've unwrapped this year under the sports tree.

-- Most timely, the Chargers have won four straight games and eight of their last 10 to clinch another AFC West title and playoff berth. The Bolts should win out, which would give them an 11-5 record and a postseason home game. We've also psychologically come to terms with the fact that while this is a pretty good team, it's probably not Super Bowl-worthy, so when the run comes to an end in January, we won't threaten mass suicide again.

-- The US Open at Torrey Pines is only six months away.

-- The Padres have come off a streak in which they won two straight National League West titles to make playoff berths, and played a meaningful game in October this year when a heck of a lot of other teams did not.

-- Beth Burns. Forget the UConn game. She's the best coach on the Mesa.

-- San Diego State's woeful football team finally has a coaching staff that understands the problems that have plagued the program for years and are, unlike most Aztecs coaches, are willing to undertake the challenge of what will be a long-term building program. No quick-fix scheme was going to change the Aztecs fortunes, but rather would have kept the program in a rut. Chuck Long and company are, finally, working to lay the strong foundation that has been sorely lacking. It will take longer to receive the payoff, but if success does come, it's more likely to be sustained.

-- Tiger is coming in just a few weeks.

-- The Oceanside High School football team, for winning the San Diego Section's debut in the state football bowl series, thereby gaining desperately needed street cred for future local teams that have good seasons. And to think of what coach John Carroll has done to mold a team. The problems in that city with gangs and crime are horrendous. Carroll has pulled together a winning group made up of kids who are black, white, Samoan and Latino and you never hear of troubles among them.

-- Three years of Josh Johnson. Now get to watch him on Sundays.

-- San Diego, of all places, now has three sports radio stations. The last, XTRA Sports 1360, is clearly the best. I can't listen to Dave, Jeff & Mike without a big smile on my face and I'm often laughing out loud in my car because of them. Josh Rosenberg is a fine young talent and Chris Ello is always willing to take a strong stand on issues. Lee Hamilton is still The 'saw, though his schtick often wears thin. Craig Elfsten is a portrait in hanging in there, now rewarded for sticking with Clear Channel through thick and thin.

-- Four years of Kevin O'Connell. Less likely to see him on Sundays, but the chance is still there.

-- Billy White, Tim Shelton and DJ Gay. White looks like a young Marcus Slaughter, Shelton appeared to be very good before he got hurt. Gay started well but now looks like a freshman, but point guard is the hardest position for a first-year player to learn. Once he gets it, he has the physical tools to be a good one. White's a future MWC Player of the Year. A couple more recruiting classes like this, and SDSU basketball will be a March Madness fixture.

-- Jake Peavy = Cy.

May 2008 bring more such gifts. Merry Christmas to all!