I'm not going to sugarcoat this, 2019 was a step back for our area professional sports teams. Just a handful of clubs managed to earn a postseason berth while many of the rest wallowed in dysfunction. Of the successful franchises, only the Yankees and Islanders exceeded one-and-done playoff appearances.
Championships? Ha! What are those like for fans? Parade-less since we celebrated the Giants in February 2012, forgive us if when the time comes we've forgotten how to party.
New York-area fans have endured some of the worst owners in the country. With guys like James Dolan, Fred Wilpon and the Johnson brothers embedded here, hope is but a fantasy.
But we hope anyway. And sometimes, we get rewarded with the opportunity to witness something special, like sitting inside a rocking Nassau Coliseum for the return and pummeling of Toronto traitor John Tavares on Feb. 28, or staying up past 1 a.m. on July 23 to watch the Yankees score nine runs in the last three innings to overcome a five-run deficit in a thrilling 14-12, 10-inning victory in Minnesota. In the same vein, I would be remiss if I didn't also include D'Angelo Russell's post-midnight 27-point fourth quarter in Sacramento on March 19 to lead the Nets back from a 25-point hole at the start of the frame. Brooklyn's 123-121 miracle win likely saved their playoff aspirations.
So, the holiday season is as good a time as any to look back at some of the other fonder moments of the past year in addition to holding onto the belief that brighter days are ahead.
And with that brief note of positivity, I give you my eighth annual list of players and moments for which New York sports fans give thanks:
20. Shovels in the ground at Belmont, where the Islanders will finally settle after countless years of arena uncertainty.
19. Playoff basketball in New York City, thanks to the Nets' unexpected rise in the East. Yes, it was short-lived, but Brooklyn came alive for the stretch run.
18. The likelihood of a new Giants coach in 2020.
17. Patience at Madison Square Garden. No mortgaging of the future stymying this Rangers' rebuild around No. 2 overall draft pick Kaapo Kakko. In the same vein …
16. The Knicks may have struck out on the biggest NBA free agents, but there is a young core featuring hard-working rookie RJ Barrett that can be augmented by multiple future first-round picks.
15. Young quarterback potential. The Jets' Sam Darnold and the Giants' Daniel Jones have the arms. Give them some time to root out the costly mistakes.
14. Sure, the massive payroll that brought in stars helped, but the Yankees became a team you cared about last summer more because of general manager Brian Cashman's less-heralded signings like D.J. LeMahieu, Gio Urshela and Cameron Maybin.
13. Lottery luck in New Jersey for the second time in three seasons. Jack Hughes joins fellow No. 1 overall pick Nico Hischier on the Devils.
12. D'Angelo Russell developing into an All-Star before our eyes. Unfortunately, he was necessary collateral damage in Nets' offseason.
11. Jamal Adams terrorizing Jets opponents from his safety position.
10. New Jersey natives Carli Lloyd and Tobin Heath contributing to Team USA's dominant victory at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.
9. Mets ace Jacob deGrom's second consecutive Cy Young Award-winning season. He led the league in strikeouts and finished second in ERA after vice versa rankings in 2018.
8. The Islanders' sweep of hated rival Pittsburgh in the first round of the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs.
7. Speaking of sweeps, the Yankees' demolition of the Twins in the ALDS had them set up perfectly for the next round. Unfortunately, they fell to the sign-stealing Astros.
6. Barry Trotz, the best coach in the NHL, leading what some considered an underwhelming group of Islanders through a franchise-record 17-game point streak.
5. One hundred forty-four Gleyber Days. That was the number of games played by Yankees infielder Gleyber Torres last season. At just 22, he exuded consistency with his clutch hitting. And when he faced Baltimore, he morphed into a monster.
4. Pete Alonso's transformative Rookie of the Year season. The Mets' first baseman not only broke Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge's rookie home record by bashing 53, but he was the rare position player for this franchise who gave the club an identity.
3. And, for the top moment of 2019, I'm going with June 30, when Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving shocked the world by announcing that they were taking their talents to Brooklyn. Once KD recovers from his rehabilitation from Achilles surgery, the Nets might actually become a new metropolitan area team that can contend for a title.
2. The legions of New York sports fans, like you, who are so devoted to their teams that they can't get enough content on outlets like WFAN.com.
And, as always ...
1. My wonderful family -- with extra thanks to my put-upon wife -- who indulge me in my illogical passions for my favorite teams. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. May 2020 literally be a banner year in New York.
For a FAN's perspective of the Nets, Jets and the NHL, follow Steve on Twitter at @SteveLichtenst1.
