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Top 10 Sacramento Sports Stories Of 2013

Sam Graham, KHTK Sports 1140

With so much controversy surrounding an impending relocation of our beloved Kings franchise to stories involving the citizens of this great city going above and beyond, 2013 has been one crazy year in the sports world for our local teams. Although the Kings are the most local professional team, the abundance of teams in the Bay Area have incredible fan bases that span the entire nation, including here in Capitol City. As we move into 2014, we'd like to look back once more at the most popular sports stories in Sacramento.  Enjoy!

10. Sacramento Psychic Predicts March Madness Outcomes

The NCAA basketball tournament every spring is arguably one of the greatest event in all of sports. Win or go home, simple as that. Many fill out a bracket each year in hopeless attempts to correctly predict the outcome of the 64 team field. Every major sports media outlet usually incorporates prizes in their bracket tournaments in order to curry people to participate in their respective pool, often with cash prizes and pure bragging rights to be able to boast that you're the best in the world. How people base their picks either comes from knowledge of the game, or pure randomness such as which team's mascot would win in a fight to the death. A local psychic gave us her predictions last year most likely causing all of our brackets to bust.

9. Kansas City Chiefs Linebacker Helping Replace Stolen Fairfield Turkeys

Isn't it gratifying when professional sports stars give back to the community? One local star, now on the Kansas City Chiefs, heard about a recent theft where hundreds of turkeys were stolen from a homeless shelter in Fairfield. He responded by replacing each turkey in hopes that more would see the act of kindness as an incentive to donate to the cause as well.

8. 49ers Welcome Vernon Davis Back To Practice, Patrick Willis Still Out

The San Francisco have been destroyed by injuries this year, from a nonexistent receiving corps that is just now coming together the last couple weeks, to defensive backs missing time as well. It's safe to say the NFC champs were not the same team once this season started, but now as key players return from injury, the push for the postseason has begun, as SF just silenced the Seahawks at the Stick.

7. NBA Relocation Committee Blocks Kings' Move To Seattle

Talk about a roller coaster ride. After much deliberation and endless support from the community, your beloved franchise is here to stay. Once the notion to move the franchise was squandered by the NBA relocation committee, rejoice ensued. As Vivek Ranadive said in front of a sold out crowd on opening night, "This is your team Sacramento, and they're here to stay."

6. Oakland Raiders Favored To Defeat Jacksonville Jaguars In Week 2

This season actually had a lot of high expectations for the Oakland Raiders. There have been moments of greatness on the field but their inability to close out tight games ultimately have been the cause of their downfall. The team could easily be above .500 right now but until all the pieces fall into place, consider them an easy win for playoff bound teams. Not surprising then that the sixth ranked article was a preview of a game they were actually favored to win.

5. First-Pitch Surprise: Dad Home From Afghanistan Is Catcher For Son At River Cats Game

Just watch the video, but have a box of tissues ready.

4. Oakland Raiders Face High Scoring Denver Broncos On MNF

The Peyton Manning experiment in Denver has been a success. Could the lowly Raiders stop the Denver offense in a nationally televised game on Monday Night Football? No they could not. National attention is always welcomed for your favorite team, but not when they get embarrassed by a future Hall of Famer. Manning completed 32 of 37 passes for 374 yards and 3 touchdowns. These two teams play again in the Coliseum on December 29th.

3. Blindness Doesn't Stop Sacramento Girl From Competitive Cheerleading

Another heartwarming story. One young Sacramento girl is 80% blind and developmentally disabled. She is a cheerleader for the Winters Warriors and despite her handicap, continues to participate at a very high level. The cheer squad finished first in the Capitol City Championship, which qualified them for nationals. Go Warriors!

2. Eddie Vedder Slams Sacramento At Recent Concert

Don't plan on seeing Pearl Jam in concert anytime soon in Sacramento, and even if they did want to perform, they should not expect a warm reception from the residents of the Capitol City after this incident. Lead singer Eddie Vedder absolutely destroys Sacramento in a recent interview about how we fought to keep the Kings and his beloved hometown of Seattle remains without a team. Cry all you want Eddie, we can't here you over the sound of the crowd noise at the arena.

1. Shaq With Sac? Former Lakers Center Says He'll Make Kings' Cousins 'Best Big Man In The Game'

Welcome to Shaqramento. The 4-time NBA champ recently became a minority owner for the Kings and is determined to develop DeMarcus Cousins into the best big man in the league. Perhaps this mentorship can help lessen Cousins' immaturity he has shown on the court. He has the talent, and now he has the leadership in place to guide him into a perennial all-star.

Dishonorable Mention:
Sacramento Kings Named Worst Franchise In Professional Sports By ESPN

Ouch.

Cheers to a new beginning in 2014!

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