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Looking back at it, 2005 was a pretty good year. It was
however filled with many disasters and controversies. There
was Hurricane Katrina, which touched the country, and crippled
parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, and Alabama. Bird
Flu was discovered in China prompting concern about the
safety of eating chicken.
The MTA was a huge story in 2005. They raised fares, and
announced another increase for 2007. Then they made walking
through cars, placing bags on seats and drinking open beverages
illegal and they ended the year off right when the Transit
Workers Union (TWU) went on a three-day strike during the
holiday season in retaliation for not reaching a new contract
agreement.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg won re-election easily defeating
Democrat Fernando Ferrer who barely beat out the other Democratic
Candidates himself. President Bush’s support dwindled
to record lows while he kept a smile on his face. He and
Vice President Dick Cheney stopped talking at one point
because they weren’t seeing eye to eye on many things.
The Yankees proved that being a $200 million dollar team
really means nothing when there’s no talent in the
outfield while Boston proved that one year is really all
they had as both American League East contenders failed
to make it to the World Series. The Mets showed signs of
a winning team but realized mid-season that it would take
at least one more year before they could really be a true
contender. The Giants surprised the country with a surprise
playoff berth riding off the adrenaline of the passing of
owner William Mara. Although young Quarterback Eli Manning
really showed no signs of being anywhere near brother Peyton
Manning’s skills, Tiki Barber set records and the
defense of Michael Strahan among others gives them the NFC
East Title for the first time in five years.
The Knicks, well what can we really say about those Knicks.
They traded half of their roster and Allan Houston retired.
Isiah Thomas has been in hot water since the off-season
but he is still around leading the team to disarray. He
did hire Larry Brown only to make Brown the laughing stock
of the league. Brown has come up with over 25 different
roster changes in a little over 30 games and the team has
been at the basement of the NBA standings since the beginning
of the season.
In other sports news Phil Jackson returned as the coach
of the Los Angeles Lakers. He is learning much like Kobe
did last year, that life in the NBA without Shaquille O’Neal
really just isn’t worth living. Pat Riley also returned
to coaching, making it an old school coached reunion every
time the Knicks, Heat, Lakers or Spurs are on the Court.
Hockey was iced out, after the players union could not settle
on a deal all season long. No Hockey was played, no championship,
and Todd Bertuzzi didn’t have to sit out his season
long suspension as was assigned.
Roy Jones hit the mat, then he released a rap album. Roy
was knocked out again and he is now a ringside announcer.
That career is also over for Roy so its back to rap or back
to hitting the mat. Mike Tyson and Bernard Hopkins also
fell to the mat.
Paul McCartney performed during the Super Bowl Half-Time
show, following the Janet Jackson boob show the year before.
McCartney was not as exciting. Stevie Wonder signed up to
perform in 2006. Mariah Carey returned to the top of the
charts with “The Emancipation of Mimi”, her
10th album. The album paired her up with Jermaine Dupri
on production and guest appearances from Twista, Nelly,
and Snoop Dogg. Her album sold the most records of 2005
making her the first female act to reach this accomplishment
since Alanis Morissette in 1996.
Faith Evans, Mary J. Blige, Ginuwine, Brian McKnight, Freddie
Jackson, and Toni Braxton all returned to the charts with
less acclaimed new projects.
However, 50 Cent did not get shot this year. He did find
himself in beef with The Game, (then they shook hands),
Jadakiss, Nas, Shyne, Fat Joe and half the record industry,
all of New York’s Politicians and so many other people.
His protégé Young Buck stabbed a man at the
Vibe Awards Show.
Lil’ Kim was found guilty of perjury and sentenced
to 366 days in prison. Cassidy turned himself in and will
soon to be on trial for murder. It is rumored that he changed
his “I’m a Hustla” dance to the “I’m
a Murderer” bop. If convicted he may be sentenced
to death. Shyne released an album, but was denied any money
he made off of it.
Sadly many honorable people died this year. Jonny Carson
(January), Ossie Davis (February), Johnnie Cochran (March),
Pope John Paul II (April), Luther Vandross (July). Peter
Jennings (August), John H. Johnson (August), Chief Justice
William Rehnquist (September), Rosa Parks (October), Richard
Pryor (December), Constance, Baker Motley (September), Shirley
Chisholm (January), Shirley Horn (October), and so many
others passed in 2005.
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