December

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THE YEAR IN REVIEW

2 – The San Francisco Chronicle publishes grand jury transcripts in which Yankees first baseman and former AL MVP Jason Giambi admits he took steroids and human growth hormone. He got them from BALCO, the Bay Area laboratory headed by the indicted Victor Conte.

3 – The Chronicle follows its Giambi bombshell with more grand jury testimony from Barry Bonds, in which the seven-time MVP admits to using substances called the “clear” and the “cream.” They are BALCO steroids, but Bonds says he didn’t know what they were.

3 – Utah coach Urban Meyer, considered the front-runner for the Notre Dame head coaching job, instead signs to coach Florida.

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11 – USC’s Matt Leinart becomes the 70th winner of the Heisman trophy and the fifth straight quarterback to win the award.

12 – The University of Notre Dame names New England offensive coordinator Charlie Weis as its next head football coach, just as the Washington Huskies are naming Ty Willingham as their new football coach.

13 - Pedro Martinez, hero of seven seasons with the Red Sox and a key to Boston's first world championship since 1918, confirms that he intends to sign with the New York Mets for four years and $56 million, presumably to be closer to his Daddy.

25 – In one of the most hyped NBA games in years, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal face off as opponents for the first time when the Lakers play host to the Heat. In the days leading up to the game, O'Neal said, "I'm a brick wall. He's a Corvette. You know what happens when a Corvette hits a brick wall." But no confrontation takes place, and although O'Neal fouls out with 24 points and Bryant scores 24, the Heat win in overtime.

26 - Former NFL defensive lineman Reggie White dies suddenly at his home. He was 43.