Balloting was submitted by 161 sports editors throughout the country whose newspapers are Associated Press members.
How they fared
1. Those caught in MLB’s crackdown on performance enhancing drugs.
2. Jimmie Johnson’s fourth straight NASCAR championship.
3. Roger Federer’s 15th Grand Slam title.
4. Brett Favre unretired — again — to lead Vikings to division title.
5. Tiger Woods’ late Thanksgiving night crash leads to admission of many long-term affairs, dropped sponsors, likely divorce and an indefinite “time out” from golf.
6. Steelers win sixth Super Bowl on Santonio Holmes' TD catch
7. Yankees beat Phillies in World Series at new Yankee Stadium
8. Usain Bolt sets world records (100 & 200) at world championships
9. Tom Watson, 59, comes within 8-foot putt of British Open title
10. Tiger Woods returns to Tour after injury; finishes year at No. 1