Since you've been gone

By Cecile Nguyen

Here's a quick rundown of what's been happening in the sports world since TSC was last published, or for those of you who have been living under a rock for the past four months:

Two people came out of "retirement."

Former Santa Clara basketball Head Coach Dick Davey and his argyle sweaters will make their return to the court this season, as Davey is now an assistant coach for the Stanford basketball team.

"I never really wanted to get out," Davey told Mercury News reporter Jon Wilner this past June. "I wanted to get back in. I thought it was unlikely because, with the circumstance with my family, I had to stay in the Bay Area.''

With the Broncos, Davey compiled a 251-190 overall record, second all-time in school history, and a 122-88 mark in the WCC with three regular season conference championships and a WCC Tournament title in 1993.

Davey will return to Santa Clara when the Broncos play host to the Cardinals on Dec. 23.

"You play who you play," Davey said. "I'll always love Santa Clara, but I'm working for Stanford now."

Brett Favre also came out of retirement after he retired and changed his mind a mere four months later.

He made things a little awkward in Green Bay. They offered him millions to stay retired, but he didn't bite and eventually ended up on the New York Jets.

The Beijing Olympics happened, but not without some controversial fake fireworks and a lip-synching nine-year-old during the Opening Ceremony. And the Chinese female gymnasts who won a team gold were allegedly underage.

In other Olympic news: Former Broncos Aly Wagner ('02) and Matt Madigan ('91) represented the U.S. at the 29th Olympiad.

Wagner earned gold with the women's soccer team and Madigan was a first-time coach for the U.S. women's rowing quadruple scull.

In baseball news, the Tampa Bay Rays continue to surprise everyone with their sudden resurgence.

Perhaps this was with a little assistance from God after they dropped the "devil" from their team name and changed their logo to a sun ray. Tampa Bay secured their first-ever playoff berth early this week and can clinch the American League East title with a win and a Red Sox loss.

The Yankees said farewell to their historic home last Sunday and are moving to their new multi-million dollar stadium right across the street next season.

Here's hoping the next few months are as exciting as the past four.