Think 2000 was a wild year in sports? Just wait 'til 2001

-- With no significant free agent signings, the SF Giants rely on Barry Bonds and Jeff Kent to offer the masses their version of a Home Run Derby at PacBell Park.

-- With no significant free agent signings, the SF Giants also rely on Mike Piazza, Sammy Sosa, Chipper Jones and Mark McGwire to offer the masses their versions of a Home Run Derby at PacBell Park.

-- The Oakland A's lead the league in batting average, homeruns and runs scored. They easily win the AL West, outdistancing the over-hyped Texas Rangers by eight games.

-- The A's lose the ALCS to the New York Yankees, who finish the regular season 140-22 and sweep everyone out of the playoffs. During the off-season, the Yanks sign Pedro Martinez and Kevin Brown. Citing a need for more power, they then acquire Albert Belle, Juan Gonzales and Mo Vaughn in trades.

-- Anna Kournikova justifies her fame, fortune and endorsement deals by finally winning a professional tennis tournament. It's not quite Wimbledon, but the Timbuktu Women's Open does feature other top-ranked players ... world numbers 78, 94 and 113.

-- The NFL's decade-long plan for parity comes to full fruition. The 15-1 San Diego Chargers, the AFC's top team, are favored to beat the 14-2 Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship Game. The winner is expected to meet the undefeated Chicago Bears in the Super Bowl.

-- The 49ers rally behind Jeff Garcia and just miss out on the playoffs, finishing 8-8.

-- The Raiders are a dominant force, featuring a three wide-receiver set with Tim Brown, Andre Rison and ... Jerry Rice.

-- Tiger Woods will be the dominant player on the PGA Tour (okay, so not all sports predictions are difficult).

-- Major League Soccer finally realizes what the fans want and signs a few international stars who aren't already in their 40s. They include George Weah, Paul Gascoigne, Bebeto and Roberto Baggio.

-- The San Jose Sharks reach the Stanley Cup Finals, only to lose to the Mario Lemieux-inspired Pittsburgh Penguins.

-- Not to be outdone, Michael Jordan comes out of retirement to join the Washington Wizards. Even with Air Jordan leading the charge, the Wizards are knocked out in the first round of the playoffs.

-- Missing the spotlight and seeing the frenzy Jordan's return has caused, Dennis Rodman announces that he's coming out of retirement. Since no NBA team is interested in his services, Rodman decides to open the "New Finocchio's Cabaret Show" in San Francisco.

-- The Golden State Warriors improve, finishing third from the bottom of the NBA's Pacific Division.

-- The IOC debates over whether hopscotch should be included as a demonstration sport at the Athens Olympics.

-- Greece threatens to boycott the Olympics if hopscotch is included but hide-and-seek is left out.

There you have it, the boldest predictions this side of Sports Illustrated. Don't head to Las Vegas with these predictions in hand, though ... it wouldn't be fair to the other bettors. May 2001 be a sporting year for you.

Do you know of a local superstar in the making? Do you have an interesting sports tidbit to share? Do you just want to be heard? Contact "SportsRap" at: sportsrap@onebox.com or (650) 532-2182 ext. 1072.<