I started out preparing to write about how exciting this week was, with the NFL Draft/Schedule Release, the NHL Playoffs, the NBA Playoffs, & baseball.

Then I realized its not just this week, but we’re in a stretch of a few great weeks.

That made me realize that its not a few weeks we’re in, its a stretch for the ages.

Yes, its true, most of the things I’m about to list happen every year.  Or at the very least, every four years.  But for some reason, due to storylines that are playing out, 2010 just feels different.

A few hours into 2010, Auburn-Northwestern kicked off the year with a great bowl game.  After that, we got to watch Bobby Bowden’s final game on the sidelines.

Over the next 7 days, the BCS played out (not very exciting this year).  The NFL Playoffs were also set in this time frame, and we all know how they played out (fantastically) in January & early February.

For the tennis fans, the Australian Open also took place January 18-31.

The real treat of the winter, of course, is the Super Bowl.  What was great about this year was that 5 days after the Super Bowl ended, the Winter Olympics began.  I don’t even need to explain that hockey tournament’s greatness when explaining why these Olympics have contributed to a great 2010.

Like it or not, late February also brought us the Tiger Woods press conference, which was a spectacle in & of itself.

A few days after the Olympics ended, with Spring Training in full swing, college basketball conference tournaments began, which were immediately followed by the NCAA tournament.

The NCAA National Championship game was played on the same day as Opening Day for baseball, which was 3 days before the Masters, where Tiger Woods returned.

The final Sunday of the Masters was also the final day of the NHL regular season.  Three days later, the NHL playoffs began on the same day the NBA regular season ended.

And now we’re caught up.  Its been quite a year so far.

Tomorrow, the NFL releases its schedule, and Thursday is the draft.  Meanwhile, the NHL & NBA playoffs continue.  Also tomorrow & Wednesday are the first legs of the two UEFA League Semifinals.

Tuesday the 27 & Wednesday the 28 are the second legs.

In 12 days, on May 1, its the Kentucky Derby.

May 6-9 is the PGA Players Championship.

May 15th is the Preakness.

May 22nd is the UEFA Championship.

May 23rd starts the French Open, which runs until June 6.

June 5th is the Belmont Stakes.

And oh yes, the NHL & NBA Playoffs continue.  Sometime in the last week of May or first week of June, the Finals for both sports begin.  And 1-2 weeks later, the finals end.

The mother of them all, the reason 2010 is the greatest, is the World Cup.  This begins on June 11.  Pool play runs from then until June 25.

During pool play, the US Open (golf) takes place, from June 17-20.

The day after the US Open ends, Wimbledon begins.  This runs from June 21-July 4.  Also during pool play, the NBA holds its annual draft.  This year its on June 24.

June 26-29 is the first round of the World Cup Elimination Stage.

July 2 & 3 are the World Cup Quarterfinals, followed on July 4 by the Wimbledon Finals.

July 6 & 7, World Cup Semi’s, followed by the World Cup Finals on July 11.

July 12 is the MLB Home Run Derby, and July 13 is the All-Star game.

July 15-18 is the British Open.  And one week after that, NFL Training Camps open.

NFL, College Football, PGA Championship, US Open, baseball playoffs.  We all know why the end of the year is great for sports.

There is no lull this year.  I know, not everyone follows soccer, golf, and tennis (along with the Big 4).  But I do.  And I’m sure I’m embarrassing myself by being fully aware of the amazing schedule of sportage I’m about to witness.  I’m excited, that’s all.

How can you not be?  Now until July 18 is jam-packed with great sporting events!