2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Europe, Heat details
e: retired or mechanical failure • m: exclusion for exceeding two minute time allowance • t: exclusion for touching the tapes • x: other exclusion • f: fellns: non-starter • nc: non-classifySemi-finals: Heat 21: Riders placed 1st, 4th, 6th & 7th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Heat 22: Riders placed 2nd, 3rd, 5th & 8th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Big Final (heat 23): The first and second placed riders in each of the Semi-Finals


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Germany
The 2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Germany was the eleventh and closing race of the 2008 Speedway Grand Prix season. It was scheduled to take place on 11 October 2008, in the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. However, the meeting was cancelled because the track (temporary) was deemed unsafe by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) jury due to adverse weather conditions. The event was re-staged at the Polonia Stadium, Bydgoszcz, Poland, on the 18 October and was renamed the 2008 FIM Final Speedway Grand Prix. The Grand Prix was won by Polish rider Tomasz Gollob, who also won the 2008 Super Prix.


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Germany, Riders
The Speedway Grand Prix Commission nominated Martin Smolinski as a wild card, and Tobias Kroner and Max Dilger both as track reserves. Kevin Wölbert later replaced the injured Max Dilger. The draw was made on September 29 at the FIM Headquarters in Mies, Switzerland. The SGP Commission re-nominated Maciej Janowski and Grzegorz Zengota both as track reserves. Track reserve Janowski later replaced the injured Niels Kristian Iversen.


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Germany, Heat details
e: retired or mechanical failure • m: exclusion for exceeding two minute time allowance • t: exclusion for touching the tapes • x: other exclusion • f: fellns: non-starter • nc: non-classifySemi-finals: Heat 21: Riders placed 1st, 4th, 6th & 7th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Heat 22: Riders placed 2nd, 3rd, 5th & 8th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Big Final (heat 23): The first and second placed riders in each of the Semi-Finals


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Germany, Super Prix
For the Super Prix Final the $200,000 prize fund will be awarded as follows:


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Germany, Super Prix
If a Super Prix event is won by a rider who has already qualified for the Super Prix Final, then the World Championship Final Classification following the completion of Heat 23 in Germany will determine who is awarded this place or places.


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Germany, Super Prix
At the Super Prix Final in Germany, if a rider has won more than one Super Prix he will take the starting gate colour of his first Super Prix win. e.g. If he has won in Sweden (red) and Denmark (blue), the rider will have the red starting gate.


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Germany, Super Prix
If qualified riders are unable to participate in the Super Prix Final due to injury or other circumstances, they will be replaced using the World Championship Final Classification.


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Germany, Super Prix
A Wild Card or Reserve rider could qualify to the Super Prix Final in Germany.


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Germany, Super Prix
It is the placing in the Final of a Super Prix which determines who qualifies, not points.


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain
The 2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain, known as the 2008 FIM Meridian Lifts British Speedway Grand Prix for sponsorship reasons, was the fifth race of the 2008 Speedway Grand Prix season. It took place on 28 June, in the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. The British Grand Prix is one of the four Super Prix events held in 2008. The winner in Cardiff will progress to the Super Prix final, taking gate 3 and the white helmet colour.


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain, Riders
Edward Kennett was nominated as a wild card after he finished 2nd at the 2008 British Speedway Championship. Tai Woffinden and Simon Stead were the next highest finishing non-Grand Prix riders and both will be track reserves at Cardiff. The starting positions draw was made on 18 June, at the FIM Headquarters in Mies, Switzerland.


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain, Result
Jason Crump from Australia was the winner of the British Grand Prix, he finished ahead of second placed Greg Hancock of the United States. Crump therefore takes the white helmet colour in the Super Prix final.


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain, Result
Nicki Pedersen benefited from controversial decisions by Polish referee Marek Wojaczek. Pedersen touched the tapes in an early heat, which should have resulted in a mandatory exclusion but Wojaczek allowed the race to continue and later, after an innocuous clash with Leigh Adams on the first corner of heat 17, Adams was excluded. In the first semi-final Bjarne Pedersen, who led the qualifying scorers with 14 points, clashed with his Nicki Pedersen in identical fashion to Adams and he, too, was excluded, much to the anger of the 45,000 crowd.


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain, Result
Great Britain's Scott Nicholls reached the final for the first time this year only to break the start tapes which resulted in his exclusion from the final. Nicki Pedersen fell in the final and therefore scored 0 points from the race, but still took third place on the podium. Nicki Pedersen still led the standings after the British Grand Prix, and it was the fifth time out of five Grand Prix that he had reached the final, although his first Grand Prix win in 2008 would not come until the following Czech Grand Prix.


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain, Heat details
e: retired or mechanical failure • m: exclusion for exceeding two minute time allowance • t: exclusion for touching the tapes • x: other exclusion • f: fellns: non-starter • nc: non-classifySemi-finals: Heat 21: Riders placed 1st, 4th, 6th & 7th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Heat 22: Riders placed 2nd, 3rd, 5th & 8th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Big Final (heat 23): The first and second placed riders in each of the Semi-Finals


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Italy
The 2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Italy was the tenth race of the 2008 Speedway Grand Prix season. It took place on September 27 in the Santa Marina Stadium in Lonigo, Italy. Italian SGP was won by Hans N. Andersen from Denmark. It was his first GP Won in this season.


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Italy, Riders
The Speedway Grand Prix Commission nominated Guglielmo Franchetti as a wild card, and Mattia Carpanese and Alessandro Milanese as track reserves. The draw was made on September 16 at the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme Headquarters in Mies, Switzerland.


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Italy, Heat details
e: retired or mechanical failure • m: exclusion for exceeding two minute time allowance • t: exclusion for touching the tapes • x: other exclusion • f: fellns: non-starter • nc: non-classifySemi-finals: Heat 21: Riders placed 1st, 4th, 6th & 7th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Heat 22: Riders placed 2nd, 3rd, 5th & 8th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Big Final (heat 23): The first and second placed riders in each of the Semi-Finals


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Latvia
The 2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Latvia was the eighth race of the 2008 Speedway Grand Prix season. It was held on August 30, 2008, in the Latvijas Spidveja Centrs in Daugavpils, Latvia. The Grand Prix was won by Jason Crump from Australia, it was his second GP win of the season.


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Latvia, Riders
The Speedway Grand Prix Commission nominated Grigory Laguta as a wild card, and Mr. John and Maksims Bogdanovs both as track reserves. The draw was made on August 19 at the FIM Headquarters in Mies, Switzerland.


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Latvia, Heat details
e: retired or mechanical failure • m: exclusion for exceeding two minute time allowance • t: exclusion for touching the tapes • x: other exclusion • f: fellns: non-starter • nc: non-classifySemi-finals: Heat 21: Riders placed 1st, 4th, 6th & 7th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Heat 22: Riders placed 2nd, 3rd, 5th & 8th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Big Final (heat 23): The first and second placed riders in each of the Semi-Finals


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Poland
The 2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Poland was the ninth race of the 2008 Speedway Grand Prix season. It took place on September 13 in the Polonia Stadium in Bydgoszcz, Poland. The Grand Prix was won by Greg Hancock from United States, it was his first GP win of the 2008 season.


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Poland, Riders
The Speedway Grand Prix Commission nominated Wiesław Jaguś as a wild card, and Krzysztof Buczkowski and Adrian Gomólski both as track reserves. The draw was made on September 2 at the FIM Headquarters in Mies, Switzerland. Maciej Janowski replaced Adrian Gomólski, having been injured in the Polish First League match on 2008-09-07 (KM Ostrów vs Polonia Bydgoszcz 42:47).


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Poland, Riders
Andreas Jonsson and Krzysztof Buczkowski were Polonia Bydgoszcz's riders in 2008 season.


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Poland, Heat details
e: retired or mechanical failure • m: exclusion for exceeding two minute time allowance • t: exclusion for touching the tapes • x: other exclusion • f: fellns: non-starter • nc: non-classifySemi-finals: Heat 21: Riders placed 1st, 4th, 6th & 7th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Heat 22: Riders placed 2nd, 3rd, 5th & 8th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Big Final (heat 23): The first and second placed riders in each of the Semi-Finals


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Scandinavia
The 2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Scandinavia was the seventh race of the 2008 Speedway Grand Prix season. It took place on August 16, in the G&B Stadium in Målilla, Sweden. The Grand Prix was won by Leigh Adams from Australia. It was his second GP Won in this season.


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Scandinavia, Riders
The Speedway Grand Prix Commission nominated Peter Ljung as a wild card, and Jonas Davidsson and Thomas H. Jonasson both as track reserves. The draw was made on August 5 at the FIM Headquarters in Mies, Switzerland.


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Scandinavia, Heat details
e: retired or mechanical failure • m: exclusion for exceeding two minute time allowance • t: exclusion for touching the tapes • x: other exclusion • f: fellns: non-starter • nc: non-classifySemi-finals: Heat 21: Riders placed 1st, 4th, 6th & 7th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Heat 22: Riders placed 2nd, 3rd, 5th & 8th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Big Final (heat 23): The first and second placed riders in each of the Semi-Finals


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Slovenia
The 2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Slovenia was the first race of the 2008 Speedway Grand Prix season. It took place on April 26 at the Matija Gubec Stadium in Krško, Slovenia.


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Slovenia
Slovenian SGP was won by Tomasz Gollob from Poland. It was the 12th SGP win of his career. In the final, Gollob beat Danes Nicki Pedersen and Hans N. Andersen.


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Slovenia, Riders
The Speedway Grand Prix Commission nominated Matej Žagar as Wild Card, and Izak Šantej and Jernej Kolenko both as Track Reserves. The Draw was made on April 15 in FIM Headquarters in Mies, Switzerland. Denis Štojs later replaced the injured Jernej Kolenko.


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Slovenia, Heat details
e: retired or mechanical failure • m: exclusion for exceeding two minute time allowance • t: exclusion for touching the tapes • x: other exclusion • f: fellns: non-starter • nc: non-classifySemi-finals: Heat 21: Riders placed 1st, 4th, 6th & 7th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Heat 22: Riders placed 2nd, 3rd, 5th & 8th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Big Final (heat 23): The first and second placed riders in each of the Semi-Finals


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Sweden
The 2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Sweden is the third race of the 2008 Speedway Grand Prix season. It took place on 24 May in the Ullevi Stadium in Göteborg, Sweden It is the fourth time that the Ullevi Stadium has staged a GP, the last time being the 2004 Grand Prix of Scandinavia. At 416 metres, the semi-permanent track is the largest track on the 2008 Grand Prix calendar, and the longest ever used for a Grand Prix event.


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Sweden
Sweden is also the first of four rounds of the 2008 Super Prix. The meeting winner will be given the red helmet in the SuperPrix final at Gelsenkirchen in October with a chance of winning a share of an extra $200,000 prize fund.


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Sweden, Riders
The Speedway Grand Prix Commission nominated Jonas Davidsson as a wild card, and Sebastian Aldén and Billy Forsberg both as track reserves. Bjarne Pedersen was again replaced by Luboš Tomíček because of an injury. The draw was made on 13 May at the FIM Headquarters in Mies, Switzerland.


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Sweden, Result
Rune Holta won the Swedish Grand Prix with a fast overtaking manoeuvre on the back straight on the first lap of the final. It was Holta's 50th Grand Prix and the first Grand Prix win of his career.


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Sweden, Result
Fredrik Lindgren had been unbeaten from his previous races but had to settle for second place, although he did score the most points from the meeting. Nicki Pedersen extended his series lead to ten points with third place.


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Sweden, Result
The meeting overran by over an hour due to a number of stoppages caused by the unpredictable, rutted track. Andreas Jonsson was taken to hospital after a high-speed crash but escaped serious injury, Niels Kristian Iversen also crashed in one of his heats and suffered a dislocated shoulder.


2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Sweden, Heat details
e: retired or mechanical failure • m: exclusion for exceeding two minute time allowance • t: exclusion for touching the tapes • x: other exclusion • f: fellns: non-starter • nc: non-classifySemi-finals: Heat 21: Riders placed 1st, 4th, 6th & 7th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Heat 22: Riders placed 2nd, 3rd, 5th & 8th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Big Final (heat 23): The first and second placed riders in each of the Semi-Finals


2008 Speedway World Cup
The 2008 FIM Nordicbet Speedway World Cup (SWC) is the 8th FIM Speedway World Cup season. The Final took place on July 19 2008 in Vojens, Denmark. The tournament was won by host team Denmark (49 pts) and they beat defending champion Poland (46 pts), Sweden (39 pts) and Australia (21 pts) in the Final.


2008 Speedway World Cup
It was the second time the Speedway World Cup was won by Denmark and their thirteenth Team World Champion title overall. It was the second time Hans Andersen, Niels Kristian Iversen, Bjarne Pedersen and Nicki Pedersen had been members of a  World Cup winning team (Champions in 2006, but it was the first time for Kenneth Bjerre.


2008 Speedway World Cup, Qualification
The top 6 teams of the overall 2007 Speedway World Cup was directly seeded into the 2008 SWC Final Tournament: Poland (Rank #1 - the defending Champion), Denmark (#2), Australia (#3), Great Britain (#4), Sweden (#5) and Russia (#6). 2 other teams was shall qualify to the SWC through 2 preliminary rounds: Czech Republic (#7) and Hungary (#8).


2008 Speedway World Cup, Qualification
In Preliminary Round 1 in Miskolc, Hungary won with (51+3 points) after a run-off between Matej Ferjan and Tobias Kroner from Germany (51+2 pts). The last places were taken by Latvia (36 pts) and United States (12 pts) competing without Grand Prix rider Greg Hancock.


2008 Speedway World Cup, Qualification
In Ljubljana, Slovenia rode Preliminary Round 2 which was won by the Czech Republic team (59 points). They beat Finland (40 pts), Slovenia (35 pts) and Italy (16 pts).


2008 Speedway World Cup, Tournament
The SWC Final Tournament was held by Poland (Event 1), Great Britain (Event 2) and Denmark (Race-Off and The Final).


2008 Speedway World Cup, Tournament
The first Semi-Final (Event 1) was held in Leszno, Poland. This meeting was won by Australia (56+3 points) after a Run-Off between Leigh Adams and Jarosław Hampel from Poland (56+2 points). In Event 2 in Coventry, Great Britain, the Denmark team won (63 points).


2008 Speedway World Cup, Tournament
The Race-Off and the Final were held in Vojens, Denmark. The Swedish team won the Race-Off(53 points). Sweden and Poland (50 points) qualified for the Final. The last two places were taken by Great Britain (36 points) and Russia (17 points).


2008 Speedway World Cup, Tournament
In the Finale the Denmark team won (49 points). They beat Poland (46), Sweden (39) and Australia (21).


2008 Speedway World Cup Event 1
The 2008 Speedway World Cup Event 1 was the first race of the 2008 Speedway World Cup season. It took place on July 12, 2008 in the Alfred Smoczyk Stadium in Leszno, Poland.


2008 Speedway World Cup Event 1, Heat details
M - exclusion for exceeding two minute time allowance • T - exclusion for touching the tapes • X - other exclusion • E - retired or mechanical failure • F - fell


2008 Speedway World Cup Event 2
The 2008 Speedway World Cup Event 2 was the second race of the 2008 Speedway World Cup season. It took place on 14 July 2008 in the Brandon stadium in Coventry, Great Britain.


2008 Speedway World Cup Event 2, Heat details
M - exclusion for exceeding two minute time allowance • T - exclusion for touching the tapes • X - other exclusion • E - retired or mechanical failure • F - fell


2008 Speedway World Cup Final
The 2008 Speedway World Cup Final was the fourth and last race of the 2008 Speedway World Cup season. It took place on July 19, 2008 in the Speedway Center in Vojens, Denmark.


2008 Speedway World Cup Final, Heat details
M - exclusion for exceeding two minute time allowance • T - exclusion for touching the tapes • X - other exclusion • E - retired or mechanical failure • F - fell


2008 Speedway World Cup Qualification
The 2008 Speedway World Cup Qualification (SWC) was a two events of motorcycle speedway meetings used to determine the two national teams who qualify for the 2008 Speedway World Cup. According to the FIM rules the top six nations (Poland, Denmark, Australia, Great Britain, Sweden and Russia) from the 2007 Speedway World Cup were automatically qualified. Qualification was won by Hungary and Czech Republic teams.


2008 Speedway World Cup Qualification, Heat details, Miskolc (1)
M - exclusion for exceeding two minute time allowance • T - exclusion for touching the tapes • X - other exclusion • E - retired or mechanical failure • F - fell


2008 Speedway World Cup Qualification, Heat details, Lonigo (2)
M - exclusion for exceeding two minute time allowance • T - exclusion for touching the tapes • X - other exclusion • E - retired or mechanical failure • F - fell


2008 Speedway World Cup Race-off
The 2008 Speedway World Cup Race-off was the third race of the 2008 Speedway World Cup season. It took place on July 17, 2008 in the Speedway Center in Vojens, Denmark.


2008 Speedway World Cup Race-off, Heat details
M - exclusion for exceeding two minute time allowance • T - exclusion for touching the tapes • X - other exclusion • E - retired or mechanical failure • F - fell


2008 Spengler Cup
The 2008 Spengler Cup was held in Davos, Switzerland between December 26, 2008 and December 31, 2008. All matches were played at host HC Davos's home Vaillant Arena. The final was won 5-3 by HC Dynamo Moscow over Team Canada.


2008 Sport Club Corinthians Paulista season
The 2008 season was the 98th edition of the football club Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, their debut in Série B.


2008 Sport Club Corinthians Paulista season, Club, Team kit
The team kit for the season was produced by Nike and the shirt sponsor was  Medial Saúde.


2008 Sport Club Corinthians Paulista season, Season, Campeonato Paulista, Results summary
Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost;


2008 Sport Club Corinthians Paulista season, Season, Campeonato Brasileiro Série B, Results summary
Last updated: 13 November 2008. Source: 2008 Campeonato Brasileiro Série B


2008 Sport Club Internacional season
The 2008 season is the 99th season in Sport Club Internacional's existence, and their 38th in the Campeonato Brasileiro, having never been relegated from the top division.


2008 Sport Club Internacional season, Club, Team kit
The team kit for the season was produced by Reebok and the shirt sponsor is Banrisul.


2008 Sport Club Internacional season, Season 2008, Campeonato Gaúcho, Results summary
Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost;


2008 Sport Club Internacional season, Season 2008, Campeonato Brasileiro, Results summary
Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost;


2008 Sports Car Challenge of Mid-Ohio
The 2008 Acura Sports Car Challenge of Mid-Ohio was the sixth round of the 2008 American Le Mans Series season. It took place at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Ohio on July 19, 2008.


2008 Sports Car Challenge of Mid-Ohio, Race results
Class winners in bold. Cars failing to complete 70% of winner's distance marked as Not Classified (NC).


2008 Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg
The 2008 Acura Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg was the second round of the 2008 American Le Mans Series season. It took place on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida on April 5, 2008.


2008 Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg, Race results
Class winners in bold. Cars failing to complete 70% of winner's distance marked as Not Classified (NC).


2008 Sri Lanka Eastern Provincial Council election
The Sri Lanka Eastern Provincial Council elections, 2008 was held on May 10, 2008 to elect members to Sri Lanka’s Eastern Provincial Council. Following the successful completion of local government elections in the Batticaloa District, Sri Lanka’s Elections Department announced on March 14 that the elections for the Eastern Provincial Council were to be held in May, after a lapse of 20 years. It was only the second time direct elections are held to select members for the council, and first time for the Eastern Provincial Council alone, after it was separated from the North-Eastern Provincial Council in 2006.


2008 Sri Lanka Eastern Provincial Council election
Nominations for contesting in the elections were accepted from March 27 to April 3, and a total of 1342 candidates from 18 political parties and 56 independent groups contested the elections where over 980,000 people were eligible to vote. Both of Sri Lanka’s major political parties, the opposition United National Party and the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance took part in the election in coalitions with a number of other parties, but under their own names.


2008 Sri Lanka Eastern Provincial Council election
According to the official results released by the Elections Department, the ruling UPFA were victorious in the election, winning 20 seats, while the opposition UNP won 15 seats. Two smaller parties, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the Tamizh Democratic National Alliance also won 1 seat each.


2008 Sri Lanka Eastern Provincial Council election, Background
The Provincial Council system was first set up in Sri Lanka following the signing of the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord in 1987. Although Sri Lanka has 9 provinces, as part of the agreement the Northern and Eastern provinces were merged into a single North Eastern Province, and a joint North-Eastern Provincial Council formed. This was done following demands of Tamil political parties, who consider the north and east of Sri Lanka as their "traditional homeland", and wanted to administer the area as a single entity, against the protests of some members of the Sinhalese and Muslim communities.


2008 Sri Lanka Eastern Provincial Council election, Background
The first elections were held for the North Eastern Provincial council on November 19, 1988. The Tamil nationalist parties Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF) and Eelam National Democratic Liberation Front (ENDLF) won 35 and 12 seats respectively, while the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) won 17 seats and the ruling United National Party won one seat. Varatharaja Perumal was appointed Chief Minister by the victorious EPRLF, who also announced that they would form a ruling coalition with the ENDLF.


2008 Sri Lanka Eastern Provincial Council election, Background
However, as relations soured with India, and renewed fighting broke out between the government and the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam organization (the Tamil Tigers), the North-Eastern Provincial Council was dissolved in 1990 and its administration taken over by the government. The area was ruled by the government since then, with parts of it under the control of the Tamil Tigers. While fresh elections were held for the other 7 provincial councils in 1993, and subsequently every five years later, no elections were held for the North Eastern due to the situation on the ground.


2008 Sri Lanka Eastern Provincial Council election, Background
Throughout the 1990s, control over parts of the province changed hands between the government and LTTE. When the ceasefire agreement was signed in 2002, parts of all 3 districts composing the Eastern Province were under the control of the LTTE. As the ceasefire broke down in mid-2006, the government launched a major military offensive to clear the Eastern Province of the LTTE. The Sri Lankan military fully achieving this objective in July 2007, and plans were immediately drawn up to hold local elections for the area. Elections were however delayed due to the unstable situation on the ground, as it was the first time in 14 years that some parts of the province came under the control of the government.


2008 Sri Lanka Eastern Provincial Council election, Background
In the meantime, in a landmark decision the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka ruled on October 16, 2006 that since other conditions set the merger were not satisfied, the merger of the two provinces was "null and void without having any legal effect", thereby separating the administrative functions of the two provinces.


2008 Sri Lanka Eastern Provincial Council election, Background
As a precursor to the Provincial Council elections, the government first held elections to local government bodies in the Batticaloa district on March 10, with the TamilEela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) winning 8 of the 9 bodies up for grabs. (see )


2008 Sri Lanka Eastern Provincial Council election, Details
The Eastern Province contains 15% of the landmass of Sri Lanka, and has a population of approximately 1.5 million people, or 7.8% of the country's population. Members for provincial councils are directly elected for 5-year terms. The leader of the council majority serves as the province's Chief Minister, alongside a board of ministers. A provincial governor is appointed by the President of Sri Lanka.


2008 Sri Lanka Eastern Provincial Council election, Details
Voting to select members for the provincial councils took place between 7:00am and 4:00pm Sri Lankan time, at 1070 polling stations throughout the Eastern Province. A total of 37 members were to be elected to the Provincial Council, 14 from the Ampara District, 11 from the Batticaloa District and 10 from the Trincomalee District, with the overall winner gaining two additional "bonus" members. 79 counting centers were set up to tally the votes.


2008 Sri Lanka Eastern Provincial Council election, Contesting political parties
The opposition United National Party (UNP) boycotted the Batticaloa local government elections in March claiming the existence of the armed TMVP cadres would prevent the holding of free and fair elections. This move was however criticized by some analysts, and the UNP also faced pressure from within the party to contest the Provincial Council Elections. Subsequently, the UNP announced on March 25 that they would be contesting the election.


2008 Sri Lanka Eastern Provincial Council election, Contesting political parties
The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, the largest Muslim Party in the country, initially attempted to contest the elections as part of a larger coalition of Muslim parties. However discussions regarding this fell through, mainly because the parties could not agree on a symbol to contest under, with the SLMC insisting the alliance should use the “tree” symbol, a proposal the other parties were opposed to. On April 2, the SLMC announced they would contest the elections with the UNP, under the United National Party banner and the “elephant” symbol.


2008 Sri Lanka Eastern Provincial Council election, Contesting political parties
In a surprise move, SLMC leader and Member of Parliament Rauff Hakeem, along with 2 other SLMC MPs, Party Chairman Basheer Segudawood and General Secretary Hasen Ali also resigned from their seats in the national parliament on April 2, and announced they would be contesting in the Provincial Council Elections. At the same time, another senior member of the SLMC, M.L.A.M. Hisbullah crossed over to the government.


2008 Sri Lanka Eastern Provincial Council election, Contesting political parties
After discussions, the TMVP and the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) also announced on March 30 that they will jointly contest the polls under the UPFA's “betel leaf” symbol. After some arguments between the leading Muslim candidate M.L.A.M. Hisbullah, and the leading Tamil candidate and leader of the TMVP Pillayan as to who will be appointed Chief Minister if the UPFA won the election, the ruling party decided that whichever community won the most votes would be given the Chief Ministerial post.


2008 Sri Lanka Eastern Provincial Council election, Contesting political parties
The largest Tamil  political party Tamil National Alliance totally boycotting these polls. United National party (UNP) and Tamil National Alliance  groups claim unfair elections took place. TNA claimed it wasn't safe for them to operate in the east because the TMVP group was armed. TMVP threatened TNA MP's and also captured alive family members of TNA MP prior to the elections. Human rights groups claim that TMVP used violence before the election and therefore the elections were "tainted". An independent candidate also claimed that people voted out of fear for army backed TMVP.


2008 Sri Lanka Eastern Provincial Council election, Contesting political parties, Parties contesting in 1 district
In addition, there were 11 independent parties contesting in the Batticaloa District, 22 in the Ampara District and 19 in the Trincomalee District.


2008 Sri Lanka Eastern Provincial Council election, Lead up to the elections
Despite some concerns that armed groups would disrupt the elections, the independent election monitoring group People's Action Front for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) said that they did not see any evidence of any groups using arms during the campaigning. 10 days before the election, the chief of PAFFEREL Kingsley Rodrigo told the Daily Mirror that he expected to see a free and fair election.


2008 Sri Lanka Eastern Provincial Council election, Lead up to the elections
There will also be 2,500 local and 20 internal polls monitors on the ground monitoring the elections.


2008 Sri Lanka Eastern Provincial Council election, Lead up to the elections
There was a powerful bomb exploded at the town of Ampara on May 9, 2008 just a day before the elections, also 11 people killed and 36 sustained injuries. The suspected LTTE planted the bomb by targeting government military personnel that used this place as a resting place.


2008 Sri Lanka Eastern Provincial Council election, Results
According to official results, the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance gained a majority in the Provincial Council, which was seen as a strike against the Tamil Tiger rebels. The UPFA won 20 seats (18 seats directly and two bonus seats for gaining the most votes overall), the opposition United National Party 15 seats and two smaller parties, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna and the Tamizh Democratic National Alliance won one seat each.


2008 Sri Lanka Eastern Provincial Council election, Results
Pillayan, a former rebel leader, was sworn in as Chief Minister of Eastern Province on 16 May 2008.


2008 Sri Lanka Eastern Provincial Council election, Claims of election irregularities
The United National Party, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna claimed that many incidents of election irregularities such as vote rigging was carried out by members of the United People's Freedom Alliance and the TamilEela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal during election day. The UNP and the SLMC has made a petition challenging the result of Ampara district PC to the supreme court.


2008 Sri Lanka Football Premier League
The following covers the events of the 2008 Sri Lanka Football Premier League.


2008 Sri Lanka Football Premier League
The 2008 Premier League championship was organized by the Football Federation of Sri Lanka, and by Dialog Telekom. Army SC won the championship after its win over Rathnam SC. Kasun Jayasooriya of Renown SC was the top scorer in the league.


2008 Sri Lanka Football Premier League, Teams
Both Pelicans SC and Java Lane SC were lowered to Division I because they were the last two teams in the league.


2008 Sri Lanka Vavuniya bombing
The 2008 Sri Lanka Vavuniya bombing was a bombing on a police station that killed 12 members of police and injured 40 including children in the town of Vavuniya, Northern Province, Sri Lanka on June 16, 2008. The bombing was carried out by detonating a motorcycle laden with explosives, although the perpetrator has not been confirmed, the Tamil Tigers is believed to be responsible.


2008 Sri Lanka roadside bombings
The 2008 Sri Lanka roadside bombings were two separate roadside bombings that killed 32 people and injured 62 others on January 16, 2008. The first roadside bomb was aimed towards a civilian bus, with gunmen shooting at fleeing survivors and then retreating into the bush, killing farmers who encountered them. The second roadside bomb was aimed towards a military vehicle, injuring three soldiers. The Sri Lankan Government has blamed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for the attacks.


2008 St Albans City and District Council election
The 2008 St Albans City and District Council election took place on 1 May 2008 to elect members of St Albans District Council in Hertfordshire, England. One third of the council was up for election and the Liberal Democrats gained overall control of the council from no overall control.


2008 St Albans City and District Council election, Background
Before the election the Liberal Democrats had 29 seats, compared to 19 for the Conservatives, 8 for Labour and there were 2 Independents. 18 of the 20 wards were contested in 2008, with only Colney Heath and Sandridge wards not having an election. Each of the Liberal Democrat, Conservative, Labour and Green parties contested every seat, apart from in Redbourn where the Liberal Democrats did not put up a candidate against the sitting independent councillor Tony Swendell.


2008 St Albans City and District Council election, Background
3 Liberal Democrat councillors, Brian Peyton, Brian Sinfield and Jenny Stroud, and 2 Conservative councillors, Clare Ellis and Liz Stevenson, stood down at the election. Independent, former Conservative, councillor John Newman also did not defend his seat in Harpenden West after moving to Dorset.


2008 St Albans City and District Council election, Election result
The Liberal Democrats regained an overall majority of 2 on the council with 30 councillors, after making a net gain of one seat. They gained seats in Batchwood, Sopwell and Verulam wards, but lost Harpenden East and Wheathampstead to the Conservatives, who increased to 22 seats on the council. The Labour party lost all of the seats they had been defending, including London Colney to the Conservatives, to fall to 5 seats on the council, while independent Tony Swendell held his seat in Redbourn. Labour blamed their defeats on voters protesting against the national Labour government. Overall turnout was 42.5%, a drop from 43.6% at the 2007 election.


2008 St Albans City and District Council election, Election result
Following the election the national Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg came to St Albans to celebrate the results.


2008 St Albans City and District Council election, By-elections between 2008 and 2010
A by-election was held in Harpenden South on 4 June 2009 after Conservative councillor Paul Foster resigned from the council. The seat was held for the Conservatives by Brian Ellis with a majority of 899 votes over the Labour Party.


2008 St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council election
The 2008 St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council election took place on 1 May 2008 to elect members of St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council in Merseyside, England. One third of the council was up for election and the council stayed under no overall control.


2008 St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council election, Background
At the last election in 2007, Labour remained the largest party with 21 seats, the Liberal Democrats has 20, Conservatives 6 and there was 1 independent. However soon after the election the independent councillor, Bessie Griffin, joined the Liberal Democrats. Since the 2006 election the Liberal Democrats and Conservative had run the council together, while Labour was in opposition.


2008 St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council election, Background
16 seats were contested in 2008 and as well as candidates from Labour, Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives, there were 10 candidates from the British National Party.


2008 St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council election, Election result
Labour gained 2 seats to have 23 councillors, but fell 2 short of regaining a majority on the council, as the Liberal Democrats had 19 seats and the Conservatives 6. The Labour gains from the Liberal Democrats came in Billinge and Seneley Green and in West Park, while they held marginal seats in Haydock and Bold, with the result in Bold only coming after 3 recounts. The Labour gain in Billinge and Seneley Green meant the party regained the seat they had lost when councillor Bessie Griffin had left Labour to become an independent and then later joined the Liberal Democrats.


2008 St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council election, Election result
Following the election the Liberal Democrat and Conservative parties continued to run the council together, with Liberal Democrat Brian Spencer remaining leader of the council.


2008 St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council election, By-elections between 2008 and 2010, Parr
A by-election took place in Parr on 12 March 2009 after the death of Labour councillor Ken Pinder. The seat was held for Labour by Andy Bowden with a majority of 340 votes over Liberal Democrat Barry Dodd.


2008 St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council election, By-elections between 2008 and 2010, Rainhill
A by-election took place in Rainhill on 12 March 2009 after the death of Labour councillor Mike Doyle. The seat was held for Labour by Barrie Grunewald with a majority of 503 votes over Liberal Democrat Denise Aspinall.


2008 St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council election, By-elections between 2008 and 2010, Moss Bank
A by-election was held in Moss Bank on 16 July 2009 after the death of Liberal Democrat councillor Anna Heyes. The seat was held for Liberal Democrats by David Kent with a majority of 469 votes over Labour's Jeffrey Fletcher.


2008 St Helens RLFC season
The 2008 St Helens R.F.C. season was the 136th in the club's history. They competed in Super League XIII as well as the 2008 Challenge Cup tournament.


2008 St Helens RLFC season, 2008 Fixtures/Results
Source: . Classification: 1st on competition points; 2nd on match points difference. Competition points: for win = 2; for draw = 1; for loss = 0.


2008 St Kilda Football Club season
The St Kilda Football Club's 2008 season was its 112th season in the Australian Football League (AFL).


2008 St Kilda Football Club season, Summary, NAB Cup
The season began well with the club winning the preseason competition, the 2008 NAB Cup.


2008 St Kilda Football Club season, Summary, NAB Cup
The club had wins over Richmond in the round of 16, Geelong in the quarter-finals, Essendon in the semi-finals and won the final against the Adelaide Crows by five points at Football Park (AAMI stadium) 2-7-9-(69) to 0-9-10-(64) - St Kilda's third preseason cup win in the AFL. Jason Gram won the Michael Tuck medal for the player judged best on ground during the final.


2008 St Kilda Football Club season, Summary, Regular season
Despite the promising start, the Saints went on to have a mixed first half of the season with a five-win, six-loss record. After this their fortunes vastly improved and they gained a place in the finals series.


2008 St Kilda Football Club season, Summary, Regular season
This mixed season drew both criticism and praise at differing times towards Lyon from supporters and the media. His game plan has been described as one championing accountability, similar to the Sydney Swans model by Paul Roos. Lyon's surprise move to drop midfielder Nick Dal Santo (as well as Stephen Milne) from the side was due to them not meeting these "benchmarks". Arguably, it was a turning point in the Saints' season, as they went on to win the next four games following this bold move.


2008 St Kilda Football Club season, Summary, Regular season
In a very competitive 2008 premiership season St Kilda Football Club qualified for the 2008 premiership season finals series, finishing the home and away rounds in the top four, in fourth position, with 13 wins.


2008 St Kilda Football Club season, Summary, Finals series
In the 2008 finals series, St Kilda played Geelong in the qualifying finals. St Kilda 8.13 (61) lost to Geelong 17.17 (119) in front of 71,653 at the MCG. In the  semi finals St Kilda 17.4 (106) defeated Collingwood 9.18 (72) in front 76,707. In the preliminary finals St Kilda 9.10 (64) lost to Hawthorn 18.10 (118) by 54 points in front of 77,002 at the MCG, being eliminated from the finals. St Kilda was eliminated by Hawthorn in the preliminary final. This was the third preliminary final lost to an eventual premier (after Sydney in 2005 and Port Adelaide in 2004) in five years.


2008 St. George Illawarra Dragons season
The 2008 St. George Illawarra Dragons season was the 10th in the joint venture club's history. They competed in the NRL's 2008 Telstra Premiership and finished the regular season 7th out of 16 teams, being knocked out in the finals by eventual premiers, the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.


2008 St. George Illawarra Dragons season, NRL Telstra Premiership
Having failed to bring the club a premiership during his current tenure with the Dragons and coming off contract at the end of the year, Coach Nathan Brown has had heat on him from 2007 to bring the Dragons up and away from the bottom of the ladder. Since the start of the 2008 season, the Dragons have had, once again, loss after loss which has caused Peter Doust (Dragons CEO), to bring in a new coach in the case of Brisbane Broncos current coach Wayne Bennett for the 2009 season up until 2011.


2008 St. George Illawarra Dragons season, NRL Telstra Premiership
The Dragons started the 2008 season by winning the Mercury Challenge match against the Bulldogs 40–30 at WIN Stadium in Wollongong and winning their first Toyota Cup trial match against Bulldogs at 30–22. The following week the Dragons went down to the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the annual Charity Shield clash 24–20 at ANZ Stadium.


2008 St. George Illawarra Dragons season, NRL Telstra Premiership
The club received a boost in May when former Union and League (Brisbane Broncos) star Wendell Sailor joined the team after a 2-year ban from professional sport in Australia due to his cocaine controversy. The Dragons started another year with disappointing results when they only won three times after 10 rounds, defeating the Gold Coast Titans in Round 2, the Sydney Roosters in Round 7 and the Melbourne Storm in Round 10 all with terrific results. On 23 May, the Dragons recorded their first back-to-back wins of the season when they defeated the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval with a final score of 20–18.


2008 St. George Illawarra Dragons season, NRL Telstra Premiership
The Dragons new winger Wendell Sailor made his NRL return in this match also sustaining a minor cheekbone injury. The club also signed South Sydney Rabbitohs player Ben Rogers from an immediate release to join the Dragons on 12 June but released Jason Ryles from his contract to join the Catalans Dragons in the Super League for 2009. Days later they signed New Zealand international and Melbourne Storm player Jeremy Smith for three seasons.


2008 St. George Illawarra Dragons season, NRL Telstra Premiership
Their 7-game winning streak came to an end in Round 18 when they were defeated by the Canberra Raiders 19–12 at WIN Stadium for the Illawarra Heritage Match. On 15 July, it was announced that captain Mark Gasnier would not be returning after the end of the 2008 season to join the Stade Français Rugby Union team in France. The deal is worth around $1 million a year.


2008 St. George Illawarra Dragons season, NRL Telstra Premiership
After 1 win in their last 5 games, the Dragons defeated the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium with a 24–20 win. Then in Round 24, they defeated the New Zealand Warriors 34–6 at WIN Stadium, Wollongong to keep their finals hopes alive. The dragons were favoured to defeat the Roosters in round 26 to either finish fourth or fifth. They had been playing widespread open football and Mark Gasnier and Matt Cooper were carving up the opposition. In extremely wet conditions, the Roosters pack were more favoured to the conditions.


2008 St. George Illawarra Dragons season, NRL Telstra Premiership
They finished the regular season 7th place on the ladder which could have been 6th if they scored at least 2 points in their Round 26 match with the Sydney Roosters. They made it to the first week of the finals, but lost to the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 34–6 at Brookvale Oval being eliminated from the Finals Series due to their lowly position in the Top 8.


2008 St. George Illawarra Dragons season, NRL Telstra Premiership
The club went on a 'signing spree' purchasing Neville Costigan, Darius Boyd and Luke Priddis among others, but lost flyer Josh Morris (Bulldogs), Mark Gasnier (French Rugby), Jason Ryles (French league), Rangi Chase (ESL), Lagi Setu (Broncos) and Simon Woolford & Kirk Reynoldson with retirement.


2008 St. George Illawarra Dragons season, NRL Telstra Premiership, First Grade Signed Players
St George Illawarra Dragons has 31 signed players in first grade that play in the main competition.


2008 St. George Illawarra Dragons season, NRL Telstra Premiership, Team Lineup
Line up for the Qualifying Finals vs. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles:Saturday, 13 September 2008 at 8:30pm AEST at Brookvale Oval, Sydney.


2008 St. George Illawarra Dragons season, National Youth Competition (Toyota Cup Under 20s)
The Dragons U20s side were strong off from the start. For the Toyota Cup inaugural season, the Dragons Under-20s Side is coached by Steven Price. Before the regular season began, the Dragons won a Toyota Cup Trial match against the Bulldogs down at WIN Stadium in Wollongong. They started the regular season disappointing with a 34–22 loss to the Wests Tigers. However, the Dragons have not lost another match after that with 1 bye in their past leaving them on top of the Toyota Cup table, on 22 competition points.


2008 St. George Illawarra Dragons season, National Youth Competition (Toyota Cup Under 20s)
Their 10-match winning streak came to an end in Round 13 at WIN Stadium when they drew 22 all with the Brisbane Broncos. While the First Grade side continued their winning streak, the Under 20s were looking to start a losing streak as they were defeated back-to-back for the first time this year by the Penrith Panthers 28–26 in Round 15 at ANZ Stadium and 32-16 by the Gold Coast Titans at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast. They returned to the winners circle in Round 17 defeating the Newcastle Knights 26–18 at EnergyAustralia Stadium. In Round 18, straight after a fresh win, they once again lost a match this time against the Canberra Raiders 38–28 at WIN Stadium. They then had back and forth wins during the regular season keeping them in the top 8, struggling to keep their spot(s).


2008 St. George Illawarra Dragons season, National Youth Competition (Toyota Cup Under 20s), Toyota Cup signed players
The following 34 players are signed with the St. George Illawarra Dragons for the Toyota Cup.


2008 St. George Illawarra Dragons season, National Youth Competition (Toyota Cup Under 20s), Toyota Cup lineup
This is the Dragons' Toyota Cup weekly lineup. Lineup for the Preliminary Finals vs. Canberra Raiders:Friday, 26 September 2008 at 5:30 pm AEST at the Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals' 2008 season was the 127th season for the franchise in St. Louis, Missouri and the 117th season in the National League. The Cardinals, coming off a 78-84 season that was their worst since 1999, improved by eight games, going 86-76 in 2008. However, this was only good for fourth place in the National League Central, 11.5 games behind the division champion Chicago Cubs.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Offseason departures and acquisitions, Front office
Walt Jocketty, GM of the Cardinals for twelve years, was fired due to "tension mounting" that had "grown counterproductive ... with respect to some baseball issues." Tony La Russa, however, signed a contract to return to manage the Cardinals for his 13th and 14th seasons. John Mozeliak took Jocketty's place as GM. John Abbamondi, former senior director of labor economics working for Major League Baseball in New York, joined the Cardinals as assistant GM.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Offseason departures and acquisitions, Front office
On March 13, it was announced that Mark Lamping, president of the Cardinals for 13 years, resigned to become the CEO of the New Meadowlands Stadium Company. Bill DeWitt III, son of Cardinals chairman William DeWitt, Jr. and formerly the team's vice-president of business development, took Lamping's place as president.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Offseason departures and acquisitions, Hitters
A major offseason story for the Cardinals was the hostile relationship between manager Tony La Russa and third baseman Scott Rolen. LaRussa publicly criticized Rolen on December 5, and Rolen requested a trade, but the team was unable to find a suitable offer at the winter meetings. On January 12, the Cardinals reached a tentative agreement with the Toronto Blue Jays to trade Rolen for their third baseman, Troy Glaus, and the trade was finalized on January 14.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Offseason departures and acquisitions, Hitters
Center fielder Jim Edmonds, the most senior member of the Cardinals' roster, having been with the team since the 2000 season, was traded to the San Diego Padres for single-A third baseman David Freese and cash considerations on December 14, 2007.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Offseason departures and acquisitions, Hitters
So Taguchi, backup outfielder and the only Japanese player in franchise history, was released by the Cardinals in December after six seasons with the organization. The Cardinals declined to offer arbitration to shortstop David Eckstein and acquired César Izturis as his replacement. St. Louis acquired Jason LaRue to be the backup catcher, replacing Gary Bennett. The Cardinals took outfielder Brian Barton from Cleveland on December 6 in the Rule 5 draft.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Offseason departures and acquisitions, Hitters
Utility player Scott Spiezio was released by the Cardinals on February 27 after California authorities issued a warrant for his arrest on charges that included hit-and-run, drunk driving and assault. Spiezio had previously missed a month of the 2007 season to go on rehab for drug abuse problems.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Offseason departures and acquisitions, Hitters
In spring training, LaRussa confirmed that he would continue to bat the pitcher eighth after the Cardinals adopted the unconventional lineup for the last two months of the 2007 season.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Offseason departures and acquisitions, Pitchers
Starting pitcher Kip Wells, who posted a 5.70 ERA in 2007, departed via free agency. Starting pitcher Joel Piñeiro, effective for the Cardinals in 2007 after a late-season trade from Boston, signed a two-year deal to remain with the team.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Offseason departures and acquisitions, Pitchers
On January 3, St. Louis signed starting pitcher Matt Clement, a former All-Star who missed the entire 2007 season after undergoing shoulder surgery. However, Clement's rehab went slowly and he was not ready for Opening Day.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Offseason departures and acquisitions, Pitchers
Concerned over health issues in the rotation, with Clement not ready and Piñeiro suffering from shoulder pain, St. Louis signed another free agent, starting pitcher Kyle Lohse, to a one-year contract on March 14.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season
The Cardinals were 17-10-2 in Grapefruit League play with a .286 team batting average (5th in NL) and a 4.01 ERA (4th in NL). Attendance at Roger Dean Stadium was 92,465 in 16 home games (9-5-2) for an average home attendance of 5,779. In 13 road games (8-5-0), attendance 85,655; road average 6,589. Their overall Spring training record was 19-11-2. St. Louis started the season with three players--Brian Barton, Kyle McClellan, and Rico Washington – who were making their big-league debuts.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season
Only nine players on the Opening Day roster – Yadier Molina, Albert Pujols, Chris Duncan, Aaron Miles, Randy Flores, Anthony Reyes, Adam Wainwright, Braden Looper and Brad Thompson – were on the roster of the 2006 World Series champion Cardinals. With a pitching rotation in flux and many long-time Cardinals off to other teams, and coming off a losing season, most experts picked St. Louis to play poorly again in 2008.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, April
Opening Day, scheduled for March 31, was postponed to April 1 due to rain after the Cards and Rockies had played 2½ innings. The rain wiped out an Albert Pujols home run. In the make-up game, St. Louis lost 2-1, with a Yadier Molina home run the only offense. After the opening loss the Cardinals won the other five games on their home stand; the 5-1 start marked the first time since 2006 that the Cardinals had been more than one game above .500.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, April
St. Louis finished the month of April with an 18-11 record and in sole possession of first place in the NL Central. Albert Pujols reached base safely in all 29 games for the month. Staff ace Adam Wainwright finished the month 3-1 with a 2.79 ERA. Jason Isringhausen had nine saves in April. However, new third baseman Troy Glaus ended April hitting only .260 and had only one home run for the month.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, May
May opened with St. Louis' first series of the year against their arch-rival and the preseason NL Central favorite Chicago Cubs, with the Cardinals winning two of three games to stay atop the NL Central standings. Pujols continued to get on base: on May 6 he reached base safely for the 34th consecutive game since the start of the season, the longest such streak in MLB since 1999.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, May
Jason Isringhausen struggled mightily as Cardinal closer in late April and early May, blowing four saves and taking three losses between April 25 and May 9. His ERA rose from 4.50 to 7.47 during that span. After Isringhausen's fifth blown save of the season on May 9, LaRussa announced that Isringhausen would no longer be closing games and instead the Cardinals would be adopting a closer-by-committee approach. Ryan Franklin received the first save opportunity after LaRussa's decision. On May 16, Isringhausen was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right hand laceration. Josh Kinney was transferred to the 60-day disabled list (from the 15-day list) to make room for highly touted prospect Chris Perez, who was called up from Memphis. Finally, on May 17, Manager La Russa officially designated Ryan Franklin as his closer.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, May
Albert Pujols' on-base streak was snapped at 42 games when he failed to reach safely in a 3-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on May 16. It was six games shy of his career-best 48 games in a row on base, set in his rookie season of 2001. The loss was the eighth in ten games for the Cardinals, a stretch that dropped them into second place behind the Cubs.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, May
In late May, Piñeiro went to the DL and rookie Mike Parisi took his spot in the rotation. Chris Duncan, slumping all year after offseason hernia surgery, followed him to the DL, with Joe Mather getting the callup. Parisi and Mather were the fifth and sixth players to make their big-league debut with the 2008 Cardinals, following Brian Barton, Kyle McClellan, Rico Washington and Chris Perez. After slumping in the middle of the month, the Cardinals got hot at the end of May, going 15-13 for the month. They remained in second place behind the Cubs. Todd Wellemeyer was named NL Pitcher of the Month after going 4-0 with a 2.19 ERA in May.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, June
On June 1, pitcher Mark Worrell got called up; he became the seventh rookie to make his MLB debut with the Cardinals in 2008. On June 5, Worrell hit a home run in his first big-league at-bat, the eight Cardinal in franchise history to do so. On June 6, Mitchell Boggs followed Worrell to the big leagues as the eighth rookie to make his debut with the 2008 Cardinals; fellow rookie Parisi was sent down to make room.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, June
Troy Glaus began to find his power stroke, hitting four home runs between May 31 and June 5 after hitting only two in the first two months of the season. Ryan Ludwick, who never hit more than 14 home runs in a season prior to 2008, hit his 15th home run on June 10.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, June
The Cardinals suffered a serious setback on June 9, when staff ace Adam Wainwright went to the DL with a sprained finger. The injury situation became even worse on June 10, when Albert Pujols strained his left calf muscle running from home on a ground ball, sending him to the disabled list for only the second time in his eight-year career. Meanwhile, former closer Jason Isringhausen made his return from the disabled list on June 14, with the club intending to use him in middle relief.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, June
On June 20 the Cardinals traveled to Boston for a three-game set with the Red Sox; it was St. Louis' first trip to Fenway since the 2004 World Series. They won two of three in Boston. Nick Stavinoha, called up on June 22 after Izturis went on the DL, became the ninth player to make his big-league debut with the 2008 Cardinals.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, June
Albert Pujols was activated from the disabled list on June 26. The Cardinals went 6-7 in his absence. In Pujols' first game back he got four hits, but the Cardinals lost 3-2 to the Tigers after closer Franklin blew the save in the bottom of the 9th and Mike Parisi issued a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the 10th. The loss was part of a season-long trend of bullpen failures and blowups. It was the 19th blown save and 18th loss for Cardinal relievers, as opposed to 11 blown saves and 12 losses for the bullpen in all of 2007.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, June
Mark Mulder, who had pitched only sporadically for the Cardinals since undergoing shoulder surgery in 2006, was activated on June 27 and sent to the bullpen. In his first appearance, on June 30, he threw a scoreless ninth inning against the New York Mets.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, June
Despite Pujols (June 11–25) and Wainwright (June 9-?) both going on the DL in June, the Cardinals went 15-12 for the month.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, July
The Fourth of July weekend brought a showdown series in St. Louis between the Cardinals (49-38) and Cubs (51-35) with the Cardinals 2.5 games behind Chicago. It was the first meeting between the teams since the first week of May. On July 4, Albert Pujols (aged 28 years, 170 days), became the fifth-youngest player to hit his 300th home run, but the Cardinals lost 2-1.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, July
On July 5, a crowd of 46,865, the biggest ever in the short history of the new Busch Stadium, saw St. Louis score three in the bottom of the 9th against ace closer Kerry Wood to beat Chicago 5-4. It was the first time in 33 games in 2008 where the Cardinals had won a game when trailing after eight innings. The Cubs won the rubber game 7-1 to take a 3½ game lead in the Central Division. The three-game series set a new attendance record of 140,067 at the new Busch Stadium.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, July
On July 6, Albert Pujols and Ryan Ludwick were named as the Cardinal representatives to the National League All-Star Team. Ludwick, who had never hit more than 14 home runs in a season before 2008, entered the break with 21 homers, leading the team.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, July
Mark Mulder's comeback ended when, in his first start since September 2007, he suffered pain in his throwing shoulder on July 9 and had to leave the game after only 16 pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies. He was replaced on the roster by Jaime García, who debuted against the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 11, and became the 10th rookie to make his big-league debut with the 2008 Cardinals, the most since 13 rookies made their debut in 1997.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, July
St. Louis entered the All-Star break with a 53-43 record, in second place in the NL Central and one-half game ahead of Milwaukee for the NL Wild Card. This was the second-best record in the National League, but it was also the product of St. Louis playing .500 baseball after reaching ten games over .500 in early May, at 22-12.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, July
In their first series after the break, the Cardinals swept the Padres in four games to reach a season-high 14 games over .500 (57-43). They promptly were then swept by the Milwaukee Brewers in four games (Jul. 21–24) to return to only 10 games over .500 (57-47). Cardinal relief pitchers took the losses in all four games against Milwaukee, part of a season-long trend of ineffective to disastrous performances by the bullpen, then leading all of MLB in 23 games lost by the bullpen and 24 blown saves.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, July
In a game against the NY Mets on July 26, the Cardinals snapped a five-game losing streak by winning 10-8 in 14 innings. Albert Pujols' game-winning home run was his first since he hit his 300th on July 4. Skip Schumaker had six singles in seven at-bats; he became the first Cardinal since Terry Moore in 1935 to have six base hits in one game. Pujols and Schumaker, meanwhile, were the first Cardinals' teammates with five or more hits apiece in a game since Charley Gelbert and Taylor Douthit each had five against the Cubs on May 16, 1930. The extra-inning affair was made necessary by Ryan Franklin's blown save, his second blown save in a row and third consecutive appearance with a home run allowed. On July 28, LaRussa gave the closer's job back to Isringhausen, who lost it to Franklin earlier in the year.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, July
On July 30, 2005 Cy Young Award winner Chris Carpenter was re-activated from the 60-day disabled list, and started versus the Atlanta Braves, his first start since April 1, 2007. Operating on a pitch count not to exceed 80, Carpenter threw 67 pitches (36 for strikes) in four innings, and gave up one run and five hits (all singles), while walking two and striking out two.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, July
The Cardinals made no trades at the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline. They went 13-14 in July, their first losing month of the season. They ended July (61-50), a fraction of a percentage point behind the Milwaukee Brewers for the NL Wild card spot.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, August
On August 1, Isringhausen got his first save since May 5, as the Cardinals beat the Phillies, 6-3. On August 2, Matt Clement, signed in the offseason to fill out the rotation but unable to complete a comeback from injury, was released by the Cardinals without ever pitching for them.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, August
Ryan Ludwick was named 'NL Player of the Week' for the week ending August 3, as he led the league with a .538 batting average, 14 hits, a .613 on-base percentage, 8 RBI and 27 total bases. He also hit four home runs and recorded a 1.038 slugging percentage.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, August
On August 5, Brendan Ryan was optioned to (AAA) Memphis and the Cardinals signed free agent infielder Felipe López, who was released by the Washington Nationals on July 31.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, August
Bullpen issues continued to dog St. Louis. On August 5, the Cardinals took a 4-0 lead into the top of ninth inning, only to have Villone, Isringhausen and Franklin combine to give up four runs to the Dodgers. It was the 27th blown save of the season for the Cardinal bullpen, worst in MLB. (The Cardinals eventually salvaged a 6-4 win when Ryan Ludwick hit a walk-off homer in extra innings.) After the game, the Cardinals announced that Isringhausen was again being removed from the closer's role. Chris Perez returned from the minor leagues and got the first save of his career; a five-out save as the Cardinals beat L.A. 9-6 on August 6.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, August
Rick Ankiel was limited to pinch-hitting for 14 games at the end of July and the beginning of August due to an abdominal strain. Chris Carpenter suffered a physical setback with a strain in his right triceps and had to be removed after only 5.1 innings, trailing 1-0 against the Cubs on August 10. The Cardinals lost the game and two of three in the series. On August 15 Carpenter returned to the DL, diagnosed with a strained muscle in his shoulder.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, August
Brad Thompson started in Carpenter's place and won, while Chris Perez picked up his fourth save in four chances. August ended with the Astros sweeping the Cardinals in three at Houston, dropping them to 13-13 for the month and 74-63 for the season and leaving St. Louis a full six games behind Milwaukee in the loss column.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, August
Jason Isringhausen's frustrating season came to a disappointing finish when he was diagnosed on August 19 with elbow tendinitis and a partially torn tendon. Meanwhile, staff ace Adam Wainwright, out since June 7 with a right middle finger sprain, made a triumphant return for the Cardinals on August 22, giving up only one run and five hits in six innings – and going 3-for-5 at the plate with an RBI, as St. Louis thrashed Atlanta 18-3 with 26 hits – 21 of them singles (5 doubles).


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, August
A crucial two-game series with Milwaukee August 26–27 ended in a split and with the Cardinals still four losses behind the Brewers in the race for the NL Wild Card. It ended the season series with the Brewers, which Milwaukee won 10 games to 5. August ended with the Astros sweeping the Cardinals in three in Houston. The Cardinals went 13-13 for the month and ended August six games behind Milwaukee in the loss column.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, September
September opened on a particularly unpleasant note as the Cardinals blew a 5-1 lead against the Diamondbacks on September 1, losing 8-6. Stephen Drew of the D-backs hit for the cycle. The next day St. Louis promoted six players from Memphis as part of September call-ups. Included in the call-ups was Jason Motte, the 11th player to make his debut with the 2008 Cardinals.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, September
A loss to the Cubs on September 10 dropped them into fourth place behind the surging Astros. That loss was the start of a season-high seven-game losing streak that saw the Cardinals officially eliminated in the NL Central race and fall out of wild-card contention. The losing streak was finally snapped on September 18 versus Cincinnati with the first save of Jason Motte's career. Rick Ankiel, slowed by a sports hernia, was shut down for the year on September 13.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, September
The Cardinals finished the year on a high note, winning six in a row (their longest winning streak of the year) against Arizona and Cincinnati. They ended the season with an 86-76 record.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Game log
* June 17, originally 43,793 reported. * * July 5, largest ever at Busch Stadium.


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Player stats, Batting
Note: G = Games played; AB = At Bats; R = Runs; H = Hits; 2B= Doubles; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In; BB = Walks;  Avg. = Batting Average; OBP = On-base Percentage; SLG = Slugging Percentage


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Player stats, Starting pitchers
Note: GS = Games Started; IP = Innings Pitched; W = Wins; L = Loss; ERA = Earned Run Average; WHIP = (Walks + Hits) per Innings Pitched; HBP = Hit by Pitch; BF = Batters faced; O-AVG = Opponent Batting Ave.; O-SLG = Opponent Slugging Ave.; R support avg = Average Runs support from his team per Games Started


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Player stats, Starting pitchers
* now, a reliever + not on 25-man active roster † on 15-day or 60-day disabled list (n/a) not available to pitch


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Player stats, Relief pitchers
Pitchers: Last date pitched in ( ) TOTAL PITCHING: (NL rank)


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Player stats, Relief pitchers
Sv/SvOpp: 43/73 (59%) 1st batter/retired: 491/331 (67%) Inherited runners/scored: 228/67 (29%)


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Player stats, Relief pitchers
* not on 25-man active roster † on 15-day disabled list + traded away


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Cardinals Record When
Scoring more than 3 runs    78-18       Scoring 3 runs             6-18 Scoring fewer than 3 runs    2-40


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Cardinals Record When
Leading after 7 innings       73-14       Tied after 7 innings        8- 11 Trailing after 7 innings         5-51


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Cardinals Record When
Leading after 8 innings       75-6       Tied after 8 innings     10- 9 Trailing after 8 innings       1-61


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Cardinals Record When
Blown Saves by bullpen: 31 (1st in NL) Games lost by bullpen:   31 (2nd in NL to San Diego Padres)


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Cardinals Record When
Out-hit opponents         60-18 Same hits as opponents 9-9 Out-hit by opponents     17-49


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Cardinals Record When
Mon. 6- 7 Tue. 13-12 Wed. 15- 9 Thu. 8-14 Fri.    14-12 Sat. 17- 9 Sun. 13-13


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Cardinals Record When
NL Central    20-19   16-22   36-41 NL East       12-7     10-7   22-14 NL West     12-5       9-8   21-13 AL East       2-1       2-1       4-2 AL Central   0-3       3-3       3-6


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Busch Stadium (Indexes)
2008   (100 = Neutral Park, > 100 Ballpark favors, < 100 Ballpark inhibits   81 G; Cardinals: 2,731 AB;   Opponents: 2,847 AB)


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Busch Stadium (Indexes)
BA 98  R 94  H 96  2B 88  3B 102  HR 93  BB 99  SO 97  E 94  E-inf. 93  LHB-BA 97  LHB-HR 105  RHB-BA 98  RHB-HR 87


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Busch Stadium (Indexes)
BA 99  R 94  H 99  2B 91  3B 92  HR 84  BB 99  SO 94  E 108  E-inf. 106  LHB-BA 98  LHB-HR 86  RHB-BA 99  RHB-HR 83


2008 St. Louis Cardinals season, Draft picks
St. Louis' picks at the 2008 Major League Baseball draft in Lake Buena Vista, Florida on June 5, 2008.


2008 St. Louis Rams season
The 2008 season was the St. Louis Rams' 71st in the National Football League and their 14th in St. Louis. They failed to improve upon their 3–13 record from the previous season and dropped to a 2–14 record.


2008 St. Louis Rams season
On September 29, 2008, following a 0–4 start, head coach Scott Linehan was fired and replaced by defensive coordinator Jim Haslett, who occupied the head coach position with the team for the remainder of the 2008 season.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Off season
After having been hospitalized for several months with breast cancer, owner Georgia Frontiere died on January 18, 2008. Frontiere's son and Rams owner Chip Rosenbloom wanted to have the team wear its old blue and yellow uniforms from the 1999 season, but was denied his request by the NFL stating that he needed to give a one-year notice. Rosenbloom announced on April 24, 2008 that the Rams will have a patch on the left shoulder of the jersey with the word "Georgia" written the way Frontiere signed her name during the 2008 season.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Off season, Free agency
On March 1, the first day of free agency, the Rams signed place kicker Josh Brown from the Seattle Seahawks to a five-year, $14.2 million contract to replace retired Jeff Wilkins. On March 3, the Rams signed Offensive Lineman Jacob Bell as a free agent from the Tennessee Titans to a six-year, $36 million deal, and includes a $7 million signing bonus. On March 6, the Rams signed Tight End Anthony Becht as a free agent from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for an undisclosed amount.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Off season, NFL Draft
Prior to the draft, Billy Devaney was named vice president of player personnel, and took over decisions in for the off season and draft. The Denver Broncos traded their sixth-round selection (180th overall) to the Rams for defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy. The Rams traded their seventh-round selection (209th overall) to the Minnesota Vikings for offensive tackle Adam Goldberg. The Rams received the Cincinnati Bengals' seventh-round pick (217th overall) in exchange for Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Rams received one seventh-round pick (252nd overall) as a compensatory selection.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Off season, NFL Draft
During Draft Day, the Washington Redskins traded their fifth-round and seventh-round selections (#157 and #228 overall) to the Rams for its two sixth-round selections (#168 and #180 overall).


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Off season, Training camp
Steven Jackson held out of camp because he believed he was underpaid, and there was only one year left on his rookie contract. He later ended his holdout and said that he would report to camp. Jackson ended his holdout officially, after he signed a six-year contract worth a maximum of $49.3 million, including $21 million in guarantees. The final two years of the deal can be voided upon performance so it can be a three-year extension worth $29.3 million. At the time, this made him the highest paid running back in the NFL.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 1: at Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles raced out of the gates to dismantle the Rams 38–3, the Eagles’ largest opening week margin-of-victory ever. Rookie DeSean Jackson pulled down a 47-yard reception on the second play over Tye Hill, and the drive finished with a shovel pass touchdown to Brian Westbrook. Donovan McNabb marched the Eagles down the field again on their second possession, finding L.J. Smith in the back of the end zone to make it 14–0. During the drive, Hill was beat again, this time by Greg Lewis on a double move and was benched for the game.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 1: at Philadelphia Eagles
Late in the second quarter, receiver Hank Baskett beat the coverage and scored on a 90-yard reception. Fullback Tony Hunt scored from a yard out in the third quarter and the rout was on. DeSean Jackson's 60-yard punt return set up a short field goal for David Akers, and Philadelphia's lead grew to 31–0. Westbrook added a 6-yard rushing touchdown early in the fourth quarter before Josh Brown kicked a 46-yard field goal to avoid the shutout.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 1: at Philadelphia Eagles
McNabb had a vintage performance, throwing for 361 yards (mostly in the first half) and three scores. Jackson, Greg Lewis, and Baskett each had over 100 yards receiving. Westbrook ran for 91 yards and two touchdowns, while the defense completely shut down the St. Louis offense. The Rams didn't convert on all 11 3rd down plays, the first time since 1991. Steven Jackson had 40 yards on 14 carries and the team averaged 2.4 yards rushing.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 1: at Philadelphia Eagles
In addition to beginning the season 0–1, the Rams suffered injuries with Leonard Little leaving the game with a hamstring injury, Drew Bennett with a foot injury and Orlando Pace with bruised ribs.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 2: vs. New York Giants
Hoping to rebound from their dismal road loss to the Eagles, the Rams played their Week 2 home opener against the defending Super Bowl champions, the New York Giants. In the first quarter, St. Louis trailed early as Giants QB Eli Manning completed a 33-yard TD pass to WR Plaxico Burress. In the second quarter, the Rams responded with kicker Josh Brown getting a 54-yard field goal, yet New York answered with kicker John Carney kicking a 39-yard field goal. St. Louis would reply with Brown's 54-yard field goal, yet the Giants answered with Carney nailing a 33-yard field goal.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 2: vs. New York Giants
In the third quarter, New York increased its lead with Manning completing a 10-yard TD pass to WR Amani Toomer. In the fourth quarter, the Rams tried to rally as WR Torry Holt made a 45-yard juggling, circus catch in the end zone from QB Marc Bulger, making the Rams down 20–13 with 10 minutes 46 seconds left to play. However, the Giants pulled away with Manning's 18-yard TD pass to RB Ahmad Bradshaw, DE Justin Tuck’s 41-yard interception return for a touchdown, and Bradshaw's 31-yard TD run.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 2: vs. New York Giants
With the loss, St. Louis fell to 0–2. Over the course of two games the defense gave up almost 1,000 yards. The Rams offense has yet to be in the red zone all season.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 3: at Seattle Seahawks
Trying to snap a two-game skid, the Rams flew to Qwest Field for a Week 3 NFC West duel with the Seattle Seahawks. In the first quarter, St. Louis trailed early as Seahawks kicker Olindo Mare got a 28-yard field goal, QB Matt Hasselbeck completing a 10-yard TD pass to WR Michael Bumpus, and RB Julius Jones getting a 29-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the Rams got on the board as former Seahawk kicker Josh Brown got a 43-yard field goal, yet Seattle responded with RB T.J. Duckett getting a 4-yard TD run. St. Louis would answer with Brown kicking a 29-yard field goal, yet the Seahawks increased its lead with Mare kicking a 38-yard field goal.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 3: at Seattle Seahawks
In the third quarter, the Rams tried to rally as QB Marc Bulger completed a 21-yard TD pass to WR Dane Looker. However, in the fourth quarter, Seattle pulled away with Duckett's 1-yard TD run and Mare's 38-yard field goal.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 4: vs. Buffalo Bills
Still searching for their first win, the Rams went home for a Week 4 interconference duel with the Buffalo Bills. Hoping to find consistency, QB Marc Bulger was benched in favor of Trent Green.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 4: vs. Buffalo Bills
In the first quarter, St. Louis trailed early as Bills kicker Rian Lindell got a 45-yard field goal. The Rams would respond with rookie WR Donnie Avery getting a 37-yard TD run. Buffalo would answer with Lindell kicking a 35-yard field goal. In the second quarter, St. Louis increased its lead with RB Steven Jackson getting a 29-yard TD run.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 4: vs. Buffalo Bills
In the third quarter, the Bills crept closer as RB Fred Jackson got a 22-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, Buffalo sealed the win with CB Jabari Greer returning an interception 33 yards for a touchdown, QB Trent Edwards completing a 39-yard TD pass to WR Lee Evans, and Lindell nailing a 45-yard field goal.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 4: vs. Buffalo Bills
With the loss, the Rams went into their bye week at 0–4. Head coach Scott Linehan was fired after the loss and was replaced by Jim Haslett.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 6: at Washington Redskins
Coming off their bye week, the Rams flew to Fedex Field for a Week 6 duel with the Washington Redskins. In the first quarter, St. Louis trailed early as Redskins RB Clinton Portis got a 3-yard TD run. The Rams would respond with kicker Josh Brown getting a 51-yard field goal. In the second quarter, St. Louis took the lead as free safety Oshiomogho Atogwe returned a fumble 75 yards for a touchdown. In the third quarter, the Rams increased their lead as Brown kicked a 25-yard and a 44-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Washington rallied as kicker Shaun Suisham got a 38-yard field goal and Portis got a 2-yard TD run. Fortunately, St. Louis was able to prevail as Brown nailed the game-winning 49-yard field goal as time expired.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 7: vs. Dallas Cowboys
Hoping to build on their last-second road win over the Redskins, the Rams went home for a Week 7 duel with the Dallas Cowboys. In the first quarter, St. Louis trailed early as Cowboys RB Marion Barber got a 1-yard TD run. Afterwards, the Rams offense exploded with points as QB Marc Bulger completed a 42-yard TD pass to rookie WR Donnie Avery, along with RB Steven Jackson getting an 8-yard and a 1-yard TD run. In the second quarter, St. Louis added onto their lead as kicker Josh Brown got a 52-yard field goal.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 7: vs. Dallas Cowboys
In the third quarter, the Rams continued their victory march as Jackson got a 56-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, St. Louis’ domination ended with Brown nailing a 35-yard field goal. Dallas ended the game's scoring with QB Brad Johnson completing a 34-yard TD pass to TE Martellus Bennett.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 7: vs. Dallas Cowboys
With their second straight win, the Rams improved to 2–4. The game also marked the first time that the Rams wore white jerseys at home, instead of their usual blue jerseys, since moving from Los Angeles in 1995, forcing the Cowboys to wear their "jinxed" navy blue jerseys.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 8: at New England Patriots
Hoping to build on their two-game win streak, the Rams flew to Gillette Stadium for a Week 8 interconference duel with the New England Patriots. In the first quarter, St. Louis struck first as kicker Josh Brown got a 20-yard field goal. The Patriots answered with RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis getting a 2-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the Rams regained the lead as QB Marc Bulger completed a 69-yard TD pass to rookie WR Donnie Avery. New England would get its lead back as kicker Stephen Gostkowski got a 30-yard and a 27-yard field goal.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 8: at New England Patriots
In the third quarter, St. Louis tied the game as Brown made a 44-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Rams regained the lead on Brown's 25-yard field goal. However, the Patriots sealed the win Gostkowski nailing a 41-yard field goal, along with QB Matt Cassel completing a 15-yard TD pass to RB Kevin Faulk.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 9: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Patriots, the Rams went home for a Week 9 NFC West duel with the Arizona Cardinals. In the first quarter, St. Louis struck first as QB Marc Bulger completed an 80-yard TD pass to WR Derek Stanley. In the second quarter, the Cardinals responded with a vengeance as safety Antrel Rolle returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown, kicker Neil Rackers got a 36-yard field goal, RB Tim Hightower got a 30-yard TD run, and former Rams QB Kurt Warner completed a 56-yard TD pass to WR Jerheme Urban.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 9: vs. Arizona Cardinals
In the third quarter, Arizona increased its lead as Warner completed a 7-yard TD pass to WR Anquan Boldin. In the fourth quarter, the Rams tried to come back as Bulger completed a 3-yard TD pass to WR Torry Holt (with a failed 2-point conversion). However, the Cardinals flew away as Rackers nailed a 30-yard field goal.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 9: vs. Arizona Cardinals
During the game, the Rams inducted former Head Coach Dick Vermeil (who helped the franchise win Super Bowl XXXIV) onto the Rams Ring of Honor.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 10: at New York Jets
Trying to snap a two-game losing streak, the Rams flew to The Meadowlands for a Week 10 interconference duel with the New York Jets. In the first quarter, St. Louis trailed early as Jet RB Thomas Jones got a 13-yard TD run, kicker Jay Feely got a 22-yard field goal, and LB Calvin Pace returned a fumble 50 yards for a touchdown.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 10: at New York Jets
In the second quarter, the Rams’ misery continued as Jones got a 2-yard TD run, Feely got a 49-yard and a 46-yard field goal, QB Brett Favre completed a 1-yard TD pass to TE Dustin Keller, and Feely made a 55-yard field goal.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 10: at New York Jets
In the third quarter, St. Louis would get their only score of the game as kicker Josh Brown nailed a 37-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, New York flew away as Jones got a 6-yard TD run.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 11: at San Francisco 49ers
Trying to snap a three-game losing streak, the Rams flew to Candlestick Park for a Week 11 NFC West duel with their rival, the San Francisco 49ers. In the first quarter, St. Louis trailed early as 49ers RB Frank Gore got a 5-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the Rams responded with kicker Josh Brown getting a 24-yard field goal. However, San Francisco took a commanding lead as QB Shaun Hill completed a 2-yard TD pass to TE Vernon Davis, Gore got a 1-yard TD run, Hill got a 1-yard TD run, and Hill completed a 2-yard TD pass to WR Bryant Johnson.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 11: at San Francisco 49ers
In the third quarter, St. Louis hacked at their deficit as Brown nailed a 48-yard and a 44-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Rams tried to complete their comeback as QB Marc Bulger completed a 2-yard TD pass to WR Dane Looker. However, the 49ers' defense was too much to overcome.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 12: vs. Chicago Bears
Trying to snap a four-game losing streak, the Rams went home for a Week 12 duel with the Chicago Bears. In the first quarter, St. Louis trailed early as Bears RB Matt Forte got a 13-yard TD run, while QB Kyle Orton completed a 7-yard TD pass to FB Jason McKie. In the second quarter, the Rams’ struggles continued as Forté got a 47-yard TD run. St. Louis would respond with kicker Josh Brown getting a 43-yard field goal. Chicago would close out the half with Gould making a 43-yard field goal. In the third quarter, the Bears pulled away with Gould nailing a 38-yard field goal. From there on out, Chicago's defense stiffened for the win.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 13: vs. Miami Dolphins
Trying to snap a five-game losing streak, the Rams stayed at home for a Week 13 interconference duel with the Miami Dolphins. The Rams would welcome back Steven Jackson to the lineup after weeks of sitting out with a thigh injury. Jackson gave the Rams a good enough boost to strike first with a first possession field goal by Josh Brown from 23 yards. Brown would kick a 51-yard field goal to give the Rams a 6–0 lead. In the second quarter, the Dolphins responded as RB Ronnie Brown got a 3-yard TD run. The Rams would answer with Brown making a 33-yard field goal, but Miami replied with kicker Dan Carpenter getting a 37-yard field goal.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 13: vs. Miami Dolphins
In the third quarter, the Dolphins increased their lead as Carpenter got a 47-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, St. Louis tried to keep up as Brown made a 38-yard field goal, yet Miami answered right back with Carpenter nailing a 42-yard field goal. The Rams tried to come back, but a late-game interception shattered any hope of a comeback.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 15: vs. Seattle Seahawks
The Rams played a solid 1st half but the Seahawks turned the tables with 10 points in the final 2:47 for a 23–20 victory Sunday. T.J. Duckett's 1-yard run tied it, the Rams fizzled while going three-and-out, and Olindo Mare's 27-yard field goal as time expired ended the Seahawks' six-game losing streak and extended the Rams’ losing streak to 8 as they fell to 2–12.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 16: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Hoping to snap an eight-game losing streak, the Rams stayed at home for a Week 16 NFC West rematch with the San Francisco 49ers. St. Louis would trail in the first quarter as 49ers kicker Joe Nedney got a 48-yard field goal. The Rams would take the lead in the second quarter as kicker Josh Brown got a 43-yard field goal, quarterback Marc Bulger completed a 30-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Keenan Burton, and Brown making a 38-yard field goal. After a scoreless third quarter, St. Louis added onto their lead as Brown nailed a 22-yard field goal. However, San Francisco rallied with quarterback Shaun Hill completing a 3-yard touchdown pass to former Rams wide receiver Isaac Bruce and a 48-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Josh Morgan.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 16: vs. San Francisco 49ers
With their ninth-straight loss, St. Louis fell to 2–13 and were swept by the 49ers for the first time since 2005.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 17: at Atlanta Falcons
Hoping to end a miserable season on a high note, the Rams flew to the Georgia Dome for a Week 17 duel with the playoff-bound Atlanta Falcons. St. Louis trailed early in the first quarter as Falcons kicker Jason Elam got a 39-yard field goal. The Rams would respond with running back Steven Jackson getting a tough 4-yard touchdown run. Atlanta would answer in the second quarter with running back Michael Turner getting a 9-yard touchdown run, yet St. Louis would strike right back as quarterback Marc Bulger completed a 16-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Donnie Avery. However, it would be the Falcons who took the halftime lead as running back Jerious Norwood got an 8-yard touchdown run.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 17: at Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta would increase their lead in the third quarter as quarterback Matt Ryan completed an 18-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Roddy White. The Rams would begin to rally as kicker Josh Brown nailed a 31-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, St. Louis would regain the lead as Jackson got a 2-yard touchdown run, followed by Brown's 27-yard field goal. However, the Falcons got the last laugh as Norwood got a 45-yard touchdown run.


2008 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season week-by-week results, Week 17: at Atlanta Falcons
With the loss, the Rams closed out their season at 2–14 and on a ten-game losing streak.


2008 St. Petersburg Bowl
The 2008 St. Petersburg Bowl was the inaugural edition of the new  college football bowl game, and was played at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. The game was played beginning at 4:30 PM US EST on Saturday, December 20, 2008, and was telecast on ESPN2, saw the South Florida Bulls (based in nearby Tampa) defeat their former conference rivals Memphis Tigers, 41–14. Sean McDonough, Chris Spielman and Rob Stone called the game. For sponsorship reasons, the game was officially known as the 2008 magicJack St. Petersburg Bowl.


2008 St. Petersburg Open
The 2008 St. Petersburg Open was a tennis tournament played on indoor hard courts. It was the 14th edition of the St. Petersburg Open, and was part of the International Series of the 2008 ATP Tour. It took place at the Petersburg Sports and Concert Complex in Saint Petersburg, Russia, from October 20 through October 26, 2008.


2008 St. Petersburg Open
The singles draw was headlined by ATP No. 4, US Open runner-up, Cincinnati and Madrid Masters, Doha and Marseille winner, St. Petersburg defending champion Andy Murray, Miami Masters, Pörtschach, Warsaw winner Nikolay Davydenko, and Umag titlist Fernando Verdasco. Also competing were Australian Open quarterfinalist Mikhail Youzhny, New Haven winner Marin Čilić, Dmitry Tursunov, Mario Ančić and Marat Safin.


2008 St. Petersburg Open, Finals, Doubles
Travis Parrott /  Filip Polášek defeated  Rohan Bopanna /  Max Mirnyi 3–6, 7–6(7–4), [10–8]


2008 St. Petersburg Open – Doubles
Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjić were the defending champions, but chose not to participate that year.


2008 St. Petersburg Open – Doubles
Travis Parrott and Filip Polášek won in the final 3–6, 7–6(7–4), [10–8], against Rohan Bopanna and Max Mirnyi


2008 St. Petersburg Open – Singles
Andy Murray was the defending champion, and won in the final 6–1, 6–1, against Andrey Golubev.


2008 Stanford Cardinal baseball team
The 2008 Stanford Cardinal baseball team represented Stanford University in the 2008 NCAA Division I baseball season. The Cardinal played their home games at Sunken Diamond. The team was coached by Mark Marquess in his 32nd year at Stanford.


2008 Stanford Cardinal baseball team
The Cardinal won the Palo Alto Regional and the Fullerton Super Regional to advanced to the College World Series, where they were defeated by the Georgia Bulldogs.


2008 Stanford Cardinal football team
The 2008 Stanford Cardinal football team represented Stanford University in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head coach was Jim Harbaugh, who entered his second year at Stanford. The team played their home games at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, California and competed in the Pacific-10 Conference. The Cardinal improved on their  4–8 record from the 2007 season by going 5–7. After winning back the Stanford Axe from rival California in 2007 for the first time in five years, Stanford lost the Axe to Cal in the 2008 Big Game.


2008 Stanford Cardinal football team, Game summaries, UCLA
The week before, the Cardinal beat Arizona 24–23 in an exciting conference game, while the Bruins lost a close game to the Ducks. UCLA had a record of 44–31–3 on the Cardinal before game time.


2008 Stanford Cardinal football team, Game summaries, UCLA
With ten seconds left in this UCLA's homecoming game and the Bruins behind by four points, Bruin quarterback Kevin Craft passed to freshman Cory Harkey for a 7-yard touchdown to win the game, 23–20, over the Stanford Cardinal in the northeast corner of the Rose Bowl Saturday afternoon. Two turnovers by the Bruins led to the 14 Stanford points in the first half.


2008 Stanford Cardinal football team, Game summaries, UCLA
In the game, Craft had 285 passing yards and Taylor Embree caught 72 yards, while Stanford's Toby Gerhart rushed for 138 yards.


2008 Stanford Cardinal football team, Game summaries, California
The Cardinal traveled up to Berkeley in an attempt to hold on to the Axe and earn a bowl berth with a sixth win. The Bears led 10–3 at the half and ran up 20 unanswered points in the third quarter. Stanford was able to score two quick back to back touchdowns in the fourth quarter but could not close a 21–point deficit. Tavita Pritchard threw for 306 yards and a score while Toby Gerhart rushed for 103 yards and a score. Although the loss relinquished the Axe to Cal and prevented Stanford from becoming bowl eligible, Harbaugh set the standards even higher for 2009 by declaring that "Bowl Championship Series eligible is what we’re aiming for."


2008 Stanford Super Series
The 2008 Stanford Super Series was a cricket tournament sponsored by Texan billionaire Allen Stanford. The tournament was played between 25 October – 1 November consisting of 5 warm-up matches and a US$ 20 million for the grand finale. This final match was played between the Stanford Superstars and England. Before it began, the tournament was threatened with cancellation due to a row between Digicel, the West Indies Cricket Board's (WICB) main sponsor, and Stanford. Digicel argued that it should get sponsorship rights because it is WICB's sponsorship rights holder and that the tournament was officially sanctioned by the WICB.


2008 Stanford Super Series
All 2008 Super Series matches took place at the Stanford Cricket Ground in Antigua, and started at 5:30 pm local time (9:30 pm in the United Kingdom). All games were aired on Sky Sports in the UK.