E-Mail This Article to a Friend What the new year holds for New England sports fans BY CHRISTOPHER YOUNG

What, you think I have any idea?

Well, now that we’ve gotten that notion out of the way, it’s pretty obvious that as New Englanders say au revoir to 2004, we can only shake our heads in disbelief at our good fortune, and give thanks that we were around to experience it. I don’t need to tell you all that we had to be grateful for — or if I do, let’s look at the twin NCAA hoop titles captured by UConn, the Lombardi trophy hoisted by the Patriots, and the pièce de résistance, the World Series won by the Red Sox — but we must admit that perhaps this past year offered us riches that will never again be duplicated. Not only did our region celebrate those momentous victories, but some were done in a fashion that was downright unprecedented.

The Patriots winning a second Super Bowl? And not only winning it, but taking it at the tail end of a 15-game winning streak? And not only winning it at the tail end of a 15-game winning streak, but winning it on another Adam Vinatieri last-minute field goal? Has any team’s first two pro titles ever been won in such dramatic fashion? I think not.

The Red Sox? Winning? Winning their final game of the season? As in, not choking or dealing their fans another dose of heartbreak and misery? And how about the fashion in which they accomplished it? Down 3-0 to the "underdog" Yankees and humiliated, 19-8, at home in the crucial game three? All was lost, until ...

Well, as Paul Harvey says, now you know the rest of the story. Eight straight improbable victories, and a four-game sweep over the 105-win Cardinals to seal the deal for the first time in four generations.

Now 2005 looms, and we regrettably must bid adieu to the wondrous accomplishments of 2004, all the while hoping that somehow, some way, that the magic-carpet ride can continue for even a few more months. Realistic?

The Patriots’ recent history dictates that they always have to be considered in the mix for a championship — a concept that was laughable as recently as a decade ago. After Sunday’s impressive road victory over the Jets, the Pats are again a team to be feared and revered despite the injuries sustained. The clinching of a first-round bye is crucial. The home-field advantage in the second-round game should give them an ample edge over the likes of an Indy or a San Diego, and New England’s inherent talent alone should propel them over a Broncos or Jets squad that may post an upset in the opening weekend. The Steelers are perhaps a different story, as they endured similar plagues of injuries but still managed to win 14 of 15 games en route to the top seed. Should the gridiron gods deign to give us a rematch of the Pats-Steelers in the AFC title game, then the true Super Bowl champ will likely emerge. My belief is it will come down to a battle of the Bills — Cowher vs. Belichick — and the match-up of a greenhorn QB (Ben Roethlisberger) versus a two-time big-game MVP (Tom Brady). To which horse would you wish to hitch your wagon?

As far as the Sox go, well, last year’s magical ride will be difficult to duplicate no matter what the revised roster looks like. Fortunately, a lot of the key members of the champs will return, and team chemistry may even be enhanced in 2005, another concept that would have been difficult to imagine two months ago. Nomar the pouter is gone for good, as is Pedro the diva and Derek the dubious. As always, injuries will play a significant role next year, but the team is without question built for a repeat run.

The Celtics have lots of potential brewing as they play in front of three-quarter houses over on Causeway Street, but just because they’re in the hunt in the dreadful Eastern Conference doesn’t mean they’ll be in anyone’s discussion of a potential NBA champ come April. Nonetheless, Danny Ainge & Co. have apparently drafted well, and that bodes well for the future of this proud organization — though likely not this coming year. But there’s hope, which is more than can be said for the hoop denizens of Toronto, Chicago, New Orleans, Chicago, and many other NBA hot spots these days.

The Bruins do remain irrelevant as long as greedy and obstinate heads prevail. It looks more and more like the venerable Stanley Cup will reside in northern Florida for another summer — and who in their right mind could have ever imagined that scenario ever coming to pass?

As for the collegiate teams, it’s unlikely either UConn Husky squad will replicate its NCAA hoop title. Both lost significant members to graduation or defection, and as a result they’re fielding younger and lesser-experienced players this season. BC’s hoop teams are both solid, but are still a year or so away from serious elite-status consideration. On the other hand, as usual, we have a plethora of promising hockey contenders skating throughout New England, and it wouldn’t surprise anyone to see a local outfit or two fighting its way to Frozen-Four contention come March.

Yep, the optimism is there, running rampant in our thoughts and hopes for the coming year. The miracles and streaks and dominance may not go on forever, but we can always continue to embrace and recollect the wondrous achievements of 2004 — all while maintaining the eternal hope that comes with being a New England sports fan.

"Sporting Eye" runs Mondays and Fridays at BostonPhoenix.com. Christopher Young can be reached at cyoung[a]phx.com.