Coming Sunday: Nine for '09

Looking back and who made the biggest impact in L.A. sports in 2008 ... naw, that's old news.

Looking forward to who could make the biggest spalsh in 2009 ... that's far more intriguing.

Think James McDonald and Clayton Kershaw.

Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson.

Nick Montana (pictured here) and Ryan Kasdorf.

Derek Jeter playing against Alex Rodriguez at Dodger Stadium (think hard about that one).

Maybe even Mark Sanchez and Joe McKnight back in the Coliseum backfield one more time.

Does UCLA have a quarterback picked out yet?

Or, expanding it, the Los Angeles Marathon, with a new start date, and Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, hosting two NASCAR events during a season when the sport may find itself trying to turn out a spinout.

We've got our binoculars focused on a few good men, women, places and things for the coming year.

2008 was a blast. Thanks, and don't let 2009 hit you on the way out.