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FILE – New York Mets’ Pete Alonso reacts after hitting a three-run home run during the ninth inning of Game 3 of a National League wild card baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)
David Carle, head coach of Denver Pioneers hockey, poses for a portrait in Magness Arena on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024 (Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)
A volunteer quiets the crowd as a golfer putts on the 18th hole at the third round of the BMW Championship golf event at Castle Pines Golf Club, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Castle Rock, Colo. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette)
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders talks to his players before an NCAA college football game against Kansas, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, front, looks to drive to the rim as Los Angeles Clippers guard Bones Hyland defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
FILE – New York Mets’ Pete Alonso reacts after hitting a three-run home run during the ninth inning of Game 3 of a National League wild card baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)
David Carle, head coach of Denver Pioneers hockey, poses for a portrait in Magness Arena on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024 (Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)
A volunteer quiets the crowd as a golfer putts on the 18th hole at the third round of the BMW Championship golf event at Castle Pines Golf Club, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Castle Rock, Colo. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette)
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders talks to his players before an NCAA college football game against Kansas, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, front, looks to drive to the rim as Los Angeles Clippers guard Bones Hyland defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
TO: The Denver Pioneers
FROM: Paul Klee, sports editor
What to get the college athletics department that has everything? The University of Denver gift wrapped a 2024 for the ages: NCAA final fours in men’s soccer, lacrosse and hockey; a perfect regular season in men’s tennis (23-0); Tommy Bruner ranking second in men’s hoops in scoring (24 points per game) and a record 10th national title in hockey. Plus, soccer, lacrosse and hockey all ranked No. 1 in the country. Who needs football, anyway? Now about men’s basketball. It’s been the Pios’ bugaboo since the Joe Scott era — and NIL and the transfer portal are big, bad barriers for low-major ball. So here’s a Christmas wish coach Jeff Wulbrun and Pios action ball lands a disgruntled mid-major star or three and someday cracks the NCAA Tournament code. Oh, and bring back Boone.
TO: The Colorado Rockies
FROM: Mark Kiszla, columnist
First baseman Pete Alonso’s signature on a free agent contract. Our Pet Rocks are worse than bad. They’re boring. With nobody, including his longtime employer, the Mets, in a hurry to sign Alonso, maybe Colorado could lure him without spending Kris Bryant-esque money. Alonso could remind the Coors Field faithful that hitting home runs is fun … and maybe prevent your sad Rocks from losing 100 for a third-straight year. Yes, I know. I’ve got a better chance of waking up Christmas morning to Michelle Pfeiffer delivering a Maserati to my driveway.
TO: The PGA Tour
FROM: Chris Schmaedeke
A regular PGA Tour stop in the state of Colorado. The BMW Championship in August was a huge success at Castle Pines Golf Club. The course played fair, the scores were not too low and for the most part, the elevation was not a factor for most guys. Colorado loves golf. This is an outdoor-loving state. The attendance at the BMW was strong and the event was recently voted “Tournament of the Year.” Some of the best players in the world loved the course and loved the atmosphere. I am sure they wouldn’t mind coming back on a yearly basis.
TO: Greg Penner and Carrie Walton-Penner
FROM: Kyle Fredrickson, Broncos beat writer
A new Broncos stadium. The old bones at Empower Field shake when Broncos Country erupts after a big play. Plenty of great memories since 2001 when it first opened to replace the old Mile High. But all good things must end. The Walton-Penner ownership group feels like Santa Claus these days with seemingly unlimited resources. My wish? A brand-new stadium somewhere East of downtown (with a retractable roof) to become the new crown jewel of NFL venues. An improved team under coach Sean Payton finally won’t get coal in their stockings, too.
TO: The Denver Broncos
FROM: Chris Tomasson, Broncos beat writer
Sean Payton didn’t like it when TV cameras zoomed in on him having written “RUN IT!!!” on his call sheet before last Thursday’s game at the Chargers. So he probably won’t write “PASS IT!!!” for Saturday’s game at Cincinnati — even though the Bengals are No. 26 in the NFL in pass defense. As it is, Broncos players can give Payton a present one day before his 61st birthday on Sunday by clinching a playoff berth. If that happens, Payton perhaps won’t get upset at reporters if they don’t wish him a happy birthday, which was the case last year.
TO: Deion Sanders and the CU Buffs
FROM: Tyler King, college sports reporter
The unlikely marriage between Boulder and Coach Prime appears to be one made in heaven. While many, including myself, figured Sanders’ stint as the Colorado coach was only going to last two years — as long as his sons’ remaining eligibility — it appears the Pro Football Hall of Famer is in it for the long haul. He has a great relationship with athletic director Rick George and while the topic probably didn’t come up while the two sat next to each other at a recent Buffs basketball game, it’s high time George hands Coach Prime a big, fat contract extension that nearly doubles Sanders’ salary and keeps him the CU coach for as long as he desires. And for Coach Prime, why would he go anywhere else? Two years ago, CU was the only place willing to let him run the show the way he wanted to — with Prime merchandise on everything in Boulder and full control of the media empire, including various YouTube channels and an Amazon Prime documentary. Why go to the SEC where there’s yearly pressure to win 10+ games and make the College Football Playoff? Prime can continue to kick it in the mountains, recruit at a high level and become the dominant program in the Big 12 for the rest of the 2020s. Sign on the dotted line, Deion.
TO: Calvin Booth, Michael Malone and the Denver Nuggets
FROM: Vinny Benedetto, Nuggets beat writer
My gift to the Nuggets is a happy and healthy Jamal Murray for the holidays and beyond. Denver’s championship chances are as cooked as a Christmas ham without a dependable Murray taking some of the pressure off of Nikola Jokic throughout the regular season and playoffs. Murray’s dealt with a concussion, hamstring inflammation, plantar fasciitis and now an ankle sprain that forced him to miss Monday’s win over the Suns, the same team the Nuggets will face in Phoenix on Christmas Day, in the first couple of months to start the season. The injuries come after Murray appeared limited with a calf strain last postseason and at the Paris Olympics. He said he was healthy to start the season but hasn’t had much luck since, missing a few games with the concussion, a couple more due to the hamstring and at least one with the sprained right ankle. A healthy Murray could be the gift that gives the Nuggets another shot at a second title.
***
TO: Jared Bednar and the Colorado Avalanche
FROM: Evan Rawal, Avalanche beat writer
Christmas came early for Bednar when Chris MacFarland gifted him two new goaltenders in Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood. Both have already made a massive impact on the team, as the Avalanche have gotten the best goaltending in the NHL since Wedgewood made his first appearance for the team. Now Bednar must see what he has with a healthy forward group. For the majority of the season, the injury report on Bednar’s desk has been the equivalent of a lump of coal. The Avalanche started the season with a healthy defense so they know what they have there. But the Avs have yet to play a game with a healthy forward group. When Jonathan Drouin eventually returns, is Ross Colton a center or winger for this group? Where are the needs? A new goaltending room was a nice surprise for Bednar, but it’s time to get greedy and ask Santa for a healthy forward group in front of them.
(Contact Gazette sports columnist Paul Klee at paul.klee@gazette.com or on Twitter at @bypaulklee.)
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