For more than two decades I wrote an annual end of the year column known as the “Three Yards and a Cloud of Dust Awards.”

It has been nearly another decade since the last one.

But I have decided to revive the column to end 2017.

Hopefully this humorous look at the best and worst of 2017 in the world of sports can put a little smile on your face.

The envelopes please…

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR

I usually do not agree with Sports Illustrated’s choice, but I have to go with them on this one as they selected Houston’s Jose Altuve and J.J. Watts. These two did so much to raise the spirits of the people of Houston after the devastating hurricane.

GREATEST MOMENT

Watching the Houston Astros win the organization’s first World Series championship. As an added bonus, Justin Verlander was traded by the Detroit Tigers to the Astros and he was instrumental in helping Houston the title.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

The College Football Playoff committee once again failed to give us the top four teams. If being a conference champion is supposed to be one of your top criteria, when why did Alabama make the cut and Ohio State not?

HEAD OF THE CLASS

Here are a few of the teams that won championships in 2017: Houston Astros (baseball), South Carolina (women’s basketball), Clemson (college football), North Carolina (men’s basketball), Florida (college baseball), New England Patriots (football), Golden State (basketball) and Martin Truex Jr. (NASCAR).

WE’RE GOING TO MISS YOU

Here are some of those who died during 2017: Dick Enberg, Roy Halladay, Connie Hawkins, Y.A. Tittle, Jake LaMotta, Rollie Massimino, Frank Broyles, Dick MacPherson, Don Baylor, Ara Parseghian, Frank Deford, Jim Bunning, Dan Rooney, Jerry Krause and Mike Ilitch.

BIGGEST SURPRISE

Ironically, Carl Edwards was the winner of this category in 2005. He earns this distinction once again as just prior to the Daytona 500 last February, he announced he was stepping away as a full-time driver in NASCAR. No real reason has ever been given.

Scott Novak is sports editor for Leader Publications. He can be reached at scott.novak@leaderpub.com.