Can you imagine, instead of extra innings in the World Series, a homerun derby to determine the winner?  

Or how about the Lakers and Celtics being knotted at 108 after one overtime in game seven of the NBA finals, and instead of double OT, they have a dunk contest to settle the score.

Manchester United won the UEFA Champions League Final on Wednesday 1-1.  Yup 1-1. 

After Cristiano Ronaldo scored to put Manchester United up 1-0 on a lovely header in the 26th minute, Chelsea answered just before the end of the half as Frank Lampard tallied in the 45th minute.

The teams played a scoreless second half and after 30 minutes in overtime, it had been 75 minutes since someone had scored;  so they went to penalty kicks.  After John Terry had a chance to win the championship for Chelsea, but slipped as he struck the ball, Manchester United won 6-5, as the teams went to two bonus rounds before the title was decided.

While the drama was undoubtedly intense during PKs, after battling all year to become the best club team in the world, it seems a shame to have the championship settled by not actually playing soccer.  Good passing, nifty footwork and solid defense had nothing to do with the outcome.

People have often wondered about an alternative for the NHL, which plays overtime after overtime during the playoffs.  But if you ask me, they’ve got it right.  They decide the game on the ice, playing hockey, as they should even if it goes three, four, or five overtimes.  They’ll play ten if they have to.  

Yes, guys are spent.  However it doesn’t seem right to alter the outcome of a major championship because the players are tired.  Suck it up.  Put in some subs.  But whatever you do, keep playing.  Penalty kicks are lame.