The Globe's top 10 national stories for 2006

1. Barry Bonds ripped in book, passes Babe Ruth

San Francisco sportswriters Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams released a book, ‘‘Game of Shadows,’’ that presented damaging evidence of steroid abuse by Bonds, who was dogged by reporters all spring. The heat remained on into late May, only now it was his pursuit of Babe Ruth that was the catalyst. Bonds hit No. 715 on May 28 to pass Ruth, totaled 26 for the season, and is at 734 entering 2007, 21 shy of Hank Aaron’s career mark.

2. Floyd Landis’s tainted Tour de France win

From a humble background in Amish country to the grand stage on Champs-Elysees in Paris, Landis, 30, basked momentarily in the glory that comes with being the third American to win the famed Tour de France. The dream crashed a short time later when he tested positive for a high level of testosterone. He was fired by his team, Phonak Hearing Systems, and is no longer recognized as the winner. The International Cycling Union will have the final say, however.

3. Tiger Woods’s swing of emotions

Two wins in three starts got his season off to a flying start, but the increasingly poor health of his father soon consumed Woods. He finished joint third at the Masters, then withdrew from public view for nine weeks after the May 3 death of Earl Woods at age 74. Rusty, Woods returned at the US Open, only to miss the cut, but he reeled off six straight wins to end the season, including two more majors, the British Open and PGA Championship.

4. Saints march home, into playoffs

They played out of suitcases in 2005, with home games in New Jersey, San Antonio, and Shreveport, and there were fears that players would be pawns in a battle between owner Tom Benson and the league. But the hurricane-ravaged Superdome was repaired, the Saints returned to their New Orleans roots, and with QB Drew Brees and Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush shining, the team surprised by winning the NFC South to make the playoffs for the first time since 2000.

5. Texas and Vince Young stun Southern Cal

He couldn’t throw, or so said the pundits. He couldn’t beat USC with his feet, or so said the pundits. Vince Young didn’t listen to the pundits — then he went out and proved them hideously wrong. The Longhorns’ quarterback accounted for an incredible 467 yards (200 rushing) and scored the last of his three touchdowns on a dazzling 19-yard run with 0:19 left to give Texas a 41-38 win over the Trojans in the BCS Championship at the Rose Bowl.

6. "As the World Turns," starring Terrell Owens

Signed by the Cowboys after being fired by the Eagles for a series of disruptions, the talented wideout proves he travels with much baggage. After he dominates news with leg and hand injuries, Owens is rushed to a hospital. At first, it is reported that he attempted suicide, though he later explained he took an accidental overdose of painkillers. His play is great at times, however, and the Cowboys clinch their first playoff berth since 2003

7. Barbaro breaks down in Preakness

His 6Æ-length win was the most dominating Kentucky Derby win in 60 years. It ran his record to 6-0 and set off wild anticipation of the first Triple Crown winner since 1978. Two weeks later, those hopes were awash in a sea of tears, for midway through the Preakness States, Barbaro broke down. There were three fractures in his right hind leg and only miraculous medical attention saved the brilliant thoroughbred, whose status is still being monitored.

8. US humbled across the globe

Name a sport, any sport. Hockey? A wasted trip to the Olympics for the red, white, and blue (1-4-1). Baseball? The Americans bombed out in the World Baseball Classic. Hoops? the Americans lost to the Greeks and only got bronze in the World Basketball Championships. Soccer? The Americans were no more than German tourists as they went 0-2-1 and were last in Group E. Golf? For a third straight time, the US got slapped silly by the Europeans in the Ryder Cup.

9. Justin Gatlin stripped of world record in 100

He ran a 9.76, or so he thought. Days later, officials said it was 9.766 and should have been rounded up to 9.77 and that was only good enough to tie the world record. Furious, Gatlin vented, but he soon discovered that he had other problems. He tested positive for a banned substance and while he fought that it was applied via a cream by a physical therapist who made a mistake, Gatlin accepted an eight-year ban from competition.

10. Duke lacrosse players accused of rape

A year-long saga that became the ultimate political football in North Carolina. A woman hired to dance at a party hosted by members of the Duke lacrosse team says she was raped and within a few days, a national firestorm is ignited. The season is canceled, the coach is fired, and it wasn’t until nearly nine months later that the rape charges are dropped against three players. They remain accused of sexual offense and kidnapping, however.