Athlete of the Year II?

In this space yesterday, a wise scholar opined eloquently about the AP’s choice for Male Athlete of the Year.

OK, it was me and I was just blogging, but the AP has done it again. It’s made a shaky choice for Female Athlete of the Year.

This time, the brain trust at the Associated Press chose Serena Williams as the leading lady of sports.

In terms of her accomplishments, she deserved it. Serena won two Grand Slams (Wimbledon and the Australian Open), and lost in the final of the other two. She and her sister Venus also won three Grand Slam doubles titles.

Unfortunately, it was Serena’s performance in one of the two individual Grand Slams that she lost that throws cold water on this choice. And that would be her crude, profanity-laced tirade at a lineswoman who dared to call a foot-fault on her.

For that little stunt, she got the biggest fine ever in women’s tennis and two years of probation at Grand Slam events. But it was not enough to deprive her of this title.

Apparently, if you’re a big enough sports star, the rules can be bent.

In fact, it’s hard to find a mega-jock who actually gets the punishment he/she deserves for various outbursts, embarrassments and crimes.

And, let’s be frank, it was a weak year for this competition.

How weak? Try this: The runner-up was a horse.

That’s right, No. 2 was Zenyatta, a 5-year-old who ended her 14-0 career by becoming the first filly to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

What a year in sports. A guy who sits throughout all of his competition won Male Athlete of the Year, and an animal came in second on the women’s side.

2010 has nowhere to go but up.