Top 10 sports personalities of 2010

New York is famous for its colorful - or at least compelling - sports characters, and there was no shortage of them in 2010.

1. Rex Ryan, Jets coach

There is no one quite like him in pro sports, as America saw during his memorable, expletive-laced star turn on HBO's "Hard Knocks.'' Ryan's unconventional, free-wheeling approach left him open to criticism every time the Jets stumbled, but he is on the verge of a second straight playoff berth. 'Nuff said.

2. Amar'e Stoudemire, Knicks forward

From the day he arrived, Stoudemire has embraced his role as the new face of the LeBron-free Knicks, acting as team spokesman and leader in addition to scoring and rebounding at an MVP-caliber clip. Alone, he likely won't win an NBA title. But if the Knicks do win one he will be regarded as the pioneer.

3. Mikhail Prokhorov, Nets owner

The Russian billionaire fashioned an irresistible image as a sportsman, playboy and jokester, charming the media from a memorable "60 Minutes'' profile to a perfectly delivered wisecrack on Mike Francesa's radio show: "Where is the Mad Dog?'' Oh, he also promised a championship within five years.

4. Derek Jeter, Yankees shortstop

Somewhere between his stellar 2009 and his future introduction as the greatest living Yankee, Jeter's image took an unexpected turn when an offseason begat an off-putting public contract spat. Jeter said he was angered by how it all came down. Left unsaid: Many Yankees fans sided with management.

5. Darrelle Revis, Jets cornerback

By late January, Revis was being hailed as the best cornerback in the NFL - most notably by his coach. By late July his absence from camp was a key "Hard Knocks" story line, and Rex Ryan's words had come back to complicate the Jets' lives. Revis did show up eventually, and promptly strained a hamstring.

6. Brian Cashman, Yankees GM

Although he clarified his power after the 2005 season, Cashman never seemed more in charge than in 2010, especially when he took on Derek Jeter publicly. He later failed to land free agent Cliff Lee. But he did successfully rappel down a 22-story building in Stamford, Conn., while dressed as an elf.

7. Sandy Alderson, Mets GM

For Mets fans it had to be comforting hearing Alderson speak during his introductory news conference. The Vietnam War veteran and Harvard Law School alum projected the kind of I'm-in-charge-here vibe the organization needs as it starts over. It didn't hurt that he recruited an all-star front office to join him.

8. Eli Manning, Giants quarterback

Manning leads the NFL with 20 interceptions - many of them off tipped balls - a step back statistically from 2009. But in his seventh season the even-keeled quarterback seems comfortable asserting himself, as he demonstrated in addressing his teammates Monday following the shocking loss to the Eagles.

9. Mark Sanchez, Jets quarterback

For most of his rookie season, the Jets asked Sanchez to do little more than not lose games. In 2010 they have allowed him to grow into the job, and he has responded with numerous big plays. It doesn't hurt that he has the good looks and playful personality to evolve (eventually) into Broadway Joe Jr.

10. R.A. Dickey, Mets pitcher

On one hand, it said something about the Mets that they relied so heavily on a 35-year-old knuckleballer who started the season in the minors. On the other, Dickey's career-best 11 victories and 2.84 ERA and his thoughtful, interesting takes on life and baseball made him an intriguing presence on a dreary team.