Capping off a history making season for the New York Yankees and their shortstop, Derek Jeter was named Sports Illustrated's 2009 Sportsman of the Year.  In a season in which he won his fifth World Series and became the historic franchise's leader in base hits, Jeter clearly had a tremendous year.

Phil Mickelson should not be lost in the shuffle, though.  Mickelson was nomainted by golf.com writer Alan Shipnuck in an essay from just about two weeks ago.  Lefty has had a tough year in his personal life.  Both his wife and his mother are both battling breast cancer.  Despite those challenges, Mickelson had a resurgent year on the course.

Mickelson won twice before making it known that his wife was battling breast cancer.  In an electric Sunday at Augusta, Mickelson had a chance to win his third Masters before falling short.  At his wife's behest, he nearly won the US Open at Bethpage before finishing as a runner-up for a record fifth time.

After his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in July, Mickelson clearly spent time to process the battle his family was facing on two fronts.  But, he returned to win the PGA Tour's Tour Championship at East Lake.  Then, he traveled to China to best a very strong field at the WGC HSBC Champions.

I know that there are a lot of jokes and snide remarks made about Mickelson.  I don't know Phil personally and I can't judge him as a person on that kind of level.  I can, though, see that Mickelson worked very hard to look after his family this year - even when his wife encouraged him out the door to the course.  The result was a fine season and a great example of how someone can take difficulty head on and turn it into somewhat of a positive.

The following golfers have won the honor, awarded since 1954: Arnold Palmer in 1960, Ken Venturi in '64, Lee Trevino in '71, Jack Nicklaus in '78, and Tiger Woods twice in '96 and 2000.  Patty Sheehan won the award in 1987 in the Athletes Who Care issue,