Readers choose Kings as top 2012 Southern California sports story

The fans have spoken: Long live the Kings.

A few days ago, we invited you to vote in an informal survey to choose the top five Southern California sports stories of the year, and the results were overwhelming: The Kings’ Stanley cup victory was the top story.

The Kings were named on 41% of the ballots, easily outdistancing the Galaxy, which was named on 25%.

The rest of the top five: the sale of the Dodgers (7.5%), the Lakers’ acquiring Steve Nash and Dwight Howard (5.4%) and the Clippers’ emergence as a Western Conference power (4.3%).

The editorial staff of The Times sports department was asked to rank their top five stories, with first place receiving five points, second place four points, etc. The results of that:

1. Dodgers sold (33 points)

2. Lakers acquire Howard and Nash (27 points)

3. Kings win the Cup (21 points)

4. USC football disappoints (11 points)

5. Clippers’ emergence (7 points)

Don’t blame me, Kings fans, I had the Kings No. 1 on my ballot.

Rounding out the list as far as fan voting goes: 6. UCLA football team rebounds with strong season (4.1%); 7. USC football team disappoints (3.6%); 8. Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh-Jennings win gold in beach volleyball (2.5%); 9. Angels sign Josh Hamilton (2.4%); 10. Allyson Felix wins three gold medals in track at the London Olympics (2%); 11. Kim Rhode wins gold medal in shooting (1.1%); 12. Carmelita Jeter wins three track medals (1%); 13. Other (0.8%).

The item receiving the most mentions in the “write in” category was, by far, Mike Trout‘s breakout season with the Angels.

Thanks for voting, everyone. We’ll do it again next year!

ALSO:

Live discussion: Analyzing the NFL playoff picture

Philadelphia Eagles fire Coach Andy Reid after 14 seasons

Chicago Bears fire Coach Lovie Smith; Buffalo Bills fire Chan Gailey