I was going to blog about this yesterday but was too busy watching some Elite 8 action and massive sensory overload with two fantasy baseball drafts at once. That being said, something wonderful happened yesterday at Bay Hill Country Club in Florida.
As he walked up the 18th fairway with a five stroke lead on the final day of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Tiger Woods had that infectious smile on his face. The one that captivated us all 15 years ago at Augusta National when he dominated the Masters for the first time. The one that said "Hi, I'm Tiger Woods, and I'm the best in the game."
It wasn't typical Woods, pulling away from the field and leaving little doubt, but it was quintessential Tiger. The red shirt, the pin point accuracy from the fairway, the booming drives from the tee, the dominance on the green. He wasn't all the way back, but for the first time since September of 2009, he was a champion.
There had been 72 different winners on the PGA tour since his last victory, and Woods even dropped to 58th in the world. After winning his 72nd event, he has catapulted back up to sixth. The joy and adulation that came from Tiger after sinking that final point was a beam of hope to the game of golf.
The man synonymous with the sport for the last 15 years was returning to the pedestal he had rightfully owned for a decade. You could see, and hear, that coming from the crowd who began chanting his name as if they had been rooting for him all along. And some have. Golf needs Tiger. As long as he is still an active player, he is the biggest draw to the game. His battles with Phil, Duval, and others were legendary. His potential meetings with McIlroy, Watson, and the young guns is awe-inspiring. The question is, can this happen when it truly matters: as he challenges Jack Nicklaus for "Greatest of All-Time" status.
This wasn't a typical field littered with the big names like Phil and Rory, but peppered with former surprised like Graeme McDowell and fading champions like Ernie Els. It wasn't an intimidating course like a Pebble Beach or a Congressional. It wasn't a pressure tournament like the Open, or the Masters which begins in 10 days.
I have gone on the record (with about five friends) as saying that Tiger will not catch the Bear. There are very few times I want to be wrong, this might be one of them. I love seeing Tiger compete because it draws you to something so basic it makes the most ordinary person feel a part of it. He isn't back just yet, but Tiger is certainly out of the Woods.
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Monday, March 26, 2012
Saturday, March 24, 2012
March 21, 2012 - The Day the NFL Changed Forever
After taking a day to be with those who needed a friend, and two days to enjoy the Sweet 16/Summer weather in NYC, it's time to get back to business. Just after noon on Wednesday, March 21, the National Football League announced two stunning developments that would shock the football world.
First, there was the announcement that the Denver Broncos, after signing Peyton Manning to a five year deal, would be trading quarterback Tim Tebow to the New York Jets. The second was that the NFL had issued their penalties regarding the New Orleans Saints "bounty" program. Among the various fines and loss of draft picks, former Defensive Coordinator Greg Williams (now with the St. Louis Rams) was suspended indefinitely and current Head Coach Sean Payton was banned for a year. It has since been learned that ban will cost Payton $5.8 million in salary.
Before I get to the big problem in the Big Easy, let's discuss Tebow. Essentially, what Woody Johnson has just done, is put the most marketable and polarizing player in recent memory, into the most marketable and opinionated city in the world. For whatever the reason, everyone has something to say about Tebow. Now, in the Big Apple, there will be distractions galore; but there will be even more people trying to catch Tim in a manner that is anything but the "saintly demeanor" we've all come to understand. No doubt there will be paparazzi trying to catch a glimpse of the poster boy drinking or clubbing, anything to try and harm his image.
What should be noted is that this makes incredible football sense for the Jets. With Tony Sparano in place, a man who loves the wildcat, you know have a QB who is designed for that role. Tebow will be able to operate in a situation similar to his freshman season at Florida, where he won a national title mind you. This issue is whether or not Mark Sanchez's supposed "fragile psyche" can handle the TebowMania. I think he will, and I think that if the team takes on even the slightest persona of their new backup, head coach included, they could make an interesting run in the playoffs. That is, if Manning and Brady don't go back to their usual dominance of the league.
Onto the bigger issue at hand. Some may say the season long suspension of Payton in New Orleans is too much, I will not be one of them. It is well known that I hate the continued "softening" of the natuarally violent game that is football. It's also true that I have no issue with putting a target on the best players back, if it's done in the right way. This was not. This was essentially a "pay-to-play" operation in which players opted to give financial rewards for taking out the opponent. I think what upsets me more is that NFL athletes need extra incentive to play that way. What irks the shield is that, while they are legal hits, players are actively attempting to injure others. At the very core, this was wrong.
Much in the way Joe Paterno was in the wrong for not saying anything if he knew something, so is Sean Payton. He, and the Saints, deserve this punishment. They will endure however because they are one of the premier franchises in the NFL. My fear is that Payton may lose his job, which should not happen, because of what he means to the team, and the city. Then again, like Joe Paterno, I've been wrong before.
,
First, there was the announcement that the Denver Broncos, after signing Peyton Manning to a five year deal, would be trading quarterback Tim Tebow to the New York Jets. The second was that the NFL had issued their penalties regarding the New Orleans Saints "bounty" program. Among the various fines and loss of draft picks, former Defensive Coordinator Greg Williams (now with the St. Louis Rams) was suspended indefinitely and current Head Coach Sean Payton was banned for a year. It has since been learned that ban will cost Payton $5.8 million in salary.
Before I get to the big problem in the Big Easy, let's discuss Tebow. Essentially, what Woody Johnson has just done, is put the most marketable and polarizing player in recent memory, into the most marketable and opinionated city in the world. For whatever the reason, everyone has something to say about Tebow. Now, in the Big Apple, there will be distractions galore; but there will be even more people trying to catch Tim in a manner that is anything but the "saintly demeanor" we've all come to understand. No doubt there will be paparazzi trying to catch a glimpse of the poster boy drinking or clubbing, anything to try and harm his image.
What should be noted is that this makes incredible football sense for the Jets. With Tony Sparano in place, a man who loves the wildcat, you know have a QB who is designed for that role. Tebow will be able to operate in a situation similar to his freshman season at Florida, where he won a national title mind you. This issue is whether or not Mark Sanchez's supposed "fragile psyche" can handle the TebowMania. I think he will, and I think that if the team takes on even the slightest persona of their new backup, head coach included, they could make an interesting run in the playoffs. That is, if Manning and Brady don't go back to their usual dominance of the league.
Onto the bigger issue at hand. Some may say the season long suspension of Payton in New Orleans is too much, I will not be one of them. It is well known that I hate the continued "softening" of the natuarally violent game that is football. It's also true that I have no issue with putting a target on the best players back, if it's done in the right way. This was not. This was essentially a "pay-to-play" operation in which players opted to give financial rewards for taking out the opponent. I think what upsets me more is that NFL athletes need extra incentive to play that way. What irks the shield is that, while they are legal hits, players are actively attempting to injure others. At the very core, this was wrong.
Much in the way Joe Paterno was in the wrong for not saying anything if he knew something, so is Sean Payton. He, and the Saints, deserve this punishment. They will endure however because they are one of the premier franchises in the NFL. My fear is that Payton may lose his job, which should not happen, because of what he means to the team, and the city. Then again, like Joe Paterno, I've been wrong before.
,
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Oh Captain, Our Captain!
In just about a half-hour, Jason Varitek will retire from Major League Baseball. He will do so after 14 seasons in "The Show", with every game in th bigs coming in a Red Sox uniform. After Boston made one of the best trades in franchise history, Varitek became the face of the franchise.
He has caught more games for the Beantowners than anyone in history, won two World Series rings, caught four no-hitters (the only catcher ever), and of course, he punched Alex Rodriguez in the face. Varitek became the first Boston player since Jim Rice to be namd captain and wear the "C" that every little kid thought was awesome.
But he did more than lead our beloved Sox into battle everyday, helping to end 86 years of frustration and heartbreak. He was the Red Sox. For 14 years, the only catcher I (or anyone from my generation) knew was wearing number 33. It was as sure as Opening Day itself.
Yes, his ability deteriorated over the last few seasons; to the point that I was praying he would retire instead of continue to embarass his legacy. But he was our Captain. And now, weeks after longtime starting pitcher and fan favorite Tim Wakefield rode off into the sunset, the page is officially turned.
Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz are the only two who remain of that glorious 2004 Championship run (jump started by Tek shoving his mitt into the smug face of that tool A-Rod). It truly is the end of a era in Red Sox Nation. Youk and Papi are great, and Youk is still a career Sock, but the times they are a'changing.
These two men brought years of joy and a sense of belonging to so many fans, and they did it the right way. 2012 will truly be a different Red Sox team, one that will make so many new memories and hopefully bring at least another title. But we Fenway Faithul will always remember Wake and Tek as the two cornerstones of a decade of success. Sure there were the superstars like Manny, Papi, Schilling, and Pedro; but Tek and Wake were the pillars of that foundation.
So thank you, both. Each of you meant so much to the franchise and the fan base. And even if Cooperstown doesn't come calling, you are always welcome to walk out of the Green Monster and return to a hero's welcome. It was a pleasure to watch you perform, and I am honored to be a member of Red Sox Nation knowing you both donned that uniform.
.
He has caught more games for the Beantowners than anyone in history, won two World Series rings, caught four no-hitters (the only catcher ever), and of course, he punched Alex Rodriguez in the face. Varitek became the first Boston player since Jim Rice to be namd captain and wear the "C" that every little kid thought was awesome.
But he did more than lead our beloved Sox into battle everyday, helping to end 86 years of frustration and heartbreak. He was the Red Sox. For 14 years, the only catcher I (or anyone from my generation) knew was wearing number 33. It was as sure as Opening Day itself.
Yes, his ability deteriorated over the last few seasons; to the point that I was praying he would retire instead of continue to embarass his legacy. But he was our Captain. And now, weeks after longtime starting pitcher and fan favorite Tim Wakefield rode off into the sunset, the page is officially turned.
Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz are the only two who remain of that glorious 2004 Championship run (jump started by Tek shoving his mitt into the smug face of that tool A-Rod). It truly is the end of a era in Red Sox Nation. Youk and Papi are great, and Youk is still a career Sock, but the times they are a'changing.
These two men brought years of joy and a sense of belonging to so many fans, and they did it the right way. 2012 will truly be a different Red Sox team, one that will make so many new memories and hopefully bring at least another title. But we Fenway Faithul will always remember Wake and Tek as the two cornerstones of a decade of success. Sure there were the superstars like Manny, Papi, Schilling, and Pedro; but Tek and Wake were the pillars of that foundation.
So thank you, both. Each of you meant so much to the franchise and the fan base. And even if Cooperstown doesn't come calling, you are always welcome to walk out of the Green Monster and return to a hero's welcome. It was a pleasure to watch you perform, and I am honored to be a member of Red Sox Nation knowing you both donned that uniform.
.
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