Cool it, Cubbie Diehards. Senator Obama's comments were fun and harmless.

In this election year, the most controversial comment from either presidential campaign has not been about policies or politics. No, the comment that has garnered the most attention was about the Chicago Cubs. Forget about health care, the war in Iraq, or the economy. In the friendly confines of Wrigley Field, the Cubs are more important.

Who would have thought so much anger would be generated from Senator Barack Obama's appearance on "SportsCenter". Obama, a big White Sox fan, had a little fun with the Chicago rivalry. When asked by Stuart Scott who he would root for in a World Series between the two Windy City teams, Obama did not hesitate. The White Sox, he said, no doubt about it. And then he said the following:

"You go to Wrigley Field, you have a beer...there are beautiful people out there, people aren't watching the game. That's not serious. White Sox, that's baseball...South Side."

Oh no he didn't!!! Attacking the Cubs is un-American. How could he do such a vile thing?

Please. Have we all lost our sense of humor? Cubs fans everywhere are outraged, reacting as if Obama committed a heinous crime. Even Rick Telander, an acclaimed sports columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, wrote a ridiculous column yesterday in which he argued that this could cost Barack Obama the election. Are you kidding me? Does Telander also believe that all politicians who are Red Sox fans would lose the election because no Yankee fans would vote for that candidate? Does he believe that all Jets fans would not cast their vote for a candidate that likes the Giants? Senator Barack Obama is a White Sox fan. He made these comments with a smile on his face. Of course Cubs fans care about baseball. They are one of the most passionate fan bases in all of sports. Cubs fans live and die with their team. Senator Obama knows this. But he is a member of White Sox Nation. For every diehard Cubs fan who is irate at Obama, there is a White Sox fan who wants to high-five Obama right now. Part of the fun of sports is the heated rivalries. Regardless of your politics, we should all be applauding Senator Obama's passion for Ozzie Guillen and company. Yes, that includes you too, incensed Cubs fan.


Keep on rooting on your Sox, Senator. Never be afraid to have some fun at the expense of your rival. That is what sports is all about.

Speak English or Face Suspension. Shame on the LPGA.

Seriously? Did the LPGA really just create this silly rule?

That is exactly what went through my mind as I read about the new rule in the LPGA, a rule that requires all golfers to speak competently in English. Golfers who are not able to match these English-speaking standards may risk suspension. Let me see how many words I can think of to describe this new policy:

Idiotic. Moronic. Condescending. Hypocritical. Selfish. Baffling. Foolish. Inane. Ridiculous. Bizarre. Crazy. Witless. Mad. Asinine. Unintelligent. And flat-out stupid.

Phew! It sure feels good to release all that anger. Now after swallowing a chill pill, I am at peace, ready to calmly pick apart this decision by the LPGA. First of all, if we are forcing the international players to learn our language, they have every right to force us to learn theirs. It is time for us to realize that most foreign citizens are bilingual, if not multilingual. Most Americans, however, are only fluent in English. Therefore, it's our duty to attempt to learn other languages. Encouraging players to learn English is fine. Forcing them is a different story. Wake up LPGA, and say hello to the twenty-first century. Not every LPGA golfer hails from the land of the free and the home of the brave. In fact, there are 121 international players in the LPGA. Sports exist as a way to bring people together, no matter your cultural background.

LPGA player Christina Kim, a Korean American, is quoted in the San Francisco Chronicle as saying that ninety-nine percent of the players support this rule. I find that incredibly hard to believe. The LPGA is acting like learning a language is a piece of cake. They think the game will benefit from all players speaking English. In a game with so much international appeal, you would think the LPGA would have been more intelligent. After all, this LPGA decision makes Michelle Wie look like a brilliant decision-maker, and that is not easy to do.

*UPDATE* (9/6/08): The LPGA has now backed off and they will no longer suspend players who don't speak adequate English. Thank you, LPGA. You finally got your brain back.

Fair or Foul? Replay a smart move by Bud Selig.

After years of kicking the idea around, Bud Selig has finally decided to add instant replay to the game of baseball. As the old adage goes, it is better late than never. Should Selig have implemented replay earlier? You betcha. Ultimately, though, the man deserves credit for eventually making the right decision. The decision to use instant replay only on disputed home run calls is especially smart, as it solves a fundamental problem the game has faced for many years while also maintaining the value of human error.

Nobody likes it when an umpire makes a terrible call. This goes without saying. Nothing is more frustrating in baseball than when an umpire misses an easy call at first, or when the strike zone is wider than a sumo wrestler's waistline. With this being said, I do not believe that Major League Baseball should use replay in all aspects of the game. I'm no close-minded purist, but I do value the human element of baseball. However, one area in baseball has been in desperate need of instant replay for a long, long time: home runs.

Baseball has a long list of infamous and controversial home run calls, including the infamous Jeffrey Maier incident in 1996 at Yankee Stadium during the Yankees-Orioles ALCS, which was incorrectly ruled a home run for Derek Jeter. There are countless "was that a home run or not?" moments every single season, moments that always end with one side dissatisfied, moments that always end with a group of umpires making their best guess on whether or not the ball actually left the yard. With instant replay, the umpires can make the right call with no controversy. Everybody will be happy knowing that the correct call was made.

Critics of instant replay will say that this will further slow the pace of the game. Actually, the opposite is true. Without instant replay, umpires must go through the laborious process of having a meeting on the field to discuss whether or not it was a home run. This often takes a painfully long time. A swift decision will now be made. Quickly view the replay, and tah-dah!, the game is continued in no time.

Of the commish trio of Selig, Roger Goodell, and David Stern, Selig is the least competent. But I can't complain today. It may have taken a while, but instant replay is now a part of Major League Baseball. We can thank Bud Selig for that.

Random Observations on the Wonderful World of Sports

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---Thanks to Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt, the Redeem Team, Dara Torres, Shawn Johnson, Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor, and Nastia Liukin, the Beijing games were by far the most memorable Olympics of my lifetime.

---Keep your fingers crossed for me. There is a chance that I will be going to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. That would be a surreal experience, and a dream come true.

---New reports say Michael Strahan is open to the idea of coming out of retirement. While Strahan would surely be a big help to New York in the absence of Osi Umenyiora, I'd like him to avoid pulling a Favre and stay retired. I'm just turned off by athletes who retire, only to un-retire months later. Strahan sailed into the sunset in sweet fashion last year following the Giants' win over the Pats in the Super Bowl. No matter what happens, Strahan cannot top that moment.

---J.T. O'Sullivan is the starting quarterback for your San Francisco 49ers. An excellent choice by Mike Nolan. O'Sullivan has looked extremely sharp in the preseason, and he is a big improvement over Alex Smith. Hopefully O'Sullivan can lead my Niners to great success this season.

---This is the best time of year for a baseball fan. This year features some truly exciting pennant races. White Sox or Twins? Rays or Red Sox? Mets or Phillies? These questions will have an answer by season's end.

---This one is for my fellow members of SF Giants Nation: Pablo Sandoval for MVP!!!

--- I do not think the Florida Marlins have enough firepower to make the postseason, but Fredi Gonzalez's club deserves a lot of credit for being in the race. With no superstars, little fan support, and an embarrassingly tiny payroll, the Fish have still found a way to win games. And with promising, enormously talented young stars Hanley Ramirez, Dan Uggla, and Josh Willingham, this team can be good for a long time.

---Series of the Week: Mets at Phillies. Oh, baby, what a series.

---Speaking of the Mets, there is a chance that starting pitcher John Maine could be done for the year. This is not that huge of a blow. The pitching success of this team firmly depends on the performance of Johan Santana.

---The College Football season begins this Thursday night with North Carolina State and South Carolina. Will this be the year that Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks finally make some noise in the SEC?

---Rich Rodriguez should be an improvement over Lloyd Carr at Michigan, but Wolverine fans won't be fully satisfied unless Michigan plays in a BCS bowl game. And frankly, I don't see that happening.

---Some say Ryan Seacrest is the busiest man in America. I say it's Cris Collinsworth. "Football Night in America", "Inside the NFL", NFL Network, "Madden 09", Beijing OIympics. This guy is everywhere.

---Many are doubting Tiger Woods, claiming that there is no chance Mr. Woods will ever be the same after his knee injury. What?!?! If there is one thing we have all learned, it is to never ever doubt Tiger. He is the most dominant athlete in the world. I expect him to stun us all again and continue being his dominant self, easily surpassing Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 majors.

---The US Open is underway in Queens. I think Rafael Nadal wins, and I hope he faces Roger Federer in the final.

---I love ESPN Radio. I love Mike & Mike, Tirico & Van Pelt, The Pulse, Gamenight, SportsNation, and many others. The one host I can't stand? Colin Cowherd. If you were to combine the ego of Terrell Owens, the whiny nature of Manny Ramirez, and the loudness of Gilbert Gottfried, the result would be something like Cowherd. Unfortunately, his show is now on television, airing daily on ESPNU.

---Speaking of noisy sports radio hosts, Chris "Mad Dog" Russo is headed to Sirius Satellite Radio, ending his long, acclaimed partnership with Mike Francesca on WFAN in New York. Unlike Cowherd, however, I like Russo. He is very knowledgeable and entertaining, and his appearances on Letterman are always a hoot. I wish him the best of luck at Sirius.

---And finally, the Celtics have signed Darius Miles. What is the over/under on Miles' combined playing time next season under Doc Rivers? 3 minutes? All kidding aside, this is a throwaway signing for the Green Machine.

Umenyiora's injury begs the question: Why so many preseason games?

Osi Umenyiora is done for the season.

The two-time pro bowl defensive end for the New York Giants suffered a serious knee injury in yesterday's preseason game against the crosstown Jets. Season-ending surgery is required, as Umenyiora has a torn lateral meniscus. Due to the retirement of future Hall of Fame member Michael Strahan, Osi Umenyiora was unquestionably the defensive leader for the G-Men. A strong argument could be made that Umenyiora was the team's overall leader, though a case could also be made for Eli Manning.

As damaging as this injury is, the Giants should not get overly discouraged. They are the defending champs; the New York football Giants have more than enough talent to contend. I stand by my pick of the Giants in the NFC East, even though the universal favorite seems to be the Dallas Cowboys. This injury does, however, raise a very serious question: What is the point of having so many preseason games?

Four preseason games does not seem like that much. After all, baseball kicks off Spring Training a full month before opening day, and the NBA plays its fair share of games prior to the commencement of the season. But the NFL is different. More than any other sport, football sees a plethora of injuries, due to the aggressiveness of play. Injuries and football are like peanut butter and jelly. They go hand in hand. This is by no means a complaint. It is, though, a truth that we should not ignore. Preseason games are not worthless, especially when you have multiple players competing for a starting position. But two games would be sufficient. Two games, in addition to training camp, would be enough time to settle things like a quarterback competition. Four games means sixteen quarters of fans collectively holding their breath, desperately hoping the injury bug comes nowhere near their team. Obviously, injuries play a huge role in the regular season, but at least then the games mean something. Preseason injuries, such as the Osi Umenyiora's, are monumentally frustrating. The preseason games are as important as a backyard game of croquet at a summer picnic, yet the injuries that occur during these games can deal quite the powerful blow to a team's chances.

So please, Commissioner Goodell, put an end to this madness. Stop placing so much emphasis on the preseason. Everyone would be better off.

Call Me Carnac: It's Prediction Time!

Okay, okay, I know what you are thinking. My recent predictions have been about as impressive as Carrot Top's stand-up routine. But today is different, at least I hope so. Some of these will no doubt seem absolutely ridiculous, and some of the predictions will no doubt be flat-out wrong; but I'm not going to be shy about taking some risks. With no further ado, here are my sports predictions for the remainder of the year 2008:

---The Chicago Cubs will end 100 years of futility. That's right, the Cubbies will be your 2008 World Series Champions. Better yet, they will face off against their crosstown rival Chicago White Sox, creating one of the most memorable fall classics ever.

---The Closing Ceremonies in Beijing will feature extended tributes to Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt.

---Also, the closing ceremonies will be just as magnificent as the opening ceremonies. This time, though, there will be no faux fireworks or lip-synching.

---Not only will the Redeem Team go on to win the gold, but they will finish the tourney with no team having come within twenty points of them.

---Mike Kryzewski's team will eclipse the '92 Dream Team and be remembered as the greatest Olympic basketball team of all time.

---Senator Joe Biden will be Barack Obama's running mate. Oh, my bad, I forgot for a second that this was a sports blog.

---On a serious note, the NFL will never have a better director of the players association than the late Gene Upshaw. Upshaw will be sorely missed.

---Peyton Manning will erase all doubt regarding his injury and have one of the best seasons of his career. The Colts will be Super Bowl Champions for the second time in three years.

---Brett Favre, on the other hand, will have the worst season of his career. He will retire after this season, regretting his decision to un-retire.

---I've already predicted a Chicago showdown in the World Series. Here are all of my baseball predictions: Mets in the NL East, Cubs in the NL Central, D'Backs in the NL West, Cardinals in the NL Wild Card, Rays in the AL East, White Sox in the AL Central, Angels in the AL West (duh), and Red Sox in the AL Wild Card. David Ortiz and David Wright will be the MVP's. Brandon Webb will win the National League Cy Young, and Cliff Lee will do the same in the American League. Rookies of the year will be Evan Longoria and Edison Volquez. Managers of the Year will be Joe Maddon and Lou Piniella. Josh Hamilton will be Comeback Player of the Year.

---Nobody ever wants to see a coach get fired, but I do believe Dick Jauron will get the ax halfway through the season, when the Bills are once again going through a poor season.

---There will be a lot of red in the stands on January 8, 2009 in Dolphins Stadium. Why? Because USC and Georgia will be battling for the national championship. Georgia will win.

---The BCS system will once again be at the center of major controversy, and it will once again become evident that the system is deeply flawed and unfair.

---Georgia's Knowshon Moreno will win the Heisman Trophy.

---Bill Belichick will continue to be a cranky curmudgeon. This year, however, no cameras will be involved.

---Mel Kiper's hair will continue to look like a frozen statue.

---The Hot Stove will be hotter than ever this winter in Major League Baseball. Another chapter will be added to the storied Red Sox-Yankees rivalry, as CC Sabathia will sign with New York and Mark Teixeira will sign with Boston.

---Once basketball season rolls around, Ron Artest will see Chris Paul and the Hornets, Tim Duncan and the Spurs, and the entire Western Conference and say to himself, "Dang! Why did I sign with Houston? Why did I stay in the West? This is going to be harder than I thought!"

---When college hoops starts up again, Dick Vitale will say "It's awesome baby" at least thirty times per broadcast.

---Much to Bill Parcells' chagrin, the Dolphins will finish with the worst record in the NFL for the second consecutive year.

---I'll finish with one we can all agree on. The world of sports will continue to be a smashing success.

The New Odd Couple: Jimmy Rollins and Philadelphia.

Jimmy Rollins should be looking for Marty McFly and Dr. Emmett L. Brown right about now. Unfortunately, those are the names of fictional characters from the movie "Back to the Future". That's too bad. Mr. Rollins could really use a time machine right now. I guess he'll just have to live with his comments, comments that have the City of Brotherly Love showing Jimmy Rollins no love.

Last week, while on the Best Damn Sports Show Period, the reigning National League MVP said the following about the Phillies faithful: "They're front-runners. When you're doing good, they're on your side. When you're doing bad, they're completely against you." Uh-oh. Those words set off an alarm amongst the Philadelphia fan base, and the boo-birds were after Rollins last night in a 5-4 win over the Washington Nationals. Making matters worse, Rollins later attempted to clarify his comments and make nice with the fans, but his halfway sincere apology came off as a backhanded compliment. Ultimately, Jimmy Rollins never expressed any regret over what he said. So, one major question remains: What was he thinking?

Here's the deal: Jimmy Rollins is an extremely smart man who has made a dumb mistake. Even if Rollins' statements are accurate (I do not believe they are), it is never an astute idea to publicly slap your fans in the face, especially in a heated pennant race. The Phillies have been steadily losing ground to the Mets over the course of the last week, and Rollins' criticisms of his fans can only cause more harm. In order to win back the hearts of the people he insulted, Jimmy Rollins will have to go on a tear and help carry Philadelphia to the playoffs, which he is very capable of doing. Shall Philly miss the postseason, Jimmy Rollins might never hear the end of it.

Mental lapses are nothing new in the world of athletics. We see them all the time, and most of the time, they can be quickly forgotten. This mental lapse from Mr. Rollins, though, smells different. As if there wasn't enough pressure on the Phillies already, Rollins' shoulders must now carry a heavier burden. It's win or go home for the Philadelphia Phillies. For Jimmy Rollins, it could mean win or find a new home.

The Bragging Bolt? More like the Amazing Bolt.

He might as well have raced in a straight jacket and a pair of skates. Usain Bolt, the World's Fastest Man, or the World's Fastest Superhuman, has put on a phenomenal display at the Bird's Nest in Beijing. The lightning Bolt crushes his competition, and makes it look like a piece of cake, seemingly jogging the last twenty meters. We should all gape at Bolt's Phelps-like athleticism, yet there are some who are complaining about his grandiose celebrations, berating Usain Bolt for being unsportsmanlike. C'mon, party poopers. Let the man have a little fun.

Yes, Usain Bolt does the equivalent of a Chad Johnson touchdown dance after he wins.

Yes, Usain Bolt starts to celebrate slightly before he reaches the finish line.

Yes, Usain Bolt shows great satisfaction when he speaks about his accomplishments.

Yes, Usain Bolt's ego is more like the size of a watermelon than a cherry tomato.

But you know what? He deserves to bask in his glory. To say that Bolt's actions are disrespectful to his fellow sprinters is ridiculous. He means no harm; he is merely acting out of pure elation. Just like Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt is visibly thrilled after he wins a race. Just like Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt does not intend to shove his victory down people's throats.

I am an advocate of good sportsmanship. I am also an advocate of deserved celebration. When a baseball player hits a walk-off home run, he deserves to jump up and down in excitement. When a football player picks up a key sack, he deserves to pump his fists in a satisfactory manner. When a basketball player hits a three to tie the game in the fourth quarter, he deserves to make the "raise the roof" signal to the crowd. When Usain Bolt sets world record after world record, he has every right to show a little emotion. Too much is rude, like Terrell Owens placing the ball on the Dallas Cowboys star at the fifty yard line as a member of the San Francisco 49ers. Usain Bolt is not rude. He is just having a good time. And I love every second of it.

Random Observations on the Wonderful World of Sports

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---Best. Olympian. Ever. Those three words perfectly describe the incredible Michael Phelps. With some help from his friends, namely Jason Lezak, Phelps achieved his goal of eight gold medals in a single Olympic games. Michael Phelps truly is one of the greatest athletes of all-time.

---Swimming at these Olympics featured a handful of insanely close races. From Jason Lezak's remarkable comeback against France's Alain Bernard to Michael Phelps' stunning one hundredth of a second victory over Milorad Cavic of Serbia, the races at the Water Cube were about as exhilarating as anything I've ever seen.

---The race to decide the World's Fastest Man is over, and that honor belongs to Jamaica's Usain Bolt. Bolt isn't just fast, he is out of this world, call the cops, are you kidding me? fast. Bolt jogs the last twenty meters and still obliterates the field, easily setting world records in the process.

---I would love to see Usain Bolt race Bengie Molina. Boy, would that be interesting.

---The Redeem Team finished the preliminary round today in epic fashion, crushing Dirk Nowitzki and Germany by 49 points. Our first opponent in the medal round is Austrailia. They could be a feisty challenger, judging by their strong showing against Team USA in Shanghai a couple of weeks ago. However, Coach K's team has looked so great, you wonder if they should spot the other team thirty points. But the Redeem Team cannot adopt that cocky way of thinking. Still, for this team, it is gold medal or bust.

---The gymnastics has been very fun to watch, thanks to the compelling work of Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson. The judging, though, has been awfully fishy.

---Oh yeah, and if those Chinese gymnasts, great as they are, are indeed sixteen years of age, then I'm the King of France.

---Memo to Mike Nolan: Reward J.T. O'Sullivan with the starting quarterback job. He gives the 49ers the best chance to win.

---Hasn't Cincinnati suffered enough injuries? First, it was Ken Griffey, Jr. Then, it was Carson Palmer. And now, Chad Johnson is hurt. Johnson's injury could very well be minor, but you can't blame Cincinnati sports fans if they think their teams are cursed.

---Rays-Red Sox? Mets-Phillies? Diamondbacks-Dodgers? Nope, the best pennant race is the White Sox and Twins. Ozzie Guillen and Ron Gardenhire are two extremely different personalities, but both mangers have done an excellent job this year. Unfortunately, only one of the two teams will make the playoffs. My pick? Chicago.

---I can now say that I was in the company of a SportsCenter anchor. Over the weekend I attended the JELD-WEN Tradition in Sunriver, Oregon, a major on the Champions Tour that includes golf legends Tom Watson, Ben Crenshaw, and Craig Stadler. Who else was in attendance? SportsCenter's Neil Everett.

---I like the Little League World Series, but I'm a little put off at how aggressive some of the fans and coaches are. Sit back and relax amigos. They are only kids, and they are trying their best.

---If all goes as planned, I will be attending the 49ers-Patriots game on October 5 in San Francisco. And I'm ready to show the Pats who's boss!!!!!

---Whoops. Sorry, I forgot that I'm supposed to be impartial. Go Niners!

---Series of the week in Major League Baseball: Angels-Rays.

---Excuse me, Mr. Selig, where is that instant replay that you keep talking about?

Down Goes Greece. Spain and controversy awaits.

If Greece was the first real test for Team USA, then consider Spain the midterm final. Team USA crushed Greece earlier today in Beijing by a score of 92-69, earning sweet revenge against a Greek team that beat the United States two years ago at the FIBA World Championships in Japan. This time, however, Greece had no chance. Led by a tremendous effort from Dwayne Wade, who contributed 17 points, 6 steals, 5 assists, and 3 rebounds, and strong performances from Chris Bosh and LeBron James, this game was a showcase for the Americans. Alley-oop after spectacular alley-oop, steal after steal, jump shot after jump shot, the Redeem Team put on a show. Mike Krzyzewski's team is the clear favorite to win the gold. Our next opponent, though, will be an immensely difficult challenge. Our next opponent is Spain, an excellent team featuring NBA star Pau Gasol of the Lakers and Jose Calderon of the Toronto Raptors, and a team in the middle of controversy.

The Spanish men's and women's basketball teams posed for pictures for these Beijing Olympics in which everyone uses their fingers to slant their eyes, a gesture that comes across as a mockery of the Chinese people. The picture is incredibly offensive and completely idiotic, and the fact that the Spanish team agreed to appear in the photo is incomprehensible . I don't think the Spanish team in bigoted; however, the picture represents a colossal lapse of judgement on the part of the Spaniards. Making matters worse, Pau Gasol was the only player to express genuine remorse. Jose Calderon said, "We did it because we thought it would be something nice, something with no problem." He went on to blame the media for blowing the story out of proportion. Even Spain head coach Aito Garcia Reneses thought the picture was no big deal. No big deal? Give me a break. Jason Kidd was right on the money when he said that if the Americans posed in such a picture, we would be kicked out of the tournament. The Spanish basketball team should be punished.

Strictly speaking basketball, though, Spain poses a real threat. Greece is a good team; Spain is even better. Team USA needs an all-around effort with as few errors as possible to stay undefeated. Judging by today's blowout, I think the Redeem Team is on their way to standing atop the podium at the end of the tournament. And if we find a way to win the gold medal, maybe we too will pose for a picture. A picture with no controversy. A picture of us celebrating. If the first three dominating wins are any indication, we are well on our way to doing just that.

Jordan-Pippen, Ruth-Gehrig, Stockton-Malone, Montana-Rice. Add Walsh/May-Treanor to that list.

A plain burger is just fine. A burger with all the toppings? Mmm, mmm, tasty. Bud Abbott was a funny man. Paired with Lou Costello, he was even funnier. There are two names on a presidential ticket. And a suit and tie beats a suit sans the tie every time.

At this point you are probably wondering if I have lost my sanity. After all, I am supposed to be writing a sports blog, not a series of non sequiturs about food, comedy, politics, and fashion. Ahhh, but you see, there is a point to all of this. The point is that two is always better than one. Never is that more true than in the world of sports. Sports has a great history of fantastic duos, from Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in baseball to the Williams sisters in tennis. There is now another duo that deserves our attention and respect. They are Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor, masters of beach volleyball.

Four years have passed since May-Treanor and Walsh took home the gold at the Olympic games in Athens, and the pair show no sign of slowing down. So far, so good in Beijing, as Kerri and Misty appear to be on their way to another gold medal. These two amazing athletes have all the ingredients of a classic sports duo. Like Jordan and Pippen and Rice and Montana, Walsh and May-Treanor are as dominant as you can be. Not only do the two beach volleyball stars win their matches, they cruise to victory, never even losing a set. Another thing that makes Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh a great sports pair is their perfect chemistry. The two share a cohesive rapport that is hard to emulate, and mighty tough to beat. Even when something wild and unexpected occurs, such as the departure of Walsh's wedding ring during a match a couple of days ago, Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor are never flustered. When one falters, as is rarely the case, the other is always there to pick her up. This is why they will go on to win gold for the second consecutive Olympic games.

Because beach volleyball lives a relatively obscure life in America, Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh will never receive the same universal awe and recognition that was bestowed upon the likes of John Stockton and Karl Malone. Too bad, because Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor are shining on the world stage, and we should all just sit back and admire.

Greatest Olympian Ever? Michael Phelps truly is one of a kind.

Somewhere, Mark Spitz is smiling.

Sure, maybe the legendary Olympic swimmer isn't exactly ecstatic about the possibility of Michael Phelps breaking his record of seven gold medals won in a single Olympic Games. After all, Spitz has held this spectacularly impressive record for 36 years. Should Phelps go on to capture eight gold medals in Beijing, as he seems destined to do, it will not be easy for Spitz to accept the fact that he has been surpassed. Spitz's recent complaints regarding his non-invitation to these Olympic Games, and his insistence that he too would have won eight golds if given the opportunity, sound a lot like the little boy who always whines when he loses the recess dodgeball game. Nonetheless, deep down, I believe Mark Spitz is proud. Proud to see a swimmer every bit as dominant as he was. Proud to see an athlete pour all of his energy into swimming. Proud to be a witness to his successor, Michael Phelps.

Michael Phelps is arguably the greatest Olympic athlete of all time. There have been countless great Olympians, but Phelps is distinctly different than any other Olympian that has come before him. Don't get me wrong: Every single person who competes in the Olympics admirably puts it all on the line for the sake of competition. Every single person who competes in Beijing over the next two weeks deserves our admiration. Period. It's just that nobody thrives in quite the same thoroughly dominant fashion as Michael Phelps. The things he does in the pool never cease to amaze. Even in a qualifying heat, when Phelps is supposedly conserving energy for a later race of actual importance, he somehow finds a way to win, leaving the rest of the world trying to come up with a logical explanation for what Phelps displays. Surely he must be superhuman, right? I mean, is it even possible for a normal human being to consume his regular diet of 8,000 to 10,000 calories a day without ending up searching for a barf bag? Is it possible to crush world-class competition with such ease?

As great as he is, it is no guarantee that Phelps will fulfill his dream of eight gold medals. Perhaps, when all is said and done, Mark Spitz will still hold that record. But one thing is for certain. We have never seen anyone quite like Michael Fred Phelps.

Random Observations on the Wonderful World of Sports.

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---I love everything about the Olympics. For the next two weeks, Beijing is the center of the sports universe.

---The opening ceremonies on Friday night were nothing short of astonishing. Truly one of the most visually mesmerizing extravaganzas ever orchestrated.

---You couldn't ask for a better debut for Team USA basketball, as they cruised past Yao Ming and China. Coach K's Redeem Team put on a great show in front of 19,000 passionate fans. Anything short of a gold medal for this team would be a major disappointment.

---Michael Phelps' quest for eight gold medals is still alive, thanks to a miraculous finish in the relay by teammate Jason Lezak. Lezak's amazing performance created one of the most exciting moments in Olympic history.

---I can only think of one word to describe synchronized diving: Wow!

---Padraig Harrington is having his own Tiger-like year. Yesterday's exciting win over Sergio Garcia at the PGA Championship gives Paddy two straight Major championships. Harrington has also won two consecutive British Open championships.

---Don't expect Sergio Garcia to be sending Padraig Harrington a Christmas card this holiday season. Just like last year at Carnoustie, Garcia's hopes for a Major win were dashed by Paddy this past weekend at Oakland Hills.

---The Yankees are deflating with every loss. After getting swept by the Major League-best Angels, New York is now 8 1/2 games back of first-place Tampa Bay. Even A-Rod admitted after Sunday's loss that Joe Girardi and company are running out of time.

---I am having tough luck with my recent predictions. First I said repeatedly that Manny Ramirez would not be traded. Wrong. Then I wrote a column saying that the Brewers were on the verge of collapse. It appears that I'm wrong again, as Milwaukee is riding a five game winning streak. Still, I do not envision the Brew Crew playing in the postseason. Prince Fielder, CC Sabathia, Ben Sheets, Corey Hart, Ryan Braun, and company could very well continue to roll; It still will not be enough. After a relatively easy August, Milwaukee will struggle in September with multiple games against the Cubs, Mets, and Phillies.

---Thank you, Gregg Doyel. The CBSSports.com columnist is one of the few people who is right on the money regarding Brett Favre.

---As a Niner fan, I'm a little worried about the quarterback situation in San Francisco. Whether it be Alex Smith, J.T. O'Sullivan, or Shaun Hill, let's hope Mike Nolan's team has a playmaker throwing the passes this season.

---Speaking of quarterbacks, I would not want to be Chad Pennington right now. Released by the Jets and signed by the Dolphins, Pennington might be the second-string quarterback on the worst team in the NFL.

---Barry Bonds did the right thing by coming back to San Francisco over the weekend. It was great to see the Home Run King back at his old stomping grounds, standing amongst the greatest outfielders in franchise history, including his godfather, the great Willie Mays.

---Speaking of the Giants, what a fun weekend against the Dodgers. Take that, L.A.!

---I'll leave you with one final thought: Is Phil Mickleson still on the PGA Tour?

Even with Favre, the Jets are still second-best in the Big Apple.

Finally. Thank God. Our long national nightmare is over. The Brett Favre nonsense has been resolved.

Brett Favre, the longtime quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, has been traded to the New York Jets. This move will surely energize the passionate Jets fan base, but don't buy the hype, because even with Number 4 taking the snaps, the defending champion New York Giants are still the best team in New York. Sure, the Jets play in a much weaker division, but they will still have trouble reaching the postseason. The Giants, on the other hand, have been criminally overlooked. After all, who is better in the NFC East?

The Cowboys? Please. Everybody seems to think so, but Dallas is over-hyped year in and year out. Terrell Owens and Tony Romo may be lovebirds right now, but that could all change if T.O. decides to once again rip his team, his quarterback, and his coach, as he does every single season.

The Eagles? They'll only contend with a fully healthy Donovan McNabb calling the shots.

The Redskins? With an inexperienced coach (Jim Zorn) and an inexperienced quarterback (Jason Campbell), the Redskins smell a lot like third-place finishers to me.

That leaves the New York football Giants as the best team in the division. Eli Manning continues to grow as a player and as a leader, and last year's impressive Super Bowl performance should provide him with even more confidence. While the losses of Jeremy Shockey (to the Saints) and Michael Strahan (to retirement) provide challenges for Tom Coughlin's squad, the G-Men still have plenty of talent, including Plaxico Burress, Ahmad Bradshaw, Kevin Boss, Osi Umenyiora, and Amani Toomer. The Giants have the best chance of success in New York.

However, Eric Mangini's Jets will likely receive all the attention. Anywhere Brett Favre goes, anything Brett Favre does, the nation seems inexplicably captivated. Heck, the guy could put on a pair of socks and it would be breaking news. The Jets, though, are in for another season of frustration. Bill Bellichick and his camera-wielding tactics will lead Tom Brady and the Pats to another division title.

Once the playoffs commence, the Jets will be on the outside looking in, and Brett Favre will realize that his decision to return was a bad one. The Giants, on the other hand, will be playing football in January.

LeBron overseas? Could NBA stars really defect to Europe?

Former Stanford star and Atlanta Hawks shooting guard Josh Childress apparently had enough of the NBA, signing a three-year contract with the Greek team Olympiocos. Former Orlando Magic guard Carlos Arroyo shared that same European desire, bolting for Israel to play with Maccabi Tel-Aviv. And let's not forget Earl Boykins, who has just signed with Virtus Bologna of Italy. What once seemed like a laughable concept has now transformed into a frighteningly real problem for the NBA. In addition to Childress and Arroyo, Primoz Brezec, Nenad Krstic, Juan Carlos Navarro, Jorge Garabajosa, Carlos Delfino, and Bostjan Nachbar have all decided to leave America and return to Europe. Granted, no major stars have followed this growing trend as of yet, but one superstar says he's open to the idea of playing overseas.

LeBron James is, for my money, the greatest player in the game. So big people call him King, LeBron is far and away the face of Cleveland sports, and arguably the face of the NBA. But as LeBron prepares for the Beijing Olympics with Team USA, it seems that he too has been diagnosed with international fever. According to a source close to James and reported via Chris Broussard of ESPN the Magazine, LeBron would be willing to take his show overseas if payed a salary of "around $50 million a year". The sound you just heard was David Stern fainting.

When one of the game's brightest and most profitable talents is considering changing continents, as much as no one wants to admit it, you know the league could be in trouble. Even before LeBron made these comments, there was concern. If Europe manages to lure King James away from the land of the free and the home of the brave, that would trigger panic and chaos. Who knows, if LeBron goes, will Dwayne Wade, Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Monta Ellis, Deron Williams, Tracy McGrady, Carlos Boozer, Chris Bosh, Elton Brand, Kevin Garnett, and Chauncey Billups follow in his footsteps?

I've said it before and I'll say it again: The National Basketball Association has never been better. However, despite the valiant efforts of commissioner David Stern, no matter the fact that the league is going strong, trouble seems to continually plague David Stern's product. What a shame. Let's hope Team USA wins the gold in China; perhaps a gold medal for the United States of America will make LeBron realize that America features the finest competition in the world. It is not as if LeBron James is expected to leave the NBA anytime soon, and it's probable that he will always call the NBA home. Yet just by simply making suggestive comments, as innocent as they may be, LeBron has shined a light on a serious and potentially destructive issue in the world of American professional basketball.

Prince Fielder's outburst reflects a team on the verge of collapse.

What a difference a week makes. Last Monday, Milwaukee was gearing up for a monster four game showdown at home with the Cubs. They only trailed the Cubbies by one game, and the Brewers had all the swagger of the most popular girl in school. Then the games began, and Chicago dominated the Brew Crew en route to an easy four game sweep. Even people like myself, who already thought the Cubs were the superior team, were surprised at how lopsided the games were. Nonetheless, Ned Yost's team bounced back with a series win at Atlanta last weekend. Yesterday, however, the stars realigned. Things reverted back to form, and tensions overflowed in the Brewers dugout in a 6-3 loss to the Braves. In-house brawls are nothing new, and can mostly be dismissed. This time it's different. When Prince Fielder and Manny Parra quarreled in a physical and verbal brouhaha last night, it didn't just feel like two players simply blowing off steam. This fight felt like yet another damaging blow to Milwaukee's increasingly fading playoff hopes.

Manager Ned Yost did what every other manager would do in such a situation. He scoffed at reporters after the game, the Brewers seventh loss in their last nine contests. He said there was absolutely nothing to worry about. According to Ned Yost, everything is under control. Yeah, and our economy is booming. You can't blame the manager for saying this. After all, what else was he going to say? Denouncing the actions of his players would have made things even worse. But even Ned Yost must realize that his team is in major trouble. Prince Fielder's aggressive shove of Brewers starting pitcher Manny Parra was an outburst of anger that reflects the state of this sliding team. The Cubs show no sign of slowing down, and Milwaukee's once stable wild card lead is dwindling by the day.

Maybe the Fielder-Parra fight is exactly what the Brewers need to kick it into gear and start a winning streak. Maybe Ned Yost was right when he said everything has been taken care of. Maybe, but I don't think so.

Much to the dismay of the Milwaukee Brewers organization, they appear to be on the verge of collapse, for the second consecutive season.

Random Observations on the Wonderful World of Sports.

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---Brett Favre makes T.O. look like a team player.

---Wouldn't we all understand if Aaron Rodgers covers Favre's locker with graffiti?

---Manny Ramirez got off to a good start with the Dodgers this past weekend, but so did Jason Bay with the Red Sox. I'm still skeptical about this trade from Boston's perspective, but maybe Theo Epstein knew what he was doing after all.

---That White Sox-Royals brawl yesterday was a little odd. Memo to Miguel Olivo: There is no way D.J. Carrasco was trying to hit you.

---Speaking of the White Sox, they have fallen a half-game back of the first place Minnesota Twins. Chicago better start winning on a consistent basis, because the Twins are for real.

---The Mets look weaker with each passing day. The Phillies look stronger with each passing day. The Marlins look stronger with each passing day. It is way too early too panic, and I stand my prediction that the Mets will win the division. However, there is major worry in Queens right now.

---Wild, roller coaster affair in the Bronx yesterday between the Angels and Yankees. The game had more twists and turns than Lombard street.

---I don't mean to dismiss the very serious and important political concerns surrounding this year's Olympics in Beijing, but the Olympics are a time for athletic competition, patriotism, and inspiration. It would be a shame if politics dwarfed the actual games.

---Ron Artest makes the Rockets better, there is no doubt about that. But Rick Adleman's team has no shot at a championship, even with the trio of Artest, Tracy McGrady, and Yao Ming. The West is that loaded.

---Here is the World Series I want to see: Cubs-White Sox. What an awesome showcase for Chicago that would be.

---Georgia is ranked number 1 in the college football coaches poll, followed by USC and Ohio State. Pete Carroll's Trojans and Mark Richt's Bulldogs are the two best teams in the nation, but Jim Tressel's Ohio State Buckeyes have the easiest road. The Big Ten is no match for the Pac-10 or SEC. Opponents like Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin are not in the same league as Florida, LSU, Cal, Oregon, UCLA, and Tennessee.

---The Little League has implemented instant replay for the upcoming Little League World Series. So, what is Bud Selig waiting for exactly? Now I do not think Major League Baseball should use replay in all aspects of the game, but replay is a necessity on fair or foul calls.

---The Fred Dean glasses moment at the Hall of Fame induction in Canton on Saturday was a classic.

---The stands were drenched with burgundy and gold. It felt like a Redskins home game.

---Go Big Brown! Go Big Brown! Go Big Brown!

---Thrilling finish between the Phillies and Cardinals last night in St. Louis. The Cardinals made Brad Lidge sweat, but Lidge remains an elite closer. In fact, outside of Francisco Rodriguez, Lidge is the best closer in baseball.

---And finally, here is my bold prediction of the week: The Angels will make the playoffs. How is that for going out on a limb?