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?