Federer, Roddick, Sandoval, and 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 need a nap. After watching every shot of the exhilarating Wimbledon final between Roger Federer and Andy Roddick, a final that featured a fifth set with a staggering thirty games, I am exhausted. Sunday's epic battle at the All-England Club was every bit as good as last year's classic final between Federer and Rafael Nadal, and with his win, Federer surpassed Pete Sampras on the all-time list, winning his fifteenth grand slam title.

---With tennis greats Sampras, Bjorn Borg, Rod Laver, and Manolo Santana watching from the stands, Federer persevered in an incredible display of endurance. Comparing players from different eras is always difficult, especially in tennis, a game in which one's game changes depending on the surface. But on Sunday, Federer strengthened his argument for being the greatest player of all-time. Federer's sixth Wimbledon championship is his most impressive. Andy Roddick was at the top of his game, yet Federer still managed to battle his way to victory. What a spectacular champion.

---Those who say that there are no such things as moral victories may have to reconsider after witnessing the play of Andy Roddick on Sunday. Roddick played a phenomenal match, unleashing one of the most efficient, dominating service performances I have ever seen. This defeat is undoubtedly the most heartbreaking of his career, but Roddick grew as a player on Sunday. His time as a Wimbledon champion will soon come, and Roddick will be a top contender at next month's U.S. Open.

---Congratulations to your 2009 Women's Wimbledon Champion Serena Williams. Williams finally found a way a way to beat her big sister, adding another chapter to the always intriguing Venus-Serena rivalry.

---Let's hope that following three straight years of electrifying excitement at Wimbledon, tennis will receive the attention that it so richly deserves here in the United States.

---The 2009 MLB All-Star Lineups were announced on Sunday, and the fans got it mostly right. There were, however, some notable snubs. I love Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton, and being in Yankee Stadium last year when Hamilton belted 26 gargantuan big flys in the Home Run Derby is to this day one of the greatest experiences I have ever had as a sports fan. However, the tattooed slugger does not deserve to be an All-Star starter this season. Hamilton has been plagued with injury this season, batting a weak .240 with 6 home runs in only 35 games. Call me crazy, but I think a guy has to play on a consistent basis in order to be an All-Star starter.

---On the National League side of things, I think the fans got it wrong in their selection of Mets third baseman David Wright to be the starter. Wright is a tremendous player, batting an impressive .326 with 42 RBI through 80 games. But there is another third baseman with even greater credentials, and that player is the Giants' Pablo Sandoval. Granted, I'm extremely biased, but let's just look at the numbers. Wright is batting .326; Sandoval is batting .333. Wright has 42 RBI; Sandoval has 44. Wright is having a down year when it comes to power with 4 home runs; Sandoval has 12 homers. The Mets are struggling, while the Giants are in the thick of the playoff race, thanks in large part to Sandoval's play. In this case, the numbers don't lie. Pablo Sandoval deserves to be an All-Star!

---Fortunately, Sandoval still has a chance to make the trip to St. Louis for the Midsummer Classic, as he is one of five NL candidates in Major League Baseball's Final Vote, alongside Matt Kemp of the Dodgers, Shane Victorino of the Phillies, Cristian Guzman of the Nationals, and Mark Reynolds of the Diamondbacks. Make the right choice, America. Vote for Kung Fu Panda!

---Sandoval isn't the only Giant that got snubbed. Closer Brian Wilson deserves a spot on the all-star roster as well.

---However, I'm thrilled that Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain made the All-Star team. They are the leaders of the best pitching staff in baseball, and I'd be ecstatic if either one started the All-Star Game. Go Giants!

---The free agency portion of the NBA offseason continues to have a lot of activity. In the last couple of days, Hedo Turkoglu chose Toronto over Portland and signed with the Raptors, Rasheed Wallace agreed to sign with the Celtics, and Jason Kidd vowed to re-sign with the Mavericks.

---Sheed to Boston is great news for the Celtics, giving Doc River's team an outstanding perimeter shooter and fierce competitor. In the wide-open Eastern Conference, Boston has as good a shot as anybody next season. On the other hand, the loss of Hedo to the Raptors is terrible news for the Orlando Magic. The acquisition of Vince Carter does not make up for the loss of one of the game's best clutch performers. Turkoglu was Stan Van Gundy's go-to guy at the end of games, and he was a big reason why the Magic won the East. The Toronto Raptors should be thanking their lucky stars that the Magic were dumb enough to let Turkoglu slip away.

---On the same day that Roger Federer won at Wimbledon, his good buddy Tiger Woods won his very own tournament in Bethesda, Maryland, holding off challengers Anthony Kim and Hunter Mahan. It was a great win for Tiger, and hopefully he'll carry some momentum to next month's British Open at Turnberry.

---I'll end on a very sad note: Steve McNair, the three-time pro-bowl quarterback for the Houston Oilers, Tennessee Titans, and Baltimore Ravens, passed away at the age of 36 after he was shot multiple times in what was an apparent homicide. Air McNair was a gritty, supremely talented football player who personified toughness and leadership. He will be sorely missed.