Catching Up On What I Missed

Little did I know that when I embarked on my vacation a little over three weeks ago, I would be missing some of the biggest, most exciting sports stories of the year. As I was walking the streets of San Francisco and playing on the beach in Rhode Island, the sports world kept churning out surprise after surprise. Now that I am back, allow me to brainstorm all the major stories that I have missed.



I missed Tiger Woods' final round collapse at the PGA Championship, in which Y.E. Yang made dazzling shot after dazzling shot to deny Tiger his fifteenth major championship. Tiger will be hungrier than ever to win majors next year, but his stunning loss in Minnesota marked the end of a disappointing season for Woods. Sure, he may have picked up a handful of impressive PGA Tour victories, but the only thing that matters to Tiger is winning majors.



I missed Michael Vick's return to the NFL, via the Philadelphia Eagles. Kudos to the Eagles for giving Vick a second chance. Vick has expressed genuine remorse regarding his dogfighting past, and now that he has served his time, he deserves to be welcomed back onto the football field. Make no mistake about it: Donovan McNabb is the starter for Philadelphia. But Andy Reid can utilize Michael Vick in several different ways, whether it be as a running back, wide receiver, or part-time QB on specially designed plays. Vick will help the Eagles, even if he won't get an opportunity to play until his full reinstatement in Week 6.



Speaking of quarterbacks returning to the NFL, I missed yet another chapter in Brett Favre's repulsive offseason behavior. Favre came out of retirement for the zillionth time to sign with the Minnesota Vikings, the heated rival of Favre's former home, the Green Bay Packers. Favre, once hailed as one of sports most likable figures, has blossomed into a petulant, thoroughly unlikable jerk. After all, he's no longer an effective quarterback, yet he insists on holding teams hostage year in and year out. Sources say that Favre's arrival in Minnesota has divided the Vikings clubhouse, and who could blame Tarvaris Jackson if he decides to cover Favre's locker in graffiti?



I missed the twentieth anniversary of Pete Rose's banishment from baseball. This anniversary led to the resurfacing of a timeless debate: Should Pete Rose be enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame? I say absolutely yes. In no way do I condone his betting on baseball----a hard-to-forgive offense indeed. But Rose is one of the greatest hitters the game has ever seen, an integral part of the Big Red Machine in the 1970's. Rose also played with fearless intensity and effort, a reputation that earned him the nickname Charlie Hustle. His legacy on the field is more than worthy of enshrinement in Cooperstown.



I missed two more coaching scandals in college basketball, just a couple of months after Tim Floyd exited USC mired in controversy. First, Louisville coach Rick Pitino admitted to having sex with a woman in a Louisville restaurant six years ago. That much is clear; the rest of the story features a foggy distinction between reality and fiction. That woman, Karen Cunagin Sypher, has accused Pitino of then paying for her abortion. Worse, she has accused him of two incidents of rape. Pitino adamantly denies these two allegations. These charges have been dropped, due to the total lack of evidence to support Sypher's claims. Nonetheless, for a man who has prided himself on having a strong moral code, this is an embarrassment of riches for one of college basketball's most high-profile coaches. Meanwhile, John Calipari has once again left a program in ruins. And once again, he suffers no punishment. Thirteen years after doing the same to the University of Massachusetts, Calipari has left Memphis in complete scandal and disarray as he escapes to the riches of the University of Kentucky. Memphis is now forced to vacate all the wins from their 2008 Final Four season, while Calipari suffers zero consequences. Stay classy, Coach.



I missed Usain Bolt continue to break world records in track and field. Bolt may have a sizable ego, but the Olympic gold medalist backs it up with an incredible display of speed and athleticism on the track. Bolt is one of the most charismatic and entertaining Olympic athletes ever, and I can't wait to see what he can do at the 2012 Summer Games in London.



I missed the sinking ship otherwise known as the Chicago Cubs. Three weeks ago, I remarked on the red-hot Cubs. Three weeks later, Lou Piniella's team is a walking corpse with no shot at reaching the postseason. On paper, a team with Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez, Carlos Zambrano, and Rich Harden should be playing in October, but this roster of talent has not translated to wins on the field. This coming October, the Cubs will experience their 101st anniversary without a World Series championship, and GM Jim Hendry has a lot of work to do if the Cubbies are going to be contenders next season. Things aren't so great for the South Siders either, as the Chicago White Sox are fading fast from the AL Central race. Following Saturday's 10-0 blowout at the hands of the Yankees, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen unleashed one of his trademark, wildly entertaining, profanity-laced diatribes. Tough times in the Windy City.



I missed more heartbreaking injuries to the snake-bit New York Mets. I was at Citi Field in Queens when David Wright took a Matt Cain fastball to the head. Following the Wright injury, Johan Santana suffered a season-ending injury. All of this is happening to a team that is already without Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran, and Carlos Delgado. I can't recall a sports team that has been more than depleted than the Mets.

I missed the resurgence of my San Francisco Giants. After last Monday's crushing 14-inning loss in Denver, the Giants sat 4 games back of the Rockies in the NL Wild Card standings. Even a sunny optimist like myself felt somewhat pessimistic about our playoff chances. But one week later, the Giants are tied atop the Wild Card standings, thanks to a huge sweep of those Rockies. Edgar Renteria's go-ahead grand slam with two outs in the seventh inning and the Giants trailing by three runs is one of the most clutch hits in Giants history. As Los Gigantes commence the September stretch run, they are right where they want to be. From here on out, every game is crucial, and the Giants are playing pennant race baseball for the first time in five years. Go Giants!

I missed the continued dominance of the New York Yankees. The Bronx Bombers have won six of their last seven against the arch rival Red Sox, essentially putting the AL East race to bed. Things are going so well for the Yankees, even journeyman Sergio Mitre looked like Cy Young on Saturday. However, as good as the Yankees have been, Red Sox Nation need not fret. The Yankees have embarrassed the Sox recently, but a potential ALCS rematch is very much a possibility. Right now the Yankees are clearly the better team, but Boston may have a shot at revenge in October.

I missed Jeff Kent's return to San Francisco. Kent was a spectacular Giant, but count me among the millions of Giants fans who showered Kent with boos when he returned to AT&T Park over the years in a Dodger uniform. However, over the last couple of months Kent has genuinely remarked about how his best years and best memories came in San Francisco. Kent has paid tribute to the Giants organization and the Giants fans, and he has said that he wants to be remembered as a Giant. So all is forgiven, and when Kent was honored by the Giants over the weekend, I was happy to see him receive a well-deserved standing ovation by the Giants faithful.

I missed the controversy regarding that eye sore of a jumbotron at the new Cowboys Stadium. Several punts have hit that disgustingly huge video screen in Dallas, and the NFL has ruled any such punt a do-over in the future. Jerry Jones has stubbornly refused to alter the size of the video screen, staying true to his reputation as one of sports most controlling, egotistical owners.

I missed the Little League World Series, won by the team from Chula Vista, California. I get intermittent enjoyment from the Little League World Series, but sometimes I feel like too much pressure is being placed on the shoulders of innocent eight-year-olds. It always makes me a little uneasy when a 45-year-old coach berates a eight-year-old boy for failing to put down a successful sacrifice bunt.

And I missed the sad saga of Allen Iverson, who may or may not land with the Memphis Grizzlies. Iverson used to be at the top of his profession during his years in Philadelphia, but he has gradually declined into a me-first, careless athlete who puts his individual accomplishments ahead of the team. His potential signing with the lowly Memphis Grizzlies serves as a reminder of how far he has fallen.

Baseball Top Three

1. The Gradual Separation Between the Sox and Yanks

With one swing of the bat in the bottom of the fifteenth inning, Alex Rodriguez may have just put a permanent dagger in Boston's chances at a division title. Josh Beckett and A.J. Burnett took the mound yesterday at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx at approximately 7:05 eastern standard time. Nearly six hours later, the game remained scoreless. With each passing inning, the intensity heightened, and what started out as a big game for the Boston Red Sox slowly blossomed into something pretty damn close to a must win. But when all was said and done, A-Rod momentarily silenced those who say that he fails to come through in the clutch, and Joe Girardi's New York Yankees expanded their AL East division lead to 4 1/2 games.

The division is still very much in play for Terry Francona's Red Sox. If they manage to win the final two games in the Bronx this weekend, they will sit a mere 2 1/2 games back of New York with a full month-and-a-half to play. However, if Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Johnny Damon, and company continue to win, the Yankees may deal a serious blow to Boston's playoff odds. This can all change in the next two games, but right now, the Yankees are the team to beat in the American League.

2. Make-or-Break Series in the SoCal Sun for Texas

With all the media attention being poured into the Boston-New York showdown, a gigantic series is flying under the radar. I am talking, of course, about the three-game set between the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels. For Ron Washington's Rangers, this is the biggest series of the year by far. Popular belief suggests that the Angels are the best team in the AL West, while the Rangers are viewed by many as the lovable underdog that has no chance at reaching the playoffs. Not so fast, my friends. I too believe that the Angels are the better team, but it would be foolish to discount a tremendously talented Texas team. After last night's walloping of the Angels, the Rangers are only 3 1/2 behind the Halos, and they are still very much in the hunt for the AL Wild Card. It will be tough for Texas to win today against Jered Weaver, who enters Saturday's game with an 11-3 record. But the Rangers are playing with house money. Nobody expects them to win, and Texas thrives under such low expectations. With proven players Michael Young, Ian Kinsler, and Josh Hamilton, the Rangers simply have too much talent to fold down the stretch. They will stay in this race for the remainder of the season.

3. Cubs or Cardinals? Take Your Pick

The Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals, two great Midwestern rivals, are in the midst of a thrilling pennant race. Coming into Saturday, the Cards have a slim one-game advantage in the NL Central over the Cubs. About a month or so ago it seemed as if Tony LaRussa's team may run away with the division. Albert Pujols was having a season for the record books, and Chris Carpenter was pitching like the Chris Carpenter of old. When the Cardinals acquired Mark DeRosa and then Matt Holliday, it looked like they were the clear-cut favorites to win the division. Then, out of nowhere, the Cubbies charged right back into the thick of the race. The return of Aramis Ramirez lit a fire under Lou Piniella's team. Ramirez has been on fire since his return, and his presence has rejuvenated guys like Derrek Lee and Alfonso Soriano. What we have now is a classic duel to the finish between two old rivals. My money is still on St. Louis, but it should be a fun race between the Cubs and Cardinals.


*Alright folks, I'm off on vacation for the next month. I'll return with my thoughts on the wonderful world of sports in September. And remember..............Go Giants!!!!!

Fielder, Manning, Mickelson, 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:

---Prince Fielder is my new hero. After getting intentionally whacked by a Guillermo Mota fastball in Tuesday's game against the Dodgers, the Brewers slugger charged the Dodgers clubhouse after the game looking to start a fight with Mota. Go Prince!

---Yeah, I know, Fielder didn't exactly exhibit model behavior, but anybody who challenges a Dodger to a fight is good by me.

---Huge series starts tonight in the Bronx, as the Red Sox and Yankees renew their storied rivalry. Boston is in desperate need of a series victory, as they currently sit 2 1/2 games back of New York in the AL East race. Terry Francona's Sox have owned the Yankees this season, but Joe Girardi's team enters tonight's action with a newfound sense of swagger.

---Speaking of the AL East, don't discount the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays, who just swept a short two-game set with the Red Sox, are still in the hunt for a playoff birth. The division title is likely out of reach, but if Evan Longoria continues to put up big numbers, and if David Price can be a consistent winning starter down the stretch, the Rays will be a fierce contender.

---Player to watch in the American League: White Sox 3B Gordon Beckham. Beckham has thrived in his rookie season, and he is a major reason why Ozzie Guillen's White Sox are hanging around in the AL Central race.

---I am giddy with excitement over my San Francisco Giants. Yesterday's game in Houston added a couple more magical storylines to a remarkable Giants season. The first story is that of Joe Martinez, a pitcher who made his return to the mound yesterday four months after being drilled in the head by a Mike Cameron line drive in the third game of the season. Martinez showed no signs of fear in Houston, and he pitched beautifully, leading the Giants to victory. The second story is that of Eli Whiteside, the Giants' backup catcher whose first career big-league home run just happened to be a tie-breaking grand slam in the sixth inning. I will be in San Francisco next week for all three Giants-Dodgers games, and I hope to witness more magic at the ballpark. Go Giants!

---It was a great day to be an Eli on the Giants. In addition to the Whiteside grand slam, the New York football Giants inked quarterback Eli Manning to a 6-year, $97 million contract extension. This makes Eli the highest payed quarterback in the NFL. This is a little ridiculous if you ask me. Sure, Eli has blossomed into one of the game's premier quarterbacks, but is he better than brother Peyton, Tom Brady, or Ben Roethlisberger?

---Speaking of the Giants, I don't expect the team to be distracted by the recent travails of Plaxico Burress and Antonio Pierce. Say what you want about Tom Coughlin, but he is a superb disciplinarian who will ensure that his team stays focused on football.

---Is anybody watching the T.O. show? I didn't think so.

---In the world of golf, it's nice to see Phil Mickelson back patrolling the greens after going through immense emotional stress these last couple of months. Mickelson will make his return to the PGA Tour this weekend at W.G.C. Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio. Kudos to Phil for showing admirable mental fortitude. My thoughts and prayers are with he and his family.

---There was an interesting poll question on ESPN's SportsNation yesterday, asking fans to choose the better sports holiday tradition: NFL on Thanksgiving, or NBA on Christmas? The fans predictably voted overwhelmingly in favor of the NFL on Turkey Day, but count me as a member of the minority. I much prefer NBA action on Christmas Day. Over the past handful of years, the Association has consistently delivered thrilling action on December 25th. Last Christmas, for example, saw Roger Mason hit a three at the buzzer to lift the Spurs over the Suns, followed by a compelling Finals rematch between the Lakers and Celtics. Meanwhile, while Thanksgiving in the NFL is a great tradition, you can always count on two dull affairs that always inexplicably involves the Cowboys and Lions. I love the NFL, but the NBA offers the better holiday treat.

---I will post another edition of Baseball Top Three on Saturday, but following that this blog will be on a three-week hiatus, due to some vacation time in San Francisco and in the East Coast. But fret not blogosphere. I will return in September with more musings on the wonderful world of sports.

Tiger, Peavy, Marbury, 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:

---Tiger Woods is your 2009 Buick Open Champion. I love Tiger, and I'm always thrilled when he wins, but even I wasn't all that impressed by his victory over the weekend. He played great, but it's hard to get excited when his competition was weak and the course was easy.

---Tiger competed against the likes of Michael Letzig, Steve Lowery, and Vaughn Taylor. It sounds as if Tiger was playing in a junior varsity high school tournament.

---Here's hoping Tiger wins his first major of the year at the upcoming PGA Championship. Now that would be impressive.

---It was a very busy trade deadline for Major League Baseball on Friday. Roy Halladay stayed in Toronto, but several teams positioned themselves for a postseason run. The Red Sox acquisition of Victor Martinez was huge for a team that was previously mired in a slump and distracted by the David Ortiz hoopla. Martinez made an instant impact in Boston's lineup over the weekend in Baltimore

---I was also impressed by the Florida Marlins and Minnesota Twins. Nick Johnson is a legitimate power threat who will keep the Marlins in the race in the National League East, and Orlando Cabrera is a defensive wizard at shortstop and a nice addition to Ron Gardenhire's Twins.

---I'm not sure what to make of Jake Peavy move to the Chicago White Sox. Peavy is one of the best pitchers in baseball, but he has been seriously injured for quite some time now and his availability for this season is very much in doubt. For White Sox G.M. Kenny Williams, this is a trade for next season, as Peavy is unlikely to be much help during this year's pennant race.

---The biggest losers at the trade deadline were the Pittsburgh Pirates. I understand the concept of selling, but Pirates G.M. Neal Huntington basically traded away every talented player in the Pirates organization. I guess Pittsburgh is rebuilding------for 2030.

---There is, however, one bright spot for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and that is rookie centerfielder Andrew McCutchen. McCutchen has star potential, and he displayed that potential on Saturday, going 4-for-5 with 3 home runs against the Washington Nationals.

---I think I speak for all Giants fans when I say thank you Pittsburgh for giving us Freddy Sanchez. Sanchez made a tremendous debut yesterday for the orange and black, driving in two runs as the Giants took three of four from the defending champion Phillies. Go Giants!!!

---The big stories over the weekend in San Francisco were the debut of Freddy Sanchez, the continued brilliance of Tim Lincecum, and the continued resurgence of Barry Zito, but the Giants' MVP during this past homestand was Eugenio Velez. Velez, just called up from Triple A Fresno, went 12-for-27 with 7 RBI. Keep up the great work, Eugenio!

---What in the world is wrong with Stephon Marbury? The disgraced NBA point guard has a new online video blog in which he blabbers non-stop about his everyday activities. This is yet another desperate plea for attention from Starbury.

---And finally, as we approach the start of the 2009 NFL season, I have one request to all sports media outlets: NO MORE BRETT FAVRE STORIES!!!