Ichiro, Bradford, Jordan, 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:

---Labor Day is a holiday for rest and relaxation, but I don't think Oklahoma Sooners fans are in a very restful mood right now. The Sooners got upset by BYU on Saturday, and Heisman winning quarterback Sam Bradford may miss weeks and maybe even months with a shoulder injury. If Bradford misses an extended period of time, Oklahoma can say adios to its national championship hopes.

---Other than BYU-Oklahoma, there weren't many upsets in Week 1 of college football. Florida, Texas, USC, Ole Miss, Oklahoma State, and Cal all rolled to victory. Two teams that might have cause for concern? Ohio State and LSU. Jim Tressel's Buckeyes barely escaped Navy at home, and Les Miles' Tigers were tested by Steve Sarkisian's Washington Huskies.

---Smart move by Oregon head coach Chip Kelly, who suspended RB LeGarette Blount for his inexcusable punch to the face of a Boise State player following Thursday night's game. Blount's actions needed to punished, and Kelly exhibited the appropriate level of discipline. The news does not bode well for Oregon on the football field, however, as Blount was an outstanding player. USC and Cal are infinitely better than the Ducks, and with the absence of Blount, there is reason to believe that Oregon State and Stanford are better as well.

---On to baseball now, where Ichiro Suzuki has become the second-fastest player to reach 2,000 career hits. Because he plays in Seattle, Ichiro doesn't get the respect that he deserves. The speedy right fielder is one of the most prolific hitters ever, and he will be a first-ballot entry into Cooperstown.

---Speaking of hit records, Derek Jeter is only four hits away from passing Lou Gehrig on the all-time New York Yankees hit list. Like Ichiro, Jeter is a first-ballot Hall of Famer and a consummate professional. Heck, even Red Sox fans have to admire the guy.

---Consummate professionalism wouldn't be the words I'd use when describing the Pittsburgh Pirates, who are one loss away from clinching their seventeenth consecutive losing season. Whatever happened to the glory days of Willie Stargell, Bert Blyleven, and Dave Parker? The Pirates have some tremendous talent (Andrew McCutchen, Garrett Jones) to build for the future, but their front office management is woefully inept. I like manager John Russell, but unless the front office gets shaken up a little bit, baseball futility in Pittsburgh will continue for years to come.

---But Pittsburgh sports fans need not worry. There's always the Steelers.

---It's funny: The Nationals are even worse than the Pirates, and the Nats own the worst record in the majors. But their future looks far brighter than that of the Pirates. The biggest reason for optimism in D.C. is Ryan Zimmerman, the slugging third baseman and one of the best players in the game who will eventually lead the Nats to winning ways.

---Alright, here we go: My Giants commence a hugely important homestand this afternoon against the Padres, Dodgers, and Rockies. All we need to do is score a couple more runs, and let our pitching do the rest. Go Giants!!!

---Baseball fans everywhere should follow Keith Olbermann's blog, entitled "Baseball Nerd", on MLB.com. Olbermann is an astute baseball historian, and his blog is insightful and entertaining.

---This is the last thing Norv Turner wanted: Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman, arguably the face of the franchise (Sorry Phillip Rivers!), was arrested a couple of nights ago for allegedly attacking his girlfriend, reality television star Tila Tequila. It appears as if Merriman is innocent, however, as no visible injuries were found on the body of Tequila. Nonetheless, this is an unwelcome distraction for a Chargers team looking to bounce back from a mediocre 8-8 season a year ago.

---I love Peyton Manning, but do we need to see him in every commercial ever made?

---Great drama at the U.S. Open over the weekend, where there were several upsets. Andy Roddick became the first high-profile player to go down on Saturday, losing to fellow American John Isner. Also on Saturday, American Melanie Oudin continued her surprising run through this year's Open, defeating Maria Sharapova. And on Sunday, Venus Williams fell to Kim Clijsters.

---What a story Kim Clijsters has been. A former World Number One, Clijsters took a two-year hiatus from tennis. Now she is back, and it looks as if she hasn't lost a step. Venus may have been suffering from a nagging knee injury, but she was outplayed by Clijsters on Sunday. Serena Williams remains the favorite on the women's side, but one cannot count out Clijsters.

---Now that my previous pick, Andy Roddick, has departed, I think Andy Murray will outlast Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to win the U.S. Open.

---And finally, as His Airness prepares his Hall of Fame induction speech, let me take a moment and pay tribute to one of the greatest athletes of all-time. Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Julius Erving, Magic Johnson, and Wilt Chamberlain were all great, but Michael Jordan is far and away the best basketball player ever. No if's, and's, or but's about it. Jordan is a true champion, a superstar who transcended the sport of basketball.

---My favorite Jordan moment? His incredible reverse layup in the 1991 NBA Finals against the Lakers, paired with Marv Albert's legendary call: "Oh, a spectacular move by Michael Jordan!"