Sports Views

With the release of their Ignite line of drivers and fairway woods Nike has proven that they can offer alot more to the golf industry than just a fancy check mark. These clubs have seen great success both on tour and at a retail level. Even before Tiger Woods started playing the Ignite T60 3-wood many considered it to be one of the best fairway woods around.

Not only that, but the bags used to be 5.75 ounces. Now, suddenly, the bags are 5.25 ounces, and the price is the same. Fuck corporations and trying to put one over on the public who made them what they are. And fuck ConAgra for whatever other nasty corporate shit they’re pulling. Plus, on top of everything else, friggin Derek Jeter’s face is on every bag. I actually went to three stores looking for either a bag with someone from the Red Sox on it, or at least a plain old regular bag. No dice. Are the bags of seeds in the Red Sox dugout...

Avid Terry fans have known for some time that I can usually convince someone that Yankees shortstop, captain, and intangibles leader Derek Jeter is a shithead in the span of one randomly selected at-bat. Recently, I've taken to noticing that Jeter overreacts to pitches to try to sway the ump's call: if the ball's on the outside corner, Jeter leans forward, as if the ball were so outside he's just about to fall right over. Similarly, if the ball's on the inside corner of the plate, Jeter stumbles back as if the damn thing almost hit him.

I was not that surprised the HEAT beat the pistons. But, what surprised me was the pistons lossing their cool. I think Shaq was the main reason why the pistons lost their cool. The pistons had to foul Shaq because Shaq was just to tough and in the mist of fouling out; Shaq still made his shots!!! Pistons better be scared because like i predicted once here before this thing is gonna end in game 5 or 6

Wide receivers Mason and Clayton are the big additions but the bigger question is can Kyle Boller get them the ball? Rolle will team up with Chris McAlister to give them a one of the league’s best CB tandems but will Rolle be that much of an upgrade over Baxter? I think they will miss Hartwell more than most people think because even with the move back to the 4-3, Ray Lewis is beginning to slow down. Tommy Polley could prove to be a nice pickup if he can shed his label as being “soft”. He has the speed to make plays from the outside linebacker spot. Guard Keydrick Vincent was a nice addition to a banged up offensive line in need of a boost.

Truly great players possess all of the fundamental skills: shooting, passing, ball handling, rebounding, shot blocking and defending. Now, players like Kobe, McGrady and Kevin Garnett certainly have these skills. But to truly separate players, we need to go beyond these skills. Consider two more factors: the ability to dominate at any position and to make all players around you better. This is the true test of greatness.

I've been thinking about Magazine Man's story about the time he wrote to Carlton Fisk, the legendary Red Sox catcher who smacked the winning homerun in Game Six of the 1975 World Series. Perhaps you've seen the highlight of him bouncing down the first base line as he willed the ball out of the park. For a Red Sox fan, it's a top three memory. Some would argue top two. (Number one is fresh and inarguable.)

Like Magazine Man, I've written a fair share of letters in my life to people that I admired. Although I never wrote to a member of the Boston Red Sox (although I did meet Carl Yastrzemski at the annual "Baseball Dinner" in Manchester), I have also written a few letters to people in my lifetime that shockingly, responded to me.

You know what, Robby, you big whiner? You just made yourself look like one of the biggest pussies of all time. I mean, here are chicks like Annika Sorenstam, just dying to compete with men in spite of all the God-given physical advantages that men have in sports like golf, even though she's pretty sure she's still going to lose. Do you get that? Sorenstam loves the sport, so she naturally wants to be able to say she's competed with the best, regardless of the fact that she can never be as tall or as strong as the men she competes with. Conversely,...

Nobody will catch Justin this time. If they do, it will be the worst meltdown on the PGA Tour since the 60’s.

But when bashers get on their boorrrring “they don’t score enough” rants about soccer, I find another outlet. If their tirades were ever clever (like the “I’m mad as hell” takes can be), I’d appreciate them more.

Flip that reasoning around on the NFL, and you can say the same thing: “The NFL isn’t a sport, because it’s filled with 350 pound guys who can’t play without having an oxygen tank ready on the sidelines!” Try saying that on Jim Rome’s show and see where it gets you.

For our sakes, let’s hope Mr. James isn’t entirely correct about that (although he probably is). Once again, our thanks to Joe for an engaging read. You know, Bill James used to complain that he could never get any of the real baseball “insiders” to listen to his ideas. Well, that has changed, as he’s now on the payroll of the Boston Red Sox. But I hafta say, it’s a pity, now that he’s finally found a job in the baseball world, that the public has limited access to his material. He deserves the recognition,...

Perhaps the most shocking story of the week deals with last week's winner Kenny Perry. Perry completely ran away from the field at Colonial last week on his way to a record-tying finish in Ft. Worth. This week, all he did was shoot 73-74 to miss the cut by five shots. I picked Perry in my FedEx St. Jude Classic preview, and I guess I must have put a jink on him. When Perry is hot, he is hot! But when he is cold, he is very cold. And this week, he was ice-cold. He has been struggling with his eyesight, and the overhauled greens this week could have...

The Red Sox’ Derek Jeter and the Braves Ray Durham are both quietly flirting with .400 and a new CDL record. Both are assured with the batting titles in their respective leagues– and each could set a new league record. The CDL and National League record for highest average was set in 2000 by Dodgers’ Roberto Alomar, who hit .402 that year. Alomar also holds the American League record of .396, set in 1991 when he was a Yankee. Durham has been on a tear of late– 13 of his last 17 games were multi-hit games, including a 5 for 5 performance last night against the Reds. His on base percentage for the season is an astounding .479. Durham’s output defies explanation– he is a .335 career hitter whose previous high season average was .354. Jeter is more or less a regular at the top of the batting average race.

Injured San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds, at the center of an offseason-but-still-simmering steroids scandal, provided a urine specimen to a Major League Baseball lab technician Wednesday as part of the league’s random testing for performance-enhancing drugs, according to ESPN. Several of Bonds’ teammates also submitted to the required testing.

Funny, when Barry Bonds started breathing down Babe Ruth’s neck, speculation over the former’s use of illegal substances ran rampant. But as Craig Biggio’s assault on Don Baylor’s HBP mark continues, media and fans alike turn a blind eye. More on the subject (sort of) from the Tacoma Tribune’s Larry Larue.

Early this week, Alex Rodriguez admitted something that has long been kept silent among superstar athletes. In an interview on the television show Extra this week and to an audience of children, the Yankee’s early-season MVP admitted he is in therapy.

I have a new article up over at Sports Central today. This one is about greedy and selfish players in the NFL. Here is the teaser:

The NFL off-season has been marred by a few selfish acts. It is depressing to think about some of the antics athletes pull off. SC's Kevin Holtsberry takes a look at the immaturity and self-centeredness of some pro athletes and contrasts that to the end of a classy legend's career.

Foeget about Jason Giambi. Look at Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez this year. He is down from 215 pounds to 187 pounds. We cannot prove that he was ever doing steroids but it is an interesting exercise in journalism to read the comments of players, teammates and managers as players shrink before our very eyes.

Seeing baseball in person makes me appreciate the amount of athleticism in this game, all the mundane plays look damn impressive up close. Also, I know there are a bunch of Sox fans here, but even y'all gotta admit that Derek Jeter is the muthaf*&king man. I know y'all know what I'm talking about. Just stop. I see you. Stop fronting.

Prime examples are the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East and the San Diego Padres in the National League West. Although the Orioles just got a dose of bad news regarding their All-Star catcher, Javy Lopez, I believe they have the pitching, offense and bench depth to hold off the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. The same can be said for the Padres who have one of the best young pitching staffs in baseball, a potent offense, solid bullpen and a steady hand at the helm in manager, Phil Garner.

And, I'm sorry if you're a Barry Bonds fan and think he was clean, but come on! Get with reality. He was juiced and gets paid a gazillion dollars. What's sad is that the guy had loads of natural talent and would have had a great career without it. I'm also not buying the native Spanish speaking athletes who say that, because their grasp of English isn't perfect, they weren't aware that what they were doing was wrong.

In any event, Detroit has way too much depth and postseason experience not to win this series. They’ll end it in six — possibly five if Shaq doesn’t return to form.

But Shaq can take solace that with D-Wade at his side, the Heat will make another playoff push next year. The same can’t be said for his former sidekick in L.A.

It seems Shaq wants to be an undercover cop…. Yeah, cause he blends in…Well at least online he would. He’s reportedly joined a Department of Justice task force that ferrets out Internet based sex offenders.

Mark Cuban (blogmaverick.com) vs. Mike Celizic (MSNBC): Cuban, as we all know, is the dot com billionaire who purchased the Dallas Mavericks. He's also a pretty interesting blogger, which makes him pending the appeal in this case in California a journalist. Recently, Celizic wrote a column questioning why the Mavericks didn't take an opportunity to trade for Shaquille O'Neal last off-season. This set Cuban off. Cuban has a particular distaste for journalists who don't call him to check their facts, and in this case, Cuban says he would have told...

Verdict: A draw. Cuban's blog has revolutionized the idea that even billionaires have tools to set the record straight. On one hand, Cuban is definitely correct to point out that Celizic should have contacted him for comment. But on the other hand, Cuban needs a lesson in the basic difference between facts and opinions. Facts are things you can check for veracity. Commentaries, such as the one that Celizic wrote, have both fact and opinion. Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference, but the notion that the Mavericks could have had Shaq is unquestionably...

I have been saving the best for last. I don’t know where my SP found such a perfect gift for me: RED SOX POINT PROTECTORS. Yes. Point protectors. Which I needed. But these are in the shape of red socks. As in, the World Champion Boston Red Sox. At this point I was completely delirious.

I love Star Trek, my Jeep (does everyone own one here?), Ham Radio and Baseball. I do not like hanging drywall, Microsoft, Barry Bonds and broccoli. My current passion is Nomad Gamer and the hope that one day it will actually make enough money to buy a happy meal.

Yankee slugger Alex Rodriguez hit one out of the park for troubled souls everywhere yesterday when he bravely declared that he sees therapists to deal with his personal demons.

Back in the friendly confines of Oriole Park of Camden Yards and the comfort of their own league, the Orioles got back on the right track in a big way, in a rousing come-from-behind 3-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners. In fact, Sammy Sosa, who’d been on the disabled list with an abcess and staph infection on his foot, welcomed himself back to the lineup with a clutch RBI, reminding Orioles fans just how much his contributions were missed (and in case you were wondering how much they were missed, chew on this: before last night’s game...

More than 120 players have officially petitioned for early-entry into the NBA draft ... that's not counting NCAA seniors ... But there are only 60 picks in the draft, total, which goes to show just how much bad information kids are getting from advisers and agents ... Most of these kids have no business thinking about the draft just yet ... a good example is Martellus Bennett, the Alief Taylor star and Texas A&M football and basketball signee ... I know 'Tellus. He has NBA written all over him, if that's what he wants. He also has NFL written all...

Colin Cowie is a renowned event planner, and his company Colin Cowie Lifestyle is regarded as one of the premier event design and production companies in the world. He has produced weddings, parties and charity events around the globe. His celebrity weddings include those of Jerry Seinfeld, Kelsey Grammer, Lisa Kudrow, Jenny McCarthy, Sela Ward, Sugar Ray Leonard and Barry Bonds, among others. Renowned parties include Oprah Winfrey’s 50th birthday celebration, birthday celebrations for John Travolta and Quincy Jones, the grand opening...

The problem with a lot of teams at the NBA level is that front offices either can’t commit to a coach or or go spineless when players can’t handle being motivated by coaches. In Philly’s case, it’s probably a little of both. They’ve had 4 coaches in the last 3 years. And O’Brien was fired because the young players didn’t like him. In other words, they got upset because they were treated according to how they played.

What the younger players should have done was take a cue from Allen Iverson (yes, I said that) He wasn’t enamored with O’Brien either, but he had his best season last year.

Today, I was at the Third Planet comic shop when a tall guy kind of slid past me at the racks. I looked up and thought, that is one tall comic book nerd. Then I noticed the huge tree trunk calfs and took a 2nd look at his face and I realized it was Yao Ming. He was there with a chinese guy in a shirt and tie who did some translating. I wanted to say hi, but I thought I should get something for him to sign first so I wouldn't bug him twice. I grabbed some free comic preview thing and asked the owner for a pen, but he shut me down and told me the store's policy was to not bother celebs and treat them like regular customers. I wasn't aware that Third Planet was such a hot bed of celebrity shopping...

In the final round, Kenny fired a one-under par 69 to match his 72-hole mark at 19-under 261. with this win, he joins Golfing greats like Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson as the only player to have multiple victories to his name this season.

After all the questioning, Shaq did end up starting for the Miami Heat and came out of the gates strong, hitting on his first 4 field goals. He ended the game with 20 points in 33 minutes on 9-of-14 shooting. Eddie Jones was the Heats leading scoring with 22 points, while Dwayne Wade only had 16 points on 7-25 shooting.

Sammy Sosa's infected left foot is healing quickly enough for the Baltimore Orioles' outfielder to hit off a tee on Wednesday.

I can’t get into that Arena football league- believe me I tried because for one thing I LOVE football, and since hockey has been on a permanent vacation and baseball hadn’t started I really wantd to like it. I didn’t, it’s a bunch of guys who were not good enough to make the NFL in my opinion, now if it could be used as some sort of minor leagues sytem for guys out of college who aren’t quite ready for the NFL I could see it survivng, but for my money I’d rather watch college football than this.

Paula Creamer - She was the youngest to win some kind of tournament today - I believe it was the Sybase tournament. Who cares, it's women's golf. Unlike women's tennis, the ladies in the LPGA are hardly women at all. Does this surprise us? Their sport's training ground demands that you walk around for 4 hours a day and drink about a six pack before the 18th hole. Oh Paula, go to college and drop the clubs!

Yes, let's put the blame on urban black culture, which must be the ONLY placd David Ortiz has heard misogynist language in his life, and harken back to the days of "pre-hip hop" baseball when sexist comments were never made.

Since there is no way I will ever vote for Alex Rodriguez, Brandon Inge of the Tigers gets my vote here. He doesn’t have as much power as A-Rod, but he has gotten on base more frequently and has gotten a hit once every three ABs. He is the only Tiger currently batting over 300 with over 20 RBIs.

I would like to take issue with A's Fan charge of eastern media bias. He uses as an example of this Miguel Tejada. He neglects to mention that plenty of attention was paid to Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez, who plied their early years in even more obsure Seattle. The reason Miguel didn't get the press is that he wasn't as good as the other three shortstops; he didn't have a good OBA until 2002. I know Oakland fans loved him, and he's certainly an excellent player, but until 2002 he was the 4th best shortstop in the AL offensively.

But on to the rants and raves ... China wants Yao Ming back for the Asian Games, which is really going to put a crimp on Yao's hopes of resting and working on things here over the summer. Now, you must understand these Asian Games are not Olympic qualifiers or even important in any way ... I had one Chinese sportswriter, whose name I cannot pronounce, but he lets me call him, "Rick," tell me the Asian Games are considered a joke even in China ... They are unimportant and mostly second-level players will be competing ...

Even without the number-one player in the world in the field, expect a good turnout of veterans as well as some up-and-coming stars on the LPGA Tour. Let's take a look, shall we?

From 48-year old Beth Daniel, winner of 33 LPGA events and a golfer who hasn't missed the cut this year to 18-year old Paula Creamer, the talent is varied this week. Creamer is a newcomer on tour but has already made $168,811 playing in LPGA events. Brittany Lincicome, 19 and another 2005 tour rookie, doesn't have the stats of Creamer, has only made $26,582 on tour to date and jumped directly into the LPGA after an opening-round 66 in the 2004 U.S. Women's Open.

In the beginning of the 2005 season the LPGA had sixteen players 22-years old and younger with six players still teenagers, not including Michelle Wie, who will not be attending the event. Many of these younger players don't just sit on the sidelines, they contend each week. Junior golf programs on the rise throughout the country train young golfers early on to compete at a higher skill level making the transition to the LPGA tour seamless.

Gary Sheffield has heart. I once heard him recall the moment when Derek Jeter flew into the stands to catch a foul - almost breaking his neck - as a defining moment for him as a ballplayer - a moment when he realized he’d been putting his ego ahead of the game…and he regained his heart. Matsui has heart. Tony Womack seems to have it in bunches. The young pitcher Wang seems to have the stuff. I believe Robinson Cano has it; he certainly LOOKS like a Yankee.

DH David Ortiz (.284/.367/.588) Deserves All-Star bid soley on name: Big Poppi

Phil Mickelson, the fourth-ranked golfer in the world, will be headlining the strong field in Fort Worth this week. The lefty had originally acted as if he wouldn't be playing this week. But after thinking it over, he has decided to play afterall. And he will surely be the favorite. Phil won this event in 2000 and has made it to the victory circle three times already in 2005. Mickelson's wins this year include the FBR Open, Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and the BellSouth Classic. Phil had it going last week at the Byron Nelson before having a shaky Saturday....

"I expect I'll be just as emotional at St. Andrews. I'm a sentimental old fool," said Nicklaus, who was in Britain for the launch of a Polaris World golf and property development in Spain. "I enjoy being part of history and what's going on, but I don't consider myself competitive any more and the Open will probably end my competitive career." Nicklaus holds the record with 18 professional major victories. In addition to his three British titles, he has won The Masters six times, the US Open four times and the PGA Championship...

With 10 home runs halfway through May, it's time to start wondering if Tino can set the May record. It's currently held by Barry Bonds, who hit 17 in May 2001. The AL Record is 16 held by Yankees great Mickey Mantle, who hit 16 in 1956. Mark McGwire also hit 16 in May 1998.

After watching Annika Sorenstam steamroll the competition at last week's Chick-fil-A, SI.com's Seth Davis asked his employers to cancel the magazine's Sportsman of the Year search. So what if it's mid-May? Davis wants to give Sorenstam the honor right now.