A cloud hovers above the sports world this week.
Yesterday, both the NFL and NBA commissioners held press conferences that were carried live by CNN. MLB commissioner Bud Selig was dodging questions about whether he would attend the breaking of a sacred baseball record by a player who may be tainted, but has since resolved his problem.
Scandals, scandals and more scandals
NBA commissioner David Stern blamed a "rogue, isolated criminal" for the betting scandal that could severely cripple the league's credibility. Veteran referee Tim Donaghy is facing a federal investigation that he bet on basketball games over the past two seasons, including games he officiated.
That is relatively tame compared to the public relations nightmare happening in Atlanta. Falcons star quarterback Michael Vick is bogged down amid dogfighting allegations and emotional protests from PETA and the Humane Society of the United States. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell barred Vick from attending Falcons training camp which opens tomorrow. Vick's days in Atlanta could easily be numbered.
Overseas, allegations and suspicions are running rampant as the premier cycling race continues in France. Doping is overshadowing this month's Tour de France.
Italian rider Cristian Moreni tested positive for testosterone, which prompted his withdrawal from the race one day after star rider Alexandre Vinokourov and his entire Astana were sent home after a positive test for blood doping.
Adding fuel to the fire, embattled Dane and Tour leader Michael Rasmussen was sent home for violating a team rule after he won Wednesday's 16th stage. Doping suspicions have followed Rasmussen around this year as the Danish cycling union dropped him from the national team.
Of all the current scandals, the NBA has the most to lose. Cycling's reputation has been in slow decline for a long time and Michael Vick's alleged transgressions affect himself and his Atlanta team, not much more. If the impending basketball investigation finds out that the gambling scandal is not an isolated, irreparable damage will be done.
It's far too early to say how everything will shake out, but the past few weeks are shows sports has a dark side too.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Monday, July 23, 2007
Another wild one at Carnoustie
Couresty of AFP/Getty Images - Paul Ellis Irishman Padraig Harrington kisses the Claret Jug, after winning the 136th British Open Golf Championship at Carnoustie, Scotland, 22 July 2007.
The par 4, 18th hole at Carnoustie wrote another dramatic chapter in its already storied British Open history.
Who can forget the famed collapse of Jean Van de Velde in 1999?
Van de Velde had a three-stroke lead as he strode toward the 18th hole in the 1999 Open. From his infamous tee-shot, Van de Velde’s ball was gobbled up by Barry Burn, caromed off the bleachers and later found the drink. Jean finished with a triple-bogey seven, and Scotsman Paul Lawrie ultimately won in a playoff.
It appeared the demons of the finishing hole, would add Padraig Harrington to a long list, as he gave up the lead with a double bogey. However, Sergio Garcia’s marvelous play at the Open crashed to a halt opening the door for the Irishman.
Sergio would miss a 10-foot putt to save par and then lose to Harrington by a stroke in a four-hole playoff.
Garcia had an opportunity to erase his past and all the questions about his ability to finish tournaments, but those questions remain. While Sergio tied his best finish at a major, second, (1999 PGA Championship) he choked again in the final around.
Garcia shot only three bogeys during the first three rounds of this year's Open. But on Sunday, when it counted, the Spaniard doubled his number of bogeys shooting six, including one that sealed his fate on the first playoff hole.
Here’s a brief look at what Garcia has done when having the outright lead or a share of the lead entering the final round of a tournament:
2007 – The Open Championship, Finished 2nd, losing in a playoff
2006 – Buick Invitational, Finished tied-8th
2005 - Volvo Masters, Finished 2nd: European Masters, won: Wachovia Championship, Finished tied-2nd, losing in a playoff
Who can forget the famed collapse of Jean Van de Velde in 1999?
Van de Velde had a three-stroke lead as he strode toward the 18th hole in the 1999 Open. From his infamous tee-shot, Van de Velde’s ball was gobbled up by Barry Burn, caromed off the bleachers and later found the drink. Jean finished with a triple-bogey seven, and Scotsman Paul Lawrie ultimately won in a playoff.
It appeared the demons of the finishing hole, would add Padraig Harrington to a long list, as he gave up the lead with a double bogey. However, Sergio Garcia’s marvelous play at the Open crashed to a halt opening the door for the Irishman.
Sergio would miss a 10-foot putt to save par and then lose to Harrington by a stroke in a four-hole playoff.
Garcia had an opportunity to erase his past and all the questions about his ability to finish tournaments, but those questions remain. While Sergio tied his best finish at a major, second, (1999 PGA Championship) he choked again in the final around.
Garcia shot only three bogeys during the first three rounds of this year's Open. But on Sunday, when it counted, the Spaniard doubled his number of bogeys shooting six, including one that sealed his fate on the first playoff hole.
Here’s a brief look at what Garcia has done when having the outright lead or a share of the lead entering the final round of a tournament:
2007 – The Open Championship, Finished 2nd, losing in a playoff
2006 – Buick Invitational, Finished tied-8th
2005 - Volvo Masters, Finished 2nd: European Masters, won: Wachovia Championship, Finished tied-2nd, losing in a playoff
After the tournament finished, Sergio spread the blame on everyone but himself. He had to wait too long for the bunkers to get raked on the 18th hole, not to mention how luck was not on his side when the ball he hit off the flag shot rolled a good 15-feet past the hole.
Sorry Sergio, there is no one to blame but yourself.
The Spaniard had ample opportunities and failed to take them, like what has happened so many times before.
Garcia is not quite 27 years-old, so he's got plenty of time to win a major. Someday he will shake the best-player never to have won a major label, it just didn't happen Sunday. In the mean time, showing a bit more maturity hurt.
*Other notes: Harrington became the first Irishman to claim the Claret Jug since 1947. In 1975, Johnny Miller lost the 1975 Open Championship at Carnoustie when he took two-shots to get out of the bunker on 18.
The Spaniard had ample opportunities and failed to take them, like what has happened so many times before.
Garcia is not quite 27 years-old, so he's got plenty of time to win a major. Someday he will shake the best-player never to have won a major label, it just didn't happen Sunday. In the mean time, showing a bit more maturity hurt.
*Other notes: Harrington became the first Irishman to claim the Claret Jug since 1947. In 1975, Johnny Miller lost the 1975 Open Championship at Carnoustie when he took two-shots to get out of the bunker on 18.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Ready or not, here come the Becks
From the buzz surrounding the initial reports of the deal, to the paparazzi filled landing, David and Victoria Beckham's arrival in the U.S. has garnered more hype than Brangelina's baby.
Beckham has made a huge splash without playing a game yet, which is scheduled to happen tomorrow swollen ankle in all. David hurt his ankle in mid-June playing a Euro Cup qualifying match.
Everyday this week on SportsCenter, ESPN has been uber-hyping Beckham's debute. Not to mention overkilling the Beetles and Beckham's "Hello Goodbye" commercial, seen during every other programming break.
The ultimate hype occurred yesterday as I tuned into ESPN's Beckham watch, I mean Major League Soccer's All-Star game. There were at least a dozen references during the 20 minutes I had the game on to England's favorite son, be it the teaser on the bottom of screen announcing his first game or the crowd shots with him watching the game.
Beckham's first practice with the LA Galaxy attracted an estimated 1,000 fans and an usually large detachment of media to the Home Depot Center.
But what makes Beckham even bigger is his marriage to Victoria, aka 'Posh Spice.'
This past Wednesday, the LA Times reported that Victoria Beckham may not be on MySpace, but that didn't stop stop someone from signing her up. Then the next day reports surfaced that Posh had snubbed Paris. That's right, the friendship overtures from Paris are dead in the water as Posh was quoted as saying "we couldn't be more different. You won’t catch me falling out of nightclubs with no knickers on."
Forget about Spurs guard Tony Parker and his marriage to overrated-actress Eva Longoria. If Tony and Eva were looking for a little love this summer, they picked the wrong time to get married. Becks and Posh are now America's hottest sports couple.
With Beckham, MLS finally has its face. And if No. 23 can lead the Galaxy to a championship, which he accomplished for the first time in Madrid this season, and continue his signature bending of the ball the on-field hype will live on.
Regardless of what happens on-the-field, Becks and Posh are here to stay.
Beckham has made a huge splash without playing a game yet, which is scheduled to happen tomorrow swollen ankle in all. David hurt his ankle in mid-June playing a Euro Cup qualifying match.
Everyday this week on SportsCenter, ESPN has been uber-hyping Beckham's debute. Not to mention overkilling the Beetles and Beckham's "Hello Goodbye" commercial, seen during every other programming break.
The ultimate hype occurred yesterday as I tuned into ESPN's Beckham watch, I mean Major League Soccer's All-Star game. There were at least a dozen references during the 20 minutes I had the game on to England's favorite son, be it the teaser on the bottom of screen announcing his first game or the crowd shots with him watching the game.
Beckham's first practice with the LA Galaxy attracted an estimated 1,000 fans and an usually large detachment of media to the Home Depot Center.
But what makes Beckham even bigger is his marriage to Victoria, aka 'Posh Spice.'
This past Wednesday, the LA Times reported that Victoria Beckham may not be on MySpace, but that didn't stop stop someone from signing her up. Then the next day reports surfaced that Posh had snubbed Paris. That's right, the friendship overtures from Paris are dead in the water as Posh was quoted as saying "we couldn't be more different. You won’t catch me falling out of nightclubs with no knickers on."
Forget about Spurs guard Tony Parker and his marriage to overrated-actress Eva Longoria. If Tony and Eva were looking for a little love this summer, they picked the wrong time to get married. Becks and Posh are now America's hottest sports couple.
With Beckham, MLS finally has its face. And if No. 23 can lead the Galaxy to a championship, which he accomplished for the first time in Madrid this season, and continue his signature bending of the ball the on-field hype will live on.
Regardless of what happens on-the-field, Becks and Posh are here to stay.
Monday, July 16, 2007
The not so lovable losers
Philadelphia fans have 10,000 reasons to be unhappy today.
Yesterday, the present day Philadelphia Phillies immortalized themselves in a 10-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. The game was never really in doubt as Albert Pujols hit two of six Cardinal home runs. St. Louis benefited yet again from the Phillies demise.
The Philadelphia Phillies are now the losingest team in sports as yesterday's shellacking was the 10,000 loss of the team's not so storied history.
While the Chicago Cubs are loveable losers, the Philadelphia Phillies are just losers. There's very little "brotherly love" for the Phillies outside Eastern Pennsylvania.
Philadelphia's losing history dates back to 1883. They only have one World Series title, five National League pennants and six Eastern Division titles in 124 seasons. Between 1938 and 1942, the Phillies endured five consecutive 100-plus loss seasons.
The Phillies are so bad that numerous attempts by the press were made to change the team's name and possible their luck. In the 1910s, reporters tried to revive the original nickname "Quakers." Instead the team has the longest continuous name in American professional sports history synonymous with losing.
During the 1920s, it is reported that an outfield wall advertisement stated, "All the Phillies use Lifebuoy" (a brand of deodorant soap). It was a fitting ad, because the Phillies stunk. They lost a staggering 962 games during the decade.
One more thing to note, when the Phillies finally won the World Series in 1980, they were the last of the sixteen original teams to win a championship. The Kansas City Royals were favored at the beginning the series.
Congratulations on your momentous accomplishment Philadelphia. You added another reason why it's painful to be a Phillies fan.
Unfortunately, with the Fightin’ Phils hovering around .500 things look like they will get worse before they get better.
Yesterday, the present day Philadelphia Phillies immortalized themselves in a 10-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. The game was never really in doubt as Albert Pujols hit two of six Cardinal home runs. St. Louis benefited yet again from the Phillies demise.
The Philadelphia Phillies are now the losingest team in sports as yesterday's shellacking was the 10,000 loss of the team's not so storied history.
While the Chicago Cubs are loveable losers, the Philadelphia Phillies are just losers. There's very little "brotherly love" for the Phillies outside Eastern Pennsylvania.
Philadelphia's losing history dates back to 1883. They only have one World Series title, five National League pennants and six Eastern Division titles in 124 seasons. Between 1938 and 1942, the Phillies endured five consecutive 100-plus loss seasons.
The Phillies are so bad that numerous attempts by the press were made to change the team's name and possible their luck. In the 1910s, reporters tried to revive the original nickname "Quakers." Instead the team has the longest continuous name in American professional sports history synonymous with losing.
During the 1920s, it is reported that an outfield wall advertisement stated, "All the Phillies use Lifebuoy" (a brand of deodorant soap). It was a fitting ad, because the Phillies stunk. They lost a staggering 962 games during the decade.
One more thing to note, when the Phillies finally won the World Series in 1980, they were the last of the sixteen original teams to win a championship. The Kansas City Royals were favored at the beginning the series.
Congratulations on your momentous accomplishment Philadelphia. You added another reason why it's painful to be a Phillies fan.
Unfortunately, with the Fightin’ Phils hovering around .500 things look like they will get worse before they get better.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Enamored with THE long ball
Last night, Barry Bonds hit career home run 751 at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. And Bonds' 756 career home run cannot come soon enough.
As we celebrate America today, it is worthy to notice that America's pastime is having the ultimate season. History is being made almost daily, but the only thing fans are consistently hearing about is the chase for those sacred home runs numbered 755 and 756.
I am sick of hearing about it. And rooting for Barry Bonds is the only answer. You read correctly. I am rooting for the outfielder I have hated ever since the 1992 NLCS, the giant who abruptly left Pittsburgh bashing the fans on his way out.
Hoping Bonds gets hurt and goes on the DL will do no good. If he is injured, he will return in the game for yet another season. Bonds is arguably one of the best and most selfish players in baseball. The sooner Barry gets to 756, the sooner everyone will stop counting and baseball can finally move on.
While we wait for THE long ball, here's a recap of some of history already made this season and some that could be made soon.
THE MILESTONE LIST
May 6 - Omar Vizquel the steady San Francisco shortstop get his 2,500 career hit. It was a double in the second inning as the Giants got hammered by Philadelphia. (In the news for a day or so)
May 24 - John Smoltz earns his 200 career win, as the Braves down the Mets 2-1. With Smoltz's 200 wins he also has 150 career saves. (Still being discussed, because of Hall of Fame implications)
May 30 - Johnny Damon rips his 2,000 career hit. (In the news for a day)
June 6 - Trevor Hoffman silences the LA Dodgers bats in the ninth inning to earn career save number 500. The Padres won the game 5-2. (Still being mentioned, in the news for a couple days)
June 12 - Chad Cordero closes the door on Baltimore and becomes the second youngest player to reach 100 career saves. (In the news for a day)
June 17 - Chipper Jones belts his 2,000 career hit. (In the news around a day)
June 20 - Slamming Sammy Sosa takes a 1-2 pitch in the 5th inning deep and reaches the 600 home run plateau. Sosa is only the fifth player in MLB history to reach that mark. (In the news for a few days)
June 23 - Miguel Tejada's consecutive games streak ends at 1,152 games. Without question an achievement. No one has come closer to reaching Cal Ripken's streak since Ripken set the record. The streak started on June 2, 2000, in Oakland. It was the fifth-longest consecutive games steak in baseball history. Tejada started 14 times as the designated hitter over the past two seasons to rest balky knees. Juan Pierre now has the next longest streak. (In the news outside the Beltway area for one day)
June 27 - Ryan Howard becomes the fastest player in MLB history to reach 100 home runs taking only 325 games to do so. Also, seven 40-year-old plus pitchers start on the same day (a MLB record). They go a combined 3-1. (In the news for one day)
June 28 - A two milestone day. Frank Thomas hits his 500th home run before being ejected, then Craig Biggio smoked his 3,000 career hit into the outfield before being thrown out attempting to take second base. (In the news until July 1).
July 2 - Roger Clemens shuts down the Minnesota Twins for his 350 career win. Clemens went eight strong innings, giving up 1 run on 2 hits. He struck out four. (In the news for a couple days, so far)
July 3 - Barry Bonds crushes an 0-2 pitch from Red's starter Aaron Harang to right-center field for career home run 751. We'll be talking about this till career home run 752.
Other Milestones on the way... Bobby Cox 132 career ejections (one away), Tom Glavine 300 career wins (three away), Greg Maddox 350 career wins (10 away), Ken Griffey Jr. chasing 600 HRs (15 away) and Craig Biggio 288 career HBP (four away).
As we celebrate America today, it is worthy to notice that America's pastime is having the ultimate season. History is being made almost daily, but the only thing fans are consistently hearing about is the chase for those sacred home runs numbered 755 and 756.
I am sick of hearing about it. And rooting for Barry Bonds is the only answer. You read correctly. I am rooting for the outfielder I have hated ever since the 1992 NLCS, the giant who abruptly left Pittsburgh bashing the fans on his way out.
Hoping Bonds gets hurt and goes on the DL will do no good. If he is injured, he will return in the game for yet another season. Bonds is arguably one of the best and most selfish players in baseball. The sooner Barry gets to 756, the sooner everyone will stop counting and baseball can finally move on.
While we wait for THE long ball, here's a recap of some of history already made this season and some that could be made soon.
THE MILESTONE LIST
May 6 - Omar Vizquel the steady San Francisco shortstop get his 2,500 career hit. It was a double in the second inning as the Giants got hammered by Philadelphia. (In the news for a day or so)
May 24 - John Smoltz earns his 200 career win, as the Braves down the Mets 2-1. With Smoltz's 200 wins he also has 150 career saves. (Still being discussed, because of Hall of Fame implications)
May 30 - Johnny Damon rips his 2,000 career hit. (In the news for a day)
June 6 - Trevor Hoffman silences the LA Dodgers bats in the ninth inning to earn career save number 500. The Padres won the game 5-2. (Still being mentioned, in the news for a couple days)
June 12 - Chad Cordero closes the door on Baltimore and becomes the second youngest player to reach 100 career saves. (In the news for a day)
June 17 - Chipper Jones belts his 2,000 career hit. (In the news around a day)
June 20 - Slamming Sammy Sosa takes a 1-2 pitch in the 5th inning deep and reaches the 600 home run plateau. Sosa is only the fifth player in MLB history to reach that mark. (In the news for a few days)
June 23 - Miguel Tejada's consecutive games streak ends at 1,152 games. Without question an achievement. No one has come closer to reaching Cal Ripken's streak since Ripken set the record. The streak started on June 2, 2000, in Oakland. It was the fifth-longest consecutive games steak in baseball history. Tejada started 14 times as the designated hitter over the past two seasons to rest balky knees. Juan Pierre now has the next longest streak. (In the news outside the Beltway area for one day)
June 27 - Ryan Howard becomes the fastest player in MLB history to reach 100 home runs taking only 325 games to do so. Also, seven 40-year-old plus pitchers start on the same day (a MLB record). They go a combined 3-1. (In the news for one day)
June 28 - A two milestone day. Frank Thomas hits his 500th home run before being ejected, then Craig Biggio smoked his 3,000 career hit into the outfield before being thrown out attempting to take second base. (In the news until July 1).
July 2 - Roger Clemens shuts down the Minnesota Twins for his 350 career win. Clemens went eight strong innings, giving up 1 run on 2 hits. He struck out four. (In the news for a couple days, so far)
July 3 - Barry Bonds crushes an 0-2 pitch from Red's starter Aaron Harang to right-center field for career home run 751. We'll be talking about this till career home run 752.
Other Milestones on the way... Bobby Cox 132 career ejections (one away), Tom Glavine 300 career wins (three away), Greg Maddox 350 career wins (10 away), Ken Griffey Jr. chasing 600 HRs (15 away) and Craig Biggio 288 career HBP (four away).
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