This and That
Each week I will write about the world of sports...
•I know Stewart Cink made a big putt on 18 and eventually won the British Open for his first major championship. Despite falling just short, what about a salute to Tom Watson? He really turned back the clock at the British Open. It was truly an amazing performance and he was right there at age 59. Last year it was Greg Norman making a run, and now Watson. What is in the water over there?
•Checking out some of the NBA summer league action, I really believe it is going to be a two-man race for NBA Rookie of the Year. Top overall pick Blake Griffin of the Clippers and No. 7 choice Stephen Curry of the Warriors stand out. They certainly have made an impression in the NBA Summer League and both should put up big numbers in their first go-around as pros. They will be fun to watch out in the West.
•I know it was a close game Tuesday night, but it is ridiculous that the All-Star game determines home field advantage for the World Series. Imagine if a National League representative finishes with a record twenty games better than the American League participant. Then, you have the result of an exhibition game determining home field at the most important time of the season? Are you serious?
•I was glad to hear MLB commissioner Bud Selig said he is opposed to players going to play in the Minor Leagues before a suspension is complete. This all stems from the Manny Ramirez 50-game suspension. Ramirez was glorified during his short minor-league tour. Maybe there can be a rule-change in the future, with players serving all 50 games before getting a rehab assignment.
•The Brett Favre soap opera continues. Do you really think he is working out to sit on the sideline? Come on, he wants to come back and show that he can still be a big-time winner. MINNESOTA, get ready.... Here comes Favre! Wow, Adrian Peterson running and Favre throwing; that could be a dynamic duo, baby!
•It looks like baseball is getting primed for some exciting finishes. I know this breaks the heart of the baseball purist, but the wildcard and Divisional Championships keeps spirit in a number of baseball towns. My friends, just look at the standings and you will see so many teams in contention for playoff berths. Just check out the NL West...would fans of the Giants and Rockies care that much about the second half if it wasn't for the wild card? Right now the Dodgers are comfortably in first, but those teams are playing hard and giving fans something to cheer about.
•CC Sabathia and Justin Verlander put on a great show at Yankee Stadium on Saturday. It was excitement galore and Sabathia got the W. The tandem of Sabathia and A.J. Burnett should help the Yankees make the playoffs, but my Tampa Bay Rays and the Red Sox will make it a great three-team race in the AL East. The Yankees enter play Monday just one game behind the Sox.
•Congratulations to Lou Holtz, Troy Aikman and the entire class of the 2009 inductees into the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend. That was quite a group that was enshrined!
