And The TOMMY Goes to...

It is TOMMY time again

Since I derived my TOMMY awards several years ago in reference to ESPN’s ESPY awards, it seems time has accelerated. It is hard to believe it is that time again but here goes this year’s observations and awards for the people, places and things of recent days that have gotten my attention.

The TOMMY for dumbest injury I have ever seen goes to Steve Smith. Don’t ask me how a guy who makes a living getting smashed between angry cornerbacks gets a broken arm playing flag football but it happened. Guess there is something to add to the list of things he is prohibited from doing in the off season. No more motorcycle riding without a helmet, skydiving and, oh yea, playing flag football with the other neighborhood kids.

The TOMMY for the story I am the most tired of, Tiger Woods. Why is anyone surprised the man is competitive every time he plays a major? He lives for winning those four tournaments.  Tiger may well have lost his wife and two small children because of his antics of the last nine months but he has not lost the best swing in the game. He obviously has not lost the mental power that makes him one of the greatest athletes, in any sport, in history. His actions off the course are despicable but lets all move on with our lives.

The TOMMY for best coaching story goes to Bobby Cox. I never thought he could pull it off but the old pro has the Braves in first place once again. He is headed for the hall of fame and wants one more World Series title to take with him. It looks like the young Braves, and Chipper Jones, are in the fight for first place for the long haul. I hope they heat up even more and bring a title back to Turner Field this year.

The TOMMY for feel good story that ended in disappointment is the U.S. soccer team. The World Cup proved that though we are much more competitive than ever before, Americans aren’t ready to compete at the highest levels on the international stage.  Fans in most countries are crazy for what they call futbol. Here chasing a white ball and trying to put it in a net is growing in popularity and our teams are better but it does not have the fan base needed. Americans as a whole just don’t get into the game as much as their own brand of football, basketball or baseball.