The good, the bad, the ugly and the century mark

I am not one who likes to focus on the negative but it is hard in looking back on 2011. Still one story arises above everything else as I celebrate post number 100 in The Corner.

Tim Tebow, the words just make one feel better. The man known as much for his public display of worship as his football ability is the story of the sports world as the year ends. Tebow has shown he must have watched his boss John Elway. He has instituted last minute comebacks the now retired Bronco legend should be proud of. He has shown he has a bright future.

Unfortunately another story has cast a cloud over the sports world, particularly college football. The Jerry Sandusky bring all football fans down a notch. The Penn State assistant coach embarrased his school after being charged with child abuse. He made the situation worse as he tried to talk about it. In the end he brought down one of the greatest coaches in college football, Joe Paterno. We can only hope the mess ends in a trial and jury verdict.

The bad finally appears to be getting better for Tiger Woods. He begin to put his problems in the rear view mirror with a win late in the season. That gives golf fans something to think about over the winter. Look for the trend to continue with Woods winning at least one major next year.

I can't end the year without one look at both a sad and feel good situation. The death of a Texas Ranger fan as he reached for a ball thrown by Josh Hamilton broke the hearts of fans. Hamilton's response shows he continues to be the greatest comeback in recent sports memory. He did everything he could to make the situation better. He deserves a big Kudos From the Corner. Stay tuned for more reflections in coming days as this page makes the turn into it second century.

I was right

Told you so!  See previous post.

Playing solid golf from start to finish, Tiger Woods fired a season-best, 6-under-par 65 Thursday at Ridgewood Country Club in the opening round of The Barclays, the first of four PGA Tour Playoffs for the FedExCup. That earned him a share of the early lead with Vaughn Taylor.

Tiger could be dangerous

I have a feeling there is going to be a Tiger on the prowl once again on the PGA tour. Tiger Woods lived his life in turmoil for the last 10 months. His golf game has suffered and fallen to levels never seen before for him. Now that his divorce is finalized it might be time for him to refocus.

If he puts his mind strictly on his game and goes at it with a new ferocity next year might be the year for the real grand slam, as opposed to the "Tiger" slam he got a few years ago. He could easily win all four majors.

You heard it here first, start getting another green jacket ready. Get ready for another master performance in next year's U.S. Open. There will be no Ryder Cup doubt next year.

The rest of the sports world should do what Tiger is going to do and that is move on. A local radio personality said it best when in a conversation about Tiger and the Texas Rangers Josh Hamilton. He said their personal lives should be off limits. They should not be held to any higher standard than others. Hamilton is still held to a different standard because of his past problems. Forget that, he is the best player in the league this year, whatever he has done in the past.

Next year Tiger will once again dominate the PGA tour. It won't matter how many women with whom he has had affairs. It won't matter how much of his fortune is going into his now ex-wife's bank account. We should forget what he does off the course and enjoy the greatest golfer of all time, with all due respect to Jack and Arnie.

New Face On Tour

As I watched the replays from the British Open yesterday I thought to myself who is Louis Oosthuizen, I had never heard the name before. Now I realize he will be the one carrying the Claret Jug as the winner of the British Open this year.  Louis is from South Africa so maybe the excitement of the World Cup bringing fame to his country wore off on him too, who knows.  Either way it is refreshing for someone new to win for a change. I am a Phil Mickelson fan but this time I was ok that he was back in the pack.

On another note I give John Daly credit just for having the nerve to wear those awful pants in public, the ones at the right are just one of the pairs that were terrible. The fact the he was even in the weekend conversations at the tournament shows his resilience. He is the ultimate example of an athlete, I guess you can call Daly that, who just keeps hanging on. He deserves credit for that regardless of problems with his personal life. Tiger, you had to watch Louis but it was nice that you or your private life wasn’t the only story this Sunday.

Oosthuizen didn’t only win, he won with a seven stroke 16 under par victory over Lee Westwood. One interesting thing is that this was only the second time he even made the cut in a major tournament.   Another interesting tid bit is that until recently Louis couldn’t afford to golf much less get better at it, that is until Ernie Els’ foundation spotted him.  The foundation helps promising young golfers get better that cannot afford it.  Great job Louis!

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.

Father and Son Moments

The passing of Father's Day brings back memories of how dads and sons have contributed to the sports world. A lot of pairs come to mind but I have to think of the Griffeys (picture at the left), junior and senior, playing together as my favorite father and son moment. I can only imagine what that would feel like, for either one of them. It must be on their mind as Griffey retires this year. I am sure the emotions will flow when he gets to the Hall of Fame in a few years.

Right there with them is the image of Phil Mickelson with a pager on his hip as he played in the US Open in Pinehurst. He was waiting for news that his wife was in labor with their first child. I have no doubt he would have walked off that green on Father's Day as he promised.

It is funny what comes to mind, but I think of Barry Bonds and his young son when it comes to father and son moments. The site of his son waiting at home plate, complete with his San Francisco Giants uniform, is definitely memorable.

There is an image of Tiger Woods hugging his dad Earl that also comes to mind when thinking of Father's Day moments. One can only wonder what Earl would think of his son now but at the time the moment was special.

To all the fathers out there heres to a day late Happy Father's Day. Hope everyone enjoyed it as much as me, with feet up on the couch, the US Open on my dad's big screen and him dozing on the other couch.