Race and Golf Fans Do Have Something In Common
February 17, 2009
A four-stroke lead and 150-lap lead had the same outcome this weekend.
Two tracks were rained out to the dismay of golfers and race fans on opposite ends of the country.
The AT&T National Pro-Am played at Pebble Beach was rained out after 54 holes this weekend. The rain never stopped, and they could not finish on Monday. This course is a nice track, as we say about a golf course, once in a while.
Meanwhile, Nascar, who cannot even wait until Monday, awarded the 51st running of the Super Bowl of Nascar, The Daytona 500, to Matt Kenseth.. He had just got the lead before the rain shuts down the race.
Nascar could not hold off using the lame excuse that the vendors have to be in California for the next race in Pomona, Ontario, or somewhere out there in “la-la” land.
So for a few t-shirts more, fans are denied a race for the checkered flag. That is just pitiful.
At least Dustin Johnson, had a four shot lead at Pebble. Golf has had a few 54 hole winners over the last few years, but Nascar needs to give it a day.
Monday was beautiful in Daytona Beach. It could have been an awesome 50 lap race.
It was not as interesting this week in sports compared to the first 10 days of Febuary, with the Super Bowl, Michael Phelps, Alex Rodriguez, and Ben Rothlisberger. But it has had its moments.
It should be a great press conference with A-Rod tomorrow in New York. No professional athlete takes anything that he does not know exactly what it is. Give us all a break.
In tennis, the United Arab Emirates have refused a Visa to an Israeli player named Shahar Peer. This may result in the WTA pulling this tournament off their schedule.
Those people do not really need the money. Lets move this one to Detroit instead of Dubai. At least Michigan could have somebody win something there, besides the Red Wings.
In other news another NFL football player, Buffalo Bills’ Marshawn Lynch was caught in a car with two other men, armed with a loaded hand gun.
Just another example of how you can take the player out of the hood, but you can’t get the hood out of the player.
You would think people would get a clue after the Giants season went into the gutter, because of a player that didn’t know hand guns had a safety. Well, Marshawn, exit stage right.
In baseball, spring training will soon be underway. Hope is alive for all teams to start the season well and figure out how to get to the fall classic.
Manny Ramirez may have to swallow his pride and take a one to two year deal from the Dodgers. Oh no, only 25 million dollars.
Life sucks, huh Manny? Give me a break.
March 13, the Yankees play the Red Sox in sunny Fort Myers, Florida. That is always a fun event for the snowbirds that flock to Florida every winter.
Ever heard 15,000 old people all yelling at once. It is almost like sandpaper on a blackboard. That was a good hit, sonny. I remember watching the Babe smack them out of the park. I lost the car, Mabel. I remember we parked around here somewhere.
In the NBA, Kobi and Shaq made nice and were awarded the co-MVP in the All-Star Game Sunday.
The West dominated this game this year, and we got to watch larger than life Shaq, dance. No comment.
The Lakers could use a center, though. If only he could shoot free throws. Oh, and maybe play defense.
Tonight there is a big college basketball game as UCONN plays Pitt. We could easily see both these teams deep into the tournament in March, as well as North Carolina and Oklahoma. Pittsburgh at No. 4 beat UCONN, who was No. 1, by the way.
Jason Richardson of the Phoenix Suns was arrested for driving 55 miles per hour over the speed limit, with his three year old son in the car. He got a one game suspension. That’s incredible; incredibly dumb.
When will professional athletes realize they must be held to a higher standard of behavior, just because of the media microscope they will always be under.
Wise up, act right, and please don’t play with guns. Big kids can still hurt themselves.
Inter-Milan: A Paolo Maldini Tribute Following His Last Derby Della Madonnina
February 17, 2009
In sport the term “legend” is thrown around far too often.
Every other season a new “legend” appears only to disappear off the radar the following year. Surely to become a recognised “legend” an athlete should be at the top of their respective game for several years.
When I think of football, several players fit this category. However some stand out all the more because they have dedicated their time to one club and continue to play at the highest level year in and year out.
I think of Ryan Giggs at Manchester United who was their best player last night against Derby County in the FA Cup. Another is Raul of Real Madrid, who has recently become the club’s all-time top goalscorer.
However, most of all I think of AC Milan and Italian defender Paolo Maldini.
I will not lie, what you are about to read is a very personal and myopic view of Paolo Maldini.
Ask me who my favourite footballer of all time is and I don’t even have to put my brain into action, I simply say “Paolo Maldini”.
When people strive further and say “It must be Pele or Maradona”, I say “No, it’s Maldini”.
Personally, Paolo Maldini is the greatest footballer to have ever taken to the pitch. People will argue that is rubbish, it is Pele, Maradona, Puskas, Best or Van Basten. Funnily enough the people that say this most often are my own age.
Pele may well be the best of all-time but I am not going to base my judgment on a few video recordings and stats. I didn’t grow up with Pele, Maradona or Best, but I did grow up with Paolo Maldini.
My parents or siblings can’t explain it but from the age of four or five I have been obsessed with football. Perhaps it is because the Republic of Ireland became good around then when we reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup in Italy.