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Home / Archive: 27. March 2009
by Martin Fitzpatrick… Less than ten years ago, Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, Ernie Els, Reteif Goosen and Phil Mickelson were labeled by the media as golf’s ‘Fab Five’.
In 2004, following his second US Open title at Shinnecock Hills and a win at the Tour Championship, Goosen was at the top of his game and ranked within the top-five in the World Golf rankings.
Since that point, Goosen, along with fellow South African Ernie Els, has slowly but surely fallen out of sight, to the point where golf’s ‘Fab Five’ is now considered just another catchy media phrase from yesteryear. Up until very recently, both Els and Goosen had become one of those “Oh yeah, whatever happened to him?” players.
Since 2004, Goosen has won just five times worldwide; his biggest win coming at the 2005 South African Open.
Goosen has won twice so far in 2009, included a win at last week’s Transitions Championship which marked his first PGA Tour win in almost four years.
With seven top 10 finishes in 12 starts on the European and PGA Tour’s, ‘The Goose’ as he is known, is showing a level of consistency not seen from him in years.
Ernie Els has finished within the top-25 at four out of his first six PGA Tour starts in 2009 and finally appears to at least be nearing his top form for the first time since suffering a serious knee injury while on a sailing trip back in 2005.
Mickelson has already won twice this year and has to be considered the favorite heading into the Maters in a few weeks time.
Although Vijay Singh has been battling some early season injuries in 2009, he won three out of his last seven events in 2008 as well as the FedEx Cup title.
Unless you have been living in a cave for the past month, you will also know that a fella by the name of Tiger Woods has rejoined the PGA Tour after an eight month layoff.
Could we be in the midst of a resurgence of the ‘Fab Five’?
As is so often the case with golfers who have won majors in the past, the likes of Goosen and Els, although not racking up many wins these days, have never really gone away in terms of their performance at the majors.
Since 2005, Goosen has finished within the top 25 in 12 of the 16 majors he played in.
Els has also fared decently well in recent majors. Since 2006, Els has finished within the top-25 in half of the majors he has attended.
Else, a former two-time British Open Champion, has fared particularly well on the links courses over the past few years; he has finished within the top 10 at four out of his last five British Opens.
Els is 39, Goosen is 40 and Vijay, although seemingly ageless, is 46-years-old.
With the young guns such as Anthony Kim, Camilo Villegas and Rory McIlroy beginning to make a name for themselves and moving up the World Golf rankings, it is unlikely that we will ever see a true clash of the ‘Fab Five’ as was predicted by so many back in 2000.
However, these are highly talented and experienced players who know what it takes to win a major and all of whom seem to have re-found their games and more importantly their enjoyment of the game as they move closer to the end of their careers.
Although we never have and probably never will see a battle of the ‘Fab Five’, don’t be surprised if all five players win another major before they throw in the towel on their PGA Tour careers.
Obviously it is almost a certainty that Woods will win more majors and ‘Lefty’ will probably win at least one more as well.
However, the older members of the ‘Fab Five’ could also each bring home one more major title before heading off to greener pastures and ultimately the World Golf Hall of Fame.
by Stoker Dafire… The great Roy Jones, Jr. is coming off his best performance in seven years in stopping former super middleweight contender Omar Sheika last Saturday night in Pensacola, Fla.
Now, with that dazzling fifth round TKO in front of his cheering hometown fans over, it seems that the legendary boxer has opened up some renewed options and interests for himself. Another big win could potentially vault Jones amidst the top-10 fighters in the super middleweight picture.
Word on the street is that 40-year-old Jones (53-5, 39 KO’s) may be headed for a tilt with left hand slugger and super middleweight contender Jeff Lacy (24-2, 17 KO’s in June).
However, before that can happen, “Left Hook” Lacy has an April 10 matchup with Otis Griffin in Tampa, Fla.
Jones has also expressed a genuine interest in facing the winner of the Carl Froch-Jermain Taylor bout, tentatively scheduled for April 25.
Challenging the winner of that bout would appear to be a more lucrative decision for Jones because there would be a WBC super middleweight title on the line.
Lacy recently lost a lopsided 12-round unanimous decision to Jermain Taylor in a WBC Super Middleweight Title Eliminator in November 2008. And it wouldn’t take a master detective to figure out that he is only a shadow of the fighter he once was.
Lacy was once known for his lethal left hook; however, after a torn rotator cuff in 2006 in a bout against Vitali Tsypko, that dangerous weapon is no longer a factor.
Lacy’s one-dimensional power since the injury has noticeably diminished, so Jones would undoubtedly be considered the favorite in the bout.
Personally that fight wouldn’t interest me, but here’s one that would.
It was announced yesterday across most Web sites that the deal between Golden Boy Promotions and Bob Arums Top Rank (to match 44-year-old Bernard Hopkins with cruiser weight titlist Tomasz Adamek) has fallen through the cracks.
It seems that Golden Boy wanted the lion’s share of the payday, and Adamek was only offered $500,000 for his efforts, an offer that top rank promotions answered with a resounding no.
Much like Jones, Hopkins is also looking to pad his already well-respected legacy.
Hopkins enjoyed a 10-year reign as Middleweight World Champion in which he successfully defended his title a record 20 times. However, he has recently expressed a desire to win a third divisional title.
It’s mere speculation on my part, but if Hopkins really wanted to, he could move down and fulfill his insatiable desires by winning a title in the super-middleweight division.
On one hand, there is a potential to avenge his losses to Taylor, and on the other hand a super fight with Froch in England also would appear.
A fight with the winner of the Froch-Taylor fight would be extremely attractive to both Hopkins and Jones. Still, I can’t help but think that Jones would desire it the most.
Should Jones be able to secure a fight with the winner of the Taylor/Froch matchup and then be successful enough to win the WBC super-middleweight title, we could potentially see a rematch that has been 16 years in the making.
Jones was given his first shot at a world title on May 22, 1993. He beat Hopkins by unanimous decision in Washington D.C. to capture the IBF’s vacant middleweight title.
Jones beat Hopkins back then with his fast hands, elusiveness, and ability to throw punches from all angles. All three judges scored the fight 116-112.
On Dec. 23, 2005, it was announced that Jones would face Bernard Hopkins on March 11, 2006, in a rematch 11 years in the making. However, due to monetary issues, this fight did not take place.
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- “We did not change as we grew older; we just became more clearly ourselves.”
- -Lynn Hall, Where Have All the Tigers Gone?, 1989
by Jon Neely…
David Krejci came out of nowhere this year.
After playing in the Czech Republic, Krejci was taken 63rd overall in the 2004 Draft.
In his first season with the Bruins in 2007-2008 he played 56 games, scoring a respectable six goals and 27 points; a solid season for a rookie who was essentially unknown at the time.
You know him now, though.
Krejci has turned into one of Boston’s best players this season, not only excelling at the physical and defensive aspects of the game, but the guy can put up points too. Through 71 games this season he has 21 goals and 64 points, with a whopping plus-34—the fourth-best in the league. He is behind only Marc Savard for points on the Bruins.
Playing for a team who, itself, could be on this list as a surprise, he found his game early on in the season and has been a big part of the success Boston has seen this year.
You can bet the fans in Boston were not expecting him to do much for the team at the beginning of the season, but now that they have witnessed almost a full year of his play, he should get ready for much higher expectations as they enter the playoffs looking to make a deep run.
Last season with the Iowa Stars, James Neal had a total of 37 points through 62 games played with the AHL club.
This season he is about to pass that 37-point mark, but as a member of the Dallas Stars in the NHL.
The impressive rookie has already surpassed the expectations placed on him at the beginning of the season. Drafted 33rd overall in the 2005 Draft, he was never pegged as a potent offensive threat, but things have changed since he stepped onto NHL ice.
Did I mention he had 24 goals?
That has him sitting tied for first in rookie goals scored this season, something the Stars certainly did not see coming as he is competing against some big name rookies taken in the first round in last year’s draft.
But there he sits, number one.
Not only is he at the top of the rankings for rookies, but for his team too. Those 24 goals put him second on Dallas for scoring this season, behind the previously mentioned Loui Eriksson.
The Stars have shown that they have done some excellent scouting in picking both Neal and Eriksson, as they both have overachieved big-time this season.
Dallas hopes Neal can overachieve just enough to get them into the playoffs. Speaking of overachieving.
Kris Versteeg was taken 134th overall in 2004.
Today, he is number one in rookie points.
With 20 goals, 49 points, and an excellent plus-15, he has himself in the running for rookie of the year honours.
The 22 year-old Lethbridge, Alberta native has come on to a team already full of young talent, and fit right in perfectly.
Two years ago as a member of the AHL’s Providence Bruins he tallied the same 49 points he has now, a mark he will surely beat this year in the remaining games for the Blackhawks.
A player drafted that far back in the draft (fifth round) is usually never expected to make such an impact early on in his career. Versteeg clearly does not care about what is usually expected.
He has proven he deserves a place in the NHL.
Where ever he takes things from here, be glad we have front-row seats for it.
It will not be a surprise to see his name near the top of league scoring in the years to come.
In what could be one of the most impressive rookie seasons by a goalie in history, Steve Mason walked onto the scene in Columbus and hasn’t stopped winning since.
After winning the gold medal with Team Canada at the 2007 World Junior Championships he was called on by the Blue Jackets to be the backup to Pascal Leclaire.
When Leclaire went down with an injury, Mason was called upon to carry the load for the team.
Did he ever impress!
His stats are almost scary for a rookie. He has the second best GAA in the league (2.22), the ninth best save percentage (.918), and is ranked number one in the NHL with nine shutouts.
Incredible.
Not only should he take home the Calder Trophy for the leagues best rookie, he is going to have some serious consideration for the Vezina Trophy as well.
Not only has he performed better than Columbus could have ever imagined, but he has them in position to finally make the playoffs this year, something they have never done before. Heck, they could even lock up home ice as the fourth seed in the West.
He came into the season as the backup for a team who would be fighting just to make the playoffs.
He will end the season as the starting goalie for a legitimate playoff team.
Not bad for a rookie suffering from mono.
Why is Zach Parise on this list?
For what reason could a guy who has scored over 30 goals in his past two seasons be on a list like this?
Hands up if you thought Parise would be second in goals scored (41) next to Alex “Hot Stick” Ovechkin.
Keep your hands up if you thought he would be fifth in overall scoring in the entire NHL with 88 points through 72 games played.
If your hand is up right now, you’re a liar.
Zach Parise has always shown that he can score, and that he had the skills to be an offensive menace for years to come, but this year, he absolutely exploded into an all-out offensive attack on the league.
He went from a solid 30-goal scorer to someone who will be pushing 50 goals from now on in no time at all. Not only is he now one of the most lethal goal scorers in the NHL, but will be the go-to guy at the Vancouver Olympics in 2010 for the US.
He has his ticket booked to the All-Star game for the next decade, and can be expected to make a nightly appearance on your local station’s plays of the night.
If there is one player who the NHL can truly be surprised about, it has got to be Zach Parise and the unbelievable jump he has taken from last season to this one.
There has been a constant theme with Parise this year, as fans and players alike feel their jaw drop at his mind-blowing performance.
Next time he scores a goal, take a quick look at the goalie fishing the puck out of the net. You will notice the mouth-open-eyes-wide look of shock on their face as they question their career choice.
Yes, he just did that.
Now go find your jockstrap.
By Ranhvir Samra…
As the start of the 2009 Major League Baseball (MLB) season comes to a start I ask myself is professional baseball even a sport anymore? The number of confirmed performance enchancing drug using baseball players continue to rise and the number of suspected steroid users in the big leagues over the past 20 odd years is in the hundreds. Pitcher Roger Clemens was a steroid user and their is undeniable proof of this. So was Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Jose Canseco, Raphael Palmeiro and the list goes on. Arguably the games best hitter (outside of Ichiro Suzuki) Alex Rodriguez recently admitted to using steroids while playing for the Texas Rangers earlier this decade. During a three year period beginning in 2001 A-Rod used performing enchancing drugs, his home run totals for each season were 57, 52 and 47. Since then his numbers pale. What type of message is this sending to the youth? That it is ok to take drugs to improve their athleticism? Just like Alex Rodriguez and he’s making millions. Alex Rodriguez will move on from this and the fans will learn to appreciate him or hate him over time.
Of the four major sports leagues in North America, baseball has endured the worst course of events over the past 25 years. MLB went on a long strike in 1994 in the middle of the season! The Montreal Expos were tearing up the National League and destined for a World Series win, or at least appearance. MLB has yet to induct one of its’ greatest players into the Hall of Fame, the whole Pete Rose gambling fiasco has left a horrible scar on the MLB. The fact that Pete Rose, MLB all time hits leader, and coach was fixing the results for his own financial gain was an embarassment for baseball and a huge blow towards the integrity and genuineness of the game. No other sports league has as many admitted steroid using professional players than baseball. The casual sports observer might think that the NFL players are on the juice and I am sure many are but the National Football Leagues drug testing system is a whole other story.
In terms of comparison only “Professional” Wrestling has as many admitted steriod users. The World Wrestling Entertainment, once known as the WWF, has been the home of most of the steroid/drug using players, just as the MLB is. Admitted users are accepted, and sometimes even encouraged to use drugs to enhance their appearance. Of course Wrestling is a show, a male soap opera, with a pre-determined plot and storyline. The way the media hound the MLB players these days, we know even the intimate details about these players. Is A-Rod sleeping with Madonna? Is Derek Jeter still with Mariah Carey? Beefs between players causes a media frenzy, we just can’t get enough of those beefs, nothing like wrestling at least. The other day, I flipped on the WWE and 60 year old Rick Flair is getting beat down and slaughtered by Chris Jericho. He is bleeding and twitching on the ground with a gash of blood coming down from his head. All this from a “beef”.
What ever happened to the good old days when athletes were drug free and looked no different from you or I? Barry Bonds put up 72 home runs in 2001, his previous career high was 47. This man began playing baseball in 1986 and put up his biggest numbers during his 15th year in the league, he became a balloon and pumped up with so much juice that it was obvious. During the late 1990’s Professional Wresting was going through their own “steroid era”, everyone was on steroids and over the years many wrestlers have died as a result of their addictions. The WWE has had a number of negative events occur over the past 25 years as well. The lack of treatment for retired wrestlers, the cut throat business aspect, the suicide of a few big WWF stars, the whole Chris Benoit disgrace.
Despite all that, the fans still pay big dollars to watch these “so called” athletes compete.
Baseball stadiums are almost always close to selling out each night, the television revenue and merchandise sales makes baseball hundreds of billions of dollars each year. I mean what other sport can you watch in July? Wrestling brings in several billions of dollars worth of revenue as well. Each night is a sell out in any arena, whether it’s monday night or saturday afternoon. Not too long ago the so called Commissioner of the MLB Bud Selig called an end to the All-Star Game after the 12th inning, leaving an All-Star game tie. I was shocked by this decision and some fans took it personally. The competitive aspect of sport is what makes it so great, if the most publicized event of the season is to end prematurely, competition is comprimised. Well, if it ends in a tie I guess we all win. The fans get to watch and cheer on their favorite baseball teams, perhaps boo the steroid using players, but only if he plays for the opponent. It is America’s pastime, an American tradition. Baseball is as American as hot dogs and coke. For this reason, baseball will survive and continue to thrive despite it’s continuing list of negative events. People want to be entertained and if that means cheating, so be it. We will still pay to watch.
by English Paul…
Having unlimited access to the Internet allows me to listen to a multitude of sports radio stations all across Canada and America. When I’m not tuning into Toronto based shows I try a different station every week to give me a more varied understanding of peoples views from around North America.
Last week, I was listening to one based in New York (I won’t name them, as they don’t deserve the publicity.) They spent most of the time attempting to justify the amount of money spent by the Yankees and Mets on their new stadiums, telling the Jets to go after Jay Cutler and interrupting/talking over phone-in callers who dared to have a different opinion on any subject discussed.
On one of the few occasions the station actually moved away from telling the world how superior New York sports teams are, they decided to rip into Toronto. There were several derogatory remarks, including how it must be one of the most depressing places to live and follow sports. I was fuming and I’m not even from Toronto.
As such, this week has given me immense personal satisfaction. Everywhere you look in the city I love, Toronto’s sports teams are winning and it’s a great feeling.
What Ron Wilson has done with the Maple Leafs is remarkable. It appears that they’re fighting a losing cause attempting to secure a playoff spot, but it would have been just as easy to take the foot off the pedal and aim for a higher draft pick.
However, Wilson has taken a team of limited talent and young kids and got them playing entertaining hockey. This week they’ve destroyed the hated Montreal Canadians 5-2, a team fighting for their playoff lives. Add to this a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals, a team challenging for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
Overall, the Leafs are 14-7-5 in their last 26 games, impressive statistics. And even though it’s expected to get worse before matters improve, I feel very confident in the future of the organisation with Brian Burke and Ron Wilson in charge.
Talking of confidence, Toronto FC must be sky-high after their opening week victory in Kansas City. The 3-2 win over the Wizards at a sold-out CommunityAmerica Ballpark has supporters dreaming of a run at the playoffs.
Apart from Chad Barrett, who twice shot for goal when team-mates’ were better placed and generally showed poor judgement, the squad as a whole carried out the game plan to perfection. The signing of Canadian international Dwayne De Rosario has definitely added another dimension to the team.
The defence looked solid. There was nothing rookie goalkeeper Stefan Frei (or indeed Greg Sutton if he’d started) could have done about the two spectacular long-range goals from Davy Arnaud. And the team looked dangerous every time they attacked with numerous scoring opportunities.
This was only the teams fourth road win in their short history, including the first ever opening day victory, but it has hopefully set them up for a successful campaign.
As I wrote in a recent column, it’s no secret that this has been a disastrous season for the Raptors, who started 2008-09 with high hopes. Two victories over the L.A. Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks this week may not be considered impressive, given the opponents, but winning sure beats losing no matter who your playing or how you achieve it.
If they can keep hold of Chris Bosh, I’m convinced, together with Andrea Bargnani and a fully fit Jose Calderon, that this team’s going to improve and deliver on the promise of when Bryan Colangelo first arrived. Look for them to rebound next season.
Finally, the Toronto Rock defeated the Rochester Nighthawks and in the process put themselves back in the playoff chase.
This year has been a disappointment so far for the 5 time NLL champions. However, with four weeks remaining in the regular season, the Rock seem to be coming good at the right time, with the win over Rochester following hot on the heels of their 9-8 seat-clencher in Boston the previous week.
Hopefully, led by Luke Wiles and Lewis Ratcliff, the 16-10 victory in front of the second-largest home crowd of the season will galvanise the team and spur them on to clinch a playoff spot.
Now all that remains is to see if any of these teams can deliver on the promise and potential I see in each of them. It would be good to get one over on a certain radio station in New York.
Paul Taylor can be contacted at: [email protected]
by Shane Howard… So without further ado, I present to you Yo Momma jokes (sports style):
- Yo momma is so skinny, that when she went to a hockey game they used her as a stick.
- Yo momma is so short, that when she sees the WWE’s Hornswoggle, she points and screams, “Godzilla!”
- Yo momma’s teeth are so spaced out, it looks like the Toronto Raptors playing defense.
- Yo momma’s mouth is missing so many teeth, hockey players consider her a God.
- Yo momma is so old, she went to grade school with the Fabulous Moolah.
- Yo momma is so old, she was a cheerleader at the first Army-Navy game.
- Yo momma is so old, she dated the first Heisman Trophy winner.
- Yo momma is so old, she watched baseball when there were no steroids in the game.
- Yo momma is so nasty, Sean Avery called her his sloppy 142nds.
- Yo momma is so nasty, she has had more things stuck into her than A-Rod’s arms.
- Yo momma is so nasty Mike Tyson won’t even bite her.
- Yo momma is so fat that no other athlete was able to attend the NFL Combine when she showed up.
- Yo momma is so fat, she gave birth to pro wrestler Big Daddy V.
- Yo momma is so fat, she plays on the Washington Redskins’ Offensive Line.
- Yo momma is so fat, she is the Black Hole at Oakland Raider games.
- Yo momma is so stupid, she actually thinks Bret Favre will retire.
- Yo momma is so stupid, she thinks professional wrestling is real.
- Yo momma is so ugly, she makes Sens fans look good.
- Yo momma is so ugly, she scares Sam Cassell.
- Yo momma is so ugly, the Detroit Lions use her picture to cheer themselves up after their 0-16 season.
- Yo momma is so ugly, that after looking at her, Stuart Scott’s eye stopped being lazy.
Feel free to add your own below. Hope you enjoyed.
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by Shane House… The Toronto Maple Leafs are a team that is not known for their drafting. It is a simple fact for any Maple Leafs fan to realize. But another thing that the Leafs have a habit of doing is keeping players for too long.
Whether they be prospects, veterans, or free agent signings, the Leafs have a habit of keeping players in hope that they turn it around to make the GM not look like a screw up.
But most of the time, they never turn it around, and instead of contributing on a consistent basis, they just remain there.
Anyways, here are some players that are a part of the Maple Leafs that they should just finally give up on and let go.
Ben Ondrus
I never really had a lot of hope for Ondrus. With the minor-league Marlies, he is a gritty, two-way leader that is able to put the puck in the net.
In the NHL, he is slow, unskilled, and forces himself to fight almost every game just to contribute in the NHL in some way.
I believe that he will always and forever be a career AHLer who will never have any sticking power. He will rather stick with the Marlies for the rest of his career or move to Europe. Either way, the Leafs need to make room for another player to have his chance.
Career NHL Statistics: 51GP, 0G, 2A, 2PTS, -19, 77PIM
Bates Battaglia
I personally love Bates and even have a drunk cap with my buddies called the Bates Battaglia helmet of awesomeness, but this respected veteran has become a career AHLer and I honestly can’t stand it.
He was a great player pre-lockout. But the new NHL has made his lack of speed really stick out. I hate to say it but it is time for him to make his way out of this organization and let a younger player get his shot.
Hopefully, I am wrong and a team picks him up looking for some veteran leadership.
Career NHL Statistics: 580GP, 80G, 118A, 198PTS, -34, 385PIM
Kris Newbury
Not a lot of people know this, but Newbury was acquired in the deal that saw Owen Nolan come to the Maple Leafs. Yeah I know, tragic to think about.
But at first, I was actually impressed. In his first stint in the NHL, he showed all the tangibles to be a solid, gritty forward. He had speed; he had the ability to put the puck in the net; and he had a nasty streak that coaches love.
But after that season, he seemed to loose all of that and, instead, turn into a Darcy Tucker-type that is out of position, barely contributes, and, most importantly, can’t score. He is 27 now and shows no signs of improving.
Once again, it is time to let this career AHLer go and make room for a younger player to develop.
Career NHL Statistics: 44GP, 3G, 3A, 6PTS, -3, 60PIM
Boyd Devereaux
Was drafted sixth overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 1996 and has never really panned out as the power forward as most hoped.
Instead, he developed into a fourth liner who is good on the penalty kill.
Nothing wrong with a player like that. He plays hard every game and brings grit to the bottom line.
The problem here is the fact that the Leafs have those types of players all over their line-up. The only difference is that most of those players are better.
So when the Leafs go into next season still rebuilding, who would they rather have in their line-up?
A skilled player they signed as a free agent, a young stud that will have a chance to develop and get better, or Boyd Devereaux? I think you can guess which choice Leafs’ management will make.
Hopefully Devereaux will find an NHL team looking for a defensive player, but most likely, he will be put back into the minors, just not with the Toronto Marlies.
Career NHL Statistics: 619GP, 61G, 109A, 170PTS, -1, 203PIM
So there you have it. As good as these players might be and as much potential as they might have had, they have been with this organization too long.
Something tells me that Brian Burke will most likely let these players go, maybe keeping one behind to have some veteran presence on the Marlies.
I have a new blog and if you want to check it out you can go to http://shanegordonhouse.blogspot.com/
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