nolechica

I know this is late and it's been a while since I did sports controversy, but here goes. Tiger Woods is an idiot, but that doesn't mean I'll quit following his career. Emily called the cheating at Thanksgiving and then gloated at Christmas. I said his issues were between he and Elin and that when he returned to golf I'd resume following him. My being a woman doesn't make me come down harder on cheaters, sorry. I was surprised by what Tiger did, both the initial incident and the cheating, until I found out the accident was at 2am, not 6-7am like I thought. However, I don't judge on-field and off-field incidents the same. You can be a douche and win a title and we're cool. This is a piece I made at 16 when Peter Warrick was caught basically stealing and I still supported his playing so that FSU would win the title. I did a similar thing years later in the face of Kobe Bryant's rape accusation.

That's the situation that the Tiger issue reminds me of, as once the image is shattered, it takes time to repair. He'll need to actually take some time off, but still play all the majors this year to demonstrate that he's not going to be broken by his mistakes. It's probably in another blog, but I watched Kobe fly back and forth to Colorado for court and then play games in LA. It was the only peace he got as the media ripped him apart. Tiger will have to find his own peace amid the chaos before he can get back to his winning ways, as well as rebuilding his public image. However, given the British Open he won after his father died and the US Open he won injured, I think it can be done. Also, he issued a statement, but he'll have to get on camera and speak before America will forgive. Who knows when he'll do that, but it should be before his next tournament I think. Tiger may have taken a great first step today though, hence my blog, as he pledged $3 million in medical supplies towards the Haitian relief efforts. If this donation goes through, it'll be a great first step. Add an interview to that and he can begin to demonstrate that he's not the ass everyone thinks. His first girlfriend said his parents' marriage was a wreck, so his role model was a lousy husband if a great Green Beret. Balancing career, family and image is apparently something Woods men suck at, but he's about to learn that the hard way. That you have to live the image you present, if you don't, the public won't trust you. I'll be waiting to see what happpens at the Masters, hopefully in person. Would love to see Tiger get Green Jacket number five as proof that his life isn't in the ruins the media thinks it is. Success and time will be the key. Kobe's the NBA's golden boy again after winning an MVP, gold medal, and a title in the last two years. And I'd love to see Tiger make people like Emily realize that his career and life is his, not the public's. She dislikes him because earlier on he didn't give every local Augusta kid that wanted one an autograph. It was all I could do to not blast her with the Twitter line of the summer, "Entitlement is not sexy," which she wouldn't get, but she needs to hear, along with the rest of America.

Oh, and a plea to the teams and stars I follow and the media that cover them? Could I please stop having to be defense lawyer, PR person, and reality check all at once. From the Criminoles on up, I've been honing these skills for a decade. It gets old, but I can't watch my favorites get torn to shread just because they're famous.

Bryan called yesterday and I realized that I hadn't updated since I got back from Augusta. It was my first Masters week in Augusta since my parents moved. And honestly, it was kind of surreal to go to the tournament at a time that wasn't Sunday afternoon. Saturday has a totally different feel because there isn't the do or die of Sunday at the Masters. Anyway, this meant that instead of going to thirteen and sixteen to watch for a while before heading to eighteen to watch the final pairings come through, we started there with a visit to Larry, and discussed how he'd been on tv that week, which normally doesn't happen. As we were on eighteen, I noticed that Tiger Woods was about to tee off, so we followed him through two, four, and six (have to stay ahead of his ginormous gallery) and then got lunch. We then headed to the rail at thirteen where you could see the entire hole, including the green at twelve. We watched until Tiger came through and headed to sixteen green. I'm not used to standing at sixteen, as we usually have chairs, but anyway. We watch Tiger play fifteen and sixteen and then waited until Phil Mickelson came through. After he bogeyed sixteen, I decided we should leave. It'd been a full day and I was red. While Daddy called for our ride I went back in the golf shop to discover that I'm not sure who they cut t-shirts for, but it wasn't decently-endowed females. The golf shirts are $60, so I passed, but I got a key chain that will look nice with the UNC one I'm buying soon.

As for the rest of the trip, saw the entire fam, as Em and Mom showed up Friday night after we arrived on Thursday, as Daddy went to the course with Patrick on Friday. While the guys were at the tournament, Greer and Katherine went shopping, or rather browsing. Couldn't find any Vera I couldn't live without, but did get to see the china on the registry, 'tis very nice, Spode Woodlands. However, after that we just chilled, as the mall and other shopping would've been over run by tourists. I did give Em her birthday gift that night, she was pleased by the journal and the toe rings, but she got a really cool tiny laptop from my parents. Her dinner was Saturday night though. Saturday morning though was spent in a bridal salon. Greer showed off her dress, very sparkly, not a super long train and her mom picked a dress. The bridesmaids only had to be measured, as our dress wasn't in the shop, and I didn't try on the tea length version (can you tell I'm not a dress gal?). The bachelorette was discussed briefly and the fact that we need a shoe decision. We also finally have a picture with all the bridesmaids and the bride-to-be, which I'm half hidden in, oops.

We were supposed to leave Sunday, but Daddy decided he'd rather watch the Masters coverage in Augusta than drive on Masters Sunday, which also happened to be Easter, for the third time in my lifetime. Skipping out on Grandmom to watch golf in peace was awesome. Especially when Tiger and Phil were paired together and both shot low enough rounds to be within one stroke of the lead at various times before ending up four and three strokes back of the playoff, respectively. However late bogeys quashed their good rounds, including Phil's 6-under front nine. Angel Cabrera won the tournament on the second playoff hole, but the talk the next day was about Tiger and Phil's mistakes, not the champion. Anyway, while we were watching this, Patrick and Greer came back from the tournament, leaving me irritated that I could've gone out on Sunday, even if only for two hours, if they hadn't changed their plans.

Daddy and I left early Monday morning and it took seven hours to get to Tallahassee, as it rained the entire way. And then he had to way to leave due to car trouble from bad gas, which a fresh tank resolved, and a tornado warning. Gotta love Tally weather, not! I'm just glad another bus ride wasn't necessary, as a bus ride to Mobile started my journey and Greyhound and I aren't friends. Thank goodness for iPods and American Idol downloads. Anyway, that was the trip, didn't mean to write a novel though, sorry.

Ok, so that medley relay made Michael Phelps the king of the Beijing Games. And the Sports Illustrated cover of him with his eight gold medals was fabulous. However, the story of week two wasn't an American, but rather Usain Bolt of Jamaica, the first man since 1984 to win the 100m and the 200m, and he got a gold in the 4x100 relay for good measure. I'd care if he's not American, he's freaking amazing. The American triumph in the 100 and 200 though was Walter Dix getting two bronzes, the second after a messy 200 involving two DQs. Why does this matter? Because he's been part of three national championship track teams for FSU, of course. Any medals by Noles are always welcome. Despite the fact that the Olympics are almost over there is still some unfinished business. First, the IOC is finally taking a closer look at the Chinese gymnasts, who might be underage, and who beat Nastia Liukin on uneven bars, not cool. Very cool though was Shawn Johnson finally winning gold, on beam. Second piece of unfinished business tips of at 2:30am, the gold medal men's basketball game. Nike made a commercial of Team USA clips with Marvin Gaye singing the national anthem, I just hope it wasn't premature. The Redeem Team, as they call themselves, has appeared at several other USA events and done much to repair the ill will created by the team in Athens, but to complete the mission, gold is a must, and they've beaten Spain once already. *crosses fingers* More later.

5am Edit: Nike's not crazy, and redemption's been had, but was that really the same Spanish team from a week ago? A thirty-seven point victory became eleven with a gold medal at stake. And with eight minutes to go, the US was only up two, as defense wasn't working tonight. However, Coach K, who deserves major props for getting the prima donnas pro players to play as a team, gave the ball to Kobe Bryant, who either scored or assisted on fifteen straight points and sealed the game with a four-point play. I've been wondering since the exhibitions started if the shit hit the fan who'd get the ball. I just didn't expect to find out in the fourth quarter of the gold medal game. I've also wondered exactly what the end game pecking order was, but now I know that winning an MVP while losing in the Finals wasn't for nothing. However, without Dwyane Wade, no gold medal happens, as he picked up the pieces after LeBron James and Kobe got in early foul trouble, in a game with more fouls than I've seen all Olympics. Anyway, it's over and the national anthem's been played. However, the Redeem Team and the Dream Team will never be equal.

I'm awake waiting to see the Olympic coverage I slept through and debating sleep before the 8am USA-Spain basketball game. Also, feeling guilty for neglecting my journal. However, Michael Phelps is awesome. Seven gold medals and six world records? Geez. However, the 4x100 freestyle relay and the 100m butterfly race show that sometimes it's better to be lucky than good, as Phelps wasn't swimming anchor and Cavic messed up his stroke count to give him two close wins. Part of what I slept through was an interview with him and Mark Spitz. I'm sorry Spitz wasn't in Beijing to hang that seventh gold, and last individual chance, around Phelps' neck. I'm excited for the medley relay tomorrow. A new king of the pool could be crowned and it would be fabulous to see it.

On another historical note, congrats to Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson for being the first US women to go gold and silver in the women's all-around. Nastia stuck her landings while Shawn didn't, finally giving Nastia the advantage over the reigning world and national champion. Both stand a good chance of getting gold in the event finals, especially Nastia on uneven bars. However, as thrilling as the all-around was, the women's team final was just as painful, especially Samantha Peszek's injury during warm-up on qualifying day. Chellsie Memmel is wonderful, or crazy, for competing on a broken ankle (bars only). The Chinese capitalized on US mistakes to win gold despite the US being the reigning world champs. And the controversy over the Chinese using underage gymnasts makes it sting worse. What gymnasts are 4'7" and under 75lbs. (per ESPN profiles) at sixteen? And that pertains to three girls, half the Chinese team. Plus, the IOC isn't willing to really investigate (accepting passports as proof) as Beijing is the host city. *eye roll* I hope that the organizers of the next Worlds, in London force the International Federation of Gymnastics to really investigate the Chinese. Anyway, lest you think I've been neglecting the men, that bronze in the team competition was awesome given the injuries. I'm done for tonight, but I'll get to Brett Favre eventually.

I've been tossing several entries around in my head, but many are long topics, such as book reviews and the Brett Favre situation. However, since I'm feeling guilty about my lack of postings here goes. I've been staying up late and getting up early to watch USA Basketball exhibitions. And while this team is on a three-year program, and thus has been together a while, I still have reservations. The first three games (Canada, Turkey, and Lithuania) were the typical blowouts with lots of flashy plays. The last two games (Russia and Australia) have revealed shortcomings, such as a lack of half court play. The ability to break or shoot over the zone defense will be crucial, but the point guard rotation seems to be disrupting the offense, as Jason Kidd doesn't get much playing time and Chris Paul is getting beat on defense. Only Deron Williams seems dependable. Also, players are in roles they are unaccustomed to, such as Kobe Bryant being the main defender instead of the go to guy on offense. The perimeter shooting is working nicely with the international arc being closer to college range (I think college players should be shooting from the international difference), despite the tendency to shoot from NBA range anyway. However, the ability to play in the half court and play a slower tempo will be crucial to bringing home the gold. It's been eight years since that happened, and that seems like an eternity.

On a lighter note, the announcers today made a comment that I much enjoyed. They both have history degrees, and agreed that they did it in part to avoid the math requirements. :-) Also on an announcer note, Doug Collins will be calling games in Beijing, which should be interesting as his son is on the USA Basketball coaching staff as a result of being one of Coach K's assistants at Duke. As for my thoughts about Coach K winning a gold medal. :x However, it was revealed that even if the USA wins gold, he doesn't get an official medal. ;-)

*jaw meet floor* Tiger's done for the year. I can't say I'm surprised, but I am more thoroughly impressed at what he did in the US Open.

http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=3450453

Woods said on his Web site that he will have surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament. He also wrote that he needs time to rehabilitate a double stress fracture of his left tibia, which he said was discovered just before the Memorial Tournament in late May.

And he revealed that he originally ruptured the ACL in 2007 while running at his home in Orlando after the British Open.

As an Augusta native, golf has been part of my world from the word go. And when you have a father that's a golf fan, watching the US Open is mandatory for Father's Day weekend. As such, even when I'm three hours from Daddy I still devote Father's Day weekend to golf. However, this year the tournament wasn't finished at seventy-two holes. An 18-hole playoff occurred today between Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate. Rocco had played solid throughout the tournament, holding the lead or a share of it many times. Tiger had the most chaotic major tournament ever. Four double bogeys and three eagles provided drama, as well as critical birdies on eighteen. Playing injured explained part of Tiger's erratic play, but his lack of willingness to give in accounted for his being in contention on Monday. The first nine was back and forth with Tiger's birdies giving him a two stroke lead going into ten. After a par save at ten Tiger had a three stroke lead, but Rocco began chipping away with birdies and pars when Tiger bogeyed, and by fifteen had a one stroke lead himself. Tiger missed putts on sixteen and seventeen to take the lead, but could still tie with a birdie at eighteen. That's exactly what happened, for the second straight day. So, an 18-hole playoff headed for sudden death. Tiger won the tournament with a par on the seventh, which he'd birdied earlier in the round. His fourteenth major and third US Open rank among his best achievements due to his competitors and his competitive spirit. Most other players would've withdrawn, but he fought on and finally kissed the trophy. I wanted a Tiger Woods victory because of the effort he put forth, but many will disagree with me, as Rocco Mediate gained quite a following by seriously threatening Tiger. I just hope that Tiger hasn't jeopardized his season by playing through the pain, as he refused to reveal his plans from here out, including the British Open and PGA.

This was a great way to end a sports weekend that saw the Lakers get redemption, Game 6 will happen on Tuesday. And Kobe Bryant's analogy of the Finals and March Madness, specifically the Elite Eight (just need to win three games) made me smile...once I figured it out. :-/ I'd love to see this be the team that makes history by winning in seven games. On another basketball note, it occurred to me Saturday that today was the deadline for NBA Draft withdrawals. irishrose26 informed me this morning that the three Tarheels that declared for the draft are staying in school. I'm thrilled by this news if not all that surprised by it (just the timing). *Thoughts of NCAA title to come because they deserves it with the core of the team still together*

Oh, and on the subject of Father's Day, both Tiger Woods and Kobe Bryant have adorable daughters that got camera time this weekend.

Now that the Modern Britain paper from Hell is done, I can get back to the title of this journal. My March Madness worked out nicely, to the tune of winning three pools despite some major pride swallowing. Despite my Tarheel allegiances, the diploma hanging on my wall says Florida State University and therefore, watching Florida cut down the nets sucks. Could we please swap ADs with UF? Jeremy Foley has more balls than Dave Hart ever will. Oops, that's my jealousy showing.

Anyway, onto the Masters. Shitty weather, first winner over par since 1956, and Tiger collapsed on the back nine. How does a four-time champion eagle thirteen and then plunk it in the water on 15? Anyway, Zach Johnson won, his second PGA win, ever. While my father enjoys first-time winners, I much prefer repeats. However, these feelings are not unique to golf by any means. My father's rooting for the underdog, and making me crazy, is part of why I'm a fan of the teams I am.

However, the biggest news of the week, for me anyway, is the charges against the Duke lacrosse players being dropped. At least the NC Attorney General has a clue, as it's clear that the Durham County DA, who shall not be named, not only hasn't a clue, but any integrity either. Now, if only June can get here so that his trial can start. I'd love to see him disbarred, especially after he used this case to win the election. As for whether I was surprised as to the results of this case, not in the least. I actually hope they consider charging Crystal Mangum, the accuser, with filing a false report. Even better, I can't wait to tell my father, I told you so. He drives me crazy with his thought about athletes and morals. I just wish I had an SI cover to burn like I did with Kobe's mugshot. I'll have to look and see if one exists...hmmm.

Tonight was the last dance for Chief Illiniwek at the University of Illinois. I saw it coming when I wrote my paper for Methods last semester. However, now the Illini fans think FSU should give up Osceola and Renegade. There is one simple difference though, FSU has the support of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. And while it's been said we are blackmailing them with scholarships, the Seminoles have educational funds set up for each member of the tribe anyway, and enough money to buy all things Hard Rock. The scholarships we give out don't mean nearly as much as our willingness to involve the Seminole Tribe in university decisions. That's where Illinois dropped the ball. They learned enough history to know that the Illini Confederacy is extinct, but not enough to know that the Peoria Tribe in Oklahoma are the remnants of that confederacy. The Peoria have been on record against Chief Illiniwek since 2000 and the Board of Regents didn't seem to think it would matter. However, when the NCAA ban happened, the University of Illinois should have approached the Peoria Tribe for support as Central Michigan, University of Utah, and Florida State approached their respective tribes. Ultimately, Illinois chose to give up a time-honored symbol and regain the right to host postseason events rather than reach out to the Peoria Tribe.

What will be Barbaro's legacy? What will come from the death of the reigning Derby winner?

Pat Forde offers some ideas here. And while I think that some of them will never happen (any changes to the Derby, such as age, distance, date), but I think spreading out the Triple Crown over more weeks to allow for a less psychotic prep schedule, could happen. PolyTrac could also happen nationwide, but results from California and Keeneland will be crucial in making that determination.