 |
|||||||||||
The
Thrill of Victory Jim McKay has passed away at the age of 86. There is no question that he will go down as one of the greatest sports broadcasters of all-time. He was synonymous with ABC's "Wide World of Sports" and was the host of the network's Olympic coverage. How can any sports fan not identify with the "thrill of victory and the agony of defeat"? He was a journalist in the truest sense and one of the best storytellers in television history. His coverage of the 1972 Olympic tragedy in Munich was applauded by television executives and talent throughout the world. May he rest in peace. While we all were saddened by McKay's passing, it was the rest of the sports weekend that was loaded with unexpected surprises and blowouts. Big Brown's performance in the Belmont has to be the biggest shocker. The undefeated colt had won the first two legs (the Kentucky Derby and Preakness), and seemed poised to become the first Triple Crown winner in horse racing since Affirmed in 1978. When you consider that the biggest challenger, Casino Drive, had already been scratched from the race, it was just a matter of time for horse racing's coronation. Big Brown finished in last place. No excuses, no clue, no horse-power. The handlers of the colt were left speechless, just like the rest of us. Oh, well; wait 'til next year. There have now been eleven horses that have won the first two legs of the Triple Crown but have gone on to lose at the Belmont. Speaking of whiffs, what was going on in Paris? Roger Federer, the world's #1 ranked player, was waxed again by Rafael Nadal on the red clay at Roland Garros. It was an incredible performance by Nadal, and an equally embarrassing one by Federer. Straight sets...6-1, 6-3, 6-0. Bjorn Borg was on hand to watch Nadal tie his record of four consecutive French titles. Ironically, Nadal has never lost at Roland Garros...he's now 28-0 in his career. He was so dominant this year on the clay that he never lost a single set during his two week exhibition in Paris. Adios. Kyle Busch was looking to make history by starting in races in Texas for the Craftsman truck series; in Kentucky for the Nationwide series, and in Pennsylvania for the Sprint Cup series. He made history, all right. He also saw his point lead in the Sprint Cup series become nearly history by posting a last-place finish. Jeff Burton closed to within 21 points while Busch finished "DFL". Much like Big Brown, Busch might have been a victim of being exhausted. For whatever it's worth, Dale Jr. finished fourth, gaining more points on the leader and strengthening his position in the points standings. But the winless streak is now extended to 76 races. I still believe he will find victory lane in 2008. The U.S. Open begins this week at Torrey Pines. It will be our first Tiger sighting in nearly two months. Just after his disappointing finish in Augusta, Woods had knee surgery which has sidelined him in the meantime. The week should be pretty good on the San Diego public golf course. Torrey Pines becomes the second publicly owned golf course to host the U.S.Open. It is also the longest U.S Open venue ever, with the course measuring over 7,600 yards long. It should also be a blast to see the top players in the world being paired together for the first two rounds. It was a great decision by the USGA to have Tiger, Phil and Adam Scott comprise a threesome to start things on Thursday. Personally, I think this should become a mandatory item for every major golf championship. I couldn't help but notice that a few amateurs jumped on Torrey Pines and played it from the tips. Cowboys' QB Tony Romo, Justin Timberlake and Matt Lauer (all supposed single-digit handicappers) tried to break 100. Romo fired an impressive 84, Timberlake tapped in for a 98 and Matt Lauer posted a solid 100. Boys...stick to your day jobs. |
Packman
on Sports Commentary
|
||||||||||
