One, two, buckle your shoe: Bolt's legend grows
If you'll look closely at this photo of Usain Bolt from last night's dazzling 100-meter final, you'll see that the world's fastest man didn't just dance to victory. He did it with his shoe untied. If you're like me, you just can't get enough of watching that replay. Simply amazing.
Between A Rocco And A Hard Place: Tiger's Legend Grows
What do you get the father who has everything? How about another round of golf, Tiger?
Sam's dad -- and Earl's precocious son -- did it again in dramatic fashion Sunday, with a birdie on the 72nd hole to force a playoff with Rocco Mediate.
Eighteen more holes for Rocco to pace and talk to himself. (And if anybody's got the right attitude to slay Tiger, it'd be this guy, no?) Eighteen more holes for a limping, wincing and seemingly invincible Tiger to produce these kind of highlights.
Like most golf fans, I tend to think the USGA's 18-hole playoff is a terrible idea. But this year, it'll be must-see TV. (And for fans who bought tickets to next week's Buick Open, it's as close as you're going to get to Tiger this summer, I'd imagine.) So enjoy the show.
Free Beer For Life? The Beautiful Game, Indeed
Almost exactly a decade ago, a few of us attended the '98 World Cup in France. (I actually left for Paris the day after the Wings finished their sweep of the Washington Capitals.) And while there, we spent a loooong night with a group of Austrian soccer fans on the Champs-Elysees.
I'm reminded of that as I read about some of the entertaining sidebar stories around this year's Euro2008, a quadrennial event that rarely disappoints. Austria, the co-host of this year's tournament, is ranked 92nd in the world. Austria has no shot at winning it, the Greeks' remarkable 2004 miracle run notwithstanding.
But free beer for life? And government-directed assassination plots? (OK, so I'm exaggerating a bit there.) And Dutch treats like this?
Now you're talkin'.
I know, I know. They've already banned the free beer. But I know a few crazy Austrian fans who'll be more than happy to buy Mr. Vastic a few rounds.
No Easy Fix For NBA AFter Donaghy's Latest Call
Tim Donaghy says the fix was in. That's hardly news to the Sacramento Kings -- they've been saying that for six years now.
But if he's pointing fingers at Bob Delaney, well, whose word are you going to take: Donaghy or Bobby Covert?
So what's Donaghy's motive? Probably to avoid writing the NBA a big check, for one thing. And at this point, what's he got to lose?
Speaking of losers, guess who was furious the Celtics decided not to foul Kobe & Co. in the final 30 seconds of Game 3 last night? Yep, the gamblers. The line was Lakers -9 and they only won by 6.
The real question, though, is what David Stern's going to say if this Lakers-Celtics series goes the distance?
Game 3 Tidbits
Sydor's in on defense, but Therrien's also switching his plan and getting Sergei Gonchar away from the Wings' top line to help him create some offense. That's the plan, at least.
We'll have to wait and see if Therrien also puts Malkin alongside Crosby at even strength tonight. Malkin's been great at home in the playoffs, so keep an eye on him tonight.
My prediction: Penguins win, 4-2, with a couple early PP goals.
Can We Please Play Some Hockey?
Finally, the pregame show is underway here. NBC is on board for Game 3 now, and it appears that'll mean a later puck drop tonight. More like 8:25 or so.
Outside the arena, there's pretty large crowd watching on a big screen that set up for every playoff game. Good scene.
Inside, it's a white-out here in Mellon Arena. They handed out white t-shirts to everyone who came through the turnstiles, and all but a smattering of Wings fans are wearing them. Pretty electric atmosphere -- by far the best the Wings have seen on the road in these playoffs.
Charlie Weis Is Putting The Fight Back In The Fighting Irish
Random thoughts on a holiday weekend ...
Careful what you say about Charlie Weis, Michigan fans. He's gunning for you. (Scroll down on the link and you'll see what I mean.)
So I'm reading this todayand I'm thinking, 'That sounds like a fair price for Jacque Jones, no?'
I actually think the NHL is figuring it out when it comes to commercial advertising and marketing. Here's a good example. Now, if I could only get Versus on my local cable network ...
United They Stand: The Kings Of Europe Once Again
Take a bow, Sir Alex. The boys from Manchester have done it.
It took penalty kicks -- and a kick in the gut for Chelsea captain John Terry -- but in the end, it was a sweet win for the Busby Babes.
Stars Align Again In Dallas: Bad News, Cowboys
Greetings from Dallas, where the big news isn't tonight's Stars-Wings Game 6 and it isn't the lovely 95-degree weather. It's Tony and Jessica back together again?
All I can say is, Jerry Jones better hope not. But leave it to a rock star to screw things up for everybody.
Of course, if Romo want's to make things right, he should just ask WWTD: What Would Tom Do? The answer: Buy everybody a new car.
Rednecktown? Don Cherry Drops The Gloves on Detroit
It takes a confident man to wear a pink suit. Especially when he's the one calling you names, eh?
Yep, Don Cherry says Detroit's a "redneck town" that's looking for a fight. After trashing the Wings fans on his ESPN debut last night, I'd say he's probably half-right.
