Sporting Fools
Sporting Fools
Sporting Fools
Sporting Fools
The frequent and occasional humorous musings behind two of the World's greatest underappreciated sports minds.
Friday, December 30, 2005
SF Presents: Best of 2005Your year-end one-stop shopping:
****
Male athlete: Tennis pro Roger Federer.
Female athlete: LPGA Golfer Annika Sorenstam.
Men's team: New England Patriots -- third Super Bowl victory in four years.
Women's team: Japan Softball wins World Cup by upsetting heavily favored U.S. team.
Coach: Ozzie Guillen, Chicago White Sox
Event: NFL Championship Sunday
Game: Hawaii over Curacao in Little League World Series Finals.
Finish: Matt Leinart gets a little help from his friends to defeat Notre Dame.
Day: March 6 -- In college basketball, #1 Illinois and #3 Kentucky upset, Duke-UNC play another instant classic and, in golf, Tiger Woods bests Phil Mickelson head-to-head at the Ford Championship.
Moment: Tiger's money chip on the 16th at The Masters.
Performance: (tie) Rafael Palmeiro strongly denies steroid use in front of a Congressional group; the thought of telling the truth in front of that same group drives Mark McGwire to tears.
Shot: Bob Horry's game-winner in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
Catch: Mets third baseman David Wright dives to track down a flare barehanded
Move: Detroit GM Joe Dumars releasing Larry Brown from his contract and hiring Flip Saunders.
Upset: Giacomo shocks all at Churchill Downs.
Clown: Drew Rosenhaus
****
Male athlete: Tennis pro Roger Federer.
Female athlete: LPGA Golfer Annika Sorenstam.
Men's team: New England Patriots -- third Super Bowl victory in four years.
Women's team: Japan Softball wins World Cup by upsetting heavily favored U.S. team.
Coach: Ozzie Guillen, Chicago White Sox
Event: NFL Championship Sunday
Game: Hawaii over Curacao in Little League World Series Finals.
Finish: Matt Leinart gets a little help from his friends to defeat Notre Dame.
Day: March 6 -- In college basketball, #1 Illinois and #3 Kentucky upset, Duke-UNC play another instant classic and, in golf, Tiger Woods bests Phil Mickelson head-to-head at the Ford Championship.
Moment: Tiger's money chip on the 16th at The Masters.
Performance: (tie) Rafael Palmeiro strongly denies steroid use in front of a Congressional group; the thought of telling the truth in front of that same group drives Mark McGwire to tears.
Shot: Bob Horry's game-winner in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
Catch: Mets third baseman David Wright dives to track down a flare barehanded
Move: Detroit GM Joe Dumars releasing Larry Brown from his contract and hiring Flip Saunders.
Upset: Giacomo shocks all at Churchill Downs.
Clown: Drew Rosenhaus
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
AP Takes Easy Road......by naming Lance Armstrong and Annika Sorenstam it's AP Male and Female Athletes of the Year. I've got no real problem with either because they are both deserving.
However, I'm going to put in a word for Roger Federer over Armstrong. I respect Armstrong's inspiration, accomplishments, bravado and dominance on the hills of France.
However something is to be said for the guy who plays 12 months out of the year and dominates (match record 81-4) on every surface against every style of player.
Imagine it the Tour de France it part of it was ridden on asphalt, part of it on sand, part of it on grass and you'd get the idea of what Federer faced from week-to-week.
And he kicked ass.
Still congrats to Lance and Annika.
Armstrong: Top AP Male [Wire]
Sorenstam: Top AP Female [Wire]
However, I'm going to put in a word for Roger Federer over Armstrong. I respect Armstrong's inspiration, accomplishments, bravado and dominance on the hills of France.
However something is to be said for the guy who plays 12 months out of the year and dominates (match record 81-4) on every surface against every style of player.
Imagine it the Tour de France it part of it was ridden on asphalt, part of it on sand, part of it on grass and you'd get the idea of what Federer faced from week-to-week.
And he kicked ass.
Still congrats to Lance and Annika.
Armstrong: Top AP Male [Wire]
Sorenstam: Top AP Female [Wire]
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
T.O. is #1 on ESPN.comESPN.com released their list of most popular web searches and T.O. was the most requested search of the year. Coming in a close second, the Carolina Panthers' Topcats (a personal favorite story of mine).
The number one name requested in the NBA. None other than Michael Jordan, a few years after his airness retired.
T.O. is on top [ESPN.com]
The number one name requested in the NBA. None other than Michael Jordan, a few years after his airness retired.
T.O. is on top [ESPN.com]
Full Circle...
The Jets close out Monday Night Football on ABC just as they opened it in 1970, with a 31-21 loss. Funny how those things turn out.
Monday, December 26, 2005
The Inside Stunt (Yikes)What the hell was that this weekend?
Quick rundown
-- Cincinnati gives up the #2 playoff seed with a home loss to Buffalo.
-- Atlanta screws up a gift in Tampa
-- Carolina loses the NFC South with a home loss to Dallas
-- San Diego eliminated??!!
-- N.Y. Giants give Redskins chance to win NFC East
This is crazy.
Let's just jump into the Top 5.
1) Indianapolis: Well their 'B & C' teams put up a spirited effort against Seattle's first team on the road but they were just overmatched. As for the first-team, well Peyton Manning was on pace for a 560-yard day passing. Colts just had to get through this week without injuries or emotional breakdowns. The latter was tough, but they did it.
2) San Diego: I can't believe this team is eliminated. Was Tomlinson hurt that badly? And how come Antonio Gates had less than 10 catches? There's no excuse for not moving the ball against Kansas City's defense. Marty Schottenheimer stinks!
2) Denver: Hmmm interesting, on one hand you just can't fully put your trust in Jake Plummer. On the other hand, this team has run an impressive string of victories and all three losses were on the road against winning teams (two playoff contenders). Mike Anderson will have three weeks to heal that ankle.
3) New England: Tom Brady's shoulder injury doesn't appear serious, but the Patriots offensive line will have to stay strong to keep it that way. Otherwise this team will have to avoid injuries and look forward to a pretty nasty matchup against a hot Steelers team in the playoffs.
4) Seattle: Ok, Shawn Alexander will go into the playoffs happy this year. Still 116 passing yards given up on two drives? Without Marvin Harrison? Still not impressed. Make me into a believer.
5) Chicago: I love Lovie Smith, he dumps a QB with a 10-4 record because he wants to go for the gusto. Rex Grossman is still rusty, but he doesn't lack confidence and he is eager to throw the ball downfield to his speedy receivers. The defense seems to be wearing down a bit so the bye week will do this team good.
Outside Looking In
-- Cincinnati: No discipline, no sense of playoff urgency. Marvin Lewis has to turn this team into contenders because right now they are just happy to be there. However, we like Chad Johnson and throwing autographed gifts to the crowd is pretty cool.
-- Washington: I like the Redskins a little more than the Giants or the Panthers right now because they are playing well. Mark Brunell's injury is big news, but with Santana Moss, Clinton Portis and Chris Cooley playing they way they are right now, it's a good spot for Patrick Ramsey to jump into.
Have a good day after Christmas and enjoy the final Monday Night Football game on ABC.
Quick rundown
-- Cincinnati gives up the #2 playoff seed with a home loss to Buffalo.
-- Atlanta screws up a gift in Tampa
-- Carolina loses the NFC South with a home loss to Dallas
-- San Diego eliminated??!!
-- N.Y. Giants give Redskins chance to win NFC East
This is crazy.
Let's just jump into the Top 5.
1) Indianapolis: Well their 'B & C' teams put up a spirited effort against Seattle's first team on the road but they were just overmatched. As for the first-team, well Peyton Manning was on pace for a 560-yard day passing. Colts just had to get through this week without injuries or emotional breakdowns. The latter was tough, but they did it.
2) Denver: Hmmm interesting, on one hand you just can't fully put your trust in Jake Plummer. On the other hand, this team has run an impressive string of victories and all three losses were on the road against winning teams (two playoff contenders). Mike Anderson will have three weeks to heal that ankle.
3) New England: Tom Brady's shoulder injury doesn't appear serious, but the Patriots offensive line will have to stay strong to keep it that way. Otherwise this team will have to avoid injuries and look forward to a pretty nasty matchup against a hot Steelers team in the playoffs.
4) Seattle: Ok, Shawn Alexander will go into the playoffs happy this year. Still 116 passing yards given up on two drives? Without Marvin Harrison? Still not impressed. Make me into a believer.
5) Chicago: I love Lovie Smith, he dumps a QB with a 10-4 record because he wants to go for the gusto. Rex Grossman is still rusty, but he doesn't lack confidence and he is eager to throw the ball downfield to his speedy receivers. The defense seems to be wearing down a bit so the bye week will do this team good.
Outside Looking In
-- Cincinnati: No discipline, no sense of playoff urgency. Marvin Lewis has to turn this team into contenders because right now they are just happy to be there. However, we like Chad Johnson and throwing autographed gifts to the crowd is pretty cool.
-- Washington: I like the Redskins a little more than the Giants or the Panthers right now because they are playing well. Mark Brunell's injury is big news, but with Santana Moss, Clinton Portis and Chris Cooley playing they way they are right now, it's a good spot for Patrick Ramsey to jump into.
Have a good day after Christmas and enjoy the final Monday Night Football game on ABC.
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Eva Shows the Spirit..
....Boo her if you dare Detroit, she's flaunting scoreboard.
The sold-out crowd included Kid Rock, a regular at The Palace, and Eva Longoria, Parker's girlfriend. Longoria was booed when shown on the video board, and she responded by holding up a Spurs championship pendant on her necklace.
Beauty, brains and a sense of humor. The girl has the complete package.
Of course Detroit got the last laugh on Christmas and the 85-70 victory.
