The Open Sans a Tiger

The Open will be played Thursday at Royal Birkhead for the ninth time. It will be played without Tiger Woods for the first time. For the first time since the Tiger Woods Experience began, he will not be playing in a major. Whatever will we do?

We will root for the underdog who leads after Friday. We will pull for Stuart Appleby who lost his first love, Renay, ten years ago. We will debate whether a European will win or not. We will sit wide-eyed, wondering who will seize this golden opportunity. Imagine: a major without Tiger Woods fearlessly striding  to the 18th  hole; and you thought you were safe in the clubhouse.

We will also miss the magic. We will miss the hysteria, the hoopla, and the history we have all been so fortunate to witness: The Tiger Woods Experience.

Homerun Derby

Does anyone actually watch the Homerun Derby? Just curious.

Thank You, Kevin Garnett: My NBA

My NBA is not the NBA of today. My NBA is waking up at 2AM to watch the NBA Playoffs on the Armed Forces Network (AFN) with my Dad. My NBA is being an 11 year-old Lakers fan in Mannheim, Germany. My NBA is walking home from school with Niaa Payne. Niaa Payne was an 11-year old Celtics fan from the Virgin Islands. It was 1987. The Lakers versus the Celtics. We always reached Niaa’s house before mine. I can hear Niaa’s echoing voice call out—”Celtics in the Garden!” I bet she can hear mine, too—”Magic, Kareem, and Worthy, puh-leaze!” Those were happy times. Those were times of true grit, raw determination, and pure will. Those were the times of champions.

I miss my NBA. I have missed my NBA since “The Greatest Ever” won three more and left the game. However, I must say thank you to someone who makes me feel the way I felt when I had my NBA. Thank you, Kevin Garnett. Thank you for being the guy next door. Thank you for being like the older brother, younger brother, favorite uncle, cool cousin, adopted son, and/or best friend to all of your fans. Thank you for realizing and accepting your role in the lives of others. And, of course, thank you for leaving it all on the court. You are, indeed, among the truest of champions.

Rafa Roars The Loudest

The longest Wimbledon Gentlemen’s final may have been the most important. The most important for the sport of tennis. The most important for sport, period. Fresh from his victory in Paris, “The King of Clay” dethroned the “King of Grass.” In an ESPN Instant Classic type of match, Rafael Nadal outlasted 5-time Wimbledon Champion, Roger Federer; 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(7-5), 6-7(10-8), 9-7.

Why the most important, you ask? We live in the era of entitlement. Our sports heroes/heroines are often spoiled, full of excuses, and always seeking more. Not more of a challenge, more money. In the midst of the egos and diva attitudes, it is refreshing to see an athlete like Rafael Nadal. He has the talent, the looks, and the star quality the public savors . He is the next media darling. But, he’s different from the others we prematurely anoint. He has the work ethic of Jerry Rice, the humility of Arthur Ashe, and the killer instinct of Michael Jordan.

As a young boy, the Mallorca native dreamed of winning the prestigious Wimbledon title at the All England Club. Although clay is viewed as his sanctuary, his level of determination and dedication to improve his game on grass was exquisitely displayed on Centre Court this past Sunday. To Rafa, the endorsements, the fame, and the legion of screaming girls don’t matter at the end of the day. Rafa realizes the importance of family and legacy. Listen to Rafa when he roars.

I have one more nickname for Senor Nadal, Revolutionary Rafa. Revolutionary[rev-uh-loo-shuh-ner-ee] (1) radically new or innovative; outside or beyond established procedure, principles, etc. (2) of, pertaining to, characterized by, or of the nature of a revolution, or a sudden, complete, or marked change. I hope I’m right.