Some Things Are Best Left Unsaid …………. But F#k It I’m Going To Say It !
Ah the latest tidbit in the sports world that seems to be norm at present PGA Tour professional Tiger Woods made the formal announcement that he will not be playing in the US Open at Congressional Country Club , Bethseda , Maryland . And once again the bell seem to be tolling as most prognosticate whether or not Woods’ reign at the top is about to implode . The player is now ranked outside the top ten (ranked 15th in the latest rankings) of the World Rankings for the first time in over a decade . From my own standpoint the player apart from recurring injuries, Woods is now gunshy and is completely lacking in confidence . Now sliding down the rankings faster than a cheetah at full speed , it is becoming abundantly clear that we’re now seeing a player whose determination to win is still there but the physical attributes that made him a once dominant player no longer remains . His peers on the PGA Tour no longer seem to be intimidated by their once great nemesis . And this being the national championship I’m not sure that the second major of the season will be won by a US born player , it could well be won by a foreign player and therein lies the situation with regard to the PGA Tour. US talent is now merely about the players here winning the mundane events on the PGA Tour rather than the Majors (The Masters, US Open , British Open and PGA Championship) .
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Slide show for your perusal .
I have got to admit I will be pleasantly surprised if the winner of the US Open is an American because simply put the inconsistency of Phil Mickelson , Hunter Mahan , Steve Stricker simply doesn’t cut it amongst the real fans of the PGA Tour . It is Woods who drives the meters and the gossip on the Tour while lesser lights are simply the topic of the moment .
Can someone remind me why it is that I simply ought to be interested in the career of Floyd Mayweather as a boxer ? Undoubtedly talented , Mayweather is now more widely known more for his outside the ring run ins with the law , rather than for anything that he has achieved within the ring . A multiple weight divisional champion , the fighter now hopes to challenge Victor Ortiz for his WBC welterweight title this September (venue yet to be arranged) , as Maywether will be making a return to the ring for the first time in almost 18 months since he last fought and defeated Shane Mosley in a bout that was about as entertaining as the viewing of a head on collision between two high speed locomotives.
Ortiz , twelve years Mayweather’s junior knows that this will be a step up in class and at the same time he knows that should he pull off the impossible and defeat the former titlist , then the world becomes his oyster with limitless opportunies to establish himself amongst the top fighters in the world . The sport of boxing has become mundane and the mere fact that the desired fight between Manny Pacquiao no longer seems to be a priority amongst either fighter or the respective promoters. All the talk and hype in the world won’t change the fact that the proposed bout was never on the cards to begin with . They say money talks bullshit walks , well walk it did , as there was such a stench created by Bob Arum , Mayweather’s own camp and co promoter Oscar de La Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions Inc.
When this bout actually takes place between Floyd Mayweather and Ortiz there may well be some passing interest there but I for one simply don’t believe that Mayweather is the draw that he once was ! His own failings as a father , a man and as an example to his children leaves a lot to be desired . And with the allegations of spousal abuse , verbal abuse of his children and the threatening of a witness with physical violence simply indicates that from a mental standpoint Mayweather’s faculties might not be all there . If Floyd Mayweather were to step away from boxing today he may well be sorely missed but from my own perspective the sooner he walks away the better off the sport will be !
Well the MLB Draft for 2011 (held in Seacaucus New Jersey) this past Monday , and before we knew it , it was over. Truth be known, it was something of a non-event given the fact that the highlights weren’t shown on either network television or on ABC/ESPN , Fox Sports or for that matter TBS . Instead the whole event was televised live by the MLB Network . There’s a reason why the MLB hierarchy cooperates with their broadcast partners but somehow this wasn’t a time they felt it necessary . Now don’t get me wrong but a from business standpoint I’m not so sure that the league itself much less its teams are on a sure footing financially. The ongoing saga with the Los Angeles Dodgers has become cannon fodder for the sports pages across the nation . And less we forget, the woefully inept the New York Mets in spite of the $200 million investment in the organization by hedge fund manager David Einhorn has me believing that the league has to intervene sooner rather than later.
The Pittsburgh Pirates were the beneficiaries of having the number one overall pick with the organization taking the UCLA Bruins’ — Gerrit Cole as their choice. One can understand the reason why the MLB Draft plays second fiddle to the NBA , NFL in terms of their respective drafts and the mere fact of the visibility raised when the events are televised . Granted , there’s more of an interest in the NFL’s Draft and the mere fact that the draft geeks are front and center in assessing the merits of the decisions made by the respective general managers around the league. Inasmuch , as Bud Selig would like to sell us on the merits of the event I don’t really believe that the commissioner himself believes that other than the consumed fan who’s so into the draft there is a heightened interest in the decisions being made.
Well the madness has to stop , it is now or never but fu#k it , sanity has to enter the domain at this juncture. In the sports world where it’s about the immediacy of the here and now , in terms of what have you done for me lately ? In the NBA it appears that the vast majority of fans were already prepared to anoint the Miami Heat as the 2011 NBA champions. Having seen the San Antonio Spurs bow out in the first round of the postseason and as a fan that result was a profound disappointment to me ! The Dallas Mavericks simply made their way through the playoffs with consummate ease and then in the Western Conference Finals they simply manhandled the Los Angeles Lakers , the two time defending NBA champions .
The Finals’ match-up that many had been had desired didn’t materialize as we now have the workman like Mavericks teeing up against the star laden Miami Heat led by LeBron James , Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade . With the series now tied at two games apiece and the knives are out after a diabolical display on Tuesday night by James __ eight points though from a defensive standpoint the player stood his ground but offensively he was more of a detriment to his team . The knives will be out and directly aimed LeBron James. And this being the player who actually anointed himself ‘King James’ and then simply ran with it ? The two time league MVP had one of those games where nothing seem to have gone right but at the same time he rode into town announcing that this team would be good enough to win multiple titles __verbatim “not one , not two but three , four , five and why not six titles ” ? Hey LeBron let’s not get completely ahead of ourselves, you’ve already become an ingrate and are about as welcomed in the Cleveland area multiple doses of the ebola virus . Now you’re bringing your undoubted talents to South Beach but an ego that is large as the Grand Canyon will not make you all the more likeable at this juncture. I just hope for your sake at this moment in time should this team fail …….. you don’t choose to apportion blame elsewhere ?
The three point loss (83-86) told me a great deal about the Miami Heat and in particular about the ‘ Big Three’ on this team ! When placed under a great deal of adversity they are inclined to wilt under pressure and nowhere was this more self evident than last night . James was guilty of failing to deliver the goods and now the excuses will be made as to the reasons why and whether or not LeBron bears a great deal of that blame . While the protagonists out there were trying to make a case that James is now ready to wear the crown worn by Michael Jordan as the best player in the NBA . Here is simply another reason why those very same protagonists should simply shut the hell up and let history take its course , rather thrust upon LeBron James something that he has yet to deserve. It does a great disservice not only to the game but also to its image and Jordan’s legacy.
Lebron James may well yet become a truly great player and have a long and successful career in the league but as of now he’s yet to lead a team to a title and when last I looked , a runner up finish simply meant nothing to even the most ardent of fans !
On the flip side of the script Dirk Nowitzki simply showed why without him the Dallas Mavericks would simply be viewed as an also ran within the league . Now as they look to claim their first NBA title it will be interesting to see whether or not his teammates finally are beginning to believe that they are indeed capable of defeating the Miami Heat . It’s all well and good Jason Terry emblazoning a tattoo on his right bicep as an omen . But given the fact that Terry’s own displays during this series and the playoffs overall have been intermittent I’d say it’s time for him to get with the damn program !
There’s a great deal at stake for both teams in particular for the Miami Heat and their financial viability. Repeated losses over the last few years can’t hide the desperation of team President Pat Riley and Heat owner Micky Arison . The acquisition of Bosh and James wasn’t about merely a last ditch attempt to retain Dwyane Wade but also to shore up the financial coffers of the Miami Heat. Had they not been able to lure the two All Stars then in all likelihood Wade would have been playing elsewhere this season and with that the growing losses of the organization would be like a dead weight around the neck of the organization . Riley knows that a compelling series victory will bode well for the future of the Miami Heat and from a financial standpoint it would be greatly beneficial. As of now this series is far from over and the worrisome situation is that for LeBron James, his struggles continue in an NBA Final. Swept aside by the San Antonio Spurs in 2007 in the Finals of that year when James was a player for the Cleveland Cavaliers . That sole appearance until this year has been something of a nightmare for the player that many have stated has become the new “King of the NBA “ . Doesn’t a King wear a crown and just to add mere substance to those claims shouldn’t he have at least won something that actually resonates with the fans as a whole ? Style over substance means fu#k all but there are those who actually believe otherwise . How naive !
Game five is scheduled for tonight hosted by the Dallas Mavericks in what will be no doubt a sold-out American Airlines Center in Dallas , Texas . Vociferous Mavericks’ fans are sure to get behind Rick Carlisle and his team , with those very same fans being of the belief if they can eke out a victory then they are but a win away from winning their first NBA title . Can you imagine what the fallout may well be should the Miami Heat fail to win what many believe had been preordained ? I for one believe nothing is merely given to you without you actually deserving it ! And nothing that the Miami Heat has achieved so far would suggest that they deserving of winning the NBA title , merely because they are now in the Finals . It has been this sort of complacency that has been clearly visible with many of the players on this Hear roster , including James , himself .
Should Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks triumph this may well be right way for him to bow out of the game with his legacy firmly entrenched within the annals of the game and perhaps the best European player to have played in the NBA ?
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Picture gallery for your perusal .
Simply chime in with a comment on the topics raised within this piece as you see fit and as always thanks for the continued support as it is gratefully appreciated !
Alan aka tophatal ……………………………..
https://tophatal.wordpress.com
Picture and slide show details below .
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(1) This December 3, 2010 file photo shows Tiger Woods of USA as he puts his hat back on as he walks off the 18th green after finishing the second round, at the 2010 Chevron World Challenge at the Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, California. Woods, a 14-time major champion chasing the all-time record of 18 won by Jack Nicklaus, said June 7, 2011 that he will not play in next week’s US Open golf tournament. Left knee and tendon pain has bothered Woods for the past month. “Not playing in US Open. Very disappointed. Short-term frustration for long-term gain,” Woods posted on his Twitter microblogging website. AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECK /GETTY IMAGES ……
(2) In this June 25, 2008 photo, golfer Michael Whitehead, who is currently a senior at Rice, poses for a photograph in Houston. Whitehead, who was first alternate from the Dallas qualifier, will replace Tiger Woods in the U.S. Open after Woods withdrew due to lingering issues with his left leg. AP Photo/Houston Chronicle, Karen Warren ….
(3) PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL – MAY 12: Tiger Woods addresses the media after withdrawing on the ninth hole during the first round of THE PLAYERS Championship held at THE PLAYERS Stadium course at TPC Sawgrass on May 12, 2011 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Woods announced June 7, 2011 that he will not play in the U.S. Open because of an injury to his left leg. Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images …..
(4) Phil Mickelson hits his tee shot on the par 4 10th hole during the third round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 4, 2011 in Dublin, Ohio. Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images …
(5) FILE – In this April 30, 2010 file photo, Floyd Mayweather Jr. steps on the scale at a weigh-in ceremony before a WBA welterweight boxing title fight against Shane Mosley in Las Vegas. Mayweather, the undefeated six-time world champion, says on his Twitter feed Tuesday, June 7, 2011, he will end a 16-month hiatus from boxing when he faces WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz on September 17. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File ……
(6) Victor Ortiz (left) the challenger makes sure that Andre Berto’s (left) defense of his WBC welterweight title will be a brief one . Ortiz would defeat the former title holder in a unanimous decision in the bout held at the Foxwoods Resort , Mashantucket ,Connecticut ,. Getty Images / Chris Borbon ……
(7) Miami Heat managing general partner Micky Arison, right, talks to president Pat Riley during a basketball practice for the NBA finals, Wednesday, June 8, 2011, in Dallas. The Heat will face the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 of the best-of-seven series that is tied 2-2, Thursday, June 9, 2011. Do they now have something to be extremely worried about ? AP Photo/David J. Phillip ………
(8) DALLAS, TX – JUNE 08: LeBron James of the Miami Heat attends NBA Finals Media Availability on June 8, 2011 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images ………
(9) Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle applauds while Dirk Nowitzki (L) walks off the court during game 4 of the NBA Finals on June 7, 2011 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat 86-83. AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECK /GETTY IMAGES …………
(10) LeBron James (C) of the Miami Heat is guarded by Jason Kidd (L) and Tyson Chandler of the Dallas Mavericks during game 4 of the NBA Finals on June 7, 2011 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat 86-83. AFP PHOTO / Robyn BECK / GETTY IMAGES ……..
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MLB Wildcard Standings 8th June
MLB Schedule 3 days at a glance
MLB Probable starting pitchers 9th June 2011
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Tophatal's Blog 
US Open be damned let’s simply have Tiger compete against the rest of the PGA Tour in a sexual prowess competition over the entire four days . The one who devours and lays the most poonani over that period wins the $1.6 million in prize money offered up by the USGA in conjunction with the PGA Tour . That’d be far more entertaining than what’s liable to happen without Woods competing at Congressional . What do you guys think ?
Has LBJ started to make excuses yet for his poor display or has he attributed it to the fact that the team also played badly ?
Eight points never seemed so hard earned and more the focus of what’s actually LBJ’s oh so cultivated image . You’d have thought that he was brought into this world by the immaculate and divine conception the way those assholes at ESPN/ABC and TNT wax on lyrically about him ?
I say this about Mayweather he knows how to play both sides of the field in terms of being the villain and a hero . He’s a friggin’ ingrate as a person but the sport needs him just as much as it needs Pacquiao because what is there worthwhile to look at in terms of a boxer on the current horizon ? Come on someone tell me please ?
tophatal
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I’m not going to go so far as saying Game Five is a defining career moment for LeBron, but let’s just say, it’s a game he’d rather win that lose.
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Chris Humpherys
Let’s break that statement down shall we ? A career defining moment ? LBJ and his supporters have suggested that he’s become the heir apparent to Jordan and that he’s now better than Jordan at this stage of his career . Well let’s see Jordan was on his way to winning his first championship , led by example and simply didn’t bitch or whine things didn’t go his way. Not so in the case of LeBron so you tell me what has LBJ done to deserve the acclaim already being placed on his shoulders ?
The Heat loses this series and the ramifications will be far more serious than you can imagine . Riley and Arison didn’t assemble this team simply to look stupid or lose they did so to win and I preface that by saying this season was meant to be the start of their master plan .
Game 6 on Sunday LBJ’s black ass had better show up and be ready to play or the whole world is going to question his manhood should he and the Heat be on the wrong end of a defeat .
Kudos to our girl Denise Milani for still looking damn fine and still hot !
Chris don’t get me wrong LBJ is a damn fine athlete but he’s yet to become a truly great player ! Those guys are defined by the leaderships skills , qualities and the fact that when it matters most they throw down the gauntlet and get the fu##ing job done ! Can you honestly say that LeBron has actually done that this postseason ?
tophatal
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It’s really bad for Golf that Tiger has injured yet again. At least if he’s playing there’s some buzz prior to the tournament, now no one is going to give a crap about anything.
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Chris Ross
It’s not bad Woods simply is playing for the public’s sympathy and the sooner you actually realize that the more you will understand the ulterior motives behind this maneuver . His mind and game has been shot to hell . He fu##ked up , got caught as a lying philanderer bastard and has completely failed to truly acknowledge his actions. As they say in life ….” karma is a real bitch and when it comes to bite you back it really does come back to bite you in the ass big time ” !
Fans will come out to watch the US Open at Congressional but it won’t be to see the likes of the US contingency of players who have such been a disappointment over the past couple of seasons . Everyone no doubt would like to see ‘ Lefty Mickelson’ win but knowing him he’s liable to implode as he normally tends to do when his nerves get the better of him
By the way your piece on Nowitzki now looks so mute and redundant given his postseason displays in these Finals .
If the Mavs win it’ll be Dirk hoisting not only the Larry O’Brien Trophy but also the Finals’ MVP Trophy .
tophatal ……
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Tiger may have played his last golf match. he is breaking down physically. He is broke mentally. The Heat, LJ and the rest who gives a crap.
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Bobby Gee
Woods will be back better than ever ? Who can say ? But I do know this he could take a leaf out of Serena Williams’ book , heal , recuperate and come back fighting fit , rather than having the world be at his beck and call, knowing his every move. He now comes off as being a monotonous bore ! Never mind the fact he still seeks the public’s sympathy after his numerous misdeeds. He may well be human but what man do you know is simply that fu@@ing dumb , where he would bring one of his mistresses into his marital home while his children are there to have six with that very same paramour ?
The Heat are being embarrassed and it doesn’t bode well for them in game six at all even though they will be playing at home . The Mavericks are now in the driver’s seat and all they have to do is have Dirk steer the bus home , park it and they can dismount .
tophatal ………………
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The Rays had an opportunity to build for the future with 10 of the first 60 picks in the draft. The reason the draft doesn’t draw much attention in baseball is the low percentage of players who make the show and even then it is usally after spending 2 or 3 years in the minors.
Tiger needs to take some time off to heal physically as well as mentally. I believe he will make a comeback and challenge Nicklaus’s record.
Cheers my friend!
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aero
I’ll give you that on the Rays because this is the only way forward now for the organization . Sternberg and Friedman have tried doing things financially but they’re limited because of those very same resources . Prudent choices will help them as they seek to be serious players and contenders not just in the AL East but also in the postseason
We know that this year in the draft they had some premium picks that in conjunction with the choices of previous years have come to fruition for the team . Maddon and his his coaching staff have got to be pleased with it all wouldn’t you think ?
Have a great weekend buddy and my regards to you and the immediate family !
Just something to wet your appetite this weekend ? Actress Sela Ward
tophatal ………………
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Well, I’ll be rooting for Jonathan Byrd at the US open if you cared…
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chappy
And should Johnathan Byrd win as usual he’ll disappear off the face of the planet just as much as in the same way that Ben Curtis and Shaun Micheel have done ! The PGA Tour has become so devoid of real talent and character anyway !
He may well want to win but the question is ……. does he have the game to win ?
Like I said the guys on the Tour are simply worried about turning up cashing the “check” for the mundane events to begin with !
The event at Congressional will be monotonous in large part over the for the course of the four days if there’s no real excitement to be had at all .
tophatal …………
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Oh JB has the talent to win! He’s the #3 golfer at the moment. I’ve always liked him becasue I met him a few times at Pebble Beach, and one time he even took the time at the range to help me with my swing a little. For that alone, I will always love the guy, and root for him in every event he enters!
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chappy
Now I know why they made marijuana legal in the state of Cali by the legislature for medicinal purposes ! LOL,LOL !! It was done in order for the masses there in order that they’ve an excuse for making ridiculous statements .
Byrd won’t be winning a Major anytime soon much less be ranked inside the top 10 ! It’s like I said in the piece US golfers on the Tour simply aren’t that interested in winning a Major ! They’d rather win a mundane run of mill tourney and see that as their greatest feat . The guys who do want it as in Mickelson go out there and strive for it.
tophatal …….
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oops i didn’t mean #3, I meant #39 hahaha
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The day Bird makes it as #3 golfer in the rankings Palin will either be POTUS or VP ! And as things go she and Bachmann stand about much chance of that happening as there’ll be a sighting of both locking lips in a lesbian style kiss !
Michele Bachmann
I’m sure that if push came to shove Michele and I could share a vegetable at the same time preferably a cucumber !
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