Quick Hits

Once again it seems the entire group is either on vacation or too swamped to keep the entries going. So while I have a few minutes, I thought I could at least throw out some comments on various topics or articles.

U.S. Open/PGA

Personally, I like the 18-hole playoff format the U.S. Open uses even before the climactic outcome of this year’s tournament. It is unique to that major and adds to its mystique. It was obviously a boon for the PGA to have Tiger Woods in the playoff this year. I wonder how people would have felt if the playoff had been between Rocco Mediate and Lee Westwood?

Also, according to this article, Rocco Mediate is the David Eckstein of the golf world.

NBA

Congratulations to the Celtics! The NBA still puts a horrible show on the court and until the league understands that, they will continue to fall further behind the NFL and MLB. At this rate the NHL may be closing the gap.

Next year’s Oscar nominees should include Paul Pierce for his extraordinary acting performance when he “injured” his knee in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. I haven’t seen acting in sports like that since Reggie Miller retired.

Instant Replay

I had intended to do an in-depth blog on instant replay and some of the sorry excuses some writers against replay were giving. However, time just has not been on my side as of late. Hopefully I will be able to get to it before they actually implement it.

Indianapolis Indians Coverage

I know that the Indians are only a AAA minor league team in the International League and there are five MLB teams within a five-hour drive (Cards, Cubs, White Sox, Tigers and Reds), but I have been ashamed of the coverage the Indians get in the Indianapolis Star for a long time now. The Star typically gives the Indians only two or three paragraphs and the box score. The Indians give a 16-page press release on game days and the Star can only give them a couple of paragraphs?

There is a shit-load of material the Star ignores. You almost never see information such as hitting streaks, call ups or send downs, hot streaks, cold streaks, how Indians alumni are doing for the parent Pirates, or hot prospects on the move in the organization. Looking at the Pittsburgh Gazette, it gives a daily update of all of the teams in the Pirates organization.

I guess a newspaper that employs a columnist like Bob Kravitz doesn’t really care all that much about sports unless it is a big-time professional sport, or deals with IU, Purdue, Notre Dame football or high school basketball.

Ken Griffey, Jr.

Why does Mr. Nice Guy Ken Griffey, Jr. seemingly get a free pass on the steroid front while Mr. Locker Room Cancer Barry Bonds is still steroids poster child for “allegedly” taking steroids?

And lastly…

Vegas

Remember…what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!