The Biggest Choker Of Our Generation

I would love to see Phil Mickelson do well. He is a great golfer, from Southern California, with Pac-10 ties. I even sport a black KPMG hat myself when I hit the links. But despite my well wishes (along with thousands of others who have been wishing him well), Mickelson is undeniably a choke artist. For years he has been in Tiger's shadow. At first, many blamed Phil for not stepping up. However, recently, many have taken the blame away from Phil (in the same way no one blames Sergio, Rory or Ernie) because we all realize Tiger is simply untameable.

But with Tiger's injury and Phil's impressive performances early on this season at Riviera (winning the Northern Trust Open by 3 strokes), in Scottsdale (losing in a playoff to J.B. Holmes at the FBR Open) and at the Colonial in Fort Worth (winning on a final putt), many thought this was Phil's time. I mean, Tiger was injured and the U.S. Open was practically in Phil's kitchen. Well, Torrey Pines rolled around and Tiger put on the best golf performance of all-time. Many people have discussed Tiger vs. Rocco, and Phil couldn't be happier because this story was so big that everyone seemingly forgot his home field implosion finishing at +6 with a quadruple bogey under his 3rd round score (and in four days, he only had one round under par on a course he knows better than anyone).

But lets assume that was just a Phil fluke mixed with some nerves since all the pressure was on his shoulders. I mean, consider that Tiger wasn't all that impressive himself...but with the leg injury and the amazing story of Rocco vs. Tiger (i.e. David vs. Goliath), everyone hails this as the best tournament ever.

Fast forward to Royal Birkdale, the site of this weeks British Open. Tiger is gone, the hottest golfer in the game (Kenny Perry) is eating sausage and cheese in Wisconsin, so this tournament is pressure free and the perfect stage for Phil...right? Think again, In today's opening round, Phil came out and shot a 79 to finish 9 over par and 11 shots behind the leader. One round into the British Open and Phil is already eliminated (barring a Tiger-like comeback). Can Phil just step up one time and meet the expectations of the fans at a tournament that means something? How can you be the world's second best golfer and not finish in the top 3 in any of the four major tournaments for over 2 years (finished 2nd in the '06 U.S. Open)? Come on Phil...we are all rooting for you, but if you don't give us a story to follow, we Southern Californians might have to move our allegiance to Anthony Kim and that's not something I am comfortable with doing just yet.

Rampage Lives Up To His Name

10 days after losing in an unanimous decision to Forest Griffin in UFC 86, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson was arrested in Costa Mesa, CA for felony evading, reckless driving and hit-and-run charges. He led police on a chase, drove on the sidewalk causing pedestrians to scatter (according to reports) and worst of all...was on his cell phone (you know that new rule that went into effect July 1st). Regardless, I have a feeling Rampage will be in some pretty big trouble...if I can HUNT down more details I'll post them up.

Until then, check out the TMZ link which has some great photos, the sherdog.com article and for the hell of it, a interview from last week following Rampage's loss in UFC 86.

Rampage Arrested

Photos of the arrest

More MJ Pictures From Last Weekend For Those Diehard Fans

Here are a few more pictures from the tournament of Michael Jordan.

This Should Be Degree's Next Advertisment

I can never resist posting a great manager tirade/ meltdown (be it in game or postgame). Earlier this year, we had the press conference meltdowns of Kevin Borseth, the Head Coach at University of Michigan Women's basketball team, and of course, Mike Gundy, the Head Coach of Oklahoma State football team (both videos which are on an article from March). But this time, we take the field for the always entertaining minor league baseball managers. Here is Kash Beauchamp, the coach of the Wichita Wingnuts and his meltdown in a game earlier last week.




Just for kicks, compare Beauchamp to minor league manager Phil Wellman becoming a soldier last year.

Josh Hamilton Digs The Long Ball

Josh Hamilton put on a show in tonight's first round of the Home Run Derby that will be remembered for a long time to come. He broke Bobby Abreu's record hitting 28 dingers in the first round. This was so many that he didn't even have to compete in the second round and he still would have been in the finals (although he did record 4 outs in round two before calling it quits). I blogged last month about how Josh Hamilton has the most interesting story in baseball and he might just be the one player to bring baseball out of the muck that it has been rolling around in. He is young (relatively speaking), has a made for movie background, and as we are finding out more and more is made to play this game. He didn't even pick up a bat for over two years and yet he has almost 100 RBI's half way through the season and obviously has power that is unbelievable. Keep an eye out, because Hamilton might be the first stellar player in awhile to continue an upward climb without tanking after being noticed.

European Referee Does His Best Fan Impression

A referee in Belarus managed to show up to a game completely obliterated. Sergei Shmolik, 43, needed help to walk off the field at the end of the game which ended in a draw with a 1-1 score. Sadly, Shmolik was voted the best referee in Belarus last year...I'm guessing he doesn't make the list this year.

Watch this great video and hope that we don't see Dick Bavetta or Ed Hochuli hitting the bottle before any games next season.

Tahoe Celeb Golf Tournament

Here are a few images from Weds. and Friday of the American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe, NV. (click on individual picture to enlarge)



Michael Jordan with his cigar on the 4th hole


Ray Allen walking to the tee box


Rick Reilly and wife (notice the SI logo on the left sleeve)


Jerry Rice doing interviews after his Friday round


Michael Jordan signing autographs after Weds. practice round


Kenny Lofton eyeing his next shot


Wayne Gretzky walking to his tee shot on the 9th hole


Tony Romo and his caddy discussing his tee shot

I was lucky enough to spend all day Friday at Edgewood Golf Course in Lake Tahoe for the American Century Championship. This tournament features 80 celebrities (some better golfers than others) and a day at this tournament for a sports fan is like being in the candy aisle as a kid. To be honest, I didn't get to see as many players as I wanted because most of my attention was focused on the 9:50 a.m. group consisting of Michael Jordan, Ray Allen and Kenny Lofton. Obviously the latter two weren't the real draw for me. I took a ton of pictures and was able to observe some interesting things, so here it goes.

1)Michael Jordan is a bigger icon than most of us realize: There were times when Jordan would walk through a crowd with another huge star (Jerry Rice, Tony Romo, Ray Allen, John Elway, etc.) and 99% of the time, the other celebrities would go untouched and almost unnoticed because everyone's attention was with MJ. It was remarkable to see in person, especially since it wasn't like he was the only great athlete or actor there.

2) Jordan LOVES to bet: Ok, I know this is common knowledge, but I am here to confirm its true. Throughout his round (mostly on the back nine), Jordan was betting nice chunks of money with a few of his friends who were walking alongside him. On the par 4 15th, Jordan shanked his tee shot left and short. This allowed his friend (referred to as Big Mike) to place $100 wager that Jordan wouldn't make par. MJ took the bet, double bogeyed and went on to hand Big Mike a $100 bill right there. Next hole was the long par 5 16th. This time Jordan proposed the bet placing $500 on a birdie and another $500 on par. Jordan didn't make either and again handed Big Mike $1000 cash right there on the course. Did I mention Jordan loves to bet?

3) Rick Reilly needs a new wardrobe: Rick Reilly, FORMER writer for Sports Illustrated and current writer/ blogger/ personality for ESPN wore a SI black polo to go with his Bear Bryant-esque hat. Did anyone tell him that him leaving SI for ESPN was controversial, so he might want to avoid wearing the insignia of his former employer, especially at a nationally televised event.

4) Quarterbacks have other QB's back: After the threesome of Romo, Rodgers and Roethlisberger finished up their Friday round, Ed Werder from ESPN immediately went over to Aaron Rodgers with a mic and camera and tried to get an interview regarding the Brett Favre situation. Before Ed could even ask his questions, Romo rolled his eyes and said "you have to be kidding me" and Roethlisberger exclaimed "leave him [Rodgers] alone, he doesn't want to talk about it." As expected, Werder ignored the two QB's and went on relentlessly trying to get some sound from Rodgers who refused to comment all the way into the locker room.

5) With all the actors and outgoing celebrities, who knew the Great One was also the nicest one: There are some funny characters at this event. Sir Charles and his "hitch-tastic" swing, Ray Romano who always seems one step ahead of everyone else when it comes to one liners, Billy Joe Tolliver who makes white trash look cool and Jeremy Roenick who once again shoved his Best Damn Mike into everyone's face. But with all these participants, the quiet and often bland Wayne Gretzky was the nicest celebrity on Friday. In between holes (regardless of a birdie or bogey), the Great One signed hundreds of autographs, joked with fans, threw balls into the crowd and seemed totally comfortable with playing without having to compete.

Those are a few observations from this weekend...there is a chance more will follow.