Rat City Sports

I imagine the conversation went something like this as Tiger called Elin, his supermodel wife.

“Honey, I’m in a playoff tomorrow with Rocco. “Who?” ya know Rocco Mediate. Ive never heard of him but please be home by dinner .

When Tiger Woods goes up against the field there is usually one who hangs in there till the end. The legend was of course started when woods came back to beat Steve Scott to claim his 3^rd straight U.S am, followed by Bob May, and countless others.

This one however, was different. Nobody expected a hobbled David to win this one.

Tiger has been a consistent even money choice against the field his entire pro career. At 5/1 David was a longshot. The only reason he wasn’t 100/1 was the stupidity of the public who actually thought David could walk on a golf course for the 1^st time in months and win the most treacherous event of all.

I am the degenerate sports gambler. I always have “action” Usually I bet the underdog , but I always bet. My choice for the 08 Open championship didn’t make the cut. Although my rooting interest may have been thwarted, this tournament reminded me that I actually do LOVE sports.

I have always been intrigued by “Best of” sports lists. Not only do they spark debate, but as a sports fan I enjoy the “Memorable” events.

As 2008 nears its half-way point I have compiled a list of the most memorable moments so far in 2008. I encourage anyone who disagrees to post a comment with your opinion.

1. New York Giants.. This is easy. the hated patriots were 18-0 and every pundit in america predicted Tom Brady and Co to easily win their 4th super bowl. A win would have catapulted this team to “The greatest team in the history of the N.F.L.  We all know the 1972 dolphins were the only team to go through an entire season undefeated, there mark of 17-0 is regarded as the greatest accomplishment in the history of sports. A New England victory seemed certain, and with the 24 hr ESPN coverage along with other factors the 2007 Patriots would have easily replaced the Dolphins as the “Greatest” team ever. David Tyree made a catch in the Super Bowl that defied logic. The Giants upset was special and is easily the best moment so far of 2008.

2. Big Brown…Just when we thought horse racing was dead this 3 year old male rolled through the Kentucky Derby and Preakness and looked unstoppable. At the Belmont this horse was a 1-5 favorite to become the first triple crown winner in decades. There had not been this much buzz since Secretariat in 1972. Although there have been numerous horses to win the first two legs of the Triple Crown in recent years, no horse appeared to be as unstoppable as Big Brown. But as my favorite ESPN announcer Chris Berman once said, “Games are not played on paper”. Of course Big Brown finished dead last and now will probably retire to stud and lead a life most men could only dream of.

3. NBA FINALS… The only reason this is not higher on the list is that the games were pretty boring. That did not take away the excitement of these rivals back in the finals for the first time in 22 years. Lets hope these marquee franchises stay on top for the next decade

4. Tiger…Ho hum Tiger Woods won his 14th major. Hopefully you spent fathers day watching this incredible athlete on a bum knee making amazing shots, only to whince in pain often. Rocco Mediate did everything he could to dethrone “The Man” but as usual, Woods came out on top.

5. I would have to say that when Joel Russakov was invited to the ESPNZONE for a sports spelling Bee, he was a heavy underdog. When he correctly spelled Angel catcher Mike Napoli to win the first ever Sports Spelling Bee it was an incredible moment. If for ANY reason you missed this incredible moment I invite you to go to YOU-TUBE and view this amazing feat.