Thursday, June 19, 2008

Its Not Fair

The following was written by the New York Times:

"He has won four Masters titles, the first one by 12 strokes. He has won three United States Opens, the first by 15 strokes. He has won three British Opens, the first by eight strokes. He has won four P.G.A. Championships, one of them by five strokes.

Yet on Monday, in a playoff for the 108th United States Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course, Tiger Woods matched Rocco Mediate with a par-71 before parring the first sudden-death playoff hole to win a 19-hole struggle. Woods called it “probably the greatest tournament I’ve ever had.”"

Yes, Tiger is amazing ... He won the Open on a broken leg. He came from behind. He is so good that if he keeps it up till 2020 and finishes in the top ten of every tournament he just might tie Jack Nicholas' record. He just might be as good as Jack Nicholas. Face it right now he is not even #2 ... just today's #1.

But consider this, Rocco was ranked 158 in the professional golf world before last week. He is 45 years old. He has never one a major tournament. He has only won four times on the PGA Tour (which is 4 more than I have won just for the record), he has had a career notable for various injuries, specifically back ailments. He was in contention on the final day at the Masters two years ago, but his balky back helped produced a disastrous finish. Two years before that, he was again in the Masters hunt, but back pain derailed his hopes. His last tour victory was in 2002.

So, Rocco was playing not only his best golf ever but unbelievable golf. In fact, a friend informed me that over the days of the Open, he missed 5 puts of 7 feet or less. Make 1 of those and Tiger is an sad story of a fellow with a broken leg. If Rocco gets this kind of shots he has made for the past four days on the 91st hole, Tiger has to play #92 and more. Rocco you deserve more than 3 minutes of lime light.

Please explain to me why this is not the story. Guy ranked 158 pushes Tiger to 91 holes and only messing up on that 91st hole does he allow Tiger to claim victory. Why is it ... Tiger ... Tiger ... Tiger? Why not the amazing story of Rocco?

We live in a world where only #1 counts and yet the vast majority of us will never be #1 except in the hearts of a loved one. So, why this craziness?

Except of course when you think your #1 and someone else comes and shows you your not so hot. Your not necessarily the all time greatest ever to play your sport ... so stick that in your beer Mr. Kobe because the Celtics 3 won #17. Yes, Kobe you made it in the record book. Your team was beaten by the largest margin in a close out final game. It was a record formerly held by the Lakers loosing to the Celtics, how fitting for you to keep up the tradition.

So, maybe Kobe can take Rocco out to lunch and they can cry in each other's beer about coming in second.

Rocco your number one in my heart and mind as long as I can remember your name.

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