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Playing The Masters A Sign Tiger Is Still All About Tiger
Some are of the thought Tiger Woods' return for The Masters is perfect timing. That if Tiger somehow triumphs next month, it will be the culmination of this great comeback story.
It would be the classic American tale. Biggest of all hero takes fall because of glaring weakness that is easily identified by society. It's Thanksgiving weekend when all you-know-what breaks loose.
Said hero is run through the ringer by everyone from the tabloid press to the women on "The View" to a sports media that is generally more comfortable about analysing how much under par Tiger is on the course rather than over par off of it.
It would all be wrapped up in a neat little package just in time for spring. Just another showing at the cinema now ready for distribution via DVD and pay-per-view.
Thing is, life does not work like that. Seems to soon. If there was ever anyone who needed to stay away from work for awhile to spent time with his family, it is Tiger Woods. To me, being unwilling to bypass The Masters, is a sign Tiger is still about Tiger - not Elin and the kids.
Random Thoughts
- I like it when the Lions play marquee teams on Thanksgiving. New England is perfect. Tom Brady made his NFL debut against the Lions on Thanksgiving in 2000. He was 1-of-3 in garbage time for Drew Bledsoe. The Lions won that game in a rout, 34-9. My, how things went in a different direction for both franchises after that, eh?
- Look, I've never been one to put too much meaning in spring training games. But it is not an encouraging sign for the Tigers, at least for this coming season, that Daniel Schlereth and Max Scherzer have not pitched well. The talk about Dontrelle Willis in the rotation is ridiculous. He has four walks, a hit batter and just three strikeouts in seven innings. His command has not been good.
Conversely, it does mean something that outfielder Austin Jackson, with a lot of pressure on him, has performed well.
It would be the classic American tale. Biggest of all hero takes fall because of glaring weakness that is easily identified by society. It's Thanksgiving weekend when all you-know-what breaks loose.
Said hero is run through the ringer by everyone from the tabloid press to the women on "The View" to a sports media that is generally more comfortable about analysing how much under par Tiger is on the course rather than over par off of it.
It would all be wrapped up in a neat little package just in time for spring. Just another showing at the cinema now ready for distribution via DVD and pay-per-view.
Thing is, life does not work like that. Seems to soon. If there was ever anyone who needed to stay away from work for awhile to spent time with his family, it is Tiger Woods. To me, being unwilling to bypass The Masters, is a sign Tiger is still about Tiger - not Elin and the kids.
Random Thoughts
- I like it when the Lions play marquee teams on Thanksgiving. New England is perfect. Tom Brady made his NFL debut against the Lions on Thanksgiving in 2000. He was 1-of-3 in garbage time for Drew Bledsoe. The Lions won that game in a rout, 34-9. My, how things went in a different direction for both franchises after that, eh?
- Look, I've never been one to put too much meaning in spring training games. But it is not an encouraging sign for the Tigers, at least for this coming season, that Daniel Schlereth and Max Scherzer have not pitched well. The talk about Dontrelle Willis in the rotation is ridiculous. He has four walks, a hit batter and just three strikeouts in seven innings. His command has not been good.
Conversely, it does mean something that outfielder Austin Jackson, with a lot of pressure on him, has performed well.
Labels: Tiger Woods Tom Brady Drew Bledsoe Daniel Schlereth Max Scherzer Dontrelle Willis Austin Jackson
posted by Pat Caputo at
12:06 PM
18 Comments:
Pat, Schlereth will start the year in Toledo. I caught Scherzer on MLB.con against the Mets. He was lights out. 5 strike outs in 4 innings 0 walks one hit. He looked like the Cy Young winner. He will be fine. Dave
Pat, I don't think Tiger Woods can just turn off golf and focus on "Elin and the kids".
Woods isn't a person. Woods is a corporation. Tiger is the CEO.
Corporations have obligations that must be met, and I bet the pressure from those stakeholders on Tigers return is quite overwhelming.
Woods - the person - blew it bigtime - no doubt. I am not defending him.
Woods the corporation is now in damage control - and the Masters will go out of its way to offer the softest landing. It's a symbiotic relationship.
The Masters is the most controlled venue in golf - hell - in sports. But if he is going to win people back - he has to win the Masters. He can't win people back sitting at home with Elin and the kids.
My guess is that Bill and Hillary Clinton have a warmer relationship right now than Tiger and Elin. But that is unfair of me to assume.
I hope he wins the damn thing again - for the fifth time.
Why?
It doesn't do anybody any good to let this sit and fester like it has for the last 5 months. Winning the Masters solves it.
---
All the news out of Lakeland seems to be almost over-the-top positive - everyone seems to be declared great. But when I look at the numbers - I can't find the same numbers to justify the pitching optimism. Daniel Schlereth and Max Scherzer are prime examples of that. Same with Willis and Robertson - and Bondy.
Not to long now and they will be back home - and we can tell for ouselves.
Totally agree, Tiger recovers enough, just in time for the Masters. It makes that public apology, a couple weeks ago, seem hollow and insincere. He obviously isn't too concerned about repairing the damage he did to his family. Karl
You'd say Tiger was wrong no matter what he did. You seem to enjoy vilifying athletes.
Pat - I agree with your take on Tiger. Call me a hater, but I hope he misses the cut. I saw a comment somewhere that it a bad move for him to come back at a club that doesn't allow women. Not sure that is significant to him, but it sure doesn't help the image.
I really look forward to the Masters every year. I wish he would have skipped it - to me he will be a huge distraction. Hopefully he misses the cut.
Have you ever walked the Masters before Pat? I have, and there is interaction with the crowd. Maybe the "Patrons" will stay quiet, but he will most likely hear plenty from the public at large who attend.
Pat,
Agreed on all accounts with the Tigs. Like Dave said, Schlereth will start off in Toledo, and I do think Scherzer will be fine, but he has me nervous. Max Scherzer is one of the biggest keys to the Tigers season. If he can't be at least league-average in the 3 slot, we will be in big trouble.
I must admit, though, for as upset as I was about the Granderson deal, Austin Jackson has me excited. It seems like the kid can play unlike some of the other toolsy outfielders we have had (Cameron Maybin, Juan Encarnacion, etc.). I look forward to seeing him on Opening Day.
Travis
You're right, Tiger is Tiger.
He wanted to play at Bay Hill and help Arnie and his gang because Arnie gave him refuge at Bay Hill for practice and secrecy to let things blow over. Bay Hill is near Tiger's home at Windemere.
But the security and media would have been out of control.
Augusta's "patrons" will be relatively well-behaved.
Let's not kid ourselves, the PGA and the corporation is desperate to get Tiger back as quickly as possible
Does anybody wonder why the PGA is desparate to get Tiger back?
Watching Jim Furyk, David Toms and Goosen in the Transitions playing for or in the lead is like watching paint dry.
On stood on the first tee at the Ryders at the ball-landing area and Furyk hit his ball right next to me.
I said to Furyk "way to go Jim, you're all square".
It was a prelude to the US getting blasted.
Dave,
Scherzer pitched well again the other day. Great upside. Best part of Tiger trades this off season.
Caputo
Fred Brill,
That's the thing that kind of scary about Tiger - it's that he is such a robot he can just tune things out. It's why he was able to live what was essentially a double life. Agree about positive nature of spring training, but it has gone relatively well for the Tigers.
Caputo
Karl,
The bigger statement for his family would be if he stayed away from The Masters in my opinion.
Caputo
Anonymous,
Not really. Tiger can't blame the messenger on this one. He created his own mess.
Caputo
Jeff H,
If he wins the tournament, I think he will get tons of praise and it will be viewed as a great comeback story. His problems won't be over, though. If he misses cut, he will overly analyzed. It's why I don't think he should be playing.
Caputo
Anonymous,
For golf purists, such as yourself who love The Masters no matter what, the Tiger thing is distasteful. It should be about the tradition of the tournament and the great golf. Agreed.
Caputo
Travis,
The arm trouble of Bobby Seay could move up Schlerth's time table, especially if Coke has to move into the rotation sooner instead of later once the season begins.
Caputo
Anonymous,
It seems strange, but true, but the PGA might ultimately benefit from Tiger's foibles because of the increased attention will bring the sport a wider demographic.
Caputo
Anonymous,
A little overstated, perhaps, but generally true. I agree.
Caputo
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