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Mickelson Masters Triumph Poetic Justice
NOTE: I will be doing a live chat Tuesday morning at 11:30 a.m. at http://theoaklandpress.com/
I remember the cold manner in which Tiger Woods treated Phil Mickelson during the 2004 Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills.
Not that Lefty didn't deserve some of it. It wasn't the best time to breakout new equipment, and he played horribly. Woods didn't help the situation, though, when U.S. captain Hal Sutton paired them as a "Dream Team."
There was more to it, which came to a head a couple years later when Tiger's caddy, Steve Williams, who acts like a rogue cop and has done nearly as much to hurt Tiger's reputation as his mistresses, blasted Mickelson publicly.
There is also the matter of what Mickelson is going through with his wife and mother, and how Tiger has taken his family for granted in a classic philandering way.
Mickelson winning The Masters was a fitting twist to Tiger's comeback. It was a tale of perseverance rather than comeback.
Random Thoughts
- I have the Red Wings beating Phoenix in five games.
- Seems like Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour's stock is sinking as the NFL Draft nears. I hear he might be a late-round pick - at best. Don't understand why. The kid has good wheels and his arm and release were good during the Senior Bowl week. He must have had a disappointing pro day.
- The Tigers obviously didn't win Sunday because Justin Verlander allowed five runs in the opening inning. Rather, they won because Verlander didn't allow a run in the next four. It's a sign of maturity. Verlander is very, very good. Could win 20 games this season. Also, early this season, Miguel Cabrera has been every thing he wasn't his first two seasons as a Tiger when his statistics were misleading. He has been clutch.
My column in Monday's Oakland Press on why the Red Wings should come out of the Western Conference and reach the Stanley Cup Finals again: http://tinyurl.com/y949sgc
I remember the cold manner in which Tiger Woods treated Phil Mickelson during the 2004 Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills.
Not that Lefty didn't deserve some of it. It wasn't the best time to breakout new equipment, and he played horribly. Woods didn't help the situation, though, when U.S. captain Hal Sutton paired them as a "Dream Team."
There was more to it, which came to a head a couple years later when Tiger's caddy, Steve Williams, who acts like a rogue cop and has done nearly as much to hurt Tiger's reputation as his mistresses, blasted Mickelson publicly.
There is also the matter of what Mickelson is going through with his wife and mother, and how Tiger has taken his family for granted in a classic philandering way.
Mickelson winning The Masters was a fitting twist to Tiger's comeback. It was a tale of perseverance rather than comeback.
Random Thoughts
- I have the Red Wings beating Phoenix in five games.
- Seems like Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour's stock is sinking as the NFL Draft nears. I hear he might be a late-round pick - at best. Don't understand why. The kid has good wheels and his arm and release were good during the Senior Bowl week. He must have had a disappointing pro day.
- The Tigers obviously didn't win Sunday because Justin Verlander allowed five runs in the opening inning. Rather, they won because Verlander didn't allow a run in the next four. It's a sign of maturity. Verlander is very, very good. Could win 20 games this season. Also, early this season, Miguel Cabrera has been every thing he wasn't his first two seasons as a Tiger when his statistics were misleading. He has been clutch.
My column in Monday's Oakland Press on why the Red Wings should come out of the Western Conference and reach the Stanley Cup Finals again: http://tinyurl.com/y949sgc
Labels: Phil Mickelson Tiger Woods Steve Williams Hal Sutton Dan LeFevour Justin Verlander Miguel Cabrera
posted by Pat Caputo at
12:08 PM
6 Comments:
Pat, I miss the old Verlander. Where he would toss a fastball in at 92 m.p.h and then throw 83 m.p.h change-up plus throw in his breaking ball and then boom, a 99 m.p.h fastball. I guess the Tigers figure he is better of throwing a constant 97 m.p.h fastball plus his slider and change-up. Even the Zoomer admitted that throwing 100 m.p.h continuously doesn’t work. Verlander could the next Halladay or Sabathia. Sabathia doesn’t throw his 96 m.p.h fastball continually.
Yeah, also at the Ryder, Michelson practiced on the north course separate from the team that didn't help.
I know a friend at an exclusive country club near Firestone at Akron, Oh where the players sometimes rent the course to let their contingents and friends play a round during the week of the tourney.
No gratuity from Tiger but Phil gave the head guy $1200 for a tip exclusively "for the workers".
Tiger showed in the Masters that he is still Tiger with his burning desire to win ... he was a lot more friendly to the patrons but still cursed his bad shots.
Oh well, that's Tiger ... looked like he didn't take Watson's advice to respect the game.
But, lots of others do the same thing but are smart enough to do it off camera or don't have the camera on them as much.
Like a book, what an ironic Masters ending.
With regards to our Tigers - today was the sloppiest excuse - pitching and fielding - a lack of concentration - and that concerns me.
On Eldrick - the Masters showed me (a staunch defender of his in the past) what a complete and utter ass he is.
First there was the giving up on the back nine (15?) where he missed the short birdie attempt then missed the tap in as if he gave up.
On the final he sinks the put for fourth place in the Masters and waves at like it wasn't worth anything. But his post interview - pushed me over the edge:
"How did it feel? It felt like fourth place! I only enter events to win."
and then when asked when we would see him next he said:
"I don't know, I have to evaluate my options".
No congratualtory comments to Mickelson or Westwood. No sportsmanship in the tradition of this great tournament - just the I didn't win attitude.
So now he is Eldrick. Tiger my ass.
But the real event of the tournament was that plant bud that fell in Mickelson's line (15 also?) as he was in his backswing and diverted his putt from the hole. That was an ominous event that had Phil lost by a stroke ...
Guys aren't supposed to get choked up by the winner kissing his wife - but watching Mickelson kiss his - well, take away what's left of my man card, boys.
Barry,
That's a good point. The more variation a pitcher has in speeds, the better. Verlander definitely capable of throwing from 100 mph to 77 mph - his big edge when he's right.
Caputo
Anonymous,
It did play out like a story book, but I must confess, I didn't see it coming from Lefty. Tough not to feel good for him under the circumstances.
Caputo
Fred Brill,
I too liked the ending where Mickelson kissed his wife. It was real life, human stuff. Tough not to get emotional about.
Caputo
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