Upon Random Musings

• Last night's Baltimore game was one of those things that was bound to happen in the midst of a good run, usually by a team otherwise whistling in the wind. With 5 healthy starters, I am wondering why Jeff Karstens is getting starts in a pennant push.
• While watching the PGA Championship on Sunday, I wondered: Could I have seen the greatest golfer, basketball, hockey and baseball players of all time play during my sports viewing youth?
• On the golfing note, I always enjoy watching the best around dominate in the big spots, like Tiger did on Sunday. Its a cool viewing experience to sit back and say "There is no way anyone is beating this guy today", and to watch that player/team exhibit the same attitude. The Yankees had it, as did Mariano. Jordan had it. Adam Vinateri has it. The unstoppable athlete is something to behold. The time always arrives when the competition catches up, or the star comes back to the pack because of age or injury. However (without too much hyperbole) while they are at their peak it is truly special to witness. When Tiger was coming down the back 9, I was looking for the "no way I'm losing this tournament" moment. Ernie Els was closing in with inspired shot-making, and Woody Austin kept hanging around and drew within one stroke after a Tiger 3-putt for bogey. However, on the last par 5 of the course, Woods pulled out the big driver. When he gets erratic with his drives, and misses fairways, the field has a better chance. Not this time. Tiger rears back and blasts it 340 yards, right down the middle. And you knew thats where it would be. There is always a moment with live golf between the player's swing camera, and the tracking camera that follows the filght of the ball. You usually get a reaction shot from the player to give you and indication of how they liked the shot. With Tiger, when he really likes a shot, he will hold the club up at the top of his follow-through, and then twirl the club down with a flourish. I have noticed this since about 2004, and its almost always an indication of an awesome shot. Not just good, awesome. Tiger looks mad on shots to within 12 feet. He has a grouchy face on 270 yard iron shots. On Sunday, he held the club up just a little bit longer, and spun it down like a swordsman sheathing his weapon with just enough flourish to blur the cocky/confident line. You knew that the other two guys had no shot after that. (which was almost a foregone conclusion anyway, given his 12-0 major record when holding a lead going into the final round- which became 13-0)