Attitude is Everything

With the Williams' sisters injured, Andy Roddick in the twilight of his career, and a lack of up and coming young players the state of recent American tennis has been as barren as the trophy case at Wrigley Field. Even so, it was no surprise that the Americans put up their best showing in a major last week on home soil, with Serena Williams and Andy Roddick healthy they made decent showings and there were some mild surprises in the play of John Isner, Donald Young on the men's side and a flash of future hope in the women's draw with decent runs by 19 year old Christina McHale and 18 year old Sloan Stephens. Even though the 2011 US Open was a recent high mark for American tennis, I couldn't help but find myself as a tennis fan who lives in America embarrassed by the behavior of most of the American players.

For Serena it was the same old story as she called the chair umpire an "ugly person on the inside" after the chair umpire made the correct call, which happened to go against her. Her behavior this year continued a pattern that dates back to her threatening to shove a ball down a lineswoman's throat after she again made a correct call that happened to go against Williams in the '09 Open. Maybe even more troubling is that Williams has failed to apologize for either embarrassing incident. Instead of spending time on the fashion circuit or even on the practice courts, I think Williams needs a few episodes of "Curb" where she can learn how to apologize from the master Larry David. Ego and self belief have always been some of Serena Williams' best traits, but by personally attacking officials who make the correct calls that just happen to go against her she has entered an ugly stage of her career that has the possibility to be just as defining as her major titles.

It seems that Roddick has realized not only has his "prime" taken place in the Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic eras, but that father time is now closing in on him and his days of being a top 25 player are numbered. You can have a great debate about whether Roddick's career has been a disappointment or just bad luck (I tend to think 75 to 25 in favor of disappointment), but one thing is certain, Roddick has upped his complaining and antics as his game has slipped. Roddick loves to cite McEnroe's emotion, but the game has changed and instant replay has taken out 99% of the subjectivity involved in officiating a tennis match. When Roddick argues with umpires and attacks the media for being "too hard" on him he comes off as bitter and unlikeable as Jose Canseco.

The need to complain and make an embarrassing scene even seeped into Mardy Fish's game, who by the way was the top seeded American man. In a round of 16 match in Ashe Stadium where Fish had 99% fan support he managed to get into with Tsonga's box (maybe 16 people in a stadium of 23,000). It was no surprise that after Fish let that small percentage of Tsonga fans get to him that he was eliminated by the Frenchman.

Even with these aforementioned incidents, the spoiled brat award goes to American Ryan Harrison. Harrison was labeled as the next star in the men's game, but his attitude and actions became so tiresome that the American crowd booed him during his first round loss. It really takes quit a spectacle to turn the New York crowd against a young American, but Harrison was up to the task with his multiple racket tosses, profanity laced tirades, and overall poor attitude. If he is the future of American's men's tennis all American tennis fans are going to be rooting against the Stars and Stripes.

It is one thing to be unable to win or compete for major titles, but it is quite another to be embarrassment for all American tennis fans and that is the current state of USA tennis.

NFL Week 1

Now that the NFL owners have beat the players like they were the Bills ( because really who wants more revenue when you cut training camp practices from 2 to 1) and ended the lockout and everyone has completed their fantasy drafts it is finally time to move on to the regular season. Thursday night football still seems a bit weird even with a full flegged Kid Rock concert prior to the season opener primarily due to a full day of work still left in the week, so we are skipping that game along with some others and focusing on 5 games I like this weekend and also the totals of those 10 teams.

Tennessee +2.5 @ Jacksonville: Now that Peyton Manning had surgery and will likely miss the regular season the AFC South is wide open. The Titans mercifully ended the Jeff Fisher and Vince Young era this offseason and even though Matt Hassleback doesn't sound like the answer playing behind one of the best O-lines in football and handing the ball the CJ 25 times a game is a solid plan. Jacksonville cutting David Garrard this week and handing the reins to Luke McCown reinforces the point that the Jack Del Rio era has lasted far too long. Both teams season win totals are (6.5) with the Titans over at -125 and the Jags under at -150. Though neither come with a value sign I like both bets as the Titans are a sleeper who should cover the 6.5 with room to spare and I predict Blaine Gabbert will be trying to get win #4 for a Del Rio less Jags squad come January.

Cleveland -7 vs. Cincinnati: Sticking with some of the worst games on the Sunday slate, the battle of Ohio. Can you really blame Carson Palmer for not wanting to endure another year of misery in Cincy? The Bengals drafted AJ Green and jettisoned TO and Ocho-Cinco, but with a weak O-line and Ced Benson facing jail time, Palmer choose to hang it up and the reins were handed to rookie Andy Dalton. Cleveland has second year QB Colt McCoy along with a new coach in year 2 of Holmgreen's re-build by the lake and most of all a truly favorable first 10 games of the schedule. I think Dalton will be a quality QB, but starting on the road with his supporting cast is asking too much. Dick Jauron is a good hire as Defensive Cord. for the Browns and I think he will get the most out of this unit and the switch to the 4-3, like Will Arnet, Jauron is much better as a supporting actor than lead man. The Browns will rely on Hillis early, but I think WR Greg Little will emerge and be a 3rd round or better fantasy pick this time next year. The Browns total is (6.5) with the over at a reasonable -110 and with McCoy in his soph year and with the most favorable first 10 game schedule in the league the over should be buried by Xmas. As for the Bengals the total is (5.5) and the under is again a reasonable -115. Like Carson Palmer I will take the under on this total.

St. Louis +5 vs. Philadelphia: One of the best games of the day features the Dream Team in the dome vs. Bradford and the Rams. The Rams were feisty last season and are poised to take a step forward this season with more depth at the skill positions and a second year for the defense in coach Steve Spagnulo's system. They will make Vick and his O-line's day miserable Sunday and if they don't win they won't lose by more than a field goal. The Eagles deservedly have the most pre-season hype, but questions on the O-line in the defensive front seven will not only hurt them Sunday but will keep them under 10.5 wins with a +120 value. The Rams total sits at (7.5, even money) and not only do I like the over, but I like their +150 division odds as well. Even with a tougher schedule this year they still play 6 games vs. the own division where every team (SF, Sea, and Arz) could be worse than last season.

San Diego -9 vs. Minnesota: Betting on Norv and the Bolts early in the season hasn't been a profitable move, but they have to end that streak this season, right? Opening at home vs. a McNabb led team is as favorable as possible and no team benefits more from the change in kickoff position. The law of averages has to favor the SD special teams this season and this offense should average in 30's all season barring major injury to Rivers. Unless Minny turns to Percy Harvin running the Wildcat next to AP I think they will consistently struggle to score points. Diego's win total (10, -140) is a number I usual stay away from, but with the current state of the AFC West even Norv can't screw this up, right? Minny was 6-10 last season and that seems about right this season, so even a total at (7, even) isn't scaring me away. The overs I like in Minny is QB changes, AP carries, and then AP's holdout next offseason.

Dallas + 5 @ NY Jets: For the first time in years the Cowboys seem to be keeping a low profile and that has to be due to new coach Jason Garrett, whereas there is still a lot of noise coming out of Rex Ryan's Jets camp. This is one of the best games of opening weekend and is better than both Monday night games (NE/Miami, Oak/Den). Romo and Dez Byrant are healthy and the Cowboys have depth at running back, if the other Ryan (Rob) can get the Boys D to play decent they should contend in the NFC East and go over their win total (9 + 105). The defense should get a nice start to the season vs. Mark Sanchez and the Jets conservative game plan Sunday night. Meanwhile, the Jets have lost Ellis and Jenkins on the D-line and will continue to rely heavily on an aging LT and an underperforming Shonn Greene. This is a statement game and I like the understated Garrett and his Cowboys to make the biggest statement. The Jets are a trendy Super Bowl pick so that is reason enough to take under (10) at -110.

Questionable Choice, Captain

Golf's President's Cup is a made for TV event that takes place every other year that pits 12 American golfers vs. 12 golfers from an International team (non-European players). It is a money grab for the PGA and their TV partners created to piggyback off the success of the Ryder Cup, but unlike the Ryder Cup that has history and fan support the President's Cup has neither. An International squad that has no country featuring players from Canada to New Zealand is both hard to root for and against. The event has become an "exhibition" in the truest sense as evidenced by rolling over captains and changing the rules mid event when one Cup was ended in a tie which was against the rules at the beginning of the competition. The event becomes even more of an afterthought when like this year it is being played across the globe (Australia) in November. With the golf season long over and American sports fans focused on football and the holidays the ratings for the Cup will be lower than the ratings for any random Kardashian/random overrated NBA player's weeding. Maybe that is why US captain Fred Couples decided to name Tiger Woods to this year's team, hoping that his name only might attract a few more eyes. This would be the same premise as the Baltimore Orioles signing Barry Bonds, so why doesn't Couples just say that. Instead, he tried to explain the move logically, so let's analyze his quotes and how illogical they are.

"There is no reason for me to wait until September 26^th to pick Tiger Woods": Couples is right if the "team" is all about Woods, but in a points system where the top 10 are automatic and Woods is 28^th on the list aren't these next five weeks critical in finding the best players? Outside of the majors the PGA tour has tried to make the Fed Ex Cup the biggest stretch of the season and these so called playoffs start this week for the next four weeks. Why select anyone at this stage when there is so much important golf left in the season? What if Rickie Fowler, Bo Van Pelt, Brandt Snedeker, and Zack Johnson, all ranking from 12^th to 15^th currently in the standings play well over the next four weeks? Isn't that why the Captain was given a deadline after these tournaments, so the best players could be determined on the course? Shouldn't the players still grinding to make the team at least be under the perception that the competition is open for both spots? Maybe replacing Castro in Cuba is a better career option for Freddie.

"He is the best player in the world forever": I am sure Couples still takes trains to tournaments instead of flying, and types on typewriter and has no use for a cell phone, but the world changes and father time is undefeated. Woods is the best player of Couples' generation and still has a chance to pass Nicklaus in majors, but there have clearly been 20 better golfers than Woods over the last two years. Derek Jeter is a first ballot hall of famer, but if you needed to win a game tomorrow would you select him over Troy Tulowitzki? We know now Couples would.

"Is he playing well right now? No, but he almost won the Masters four months ago, so you don't do that by playing poor golf": Woods did play a week of good golf 4 months ago, at the same time Amy Winehouse was getting ready to go on tour and the Dodgers were still in the NL West race. Woods also hurt his knee (again) that week and hasn't been the same since. Couples nailed the condition (4^th place Masters finish), but missed the more important effect (injury). Bo Jackson was one of the best RB's I ever saw play, but after his second hip injury he couldn't compete in a high school game. Keegan Bradley won a major less than a month ago and Jason Dufner almost won, both are higher in points than Woods.

"In my opionon when you're the best player in the world for 12 straight years and you are not on the team, there is something wrong": The only problem is that this 12 year stretch ended 2 years ago. The allure of subjectivity in sports, it is not like Couples has objective numbers to judge Woods' performance on, like how about his scores, finishes and world ranking currently and work backwards over the past two years. Couples is right, there is something wrong, most notably with Wood's game and secondly with his reasoning behind this selection and quote.

"He has responded to that, I am pretty sure you will see him one more time": This quote was in response to a question about Wood's lack of tournament golf from now until November. Didn't Woods have his chance to play more golf last week in the final tournament before the Fed Ex Cup? After playing the previous two weeks and playing poorly he could have gone to Greensboro to play in the Wyndham and try to earn his way into the opportunity to play more tournaments. Other big time players who have struggled this season, most notably Els and Furyk, played last week and took advantage of the opportunity by playing well and getting into the field at the first playoff event this week. A player who was concerned about making the President's Cup team and playing tournament golf would have been in that event.

"I would be shocked if he didn't play well": Is this why Unitas and Namath ended their careers in San Diego, because people just couldn't believe that they couldn't get the job done no matter what the recent evidence showed? So Couples would be shocked if a guy who missed 3 months with another knee injury, played poorly twice since returning from injury and then decided to only play one tournament in three months leading up to November plays poorly? Just wanted to get that straight, at least there is a lot of best ball format.

"I don't know how you can criticize someone for choosing Tiger. I could take the easy way out and just pick 1 through 12": Like most of these quotes Freddie has this one backwards, the easy way out is to pick Tiger because he is a name, draw, and still the most commanding presence in the game. The hard decision is to not take Woods, since you leave yourself open for second guessing by the mainstream media even if he is undeserving. In this case like in most, the right decision is the hard decision and that is to tell Tiger Woods that he is not one of the 12 best American golfers for an event that you are trying to win that begins November 18^th of 2011.

Challenge Finale Odds

In typical MTV fashion they left us with a cliffhanger as last week's Challenge "Rivals" episode ended before the elimination round and we will have to determine the last male team in final 3 at the beginning of the season finale. Overall the season has been good even though the teams that made it to the finals are as predictable as the AL East standings. With that in mind the final "challenge" looks to be evenly matched with most of the big name teams still alive, so let's take a look at each team's odds to win the "grand prize".

Johnny/Tyler (8/1): These two were the big losers during the final male challenge day and their odds reflect that fact. Not only didn't they win and gain immunity and a trip to the Finals, but they lost a vote in which their "friends" forced them into a jungle against CT/Adam while giving Kenny/Wes a pass. Making it this far to face elimination is one thing, but having to beat CT will be quite another and they expressed their outrage after last week's vote. Tyler tried to play the "I expected more from my friends" card, while Johnny thought the voting results were "unfair" since his team won three challenges this season. Don't both arguments amount to Don King complaining that boxing is corrupt? Beating CT/Adam in a jungle and then winning the final challenge seems like too tall of an order even for a team that midseason looked like they could pass Ev/Paula as the team must likely to hook up and Johnny filing suit against "Entourage" over the nickname "Johnny Bananas" doesn't sound like something you would do if you just won $300,000.

Leroy/Mike (5/1): The rookies have been quite a story this year as it looked like Leroy would be eliminated after the first challenge win when his teammate Adam was kicked off the show for fighting, but the producers brought in his less athletic friend in Mike (easily the least athletic male or female in the game) and they are in the finals. Leroy showed his potential in this show with a dominant win in the last challenge which earned the team immunity and a trip to the finals. Anything less than a victory would have forced them into the jungle vs. CT, now they are playing with house money in the finals. Like the D'backs this team has shown their ability to compete and with Leroy as the team's Justin Upton (league MVP canidate) and Mike as the teams Daniel Hudson (better than expected) there is value in these odds. If they can hang around early, get a few puzzles, and Leroy continues his ascent… who knows?

Wes/Kenny (2/1): They were forced into the jungle more times with last place finishes in challenges (2) than they have challenge victories (1) and no player has taken a bigger hit to their challenge reputation than Kenny, but they survived and advanced and a win in the finals would change the discussion. This reminds me of the same talk surrounding the Lakers last year in the playoffs, but Wes/Kenny only need to put together one good final challenge. Teaming these "rivals" together has just made their alliance stronger and they clearly have the most "friends" in the game as the vote last week vs. Johnny/Tyler proved. This team looks desperate with Wes hooking up with Mandi after CT and Kenny crying when Evan was eliminated and selling out former teammate Laurel. Is this the year of karma, and can someone other male team play the role of the Mavs? I hope so.

CT/Adam (2/1): There are a few big factors working against this team. They have to beat Johnny/Tyler in a jungle prior to the finals and Adam continues to be more concerned with whether his competitors like him then trying to win with CT. Having said that, they also have CT, who is the only player who strikes fear in every other team as evidenced by Johnny/Tyler reaction when they had to face him in the jungle (memories of the last challenge are hard to shake). This team had looked strong in every challenge and jungle until last week, but I am betting a physical jungle is just what this team needs to get them ready for the finals. CT is the ultimate wildcard, when focused he is as formidable as an early Tyson, but he is also as unstable and self destructive. I guess that is the combo that makes each as enjoyable to watch, either way it is a good show.

Jenn/Mandi (5/1): They already defied the odds by winning a challenge this year (I had their total at -.5) and the change in format (not paying out 3^rd place) affects them the most, but they have lived up to their lofty reputations this season. Mandi started out strong by hooking up with CT against the mob's wishes and then quickly made the move to Wes after CT moved on. While Jenn told everyone she wasn't interested in Adam even as she hooked up with him every night. I wonder what she does when she really likes someone? Both have had verbal fights with Cara Maria, Jenn one upped her partner by threatening to "murder" her and both know how to play the game of staying out of the jungle. They are modern day Roman women and what they lack in athletic ability they make up for with skinny dipping, stripper dance moves, and body shots. They provide the drama that keeps the season going even if they tend to take a back seat during the final challenge; their best bet is part of the final where they have to team up with a male team.

Laurel/Cara Maria (3/1): In two short challenges both have distinguished themselves, Laurel as one of the best competitors and someone you don't want to cross, and Cara Maria as someone everyone loves to pick on. Laurel came in to this challenge disliking Cara Maria, but has backed her up every time, most notably last week when she made Paula cry in record time and intimidated Wes to back off. Laurel gets my vote for the contestant who could go on to a successful career as a hit man after the show and if she and CT had a baby, the baby would be the real life John Conner. They are the most hated team on the show, but that seems to fuel them, particularly Laurel, and did in their jungle vs. Jasmine/Jonna. They are hated like the Heat, but feed off it in a way that Lebron and Wade were never comfortable doing. My only concern is their inexperience in a final challenge and if Cara Maria will be OK in a final challenge without Abe. When Cara called Abe last week and confirmed that they are still together, it gave me an idea for the next challenge, let's go couples with Wes/Mandi, Brad/Torri, Abe/Cara, Ty/Jasmine, Paula/Mike, Kenny/Johanna, Jenn/Adam, CT/Laurel and I am sure that is more that I am missing. They already have alliances so why not team them up with their love interest?

Ev/Paula (2/1): Paula as a favorite seems like betting on the Cubs, or an American winning a major, but like Keegan Bradley on an unknown leader-board in the PGA, maybe it is Paula's time with Ev as her partner. Ev gets the edge due to her experience and being a "pro" at this game, her work this year with Paula, who is as stable as Michael Beasley might be her best. There shouldn't be much in the final challenge that these veterans haven't seen before and if anyone is due it is Paula, but like Westwood in a major maybe she will want it too much.

Shut Up Stevie

Stevie Williams needs to shut the hell up. Enough is enough. You are a caddy. Saying this past weekend's win at the Bridgestone was the biggest of your career is a load of crap. You are bitter about your much publicized break up from Tiger Woods. We all know a WGC event isn't bigger than winning the majors. You know Tiger better than anyone. You know that once his swing is fixed, just like the last time everyone thought he was done, he will be back near the top. You're just bitter that you can't ride his coattails and get his left over tail.

First off, where do you get the nerve to completely over shadow your new employer Adam "never trust a man with two first names" Scott. You would think, based on the coverage of Williams that he won the tournament. Scott was clearly the best player in the field for most of the week. Unfortunately, it was overshadowed by Stevie's "revenge" over a guy who hasn't played in months. Lucky for Adam he was able to be present for the biggest win of Stevie's career.

Career?

What career? You carry an oversized bag full of clubs around for a living.

How many fairways have you hit?

What is your sand save percentage?

And those 5 footers to save par? Right....

Let's call a spade a spade. You are a good caddy. You won many times on Raymond and Norman's bags, but do you really think that anyone knew, or for that matter, cared who the guy carrying the clubs was? The answer is no.

It wasn't until Tiger that you became a household name. 72 times Tiger reached into the 18th cup and pulled out his Nike ball, took off his cap and smiled victoriously. You were fortunate enough to be behind him in all of those occasions. You were lucky enough to be the guy that got to yell at paying fans to quit taking pictures or talking in Tiger's backswing. A lot of the criticism of those actions were directed at Tiger, but how much of it was you trying to draw attention to yourself. HEY, I'M OVER HERE! IF I YELL AT THESE FANS, I'LL DEFINATELY BE ONE TV. And you were the guy who got to share the screen with the generation's best golfer as the networks showed every single one of Tiger's shots. You owe him your so-called "career."

Yeah so if a casual fan was asked to name a caddy, the odds are that they would name you. However, this doesn't give you the right to run your mouth like you have actually done something. You read putts, carry the bag, and give distances. That's it. On average it is said that a good caddy can save 1 stroke per round. But how many strokes did Tiger save because of his brillance.

Tiger's career was headed down the crapper. He needed a change. He fired Hank Haney. He fired you. Thousands of people get fired everyday. Grow up and accept it. Granted, Tiger could have done it in person, and not over the phone, but this is the same guy that made you a multi-millionaire for simply carrying a bag for 4 days a week. It is what it is. Let it rest. You are financialy set, and you were able to get on the bag of a pretty decent player without any problem. It's Adam Scott, not Briny Baird.

If I was Scott, I'd fire Stevie too. There is no way that a caddy should be a bigger star than the PGA Tour professional. Scott seems like a pretty quiet guy, and the media firestorm that has been following Williams may be too much. If you never watched golf before and based your opinions on media coverage, you would have to think that Stevie won the Bridgestone and is heading into the PGA as a favorite.

How hard would it have been to say, "This was a great win for Adam. I'm thrilled to be on his bag and we are poised to contend week in and week out."

But not for Williams.

Without Tiger, he isn't a star. Not that he ever really was, but without Tiger his face time is exponentially less. He needs to make headlines. He needs to be in the public eye. He's a diva. And obviously his play can't do the talking, so he has to use his mouth.

Tiger's moved on, and now it's time for you to too.

PGA Championship Odds

We finish up the PGA major season with the flagship Championship at the Atlanta Athletic Club in Duluth Georgia. Staying in line with the previous two majors this is another ho-hum course without much distinction. I received Golf Magazine's Top 100 courses edition this week and couldn't find this track in the list of best 100 in the country. One thing we can be sure of is that it will be hot and that the grounds crew will most likely have to water the greens to keep them alive. Along with the course my biggest concern is that this season the PGA plays 3 of their 5 most prominent events in the state of Georgia and has less geographic diversity than NASCAR. I can't be the only person that can't wait for next year's US Open at the Olympic Club outside of San Francisco. As Chubby Chandler managed golfers go for the Slam sweep and USA golf looks to build on the encouraging British Open results and end their record streak of futility below are the odds.

E. Molinari, Allenby, P. Hanson, Overton (125/1): Hanson has a T7 at the US Open on a similar course and has been on the first page of Sunday WGC leaderboards in America giving him some value at this number. With only one major and the Fed Ex Cup left in the season it isn't too early to talk about underachievers and Jeff Overton is in the conversation with only 3 Top 10's this season. The new wave of young players has turned Allenby into an afterthought at the majors and Eddie Mol's seems to be the rare Euro these days that is more comfortable playing the old Euro style which this course is not.

Baddeley and Villegas (100/1): Baddeley has battled back this season with a win and a handful of top 10's, he has the game to contend and win a major and is decent value at triple digits. Villegas is on the list for biggest disappointment this season, with only one top 10 this season, any type of contention this week would be seen as progress, but a MC is more likely.

F. Molinari, Quiros, Stenson, Laird, Oosthuizen (90/1): An interesting group of tier 2 European young players (we are rounding in Stenson's case) all come into the final major with the same odds. Quiros has been a bad round away from contention at two majors this year and seems to be trending in the right direction. I can see Molinari coming out of nowhere to win a major on US soil, but as any new father can tell you your game usually struggles that first year. King Louis looks on the road to Ben Curtis territory, but at least he won at the Old Course and I would need odds to take Stenson over countryman Hanson in a prop this week no matter what these odds say.

Snedeker, B. Haas, Glover, Yang (80/1): Glover and Yang are former major winners who contended at the British and US Open's respectively this year and Sned's and Haas have both had breakout seasons on tour this year. There is value in all four but I would personally rank them Sneds, Haas, Yang, Glover.

Rose, Els, Casey, Karlsson, Clarke (70/1): Clarke deserves the walk just for the parties as he continues to find out what happens when your dream comes true. He hasn't been under par since the win, but I doubt he has thought twice about it. The other four on this list have been major disappointments this season. Karlsson has never achieved anything to underachieve and is a product of a world ranking system only the BCS could love. Casey and Rose join Villegas on the list of the most surprising underachievers this season, Rose won twice last summer and looked on the verge of a major this season and Casey was 2^nd last year in the British and contended for the Fed Ex Cup until the final 9 holes. Els is losing the same battle against father time that Jeter is and the Big Easy is running out of tourney's to get his first T10 of the season.

Goosen, Fisher, Harrington (65/1): Like Els, Goosen and Harrington are getting old at the wrong time with the young players on tour now and a hot "Americanized" course in Georgia in August seems to fit Fisher as well as sobriety does Charlie Sheen.

Poulter, Manassero, O'Hair, Toms (60/1): World golf fans know that Poulter won the World Match Play over Donald and that is all that is keeping him from the Villegas, Casey, Rose list. His results in this county suggest a MC before contention. Manassero looks like a future major winner a few years from now, but his price wouldn't stay this low long. Both Americans have wins this season and Toms won here in '01, while O'Hair won the Canadian Open on a major worthy course.

Choi (45/1), Mahan (35/1), Watson (35/1): All three are capable and all three have played well this season in the spring. Mahan was a top 10 machine until June and Watson won twice before the Masters, both were considered American's best major hope until the actual majors began. All three have value, but that is due to recent play.

McDowell (40/1): No one was playing better than McDowell was at the end of last season, after his US Open victory he contended every time he played and by the time he steamrolled Tiger in his own tournament in November he looked like the best player in the world. So why would he change equipment in the offseason? Since the equipment change he hasn't put together 72 consecutive holes and his confidence has followed his results.

Day and Kuchar (32/1): Very interesting pair at this number, the common sentiment on both after watching them strike the ball is to wonder how they can contend. Their ability to make miles of putts and to grind out shot after shot makes them major contenders. Kuchar doesn't seem like the most competitive guy on tour, but the PGA in his backyard might be the most suitable major he will ever tee it up in. Day has 2^nd place finishes at the Masters and US Open, so a couple good ball striking days could easily make him the next big thing on tour. I like both this week at this number.

Schwartzel, Kim, Fowler, Garcia (30/1): It was nice to see Kim in the conversation again at the British a couple of weeks ago and he is on the verge, but it will probably come at a regular event before a major and Schwartzel is a contender, but one major for the year seems right for him. If you would have told me that Sergio would be at least half the number at the PGA of Villegas, Casey, Rose, and Poulter before the season I would have laughed Dr. Evil style, but he has played well in all three majors and is good value at this number. I feel the same about Fowler; it seems highly unlikely that your first PGA win would come in a major until you watch him play big events. Next to Clarke, Fowler might have had the best British Open as he stared down McIlroy for three days and was a bad putting day from serious Sunday contention.

Stricker, Watney, Scott (25/1): Stricker plays the role of veteran American well and his better majors results are in the PGA, but that was over 10 years ago. Watney has had a breakout year with two wins, but unlike last year when he made all four major cuts and had three T18 finishes this year he has missed 2 of three cuts with a 46^th place finish at Augusta. The jury is still out on him, but there is a big difference between major contender and PGA ATM as Stricker can attest to. No one is hotter than Scott unless you count his caddie and his odds have probably lowered since this number. You would think Steve Williams trains Jedi's after Scott's win last week in Akron, but Scott's fortunes will hinge on the goalie stick putter and few have put together WGC events and majors in back to back weeks.

D. Johnson (20/1): To his credit he probably has the most talent and continues to be a factor in majors, but he also continues to fall short in maddening ways. Whether it is bad decisions, penalty strokes, or out of bounds on the only hole with OB if there is a chance to lose it DJ has. The course should benefit him and his play at the British was mostly encouraging and "if you keep giving yourself chances". Didn't East Lake member coach Dan Reeves have the same Super Bowl philosophy?

Kaymer (18/1): The defending champ looked like a weekly contender after his win at Whistling Straits, but a swing change has left him in a transition state. He was the favorite going into the weekend at the British, but never made noise and looking back at last year it is even more apparent that he backed into the win after Johnson's and Watson's major errors.

Woods (16/1): The wide open state of PGA Tour majors is made apparent in these odds. Woods hasn't won in three years and is in his second week of play after another 2 month leg injury layoff. He hasn't shown the game or health to contend since '08, but is still the 5^th choice on the board? I wonder what Nicklaus' odds would be if he deceided to play?

Donald (12/1): He is the world #1 and has been the best player in the world this year with 3 wins, but after a T4 @ the Masters he hasn't been on a major leaderboard. Toms' victory here in '01 should give him confidence since his game is Tom's 3.0 and a win by him or Westwood would be the final stamp of Euro domination this year.

Westwood (12/1): No European has been closer more times and watching McDowell, McIlroy, and Clarke win majors has to motivate him to the point of obsession. His short game has never been quite good enough, but this venue should favor his shotmaking. Like Donald a win here would be the exclamation point for the Euro's, but like Donald I don't trust him at the end.

Mickelson (10/1): He let one get away at this course in '01, so the course owes him, but with logic like that don't most major venues owe him?

McIlroy (8/1): He is the logical favorite after his romp at the US Open and this course and setup should benefit him as much as someone born in Georgia. He struggled with the conditions at the British and frankly is better suited for play on the PGA tour. He doesn't need to join the PGA tour for anyone or anything, he needs to join because he plays better on "Americanized" course and not the links in Europe.

Tony Larussa; the man who keeps "crying" a part of baseball

What is it about Tony Larussa that makes him such a complaining cry baby? Could it be the lawyer in him, the fact that he ushered in the Steroid era, has managing the second most games in baseball history finally caught up to him, is he frustrated that Pujols is out the door after this year and on the verge of mailing it in this year, disappointed that Colby Rasmus is no longer there to kick around when he gets bored, mad at GM John Mozeliak whose big deadline deals were for Edwin "can't miss a bat" Jackson and Rafael "no birth certificate" Furcal, or maybe he typed his name in Google and the auto fill immediately came up "Tony Larussa's daughter", who is a Raiderette? Whatever it was it boiled over on Tuesday when his Cardinals visited the NL Central leading Brewers in Milwaukee and we all witnessed the annual Larussa in season tantrum.

Tony came to the ballpark Tuesday in a foul mood after his Cards were beaten by the Brewers 6-2 the night before and immediately filed a protest to the MLB offices accusing the Brewers of flashing a light on the LCD board only when the Cards were batting, because come on that has to be the reason Ryan Theriot and Skip Schumaker only have 3 combined HR's and why both are hitting below .275. MLB reviewed the footage before Tuesday's game and with evidence that the flashing light occurred for both teams, dismissed the protest promptly. While I am sure the lawyer in Tony began to immediately work on his appeal Tuesday night's game went on as scheduled.

The game was high scoring back and forth affair until Albert Pujols was hit with a pitch in the 7^th inning. League wide strategy has been to pitch Pujols inside this year and it has been effective as Pujols is hitting a career low .275 (24 HR's, 65 RBI's, .342 OBP, .513 SLG, .855 OPS) in his last year before free agency. Any little leaguer knew that the Brewers weren't intentionally trying to hit Pujols and even Tony admitted after the game he knew it was an accident, but Larussa did go on to say that he is fed up with people pitching inside to Pujols. I guess in Tony's mind pitching inside is a no-no, but when his mid to late 1980's Oakland A's players (most notably McGwire and Canseco) were shooting up steroids in the clubhouse everything was OK. Larussa and his Cards didn't wait long, in the next inning Cards pitcher Jason Motte threw two pitches over, the best player in the NL Central, Ryan Braun's (.324 BA, 21 HR, 73 RBI, .395 OBP, .582 SLG, .977 OPS) head and then hit him square in the back on the next pitch. Larussa was quoted after the game as saying "Yes, we hit Braun intentionally and to send a message". The Brewers fans were understandably upset and some close to the dugout even started yelling at Larussa, after the game Larussa labeled the Brewers fans "idiots" and said some fans made reference to his daughter and to his recent Shingles ailment. This can hardly be the first time the long time manager has been heckled and the fans were forced to leave by Brewers security (I have seen worse heckling in a middle school girls' basketball game). While we are on the subject of "idiot" fans, in Larussa's first spring training game after his DUI (asleep in his car at a stop sign with BAC of .093) the Cardinals fans gave him a standing ovation, stay classy Cards fans!

After the game and primarily due to Larrussa's comments about "idiot" Brewers fans and intentionally hitting Braun, the headline was the bad blood between the Cards and Brewers, but in reality the bad blood is all due to Larussa, just like every instance of bad blood between his teams recently. A few years ago Larussa refused to play Jason Bay in the All Star game, the Pirates only All-Star, due to a beef with the Pirates that season and last year his Cardinals feuded with the Reds over pitching inside. The constant in all of these instances of bad blood is the Cardinals and most notably Tony Larussa, like a child who can't get along with any of his classmates and refuses to reconize that he is the constant in every incident.

Like I said, Larussa has managed the second most games in MLB history and he likes to think he is "old school", but how many "old school" managers would take to the press to go after an opponent's fans and tell the world he hit Braun intentionally? With Pujols halfway out the door and his grip on the division slipping away for good after this season we can only hope Tony follows him and takes his crying with him.