Some individual athlete talk...

First thing is first:
PGA Tour Player of the Year, Tiger Woods vs. Padraig Harrington:
Is it really that close of a discussion? I'm very... satire when it comes to Tiger Woods. Possibly because he is my favorite athlete in all of the world. And by far the most impressive (Okay, I can't say by far anymore because of Mr. Phelps). However, lets break down the stats (statistical help provided by PGATOUR.com).

Padraig: 12 events played, 11 cuts made, 2 victories (The Open Championship, PGA Championship). He has a 70.64 scoring average and is 4th in the FedEx Cup standings. Half of the major championships aren't too bad. However, he has no runner up performances. Padraig has definitely taken a stand in the absence of Tiger... not saying that Tiger was a lock to win these tournaments, though. But I mean, come on, Paddy had to take charge of who to win the PGA? Sergio. 'Nuff said.

Tiger: 6 events played, 6 cuts made, 4 victories (U. S. Open Championship, Arnold Palmer Invitational, WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, Buick Invitational). In the 6 events he's been healthy enough to play, he's not come in any worse than 5th. He hasn't played since the beiginning of June and is still in first in the FedEx Cup standings, with a scoring average of 68.90. Almost 2 full strokes lower than Paddy's. I know what you're saying, "He hasn't played enough this season.." Because he's been hurt, right? So if he was healthy all year, he would've played... 10 events? The Open Championship, the PGA, TPC, and the Memorial. And, not taking away from Padraig's amazing achievement of winning 2 majors in one year... but what Tiger did at the U. S. Open was absolutely amazing. One of the greatest sport-injury moments ever. Think Kurt Gibson and Willis Reed.

Padraig has had an amazing year, and if he carries this into next season, then maybe he will lock up the POY next year. However, I think the choice is pretty simple. Not only is Tiger the good sentimental selection, he is the right smart selection.

Olympic news:
Phelps going for gold medal 6 tonight. Dude is absolutely amazing. He's usually in the water, done with the race, dried off, sitting on the side of the pool with his feet dangling in the water, shining his medal and chomping a Powerbar before his opponents finish. Possibly the greatest Olympian of all time, and if he actually runs the table and wins all 8 of these medals, I will take the possibly away from that statement. He will be the greatest athelte of all time.

American James Blake upsets Swiss (and world number 1) Roger Federer (from USA Today-Sports). So, after being on top of the world since the beginning of 2004, R. Fed cannot buy a big win. Just when it looked as if Federer and soon-to-be new world number 1 Rafael Nadal, Federer falls on his face. Which, might be all the better because if he would've lost to Nadal, again, it may have just ended his career.

But, James Blake is not exactly the most proven. So, now what? Is Federer done? Just like that? I'm not so sure that he is, but it sure is beginning to appear that way. If it is so (and after a run like this, it always feels wierd) then I say, a job well done. Drift off into the sunset as one of the best tennis players to have ever played the game and take your seat next to Borg, McEnroe, and Connors.

That's all I've got to drone about today. Besides, I think my coworkers are tired of hearing me burn up this keyboard. I get into it. Until next time...