The Greatest

Zona in, IU robbed at an 8 seed, Tiger absolutely unconscious. Those three statements basically summed up my Sunday; an absolutely unreal finish from the greatest golfer of all time (right after I was done arguing to my brother why I watched him...great vindication), my favorite team getting in the tournament (which was really nerve racking), and the place that I go getting owned in the seeding. Oh well, that's about all I can say about all of that, except for Tiger.

Tiger was absolutely incredible at the closing 18th in Orlando. It honestly makes me wonder if anyone in the past could ever compete with him, and if anyone in the future ever will, too. I mean honestly, look at the man, 32 years old, all of those 64 wins and 13 majors. He's going to pass the Golden Bear soon enough in Majors and he'll most definitely reach Sam Snead's total record of 82 PGA Tour wins by the end of his run. It's truly a blessing to be able to watch greatness in front of your eyes, and I personally am glad that I have followed him quite closely since his '97 Masters domination. It's almost the same as hearing from my Dad about watching Walter Payton or Michael Jordan throughout their whole careers; he always said that he wished I would have been able to see them all the way though.

Going on with greatness, the more you think about it, how often have you actually seen someone or something that could not be duplicated for such a long period of time? I have often said that we will see basketball players that will be more talented and some even more driven than Michael Jordan, but will they ever be regarded that way? Everyone is so quick to say that Kobe or Lebron is the next Jordan, but will they actually ever give them that credit if they reach that level? I am pretty confident that Lebron will end up with better stats and possibly even more titles than Jordan's 6, but in the end, so many people are obsessed with what MJ did, that I do not think Lebron James will be regarded as the better player. And you know what, even if I do disagree with them, I guess that is fine, as long as those same people realize that what they are seeing is truly different than anything Michael or any other player could ever do.

Now in the end for me, it all comes back to Tiger. I guess that is because he is the legend that I grew up with. I am sure it's different for everyone, but it is always someone who you felt like you could associate with best. I know when I get old, that Tiger Woods will start and end all conversations about who the most amazing athlete I ever saw was. Call me shallow for ending it there, but there is something you need to know. The most impressionable years in someone's life are through the teenage years, and with me being just out of those years, the man who has most impacted my sports life has been Mr. Woods. I can only hope that he keeps up the amazing streak he is in the process of as we all speak.

So, in the end of this long bothersome blog, I know I can always count on Tiger to show me something I have never seen before. And I guess all I can wish for all of you is the same ability to see something that truly blows you away, and makes you remember why we have all of these competitions in the first place.


Song of today - "Intervention" by The Arcade Fire. This is a song that I can say that I honestly really enjoy. I am not sure how to really put it into words, I love it so much. Maybe I am nuts, maybe this band is actually tremendous. I guess it's up to you and the rest of the world.