Tiger Woods Deserves the Respect of the New Generation: Here's Why

On Monday ESPN reported that Tiger Woods had registered for the 2016 U.S. Open at Oakmont this June.  On the surface this just seems like another precautionary move that Tiger has taken over the last several months to work his way back into the golf world after battling serious back injuries the past couple years.  So what does that really mean? Well, as all true golf fans can only hope, we should see Tiger back out on TOUR at some point this year.  But as the case has been the last two years, we just don’t know when and how Tiger will return. He keeps us talking, that’s for sure. 

Since the start of 2014 Tiger has taken a back seat to rising stars such as Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth.  McIlroy and Spieth both represent the next wave of golf, giving the new generation of fans a couple of superstars to follow, just as Tiger had for those at the turn of the millennium.  I’m sure most of you are aware of Tiger’s mishaps off the course six years ago. While his reputation as an individual was severely tarnished, his on-the-course ability understandably went south...but not for long.  What remained though was a public perception that intertwined Woods’ life on the course and off the course, which simply should not be done in any sport. (To be fair, this piece is written solely within the context of Tiger Woods’ playing career, and I do not condone any of Tiger’s actions years ago.  In fact, I can’t even really call myself a true fan of his.  What I do have though is a deep respect for his ability and contributions to the game of golf.) This new generation only knows Tiger Woods as someone who hasn’t won a major since 2008.  Someone who “sucks.”  Someone who should not be around golf anymore.  The thing with Tiger is, whether you love him or hate him he still commands your attention.

The man deserves your respect.  Here’s why:

1. He was on his own level.

(AP)

In 2015 Jordan Spieth won Player of the Year after a stellar performance, winning two majors (while nearly winning the other two), five events total and a FedEx Cup.  It was a year that for a while no one had really seen or even thought was possible.  Many, including myself, were calling it a “Tiger-esque” year.  Why? Well simply put, it was.  And that alone should speak for just how good Tiger Woods was in his prime.  Oh Jordan won two majors? Try four in a row from 2000-2001, most likely the closest we will ever see to the single year Grand Slam.  In 2000 alone he won nine times. NINE. Three of which were majors. With 14 major victories (2^nd all time) and 79 PGA Tour wins (2^nd all time), Tiger redefined the word dominance in a sport filled with inconsistency and mental struggle.  This is why for years I’ve held the claim that Tiger is the greatest athlete of their sport...of all time.  He wasn’t just good. He was ruthless. He was intimidating.  When the red shirt came out on Sunday, you just knew he was going to win and do something special.

2. He made golf athletic.

(AFP)

To be fair, Gary Player was probably the first golfer to actually incorporate fitness into his career.  But he was not American and so it did not resonate with Americans as well as it should have.  Enter Tiger Woods, putting fitness on the map in the modern world of golf.  There’s a reason why so many guys on tour now look so athletic.  They have Tiger to thank for that, and have shown that a fitness regimen can go a long way in honing muscles used to produce a consistent swing that can lead to lower scores.  No one was working out before Woods came on board and now the out-of-shape ones have become the minority.

3. He revolutionized an industry.

(Nike)

One of my favorite things ever when I’m out on the golf course is hearing 27-handicappers talk about how Nike should get rid of Tiger because “he sucks now.”  Yeah you’re right, Nike really should just get rid of the sole reason they’re in the golf industry.  After all what has he even done?  Oh nothing except to help Nike Golf increase revenue by $380 million over a ten year span.  Nothing except pave the way for future stars like Rory McIlroy, Michelle Wie, and Paul Casey (among others) to carry on the Nike legacy.  It's amazing. Besides that, before shit hit the fan, Tiger’s name was on EVERYTHING.  Razor blades, cars, sports drinks, video games, watches, etc.  Tiger proved that even athletes from a non-major sport like golf could still be highly marketed.

4. He transcended golf norms.

If I’m being honest, I don’t know what Tiger’s entire career would have been like if he was white.  While he was one of the most, if not the most, dominant athletes of his era, it was the fact that he did so as a minority that made it truly special.  While golf had seen a few players of different races, it was still predominantly a white sport.  And his talent paired with his race made him the greatest in his prime. 

Tiger also did things with a golf club no one had ever seen before.  Most guys would usually play conservatively but Tiger embodied the aggressive attitude and attempted, often times pulling off, impossible looking shots.  It was absolutely electric to see what he could do and how much of an advantage he had over the rest of the TOUR by not only having the guts to play miraculous shots, but also having the ability to routinely make them look easy. 

213-yard 6 iron from a fairway bunker over water.  Yawn.

5. He still has some game.

(Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

While he isn’t the player he was in his prime, nor will he ever be, Tiger has shown us signs of life in recent years.  In 2012 and 2013 he won a combined 8 times, including a Players Championship and two World Golf Championships.  Not to mention shooting a 61 to tie his career low round. I really don’t think this is the end for Tiger and I think he can make a comeback.  It all comes down to getting off to a fast start one week and snowballing it into something bigger.  If he can get on a roll, his mental stamina can pair up with his patented swing to still potentially pull out some more wins.  Tiger does not "suck" when he is healthy, as we saw in 2012 and 2013.  His inabilities have come at the hands of back injuries, something that cannot be taken lightly when it is such a crucial part of the golf swing.  To me he has one or two majors left in him that will most likely come at Augusta and/or maybe a PGA Championship. 

P.S. – Came across this one day.  You could drop 1,000 golf balls in front of me and I wouldn’t be able to hit a shot half as pure as this. Vintage Tiger. 

Five Things I'm Tired of Hearing About the 2016 Red Sox

I want to start this off with a massive disclaimer.  I love the Boston Red Sox, more than most things in my life.  We've been through thick and thin and I've stuck by them through it all.  Maybe it's because they always seem to surprise us.  That's why this blog is kind of bittersweet to write. For all that it's worth, I really hope the Sox make the 2016 playoffs.  I really do.  That being said, I wanted to put this together and discuss these issues from a strictly unbiased, baseball perspective. These are things that I have heard and read that I just simply do not think are true. Some of you may find these takes to be rational, others may find them scorching hot. Nonetheless, these are my thoughts on what people have been saying about the 2016 Red Sox.

1. “It’s way too early in the season to judge this team.”

(Bleacher Report)

Well we’re already into the second week of the regular season and the Sox aren’t looking so hot.  Look, I understand that they’ve only played 7 games.  I understand it completely.  But the ghosts of 2014 and 2015 are already starting to creep back into the picture.  Yes, Dave Dombrowski went out and got his guys: David Price, Craig Kimbrel, and Carson Smith.  Yes, Smith hasn’t pitched yet and both Price and Kimbrel have only had one bad outing each (unfortunately on the same day).  But the rest of the rotation and staff are STILL THERE, and guess what? Once again we find them at the bottom of the barrel, ranking 27^th out of 30 in ERA.  They weren’t just going to magically go away or turn into aces.  This isn’t about this season; this is about the last three out of four years in which the Sox have finished dead last. Any average fan will say that 2012, 2014 and 2015 were fluke years.  Any true fan will tell you that 2013 was the fluke year.  They were not supposed to win the World Series that year but a lot of things just fell their way.   While the 2016 offense has been outstanding, a team cannot be built so that a lineup bails out pitching every night.  It didn’t work last year and it won’t work this year.  Fans have every right to judge this team because the trends are so visible and they have seen what happened and what can continue to happen. As I’ve said before, this is not a playoff team this year but next year should be a much different story when all of this young talent really breaks out.

2. “The Red Sox overpaid for David Price.”

(Winslow Townson/Associated Press)

I really dislike that word in the context of baseball.  Overpaid.  People watch Moneyball one time and all of a sudden they think every team should follow Billy Beane.  Listen, Billy Beane "underpaid" because that was all he had.  Oakland was and still is a SMALL MARKET team.  The Red Sox are a LARGE MARKET team.  This is exactly what blows my mind.  The team needed an ace, and preferably wanted the one who had the most experience and the most success in the AL East, not to mention Fenway as well.  David Price was going to make this type of money no matter where he signed.  The beauty (or flaw depending on your own opinion) of the MLB is that there is no salary cap.  Why would any team who could afford a big time player not go ahead and spend what they can in order to get their guy?  They did not overpay.  They paid him for his dominance in a division they’ve only won twice in the last 20 years.  Furthermore, why are fans so up tight about what teams spend? Higher salaries do not lead to higher ticket prices. In order to get back to a winning season, you have to pay for someone you can build and anchor your staff around.

3. “You can’t really blame John Farrell.”

(USATSI)

The hell I can’t!  Listen, I will always remember 2013 when Farrell led the Sox to a championship in his first year as their manager.  That truly was a special, special year.  But John’s time is up—he has to go.  Farrell is such a poor in-game manager, especially for a team so dependent on its offense right now.  Yes, the moves to start Holt and Shaw have paid off.  But instances such as his inefficient use of the bullpen and substituting Chris Young for Travis Shaw (who has more success against lefties than Young) to face lefties have only compounded his previous record of two straight last place seasons.  The 2013 Red Sox were a team filled with experienced veterans, similar to other teams Farrell had been around in his career up to that point.  Now, the team is much younger and his style of “veteran” leadership has not translated well to on-field success over the last couple of seasons, including 2016.  It’s time for a change, and I think that change is bench coach Torey Lovullo.

4. “The Sox should trade Blake Swihart.”

(Unknown)

Why? Trade the organization’s best offensive homegrown catcher in who knows how long?  To me it makes no sense.  Everyone ripped into Swihart last night after he misplayed a foul ball that would have prevented a game-tying home run. People also constantly denounce his ability to call a game.  Swihart is still very young, and this rotation is filled with veterans (for the time being) who should have the presence of mind to shake him off here and there if they don’t agree on pitches.  The rotation was just as poor last year when he was not the everyday catcher.  Yes, Christian Vazquez is a better defensive catcher and will take over a large workload when he returns.  But for now, I just don't view trading a top-10 hitting catcher in the MLB as the answer. 

5. “Trade Pablo Sandoval for some pitching.”

(Jim Davis/Boston Globe)

Yeah, this might’ve worked a few months ago.  Not now.  Sandoval has pretty much sunken every ounce of value he had left in him with a miserable (and embarrassing) start to the season.  A lot of offseason talk surrounded a possible trade for James Shields as the Padres had been eyeing Sandoval closely.  But with Pablo on the bench making very little of his opportunities, most teams including San Diego have shied away from acquiring him.  A recent shoulder injury certainly hasn't made him any more attractive either.  Unfortunately, Sandoval just isn’t worth enough for the Red Sox to land another pitcher to help boost the staff and at this point it might be best to just release him to free up a roster spot, even though his guaranteed money would have to be eaten.

My Five Takeaways from the 2016 Masters

What a tournament.  Every year the Masters is always such a great event to watch, no matter how much of a golf fan you might be.  Whether you happened to watch the 2016 Masters or not, this should help sum most of the important things up.  Here are my top five takeaways from this week.

5. Augusta responded.

(Golf Channel)

Last year, the winning score relative to par was -18.  This year? -5.  After Jordan Spieth blitzed the field in a wire-to-wire win in 2015, Augusta National surely did not want to be embarrassed again.  Gusting winds provided all sorts of trouble for the players over the first three days, and while conditions settled on Sunday, only a few were able to post low rounds. Tough hole locations and colder temperatures yielded no sub-70 rounds on Friday as well.  It was clear after watching this year’s event that many of the world’s best players simply could not figure out the course, including the top three: Jason Day, Jordan Spieth, and Rory McIlroy.  While Spieth’s opening round-64 eliminated most of the dramatics in 2015, higher scores caused by tough conditions made for a much more entertaining finish this year (more on that in a bit).

4. No Grand Slam for McIlroy yet.

(Getty Images)

As I mentioned before, Rory was my pick to win the Masters this year.  It felt like his time to finally complete the career grand slam and become just the sixth player to do so.  Early on he looked to be in great position, and a hot finish on Friday afternoon propelled him into the final pairing on Saturday.  McIlroy failed to make a birdie on Saturday though, leading to a 77 that pretty much dropped him out of any real contention on Sunday.  McIlroy played very solidly throughout the tournament, but was plagued by a recurring theme of simply not being able to get any momentum going.  At the end of the day, McIlroy still found his way into the Top 10 for the third straight year, which should continue to boost his confidence at Augusta. Maybe next year?

3. The back nine on Sunday NEVER disappoints.

(Gomattolson)

I’m going to be honest. For about nine holes on Sunday the Masters was really not that interesting at all.  Jordan Spieth opened up a significant lead heading into the back nine.  More specifically on Jordan in a bit, but WHAT A BACK NINE.  At one point I couldn’t even begin to guess who would walk away with the Green Jacket. Even Lee Westwood, who was +3 heading into the weekend, sniffed a potential victory after making a clutch eagle on 15, producing just one of many fantastic shots we saw on Sunday afternoon. (How about three aces on 16?!? Insane.)  The dramatics that played out over the last nine holes on Sunday gave all of us a degree of entertainment we really hadn’t seen at Augusta since Adam Scott’s playoff victory in 2013.

P.S. Thank God Bubba Watson did not win this year.  Might not have been able to live with myself. True golf fans will agree with me.

2. Say hello to Danny Willet!

(David Cannon/Getty Images)

Danny Willet is certainly not a household name to many average fans.  Willet came into this year’s Masters ranked 12^th in the world but had not previously won in the United States.  So to big golf fans like myself, Willet’s victory is not a complete shock if you view it strictly from the perspective of his play and ability.  Willet fired a bogey-free 67 (-5) on Sunday that tied for the best round of the day.  Often times the man who plays the best round on Sunday will come away with the Green Jacket and Willet, who did just that, certainly deserved this victory.  In my opinion Willet’s tournament winning shot came on the par-4 17^th hole after he tugged his approach shot long and left of the green, the one place you did not want to miss.  Facing a mid range chip shot that started uphill and eventually ran straight downhill, Willet brilliantly coasted his ball a couple feet below the hole to save par.  He played his last six holes in 3 under par.  That's good. On Sunday at the Masters? That's great. Danny Willet becomes just the second English player to win the Masters, following Sir Nick Faldo.

1. Jordan Spieth collapses. 

(Getty Images)

As I was watching Spieth rattle off his fourth straight birdie to close out the front nine, I thought to myself—there are not enough words to describe it.  He was poised to win back to back Masters, and his third major overall, at just 22 years old.  Then disaster struck, and again I thought ironically to myself—there are not enough words to describe it.  Seriously.  What happened? After bogeys on 10 and 11, Spieth came to the infamous Par-3 12^th hole and found the water not once, but twice to card a quadruple bogey 7.  He stood on the 10^th tee with a five shot lead, and walked off the 12^th green trailing by three. Here’s what I can’t fathom. Why why WHY did Spieth choose to go after such a dangerous hole location on 12 while he still held the lead?  It was very uncharacteristic of him to make such a poor decision, especially since he had clearly been battling his swing all week.  He was certainly not playing at the level he played at last year, as we saw in his bogey-double bogey finish on Saturday.  But that’s what separates Jordan from the pack.  He does not excel at any part of his game, but he is good enough at each aspect, and smart enough, to consistently put together solid rounds; his ability to recover from mistakes is almost unparalleled.  And I know he came back with a pair of birdies down the stretch but this collapse will most certainly stick with him for a while.  As a fan of both Spieth and the game of golf, I wish for his sake that he can recover as best as he can and put together another great season. 

Five BOLD Predictions for the 2016 MLB Season

Well Opening Day is today and I couldn’t be more excited.  It’s honestly the worst when such a fantastic spectacle like playoff baseball has to end so suddenly and leave people in the dark for the next five months.   Especially since the 2015 MLB postseason was one for the books.  Now as we look forward to 2016 there are obviously a lot of story lines to follow, some crazier than others.  What I wanted to do here was just have a little fun and look at five slightly possible, but highly improbable things that could happen in 2016. But probably not.  So here it is, the bold (and I mean bold) predictions blog for the 2016 MLB season. Enjoy.

1. Josh Donaldson wins the American League Triple Crown.

(Ben Margot/Associated Press)

It hasn’t been done since 2012.  Before that it hadn’t been done since 1967.  But how can I put it past someone on such an offensively charged lineup as the Toronto Blue Jays? During his MVP season last year, Donaldson led the AL in RBI’s while finishing tied for third in home runs and just falling outside the top ten in batting average.  Not to mention leading in both total runs and total bases while finishing second in slugging.  With the Jays having such an offensive force, Donaldson could continue his massive production in 2016 and come out on top in all three triple crown categories.

2. The Chicago Cubs don’t win the NL Central. 

(Chicago Cubs)

This is almost too incredible to talk about but I feel like it’s necessary. Have the Cubs suddenly gone from underrated to overhyped?  You would think not, and personally I don’t have an answer but a team this young and this good has not been in this kind of position in a while.  Last year the Cubs pieced together a season unlike anything many of us had ever seen, fueled by a very young and talented (and HEALTHY) group of guys.  And this year they still have their core players along with a strengthened rotation. But now everyone is picking them to win the division, and we can’t be so sure of how they’ll react this season.  Don’t forget, the team hasn’t won a pennant in over 70 years and to throw such high expectations all of a sudden on a team that's thrived off of being the underdog may prove to negatively affect them. We’ll see.

3. Giancarlo Stanton hits 60 home runs.

(Charles LeClaire, USA Today Sports)

The guy can rake and we all know it.  And when he’s healthy, good Lord.  The steroid era has been safely left in the rearview so the days of 65-70 home run seasons (sadly) are extinct.   But go back to last year, when Stanton suffered a broken hand on June 29 that pretty much ended his season.  Up to that point he had already mashed 27 home runs...in just 74 games.  Now that he’s ready to play this season he should be eager to do what he does best: light up pitchers.  If he stays healthy, Stanton is capable of reaching the 60-home run mark, something that hasn’t been done since Barry Bonds set the single season record of 73 in 2001.

4. The Cleveland Indians win the AL Central. 

(Peter Aiken, Custom)

While their offense is by no means up to par with Kansas City, especially since Michael Brantley will start the season on the DL, their rotation will prove to be their most valuable asset.  Last season Corey Kluber backed up his 2014 Cy Young campaign by finishing third in the AL in strikeouts, fourth in strikeouts per nine innings, and first in complete games.  His 9-16 record was not indicative of how well he pitched last season.  Following Kluber will be Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar, two very good and very capable arms.  Corrasco averaged over 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings in 2015 and finished fifth in total strikeouts.  Salazar pieced together a steady 14 wins in his first full season in the MLB.  When Brantley comes back, he will add to an already dynamic top of the lineup in Jason Kipnis and Francisco Lindor, with Carlos Santana offering protection from the cleanup spot.  Additions of Mike Napoli and Juan Uribe will help make the club balanced and poised to give Kansas City a run this year.

5. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim fire Mike Scioscia.

(Kevin Sullivan)

Has there been a bigger bust in all of baseball over the last five years or so?  The Angels were STACKED back in 2012 but failed to make the playoffs.  Some of the names on that 2012 team? Oh just Mike Trout, Mark Trumbo, Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton, Howie Kendrick, Zack Greinke, Garret Richards, and CJ Wilson. To name a few.  One division title, also the only playoff appearance (in which they were swept), since 2009 should make Angels fans pretty restless considering the AL West, until recently, was a fairly weak division.  Being a large market team, the Angels have no hesitation spending big money but Scioscia’s recent inability to consistently find the postseason with that money might send him packing.

While these scenarios are interesting to think about, at least in my opinion, they are still pretty unlikely.  You may disagree with some or even all of them.  Hell, even I disagree with some! Like I said before though, this blog was just meant to have some fun with some situations before the season got underway.  Who knows? Maybe one or two of them may happen.  Enjoy the 2016 season.  Baseball is back. It’s about freakin’ time.