Saturday, February 14, 2009
I am returning
Tiger Woods, who has been of the course for a while with a torn ACL, could be in the PGA Tour next month. Additionally, Woods recently celebrated the birth of his second child, Charlie Axel Woods.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Wings fly past Wild 4-2
The Detroit Red Wings defeated the Minnesota Wild 4-2 last night, putting them within one point of the San Jose Sharks, who currently lead the Western Conference.
Goals were scored by Mikael Samuelsson, Jiri Hudler, Kris Draper, and Villie Leino. Marian Hossa led the way with two assists.
Chris Osgood looked much more like his old self, saving 21 of 23 shots to allow just two goals, one of which came on a very long 5-on-3 penalty kill. Osgood's improvement is coming mainly from the crucial fact that he is much more relaxed than he was earlier in the season. Entering the season, Osgood had too much on his mind about breaking records, winning another cup, yada yada yada. The rough start made him panic and become even worse. But Ozzie has finally realized that the best cure is to be relaxed and calm.
The victory creates more momentum for both Osgood and the Wings in general. Now that that rough strech is out of the way, they can back to playing solid hockey.
Goals were scored by Mikael Samuelsson, Jiri Hudler, Kris Draper, and Villie Leino. Marian Hossa led the way with two assists.
Chris Osgood looked much more like his old self, saving 21 of 23 shots to allow just two goals, one of which came on a very long 5-on-3 penalty kill. Osgood's improvement is coming mainly from the crucial fact that he is much more relaxed than he was earlier in the season. Entering the season, Osgood had too much on his mind about breaking records, winning another cup, yada yada yada. The rough start made him panic and become even worse. But Ozzie has finally realized that the best cure is to be relaxed and calm.
The victory creates more momentum for both Osgood and the Wings in general. Now that that rough strech is out of the way, they can back to playing solid hockey.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Two Heroes Fallen
Thus far, 2009 has not been a good year for sports. At least not for the heroes. Once again, we have experienced dissapointment from that area.
Recently, Olympian Michael Phelps was caught smoking marijuana at party. To follow up Phelps's miscue, word got out that Alex Rodriguez had failed the 2003 steriod test. Though both apologized later, each has left a stain on the sports world.
Phelps's case is bad for sports in general because Olympians have generally had a knack for being better role models than players in the MLB, NFL, and NBA. Now, their answer to Tom Brady has fallen from his pedestal. This isn't the first time that Phelps has screwed up either. Following the 2004 Athens Olympics, he was caught drinking underage. Fans may not find it easy to forgive him a second time.
A-Rod's story is bad mainly for baseball. It seems to be the finishing blow for a battle against steriods that baseball was losing for a long time. It started with McGwire and Sosa. Then along came Bonds, Palmeiro, and others. Things got really bad when the Mitchell Report stated that over 100 players failed the test. In all this, A-Rod was supposed to be the exception, the defender of the Clean Age. Now we know he is no better than the rest.
The lone bright spot in all this is that both players came out the right way. A-Rod knew that it was easier to confess and be forgiven (Thank you, Jason Giambi), then continually deny what everyone knows to be true (Hello, Barry Bonds). Phelps did the same. Hopefully they have learned from their mistakes.
Recently, Olympian Michael Phelps was caught smoking marijuana at party. To follow up Phelps's miscue, word got out that Alex Rodriguez had failed the 2003 steriod test. Though both apologized later, each has left a stain on the sports world.
Phelps's case is bad for sports in general because Olympians have generally had a knack for being better role models than players in the MLB, NFL, and NBA. Now, their answer to Tom Brady has fallen from his pedestal. This isn't the first time that Phelps has screwed up either. Following the 2004 Athens Olympics, he was caught drinking underage. Fans may not find it easy to forgive him a second time.
A-Rod's story is bad mainly for baseball. It seems to be the finishing blow for a battle against steriods that baseball was losing for a long time. It started with McGwire and Sosa. Then along came Bonds, Palmeiro, and others. Things got really bad when the Mitchell Report stated that over 100 players failed the test. In all this, A-Rod was supposed to be the exception, the defender of the Clean Age. Now we know he is no better than the rest.
The lone bright spot in all this is that both players came out the right way. A-Rod knew that it was easier to confess and be forgiven (Thank you, Jason Giambi), then continually deny what everyone knows to be true (Hello, Barry Bonds). Phelps did the same. Hopefully they have learned from their mistakes.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Once again...
Hey everyone, this is the sports Schwab. Looks like I made the right pick for the Super Bowl. That makes me 4 for my last 4. Don't mess with the master.
Steelers defeat Cardinals
On Sunday we saw more than just a Super Bowl. We saw what may have been the greatest Super Bowl of all time.
The game started with Pittsburgh dominance. Then Arizona got pesky. It looked like they would definitely tie it or take the lead when, out of the blue, James Harrison intercepted the ball and ran 100 yards for a touchdown. Then Arizona got pesky again.
But Pittsburgh stormed back, and finished with an amazing touchdown catch by Santonio Holmes.
So what makes this the greatest of 'em all? Here I list the five ingredients to a perfect commercial.
1. Score in unique ways Both teams did this. It started in the second quarter when linebacker James Harrison intercepted a pass inside the endzone and ran 100 yards for a touchdown. How many linebackers can run 100 yards for a touchdown? Heck, how many linebackers can run 100 yards at all? Not many. And, oh yeah, it's not everyday you see a pick-six.
Arizona did the same when they scored on a safety when Pittsburgh had the ball. A safety? When's the last time there was a safety in the Super Bowl? We're lucky to see one safety a week. But the Cardinals got one. Granted, it happened because of a holding penalty, but a safety's still a safety.
2. Prevent the expected with the unexpected One thing that we as humans love is being surprised. Nothing quite gets us going the same way as a surprise.
A prime example of this happening came during a Pittsburgh drive late in the fourth quarter. First, it looks like they're gonna score a touchdown. Then it's 4th down and we're thinking field goal. All of sudden Arizona gets flagged, and we're back to expecting a touchdown. To cap it off, they got stopped and ended up kicking a field goal anyway.
The James Harrison pick-six is another good example. Following an interception it's first and goal.It looks like the Cardinals are about to tie, if not win, it. Then, out of nowhere, Harrison picks it off and scores for the Steelers instead.
If that stuff isn't surprising, I don't know what is.
3.Have big plays It's always good to see something jaw-dropping happen in the game. The great part is, it only takes a second to happen, so it pretty much comes from nowhere.
Where to start in this game? Harrison's pick-six? What about Larry Fitzgerald's big run? Or how 'bout that miracle grab by Santonio Holmes.
Don't forget about Big Ben evading defenders, what, six or seven times in the game? (eat your heart out, Eli Manning)
4. Go back and forth This may be the biggest factor of them all. Nothing is more crucial than making sure this happens. People hate seeing a one-sided matchup. What we love is a game where it's unclear which team will finish on top.
We saw this throughout the game Sunday. First it was Pittsburgh dominance. Then, a touchdown and an interception later, The Cardinals appeared to have the edge. They were about to either tie it or take the lead late in the first half. Plus, they'd get the ball first in the second half. Then Harrison intercepted it and ran for a touchdown, making it a two-score game, and we were back to Pittsburgh dominance.
But Arizona fought it off. Trailing 20-14 late in the fourth, they got a safety against the Steelers, making it 20-16 and giving them possesion. All of sudden, Arizona's on fire again. This continued with Fitzgerald's long TD run, which gave them a 23-20 lead.
But Pittsburgh stormed back. With less than 3 minutes left, Ben Roethlisberger led an aerial assualt downfield, which ended in a Santonio Holmes touchdown and, ultimately, a victory.
Comebacks are a big part of the game. We all love seeing these last-moments-magic.
5.Finish with a bang, and some history This is a big reason why this Super Bowl gets the edge over last year's shocker.
Holmes's catch and Tyree's were both good, but keep in mind that Holmes's was the game-winning touchdown.
But the bigger part of this is the history. Where was it in SBXLII? Brady and Co. failed, right? This year, however, the Steelers won a sixth Super Bowl-the most ever. Not to mention Mike Tomlin became the the youngest coach to win the Super Bowl, and Big Ben was one of the youngest quarterbacks to win multiple Super Bowls. What's the Super Bowl without some history? Not much.
The game started with Pittsburgh dominance. Then Arizona got pesky. It looked like they would definitely tie it or take the lead when, out of the blue, James Harrison intercepted the ball and ran 100 yards for a touchdown. Then Arizona got pesky again.
But Pittsburgh stormed back, and finished with an amazing touchdown catch by Santonio Holmes.
So what makes this the greatest of 'em all? Here I list the five ingredients to a perfect commercial.
1. Score in unique ways Both teams did this. It started in the second quarter when linebacker James Harrison intercepted a pass inside the endzone and ran 100 yards for a touchdown. How many linebackers can run 100 yards for a touchdown? Heck, how many linebackers can run 100 yards at all? Not many. And, oh yeah, it's not everyday you see a pick-six.
Arizona did the same when they scored on a safety when Pittsburgh had the ball. A safety? When's the last time there was a safety in the Super Bowl? We're lucky to see one safety a week. But the Cardinals got one. Granted, it happened because of a holding penalty, but a safety's still a safety.
2. Prevent the expected with the unexpected One thing that we as humans love is being surprised. Nothing quite gets us going the same way as a surprise.
A prime example of this happening came during a Pittsburgh drive late in the fourth quarter. First, it looks like they're gonna score a touchdown. Then it's 4th down and we're thinking field goal. All of sudden Arizona gets flagged, and we're back to expecting a touchdown. To cap it off, they got stopped and ended up kicking a field goal anyway.
The James Harrison pick-six is another good example. Following an interception it's first and goal.It looks like the Cardinals are about to tie, if not win, it. Then, out of nowhere, Harrison picks it off and scores for the Steelers instead.
If that stuff isn't surprising, I don't know what is.
3.Have big plays It's always good to see something jaw-dropping happen in the game. The great part is, it only takes a second to happen, so it pretty much comes from nowhere.
Where to start in this game? Harrison's pick-six? What about Larry Fitzgerald's big run? Or how 'bout that miracle grab by Santonio Holmes.
Don't forget about Big Ben evading defenders, what, six or seven times in the game? (eat your heart out, Eli Manning)
4. Go back and forth This may be the biggest factor of them all. Nothing is more crucial than making sure this happens. People hate seeing a one-sided matchup. What we love is a game where it's unclear which team will finish on top.
We saw this throughout the game Sunday. First it was Pittsburgh dominance. Then, a touchdown and an interception later, The Cardinals appeared to have the edge. They were about to either tie it or take the lead late in the first half. Plus, they'd get the ball first in the second half. Then Harrison intercepted it and ran for a touchdown, making it a two-score game, and we were back to Pittsburgh dominance.
But Arizona fought it off. Trailing 20-14 late in the fourth, they got a safety against the Steelers, making it 20-16 and giving them possesion. All of sudden, Arizona's on fire again. This continued with Fitzgerald's long TD run, which gave them a 23-20 lead.
But Pittsburgh stormed back. With less than 3 minutes left, Ben Roethlisberger led an aerial assualt downfield, which ended in a Santonio Holmes touchdown and, ultimately, a victory.
Comebacks are a big part of the game. We all love seeing these last-moments-magic.
5.Finish with a bang, and some history This is a big reason why this Super Bowl gets the edge over last year's shocker.
Holmes's catch and Tyree's were both good, but keep in mind that Holmes's was the game-winning touchdown.
But the bigger part of this is the history. Where was it in SBXLII? Brady and Co. failed, right? This year, however, the Steelers won a sixth Super Bowl-the most ever. Not to mention Mike Tomlin became the the youngest coach to win the Super Bowl, and Big Ben was one of the youngest quarterbacks to win multiple Super Bowls. What's the Super Bowl without some history? Not much.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
The Story of Banana Man
So, Nadal beat Federer again. You're probably wondering where I pull "Banana Man" from. The story is that during a quarterfinal game back during Wimbledon, Nadal took a break to eat a banana. The result? His game improved greatly. Later, shortly before the Nadal/Federer classic, I was asked who I picked to win. Answer? Banana Man.
I win Again
Well, it happened just how I expected: Nadal beat Federer. Is this not enough evidence that you should never doubt the Master?
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