eople's success in life is usually not in a straight line. It can happen in stages or sometimes after years of work and dedication it happens over night. Funny how that works. But one thing is for sure no one is ever on top indefinitely, all athletes have a shelf life especially in sports we see it every day. We are always looking for the new version or the better version or the best version of athletes. As the media crazed society that we are, we are always looking for the label of the best, best now, best ever. Every sport has its icons and people that you hope will never get old but they do, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Gordie Howe, Johnny Unitas, Pele and others dot sports history with careers that will never be equaled. Athletes are under the microscope every day and no matter what they do or how successful they are it's never enough for the black hole they deal with in sports. Usually it's the athlete that tries to hold on too long but recently we have witnessed a change in that scenario. The "Media" just won't let him go. The future of golf is right in front of our eyes with Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Patrick Reed, Keegan Bradley, Rickie Fowler etc. But somehow that just doesn't matter. The golf world was impacted by Tiger Woods in a way that few people have ever impacted a sport. He was a great player who brought the masses to the TV, increased purses and excited the public in a way that few people have ever done. He made money for everyone and maybe there in lies the problem. Tiger Woods is clearly not the player he was and it's obvious he never will be again. Injuries, time and his own brain have gotten in the way of what was an historic career. It's obvious he is literally on the back 9 of his career or even the 18th and what's interesting is the sport seems unwilling to let him go.Tiger was always great press, mostly because he was great. But when the wheels started to fall off on that infamous Thanksgiving weekend he was even hotter. For some reason our "Society" loves to watch someone go from the Penthouse to the Outhouse. Somehow I think that makes people feel less desperate. From that point on Tiger Woods became his own soap opera, and everyone got to watch. How long will it be before he walks on water again? Can he still catch Jack? Does he still have it? What about Elin? How much will he have to pay? Did she really whack him? Etc.Truly a media's dream come true. Well its been awhile now and as things usually do they calm down and things manage to work themselves out one way or another. Elin got paid, Tiger moved on, and even managed a redux of sorts with some more PGA victories. All the while golf's unending question was and still is where's the old Tiger Woods. Part of the question is the answer. He's still here but he's OLD. Old and injured is never a good formula for success especially in sports. Tigers Woods' resume of injuries started about 13 years ago and the list is endless. ACL'S, knee surgeries, back surgery, disk problems, neck problems et al and he's closing in on 40. His last Major win was 7 years ago. He's had his run, one most people could only dream of. Records, fame and fortune have surrounded him forever. No one beats father time. Injuries, age and his constant tinkering with his game have finally taken charge. His recent performances this year missed cuts, short game yips, and especially his 85 at the Memorial and his 1st round 80 at the US Open aren't just red flags they are an embarrassment for a man who became the modern day Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. At Jack's tournament the Memorial he shot the highest 4 day total of his career. There is something wrong when everyone is celebrating when one of the greatest golfers who ever played makes the cut. The same player who set the record for most consecutive cuts made in history.It's like celebrating Babe Ruth at the end of his career for not striking out. Is it possible he can win again ..sure, is it likely not much but "does it really matter Eddie," not really. If he comes back great but why and what are the odds. When Babe Ruth was a ceremonial player with the Boston Braves at the end of his career, he got mad one day and hit three home runs in one game. It still didn't mean he wasn't done..Sunday, June 21, 2015
For Whom the Bell Tolls
People's success in life is usually not in a straight line. It can happen in stages or sometimes after years of work and dedication it happens over night. Funny how that works. But one thing is for sure no one is ever on top indefinitely, all athletes have a shelf life especially in sports we see it every day. We are always looking for the new version or the better version or the best version of athletes. As the media crazed society that we are, we are always looking for the label of the best, best now, best ever. Every sport has its icons and people that you hope will never get old but they do, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Gordie Howe, Johnny Unitas, Pele and others dot sports history with careers that will never be equaled. Athletes are under the microscope every day and no matter what they do or how successful they are it's never enough for the black hole they deal with in sports. Usually it's the athlete that tries to hold on too long but recently we have witnessed a change in that scenario. The "Media" just won't let him go. The future of golf is right in front of our eyes with Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Patrick Reed, Keegan Bradley, Rickie Fowler etc. But somehow that just doesn't matter. The golf world was impacted by Tiger Woods in a way that few people have ever impacted a sport. He was a great player who brought the masses to the TV, increased purses and excited the public in a way that few people have ever done. He made money for everyone and maybe there in lies the problem. Tiger Woods is clearly not the player he was and it's obvious he never will be again. Injuries, time and his own brain have gotten in the way of what was an historic career. It's obvious he is literally on the back 9 of his career or even the 18th and what's interesting is the sport seems unwilling to let him go.Tiger was always great press, mostly because he was great. But when the wheels started to fall off on that infamous Thanksgiving weekend he was even hotter. For some reason our "Society" loves to watch someone go from the Penthouse to the Outhouse. Somehow I think that makes people feel less desperate. From that point on Tiger Woods became his own soap opera, and everyone got to watch. How long will it be before he walks on water again? Can he still catch Jack? Does he still have it? What about Elin? How much will he have to pay? Did she really whack him? Etc.Truly a media's dream come true. Well its been awhile now and as things usually do they calm down and things manage to work themselves out one way or another. Elin got paid, Tiger moved on, and even managed a redux of sorts with some more PGA victories. All the while golf's unending question was and still is where's the old Tiger Woods. Part of the question is the answer. He's still here but he's OLD. Old and injured is never a good formula for success especially in sports. Tigers Woods' resume of injuries started about 13 years ago and the list is endless. ACL'S, knee surgeries, back surgery, disk problems, neck problems et al and he's closing in on 40. His last Major win was 7 years ago. He's had his run, one most people could only dream of. Records, fame and fortune have surrounded him forever. No one beats father time. Injuries, age and his constant tinkering with his game have finally taken charge. His recent performances this year missed cuts, short game yips, and especially his 85 at the Memorial and his 1st round 80 at the US Open aren't just red flags they are an embarrassment for a man who became the modern day Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. At Jack's tournament the Memorial he shot the highest 4 day total of his career. There is something wrong when everyone is celebrating when one of the greatest golfers who ever played makes the cut. The same player who set the record for most consecutive cuts made in history.It's like celebrating Babe Ruth at the end of his career for not striking out. Is it possible he can win again ..sure, is it likely not much but "does it really matter Eddie," not really. If he comes back great but why and what are the odds. When Babe Ruth was a ceremonial player with the Boston Braves at the end of his career, he got mad one day and hit three home runs in one game. It still didn't mean he wasn't done..
eople's success in life is usually not in a straight line. It can happen in stages or sometimes after years of work and dedication it happens over night. Funny how that works. But one thing is for sure no one is ever on top indefinitely, all athletes have a shelf life especially in sports we see it every day. We are always looking for the new version or the better version or the best version of athletes. As the media crazed society that we are, we are always looking for the label of the best, best now, best ever. Every sport has its icons and people that you hope will never get old but they do, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Gordie Howe, Johnny Unitas, Pele and others dot sports history with careers that will never be equaled. Athletes are under the microscope every day and no matter what they do or how successful they are it's never enough for the black hole they deal with in sports. Usually it's the athlete that tries to hold on too long but recently we have witnessed a change in that scenario. The "Media" just won't let him go. The future of golf is right in front of our eyes with Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Patrick Reed, Keegan Bradley, Rickie Fowler etc. But somehow that just doesn't matter. The golf world was impacted by Tiger Woods in a way that few people have ever impacted a sport. He was a great player who brought the masses to the TV, increased purses and excited the public in a way that few people have ever done. He made money for everyone and maybe there in lies the problem. Tiger Woods is clearly not the player he was and it's obvious he never will be again. Injuries, time and his own brain have gotten in the way of what was an historic career. It's obvious he is literally on the back 9 of his career or even the 18th and what's interesting is the sport seems unwilling to let him go.Tiger was always great press, mostly because he was great. But when the wheels started to fall off on that infamous Thanksgiving weekend he was even hotter. For some reason our "Society" loves to watch someone go from the Penthouse to the Outhouse. Somehow I think that makes people feel less desperate. From that point on Tiger Woods became his own soap opera, and everyone got to watch. How long will it be before he walks on water again? Can he still catch Jack? Does he still have it? What about Elin? How much will he have to pay? Did she really whack him? Etc.Truly a media's dream come true. Well its been awhile now and as things usually do they calm down and things manage to work themselves out one way or another. Elin got paid, Tiger moved on, and even managed a redux of sorts with some more PGA victories. All the while golf's unending question was and still is where's the old Tiger Woods. Part of the question is the answer. He's still here but he's OLD. Old and injured is never a good formula for success especially in sports. Tigers Woods' resume of injuries started about 13 years ago and the list is endless. ACL'S, knee surgeries, back surgery, disk problems, neck problems et al and he's closing in on 40. His last Major win was 7 years ago. He's had his run, one most people could only dream of. Records, fame and fortune have surrounded him forever. No one beats father time. Injuries, age and his constant tinkering with his game have finally taken charge. His recent performances this year missed cuts, short game yips, and especially his 85 at the Memorial and his 1st round 80 at the US Open aren't just red flags they are an embarrassment for a man who became the modern day Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. At Jack's tournament the Memorial he shot the highest 4 day total of his career. There is something wrong when everyone is celebrating when one of the greatest golfers who ever played makes the cut. The same player who set the record for most consecutive cuts made in history.It's like celebrating Babe Ruth at the end of his career for not striking out. Is it possible he can win again ..sure, is it likely not much but "does it really matter Eddie," not really. If he comes back great but why and what are the odds. When Babe Ruth was a ceremonial player with the Boston Braves at the end of his career, he got mad one day and hit three home runs in one game. It still didn't mean he wasn't done..
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