Top ten reasons to love the Masters
Below are some of reasons everyone should watch the Masters.
10. The flowers-Wow is all that can be said. The same is true of the grass. Any of us who play in the yard are jealous.
9. Tiger Woods- No matter where he plays Tiger draws attention. No where is that more true than in Augusta even in 38th place like this year.
8. Tradition. There are so many things but one symbolizes the event. That is the ceremonial tee off of legends of the game. This year Arnie and Jack hit the first balls. Greats like Byron Nelson and Sam Snead have done it in the past. One can only imagine who might do it in the future. Awesome.
7. The crowds. You have to love what are affectionately known as the Masters roars. Probably the greatest display of fan behavior ever.
6. The underdog. Jack in 1986, Freddy this year, it just seems someone emerges each year as a crowd favorite. Usually it is someone who has faded into the history books until they make that trip down Magnolia Lane.
4. The green jacket. Probably the most recognizeable symbol of victory in any sport. Even the Stanley cup or Lombardi trophy do not match it.
3. History. A book on the history of the game could be written without leaving the historic grounds of Augusta National.
2. Jim Nantz and friends. Nothing in the world of sports broadcasting comes close to the job these guys do each April.
1. Just because it is the Masters. That is reason enough
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Pack should be in
I doubt seriously anyone on the committee that will decide who is in the NCAA tournament will read this but this is my place to put in my two sense and there is no reason N.C. State should not be in the field to play for the national title. They have proven to be in the top 64 teams in the country. If they are not in it is going to be an injustice.
They should be in because they have showed they can play with anyone in the country. They dominate Duke but couldnt finish the job. They nearly beat UNC today and those efforts need to be recognized. They beat Texas and made it to the semifiinals of the ACC tournament.
If they are not in State fans need to accept a place in the NIT tournament. Growing a program takes time and for the first time since Herb Sendek was on the sidelines there is hope. I just hope Coach Gotts doesn't end up in the same situation by State fans who thinks the Pack will ever be on the level of Duke or Carolina. Be proud Pack fans, the future is bright.
They should be in because they have showed they can play with anyone in the country. They dominate Duke but couldnt finish the job. They nearly beat UNC today and those efforts need to be recognized. They beat Texas and made it to the semifiinals of the ACC tournament.
If they are not in State fans need to accept a place in the NIT tournament. Growing a program takes time and for the first time since Herb Sendek was on the sidelines there is hope. I just hope Coach Gotts doesn't end up in the same situation by State fans who thinks the Pack will ever be on the level of Duke or Carolina. Be proud Pack fans, the future is bright.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
West should be punished fo balk calls
There is no question that umpire Joe West is the best at what he does. There is also no question that he should be seriously punished for his behavior last week in a Chicago White Sox game. He made the greatest sin of any sports official, he got himself noticed.
West called a balk and was challenged by White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen. He retaliated with a balk call on the very next pitch.
The number one rule of umpiring is to act behind the scenes. The crowd should never notice the official. When West called what I will call a retaliation balk call he became the most noticed part of the game.
West is not the only one at fault. Ozzie Guillen had no business on the field and he certainly had no right using profanity in his references to West. West should not have reacted by calling a balk on the next pitch, but Guillen got what he earned which was a trip to the showers.
I don't know how you punish umpires but the major leagues need to find a way. Joe West is one of the best but he needs to realize he is there to call the game not be a part of it.
West called a balk and was challenged by White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen. He retaliated with a balk call on the very next pitch.
The number one rule of umpiring is to act behind the scenes. The crowd should never notice the official. When West called what I will call a retaliation balk call he became the most noticed part of the game.
West is not the only one at fault. Ozzie Guillen had no business on the field and he certainly had no right using profanity in his references to West. West should not have reacted by calling a balk on the next pitch, but Guillen got what he earned which was a trip to the showers.
I don't know how you punish umpires but the major leagues need to find a way. Joe West is one of the best but he needs to realize he is there to call the game not be a part of it.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Lessons from recent days
WOERNER’S CORNER
Things I’ve Learned
I’ve once again come to the point where I’m reflecting on some of the things I have learned about current trends in the sports world in recent days.
For example, I have learned it may be time for Ken Griffey Jr. to have a little talk with Muhamad Ali about hanging on too long. Like Ali in the days when he was getting the face he bragged on so much mashed in by opponents, Griffey is starting to embarrass himself. He has now crossed the 40-year-old barrier. That seems to be the beginning of the end for most players.
Griffey has four hits in his last ten games. He has a .212 average and has yet to hit one of his famous, towering homeruns. The Mariners recognized this as they are paying him “only” $2 million this season. That is a pretty big slap in the face when he made $12 million in 2002. Griffey is far from the player who may well be in the Hall of Fame someday.
I have learned that the only thing Dale Earnhardt Jr. has in common with his father is his name. When his car had the No. 8, at least he looked a little like the No. 3 his dad ran. Now with 88 on his Chevrolet he just blends in with the pack. For the most part it has been with most of the other drivers in the field in front of him. “Little E,” as fans like to call him, was winless last year.
Fans got some hope this year with a near-miss second place at Daytona to start the season. Since then the best finish was a seventh place. There was also an eighthplace finish but he came in at No. 32 in another event and had a No. 16 finish. Daddy would not exactly be proud.
I have learned Tiger Woods must have something awful big to hide from his time off the course. He wants his wife to sign a contract saying she will not comment about their private lives in public. The two are reportedly filing for divorce in Sweden in an attempt to keep details of the split secret from the American press.
That is too bad, Elin should let the world know what she is doing to the man who humiliated her and her two beautiful children in front of the world.
I learned I need to pay more attention to baseball this season, particularly in the National League. When the Cincinnati Reds are in first place it is time to take a second look at the standings. It is even more intriguing to see the Pirates in the middle of the pack, still with hope for the fans of Pittsburgh for something interesting before the Steelers take the field.
The American League is still difficult to get into as it has been as long as I can remember because it is the same old thing. The Royals and Orioles are in last place. The Yankees and Red Sox are still fighting hard with each other and a bunch of other teams are fighting to get their name recognized.
The Rays may be the best team in the league this year so that does give American League fans something to cheer for. I will keep watching the National League pulling for the Braves and Cubs thank you very much.
Things I’ve Learned
I’ve once again come to the point where I’m reflecting on some of the things I have learned about current trends in the sports world in recent days.
For example, I have learned it may be time for Ken Griffey Jr. to have a little talk with Muhamad Ali about hanging on too long. Like Ali in the days when he was getting the face he bragged on so much mashed in by opponents, Griffey is starting to embarrass himself. He has now crossed the 40-year-old barrier. That seems to be the beginning of the end for most players.
Griffey has four hits in his last ten games. He has a .212 average and has yet to hit one of his famous, towering homeruns. The Mariners recognized this as they are paying him “only” $2 million this season. That is a pretty big slap in the face when he made $12 million in 2002. Griffey is far from the player who may well be in the Hall of Fame someday.
I have learned that the only thing Dale Earnhardt Jr. has in common with his father is his name. When his car had the No. 8, at least he looked a little like the No. 3 his dad ran. Now with 88 on his Chevrolet he just blends in with the pack. For the most part it has been with most of the other drivers in the field in front of him. “Little E,” as fans like to call him, was winless last year.
Fans got some hope this year with a near-miss second place at Daytona to start the season. Since then the best finish was a seventh place. There was also an eighthplace finish but he came in at No. 32 in another event and had a No. 16 finish. Daddy would not exactly be proud.
I have learned Tiger Woods must have something awful big to hide from his time off the course. He wants his wife to sign a contract saying she will not comment about their private lives in public. The two are reportedly filing for divorce in Sweden in an attempt to keep details of the split secret from the American press.
That is too bad, Elin should let the world know what she is doing to the man who humiliated her and her two beautiful children in front of the world.
I learned I need to pay more attention to baseball this season, particularly in the National League. When the Cincinnati Reds are in first place it is time to take a second look at the standings. It is even more intriguing to see the Pirates in the middle of the pack, still with hope for the fans of Pittsburgh for something interesting before the Steelers take the field.
The American League is still difficult to get into as it has been as long as I can remember because it is the same old thing. The Royals and Orioles are in last place. The Yankees and Red Sox are still fighting hard with each other and a bunch of other teams are fighting to get their name recognized.
The Rays may be the best team in the league this year so that does give American League fans something to cheer for. I will keep watching the National League pulling for the Braves and Cubs thank you very much.
Friday, May 14, 2010
News from The Corner
For all you sports fans who have missed me, The Corner is back open for business.
Here are a few observations from the week.
I think I saw one of the weirdest things in a long time recently. That was the case of a 22 year old who posed as a 17 year old basketball player. The little ploy cost the team he was playing for a state championship. I have to believe there is something wrong with a grown man who still wants to be a teenager. None of us like getting older, as I am this month, but you have to draw the line somewhere, maybe where you think about literally going back to high school!
Just one of those things you have to chalk up as really weird I suppose.
I have never been a big fan of the National Basketball Association but I couldn’t help but notice all the press and uproar over Lebron James. Because he is going through a slump he is being blamed for his team’s playoff problems.
Even though he is one of the best players in NBA history not named Michael Jordan, believe or not James is a human. He is going to make mistakes. He is not the problem if his team loses. Until the Cavaliers put four other quality players on the court they will still fall short.
Even Jordan had Scottie s to take some of the defensive pressure of him. I am not sure James has that kind of player to join him on the court. That means the Cavaliers will continue to lose until they get him some support. The press should get off James’s back about it.
James is going to ask for big money this summer and he should get it. He is the best , despite his playoff performance this year, and he deserves to be paid for.
And, Lawrence Taylor, let it speak for itself. The details are disgusting but the story is sad. The fact he did anything sexual in nature with a teenager should put him in jail.
Chalk it up to another athlete who fame went to his head and destroyed his image.
Here are a few observations from the week.
I think I saw one of the weirdest things in a long time recently. That was the case of a 22 year old who posed as a 17 year old basketball player. The little ploy cost the team he was playing for a state championship. I have to believe there is something wrong with a grown man who still wants to be a teenager. None of us like getting older, as I am this month, but you have to draw the line somewhere, maybe where you think about literally going back to high school!
Just one of those things you have to chalk up as really weird I suppose.
I have never been a big fan of the National Basketball Association but I couldn’t help but notice all the press and uproar over Lebron James. Because he is going through a slump he is being blamed for his team’s playoff problems.
Even though he is one of the best players in NBA history not named Michael Jordan, believe or not James is a human. He is going to make mistakes. He is not the problem if his team loses. Until the Cavaliers put four other quality players on the court they will still fall short.
Even Jordan had Scottie s to take some of the defensive pressure of him. I am not sure James has that kind of player to join him on the court. That means the Cavaliers will continue to lose until they get him some support. The press should get off James’s back about it.
James is going to ask for big money this summer and he should get it. He is the best , despite his playoff performance this year, and he deserves to be paid for.
And, Lawrence Taylor, let it speak for itself. The details are disgusting but the story is sad. The fact he did anything sexual in nature with a teenager should put him in jail.
Chalk it up to another athlete who fame went to his head and destroyed his image.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Master still close to perfect
Masters does it again
By Tom Woerner
For the Record
I am the first to admit that perfection is almost impossible to achieve but I think the folks at Augusta National Golf course came pretty close last weekend. I can’t imagine a better sports experience from beginning to end.
The week began with the two greatest golfers of this generation, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, teeing off in the ceremonial first stroke that marks the start of The Masters each year. It ended with winner Phil Mickelson in an emotional embrace with his wife who is in the middle of a battle with cancer.
There was a lot of good golf in between all the emotion of the weekend. My pick of Tiger Woods to win the event didn’t quite come true but he was in the hunt on Sunday and finished tied for fourth. That is a lot better than most predicted. Some said he wouldn’t make the cut in his first tournament back after the sex scandal that rocked his world.
Fred Couples almost made history by becoming the oldest golfer in history to win the event. He faded on Sunday but the fact he was even in the competition shows something about older competitors. Tom Watson is even older and led on parts of Thursday and Friday. He could have easily won the British Open last year. Both show modern equipment and better fitness regimens are allowing older golfers to compete longer.
When this year’s Masters was over I think Mickelson showed he may be stalking Tiger in the battle to become the world’s best on the course. He hit shots Sunday that only a few in the world could pull off. He is beginning to put his history of falling apart on Sunday afternoon in the past. There were no hook shots into the gallery like the one that cost him the U.S. Open several years ago. This time he and his caddy made all the right club selections, which has not always been the case in the past.
Once again the underlying star of the tournament was the course itself. It could well have been my imagination, but the grass seemed a little greener this year. The azaleas were as beautiful as ever. Golfers were challenged as much as they are every year. Augusta is the one of the hardest courses in the world and I can’t imagine a course anywhere that is more beautiful.
The bottom line of the whole weekend is that once again Augusta National put on the best sports event in the world. There is no venue in the world that is better prepared for its event.
When one walks down Magnolia Lane they are walking into the pages of history. Unique features such as the Nelson and Sarazen bridges, Amen Corner. Eisenhower Tree and the Crow’s Nest add to the mystique. There truly is no place like it in the sports world.
This year was even better than usual thanks to a little luck and good fortune. The tournament lived up to its reputation and the 2010 version is another chapter in a great legacy. The wait is on for Jack and Arnie to tee us off again next April.
By Tom Woerner
For the Record
I am the first to admit that perfection is almost impossible to achieve but I think the folks at Augusta National Golf course came pretty close last weekend. I can’t imagine a better sports experience from beginning to end.
The week began with the two greatest golfers of this generation, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, teeing off in the ceremonial first stroke that marks the start of The Masters each year. It ended with winner Phil Mickelson in an emotional embrace with his wife who is in the middle of a battle with cancer.
There was a lot of good golf in between all the emotion of the weekend. My pick of Tiger Woods to win the event didn’t quite come true but he was in the hunt on Sunday and finished tied for fourth. That is a lot better than most predicted. Some said he wouldn’t make the cut in his first tournament back after the sex scandal that rocked his world.
Fred Couples almost made history by becoming the oldest golfer in history to win the event. He faded on Sunday but the fact he was even in the competition shows something about older competitors. Tom Watson is even older and led on parts of Thursday and Friday. He could have easily won the British Open last year. Both show modern equipment and better fitness regimens are allowing older golfers to compete longer.
When this year’s Masters was over I think Mickelson showed he may be stalking Tiger in the battle to become the world’s best on the course. He hit shots Sunday that only a few in the world could pull off. He is beginning to put his history of falling apart on Sunday afternoon in the past. There were no hook shots into the gallery like the one that cost him the U.S. Open several years ago. This time he and his caddy made all the right club selections, which has not always been the case in the past.
Once again the underlying star of the tournament was the course itself. It could well have been my imagination, but the grass seemed a little greener this year. The azaleas were as beautiful as ever. Golfers were challenged as much as they are every year. Augusta is the one of the hardest courses in the world and I can’t imagine a course anywhere that is more beautiful.
The bottom line of the whole weekend is that once again Augusta National put on the best sports event in the world. There is no venue in the world that is better prepared for its event.
When one walks down Magnolia Lane they are walking into the pages of history. Unique features such as the Nelson and Sarazen bridges, Amen Corner. Eisenhower Tree and the Crow’s Nest add to the mystique. There truly is no place like it in the sports world.
This year was even better than usual thanks to a little luck and good fortune. The tournament lived up to its reputation and the 2010 version is another chapter in a great legacy. The wait is on for Jack and Arnie to tee us off again next April.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Final Four picks a little off
Final Four Picks Come Up Short
I thought it was broken with some recent picks, but the jinx of the Corner lives on. Apparently, it spread itself throughout the duration of the NCAA tournament with teams I picked falling like incumbents in this fall’s congressional elections.
I guess I should apologize to West Virginia if my prognostications brought them any bad luck. I underestimated Duke coach Mike Kryzewski and his ability to motivate a team in March and April.
In the case of Michigan State, I would probably pick them again if they played Butler again next week. I think the Spartans became the victim of one of the legendary tournaments for which the NCAA is famous.
The Butler Bulldogs were a fairytale that almost ended with everyone, with the exception of anyone living in Durham, living happily ever after. Literally, a few bounces of the ball on a last minute shot kept them from winning the whole thing. If they had won in front of their hometown crowd it would have been one of the greatest stories in tournament history. It would have been almost as dramatic as the 1983 North Carolina State ride to the national championship.
It may be good they lost in one way, I am not sure how Indianapolis would have handled the victory celebration. Fans in Durham are used to the celebrations but it would have been chaos and mania after a Bulldog win. Fans may get another chance because I believe the team has a taste of the tournament in its mouth. They’re already likely getting ready, in their mind, for next year’s run at the title.
Duke is the one who was determined to leave me with an egg on my face. They put down a West Virginia team I really thought was rolling towards the title. Coach K did one of the greatest coaching jobs of his legendary career. His team beat the Mountaineers soundly and managed to hold off Butler, an accomplishment in this tournament.
That is probably why billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov, the new owner of the New Jersey Nets, will reportedly offer him at least $12 million to lead his team. I am a little leery of making predictions now but I don’t think Coach K will go anywhere at this point. That kind of money will get his attention, but his heart is at Duke. 20 years ago it might have been a different story. Now he has the perfect job in a more than stable financial situation. I think he will retire in North Carolina.
I can’t put a column out this week without one more word about Tiger Woods. Two words, three might be more appropriate, if directed towards the rest of the Masters field. Watch out.
Don’t be surprised if he wins big. The incident when he played with a broken bone in his leg and won the U.S. Open shows he can put things out of his head when he hits the golf course.
Just because the public hasn’t seen it doesn’t mean Tiger hasn’t been hitting balls. When he steps up to the first tee between the azaleas — affairs, Thanksgiving wrecks, crude text messages and a difficult home situation will temporarily go out of his mind. I will go out on a limb to say Master’s officials better find out what size Tiger wears in a green jacket.
I thought it was broken with some recent picks, but the jinx of the Corner lives on. Apparently, it spread itself throughout the duration of the NCAA tournament with teams I picked falling like incumbents in this fall’s congressional elections.
I guess I should apologize to West Virginia if my prognostications brought them any bad luck. I underestimated Duke coach Mike Kryzewski and his ability to motivate a team in March and April.
In the case of Michigan State, I would probably pick them again if they played Butler again next week. I think the Spartans became the victim of one of the legendary tournaments for which the NCAA is famous.
The Butler Bulldogs were a fairytale that almost ended with everyone, with the exception of anyone living in Durham, living happily ever after. Literally, a few bounces of the ball on a last minute shot kept them from winning the whole thing. If they had won in front of their hometown crowd it would have been one of the greatest stories in tournament history. It would have been almost as dramatic as the 1983 North Carolina State ride to the national championship.
It may be good they lost in one way, I am not sure how Indianapolis would have handled the victory celebration. Fans in Durham are used to the celebrations but it would have been chaos and mania after a Bulldog win. Fans may get another chance because I believe the team has a taste of the tournament in its mouth. They’re already likely getting ready, in their mind, for next year’s run at the title.
Duke is the one who was determined to leave me with an egg on my face. They put down a West Virginia team I really thought was rolling towards the title. Coach K did one of the greatest coaching jobs of his legendary career. His team beat the Mountaineers soundly and managed to hold off Butler, an accomplishment in this tournament.
That is probably why billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov, the new owner of the New Jersey Nets, will reportedly offer him at least $12 million to lead his team. I am a little leery of making predictions now but I don’t think Coach K will go anywhere at this point. That kind of money will get his attention, but his heart is at Duke. 20 years ago it might have been a different story. Now he has the perfect job in a more than stable financial situation. I think he will retire in North Carolina.
I can’t put a column out this week without one more word about Tiger Woods. Two words, three might be more appropriate, if directed towards the rest of the Masters field. Watch out.
Don’t be surprised if he wins big. The incident when he played with a broken bone in his leg and won the U.S. Open shows he can put things out of his head when he hits the golf course.
Just because the public hasn’t seen it doesn’t mean Tiger hasn’t been hitting balls. When he steps up to the first tee between the azaleas — affairs, Thanksgiving wrecks, crude text messages and a difficult home situation will temporarily go out of his mind. I will go out on a limb to say Master’s officials better find out what size Tiger wears in a green jacket.
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