Not quite enough for Giants

The Giants missed out on the post season party for the second straight year as despite their win, they did not get the help they needed from the Bears.  While many will point to the horrendous blown fourth quarter against the Eagles and the dreadful performance against the Packers, the key loss was the home blowout administered by the lowly Cowboys.  This letdown of a game is what stopped the Giants’ momentum. Remember, they were 6-2 and on a five game winning streak going into the Dallas game and were undone by John Kitna. 

10-6 is not a bad record and most seasons will qualify a team for the postseason; but not this season. The Dallas game was the key loss.

Tiger at the PGA

Tiger continued his turnaround from last week’s dreadful performance at Firestone by shooting a weather delayed second round 70 at the PGA championship, the year’s final major.  He is within striking distance 5 shots out of the lead. He seems to be more intense this week with a greater focus. Phil Mickelson is also within striking distance at 2 under par.

British Open

It was moving day at the British Open, but Americans Woods and Mickelson stood in place wasting countless opportunities to score.  Meanwhile, it was Paul Casey and seconfd round leader Louis Oosthuisen doing all the moving, Oosty with a 69 and casy with a 67. Oosty now leads Casey by 4 strokes heading into tomorrow’s climactic round 4.  The next closest player is 7 strokes back.  It looks like someone will win their 1st major tomorrow, putting them a mere 13 majors behind the Tiger

3rd Place-World Cup

Germany edged Uruguay 3-2 in another exciting World Cup Game.  Both teams played a bit more openly since advancement was not at stake.  Hopefully, tomorrow’s final between the Netherlands and Spain will be just as exciting.  One thing for sure–there will be a first time champion tomorrow. Another thing for sure- Europe will finish 1st 2nd and 3rd in the Cup.

How many have you seen? Lakers lead the way

The Lakers latest title got me thinking as to which franchises have won the most titles since I began watching sports.  The Lakers lead the way with ten, followed by the yankees with seven, the bulls and Steelers each with six the 49ers celtics and edmonton oilers with five each, and the spurs cowboys and islanders with four each.

Done, but not well done

That’s how Phil Jackson described his latest championship. In the end, it was home court advantage, injuries and too much size which did in the celtics annd propelled  the lakers to their 16th title, one behind Boston. The question now is will he return to try for a fourth threepeat. His daughter told sports Illustrated that Jackson was done, but Phil will wait until next week to decide on his future. This man has won 11 titles, which is unreal. Most coaches would love to coach in the NBA for 11 years.

The sixth sense.

The Lakers played a great game 6, dismantling the Celtics.  The Lakers got just whatthe DR. odered from Kobe,unselfish team play and stifling defense.  LA also got huge efferts from Gasol, Artest and Odom. LA will need all of these players to duplicate their performances if they are to win game 7.  The Celtics will show up tomorrow and be a tough”out”.

Red Sox coming on strong

Don’t look now, but  Boston, which started the season miserably is starting to come on. The Sox are eleven games above .500 after their fans were in a near panic only a month ago. The difference is the Sox ‘ pitching . The pitchers have really hit their stride. Boston, as of this writing is only 3 games behind the Yankees and Rays in the American League East.

Sabbathia vs. Holiday

Tonite’s Phillies=Yankees World Series rematch was s pposed to be a pitching duel, but it hasn’t turned out that  Way. The Yanks lead 5-3 in the 5th inning,with both pitchers well of their game.  Yanks enter this game tied with the 2008 AL Champion Rays for first place in rhe AL East.

Westwood finally breaks through.

Lee Westwood ended his 122 start PGA Tourdrought by winning a three man plyoff in Memphis.  While Westwood has accumulated 23 worldwide wins since his last PGA Tour win, he hadn’t won in the states since 1998.  The playoff was set up by the incredible collapse of Robert Garrigus who took a three stroke lead to the 72nd hole, only to make triple bogey after hitting his tee ball in the water. Garrigus said he didn’t know he had a three stroke lead or he would have played the hole more carefully. 

Westwood next heads to the US Open where he will be one of the favorites considering his win yesterday and the fact that he led the year’s two most important tournaments (Masters and Players) after fifty four holes.