Summary of the Weekend: July 21 - 23, 2006
Tiger Woods claimed the Claret Jug yesterday for his second consecutive and third overall British Open win and his 11th win in a major tournament. After missing the cut in the Masters, the first major after his father passed away, Tiger showed why he is the number one golfer today and maybe of all-time. Tiger's statistical dominance in golf may not have reached the level of Babe Ruth, Wilt Chamberlain, or Wayne Gretzky at this point (his career resume is still fairly similar to Jack Nicklaus at similar points in their careers), but watching Tiger, you know you are seeing greatness.
Jered Weaver won his seventh game in as many major league starts on Sunday, something that has not happened since Fernando Valenzuela won eight to start his career. Weaver, when drafted, was considered the top college pitcher and comparisons were made to Mark Prior, who is considered by some as the greatest college pitcher of all-time. It seems like Weaver might have the upper hand in the comparison at this point, as Prior just cannot seem to stay healthy. Many will compare the career of Weaver to older brother Jeff, or maybe even Fernando. For me, Mark Prior is the measuring stick.
Ricky Williams broke his arm in a Canadian Football League game and will miss at least a month. Nothing is ever easy with him.
Somewhat under the radar, Floyd Landis won the Tour de France. He did not do it with the dominance that Lance Armstrong exhibited, but it was nonetheless spectacular. Landis will soon undergo hip replacement surgery, necessary because he can barely walk, yet he still managed not only to finish the race, but win it. While wearing the yellow jersey, he stumbled in one stage to fall more than eight minutes behind and was considered virtually out of contention. Still, he managed to make up most of the time he lost on the next stage. I would guess very few riders have ever overcome what he did. Congratulations to Landis on a truly remarkable achievement.
Jered Weaver won his seventh game in as many major league starts on Sunday, something that has not happened since Fernando Valenzuela won eight to start his career. Weaver, when drafted, was considered the top college pitcher and comparisons were made to Mark Prior, who is considered by some as the greatest college pitcher of all-time. It seems like Weaver might have the upper hand in the comparison at this point, as Prior just cannot seem to stay healthy. Many will compare the career of Weaver to older brother Jeff, or maybe even Fernando. For me, Mark Prior is the measuring stick.
Ricky Williams broke his arm in a Canadian Football League game and will miss at least a month. Nothing is ever easy with him.
Somewhat under the radar, Floyd Landis won the Tour de France. He did not do it with the dominance that Lance Armstrong exhibited, but it was nonetheless spectacular. Landis will soon undergo hip replacement surgery, necessary because he can barely walk, yet he still managed not only to finish the race, but win it. While wearing the yellow jersey, he stumbled in one stage to fall more than eight minutes behind and was considered virtually out of contention. Still, he managed to make up most of the time he lost on the next stage. I would guess very few riders have ever overcome what he did. Congratulations to Landis on a truly remarkable achievement.
posted by Josh at 8:56 AM
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