Early Christmas

'Christmas' may come at different times for different people. It came early this past weekend for several. I hope you all followed my recommendations of being glued to the TV this weekend, drama was everywhere. The NBA finals game sunday night was a classic--two words: Dwyane Wade. The Stanley Cup was interesting, MLB provided some great interleague games. But two real highlights (in case you've hibernated for 4 days) were the USA's miracle tie with Italy and the dissaster at Winged Foot. Postively speaking, the US managed to keep itself alive playing a man down with amidst aweful refereeing. Blood was spilt, i cheered at the manliness of McBride who did "WALK IT OFF", and came back to play a great game. Americans think of soccer as something 'lesser' than ourselves, something we are above. We are either a bit self-decieved, which makes us fools, or we are in denial, which makes us idiots. I suppose it's a bit like being a Mississippi State Football fan. When the opinion you hold is laughed at by everyone but yourself.
But Christmas came early for an australlian who fell into the US Open championship. It's been a long time since i've seen anything like what happened in the last 30 minutes of the tournament. Being a Mickelson fan, i was heartbroken. I have seen him faulter down the stretch before (99' at Pinehurst, and 04' at Shinnecock), but even the guy from the golfchannel said he'd never seen anything like that. This was not some guy trying to get over the hump and his nerves got to him. It was like having a 3 point lead with 1:00 minute to go and deciding to throw the ball instead of running the clock out. anyway, i can now understand what some fans have gone through in the past. Like this year's Open, no one will really remeber who won--but everyone will remember the the collapse. Here are a few dissasters that i think measure up (my list of the week, feel free to add or disagree):

1) Bill Buckner and the 86' Boston Red Sox (no comment needed)
2) Steve Bartman and the 03' Chicago Cubs (personally, i loved that one...the Cubs suck)
3) 1998 Minnesota Vikings (15-1, Gary Anderson had not missed a FG all year, Vikings were incredible, Anderson missed, Falcons drove down tied the game, won in OT)
4)Greg Norman (86' Masters, 96' Masters....7 shot lead going into sunday, and shot 77--it hurt to watch)
5)Jason Williams (Considered one of best NCAA players ever, senior year in sweet sixteen had 2 free throws down by one...missed both, what a way to end career. Oh yeah, and they were defending national champs)
6) Roberto Baggio and the 1994 world cup (Italy and Brazil in penalty kicks, Baggio was one of best players in world, sent his potential tying shot 20 feet over cross bar)
7) Scott Norwood (super bowl on the line, wide right)
8) Jean Van de Velde (3 shot lead on 18th tee at 99' british open, triple bogeyed, lost in playoff)
9)Dan Obrien and 1992 Olympics (remember the Nike commercial: Dan or Dave? Dan was supposed to walk through the Decatholon to the gold medal...he got greedy in the olympic trials and didn't even qualify)
10) Scott Hoch and the 1989 Masters (2 foot putt to win the masters in sudden death, missed and lost on next playoff hole).


For most of those, i can't really remember who won what, but i distinctly remember the dissasters. Worst of all, no one has really heard anything from any of these guys since. It sent them all into the loser closet, and that door hasn't been opened since. I think they might all be living in that condo bought by the Florida Marlins for Steve Bartman?