LestersLegends.com

I’m not a huge golf fan. I usually root for Tiger to win simply because I’d like to see him make a run at Jack Nickalaus’ record. I became annoyed with all the Tiger coverage. He cheated on his wife. Countless athletes, entertainers, and even regular Joes do that every day. It’s not my business. I actually was rooting for him to win the Masters  just to shut everybody up.

That was until I saw his Nike ad. He brings out a video of him staring at the screen looking like a guy who just got busted in a big lie. Feel sorry for me. Listen to my dead father and feel even more sorry for me. Come on Tiger. Don’t drag your dad into this, even though he was unfaithful. Be a man and take your lumps.

Now I’m rooting for Phil Mickelson.

Day 2 Update:  
Tiger finished day two at -6. Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood share the lead at -8.

Jason Kidd notched his 100th career triple-double.  Carmelo got popped for a DUI.  Nice distraction as your team is battling for the final playoff spot.  The Wolves won back-to-back games.  The Sonics won what is most likely their last home game.  Indiana and Golden State lost to eliminate their playoff chances.   Ramon Sessions had 20 points to go along with his 24 assists.  The Lakers took top seed in the West. LeBron won the scoring title.  Boston finished with 66 wins.  The Bulls showed Jim Boylan the door.  Milwaukee did the same for Larry Krystkowiak.

Chris Chelios played in his 248th playoff game, which set an NHL record.  Pittsburgh (over Ottawa) and the Rangers (over the Devils)  jumped out to 2-0 series leads.  Minnesota even their series with a win over Colorado.  Washington took Game 1 against Philly.  Robert Nilsson signed a three-year deal with Edmonton.  Detroit (Nashville) Dallas(Anaheim), and Montreal (Boston) jumped out to 2-0 leads.  Martin Biron and the Flyers blanked Washington to even the series at 1-1.  Boston (Montreal) and New Jersey (Rangers) showed some life by taking game 3.  Calgary stormed back from a 3-0 deficit to take a 2-1 series lead.  Unlike the NBA, the NHL can make rule changes when they want to.  Sean Avery’s stick in Brodeur’s face to distract him was deemed unsportsmanlike.  Instead of waiting until the end of the year to address it, the NHL decided it’s against the rules.  I like it.  Pittsburgh beat Ottawa 4-1 to take a 3-0 series lead.  Nashville scored 3 in the third to take Game 3.  Minnesota used OT (yet again) to take a 2-1 lead over Colorado.  Montreal’s Carey Price shutout Boston 1-0 to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.  Philadelphia took Game 3 of their series with Washington for a 2-1 lead.  Anaheim fought back with a 4-2 victory Dallas, who leads 2-1.  San Jose evened their series at 2 with a 3-2 win over Calgary.  Colorado blasted Minnesota 5-1 to even their series at 2 apiece.  Carolina signed Sergei Samsonov to a three-year deal worth $7.6 million.  Vancouver fired GM Dave Nonis.  Pittsburgh swept Ottawa away.  The Rangers buried the Devils to take a 3-1 series lead.  Nashville knocked off Detroit to even their series at 2.  Boston peppered Montreal 5-1 to stay alive.  Montreal has a 3-2 lead.  Philly beat Washington in Double OT to take a 3-1 series lead.  Dallas beat Anaheim in Game 4 to take a 3-1 lead.  Colorado beat Minnesota in Game 5 to take a 3-2 series lead.  San Jose took game 5 and a 3-2 series lead over Calgary.

Randy Johnson’s 285 victory was blown by his relievers.  Hey, at least he was back and pitched well.  The Yankees drew first blood on the Red Sox behind Chien-Ming Wang’s two-hitter.  Carlos Pena, Raul Ibanez, and Jeremy Hermedia hit a pair of HRs last Friday.  Dontrelle Willis hyperextended his knee.  Jeff Francoeur smashed 2 HRs on Saturday.  Roy Halladay fired a complete game.  Dave Roberts had knee surgery and will be out a few months.  Barry Bonds’ last HR ball sold for $370K,  The problem is, there is still a chance someone picks him up to DH later this year or next, making that ball virtually worthless.  Tom Glavine hurt his hamstring in the first inning of his start vs. Washington on Sunday.  Paul Konerko and Joe Crede cranked Grand Slams in the same game. Zack Greinke threw a complete game on Monday to improve to 3-0 with a 0.75 ERA.  Joe Borowski and Eric Bedard landed on the DL.  Ken Griffey, Jr. hit HRs #595 &596.  A-Rod tied and passed Ted Williams and Willie McCovey on the all-time HR list.  Alfonso Soriano landed on the DL.  Edgar Renteria cracked a Grand Slam.  Carlos Zambrano had three hits in a game.  C.C. Sabathia got rocked..again.  Miguel Tejada not only lied about steroids, evidently he lied about his age.  Manny Ramirez and Chipper Jones each smacked a pair of HRs.  Colorado beat San Diego in 22 innings.

Steve McNair is retiring.  It was a good run.  Chad Johnson has demanded a trade.  Housh said Cincy should trade him.Darrell Jackson and Samie Parker signed with the Denver Broncos.  Deuce McAllister reworked his deal to remain a Saint.  Cato June had his DUI charges dropped.  The Chargers will be without LB Stephen Cooper for 4 games due to a substance abuse violation.  Duane Starks signed with the Raiders.  Arizona NT Gabe Watson broke his kneecap when he fell off a treadmill.  Guess he won’t be getting any “Dancing with the Stars” invites.  Jared Allen will visit Minnesota and Tampa Bay, who are speculated to be suitors via trade.  Terrell Suggs showed up for minicamp.  The G-Men are still waiting to hear what Strahan decides.  The Packers will retire Brett Favre’s #4 in the season opener with Minnesota.

Michael Beasley is turning pro.  Derrick Rose will join him.  They figure to be the top two picks in the draft.  Florida F Jonathan Mitchell will transfer.  Tyler Hansbrough won the Wooden Award.  Kentucky G Jodie Meeks had a sports hernia surgery.  Former Duke F Taylor King is transfering to Villanova.  Tennessee Guard J.P. Prince had shoulder surgery.  John Calipari signed an extension with Memphis.  Butler’s Brad Stevens signed a seven-year deal, but I would guess if he continued his success, he’d be moving on.  Gonzaga’s Jeremy Pargo is turning pro.  Kansas State Coach Frank Martin signed a five-year extension.  Psst.  He doesn’t have Beasley anymore.  Kevin Love is turning pro…mistake.  Kansas’ Brandon Rush and Darrell Arthur will turn pro.

Penn State suspended DT Phil Taylor.  Teammate Sean Lee (LB) will miss the year with a torn knee.  Duke suspended OT Cameron Goldberg for a rule violation.

Trevor Immelman earned the Green Jacket by winning the Masters.  What a failure for Tiger Woods as he finished second.  To get sympathy (kidding), he underwent knee surgery, which means he’ll likely miss The Players Championship.  So much for that Grand Slam. 

Jimmie Johnson won the NASCAR Sprint Cup Subway Fresh Fit 500 after his crew chief  gambled on his fuel.

That concludes the Tidbits. As always feel free to add any stories you liked this week in sports or discuss any of the stories I mentioned.

Thanks again for supporting my blog. Be sure to check out My Favorites.  There are some great links over there.

Chris Paul dished out 15 assists to go along with his 33 points in a win over New York.  He followed it up with a triple-double vs. Golden State.  He’s making his fantasy owners love him even more as he had 16 assists vs. Minnesota.  Joel Pryzbilla, who had been rebounding like Rodman lately, broke his hand, and will miss the rest of the season.  Stop the presses, the Knick won…twice.  Patrick Ewing, Hakeem Olajuwon, Adrian Dantley, Dick Vitale, and Pat Riley were elected into the basketball Hall of Fame.  Al Jefferson had 40 points for the Wolves, but lost.  Chris Bosh messed around and got a triple-double.

Jarome Iginla scored his 50th goal.  This week’s shutouts:  Philly’s Martin Biron vs. New Jersey & Pittsburgh, St. Louis’ Manny Legace vs. Columbus, Buffalo’s Jocelyn Thibault vs. Boston.  Phoenix’s Daniel Carcillo had a hat trick against Dallas.  Buffalo’s Thomas Vanek had one against Boston.  Buffalo D Teppo Numminen made his return following heart surgery.  Tampa Bay C Vincent Lecavalier will have shoulder surgery.  Montreal will host the 2009 All-Star game.  Keith Tkachuk scored his 500th career goal.  So what if it was an empty-netter.  Dallas signed D Nicklas Grossman to a two-year deal. The Wild’s Nick Shultz had an appendectomy.  Tampa Bay won the top pick in the NHL Lottery.  The Rangers beat New Jersey 4-1 to take the opener.  Pittsburgh beat Ottawa 4-0 to take the 1-0 lead.  Joe Sakic scored the game-winner in OT as Colorado stole home ice from the Wild.  Calgary dropped San Jose 3-2 in the series opener.  Detroit took Game 1 over Nashville 3-1.  Montreal beat Boston 4-1 in their series opener.  Evgeni Nabokov and San Jose shutout Calgary to even the series at 1.  Marty Turco and Dallas blanked Anaheim.  For some moronic reason Washington and Philly haven’t even squared off yet.

Josh Beckett made his season debut.  It wasn’t a pretty one (5 runs in 4-2/3 innings).  Toronto locked up Alex Rios for seven years, $70 million and Aaron Hill for four years, $12 million.  Michael Cuddyer landed on the 15 Day DL with a dislocated finger.  Bill Hall and Chase Utley each hit a pair of HRs on Friday.  Dontrelle Willis walked 7 as Detroit fell to 0-5.  Kelly Johnson, Mike Jacobs, Frank Thomas, Joe Crede hit Grand Slams.  Jake Peavy struck out 8 while allowing just 1 run on 2 hits.  Gerald Laird hit a pair of HRs to go along with his 6 RBI on Sunday.  Ben Sheets fired a shutout.  Ken Griffey, Jr. hit HR #594.  Greg Maddux won his 348th game.  Pat Burrell and Mark Reynolds each blasted 2 HRs on Monday. Arizona signed Chris Young to a six-year extension.  Talk about taking care of business early.  Scott Spiezio got three years probation for drunk driving and hit-and-run.  I have a couple of thoughts.  First, he should have got another year for that awful soul patch.  Second, to be serious, you or I would have served time.  Derek Jeter strained his quad.  Torii Hunter hit a pair of HRs, the second being a game-winning Grand Slam on Monday vs. Cleveland.  Bill Buckner threw out the first pitch for the Red Sox home opener.  He was greeted with a standing ovation.  Rich Harden missed a start because of a sore back.  He’s so soft.  The Mets put Matt Wise on the DL.  Atlanta Brave prospect Jordan Schafer received a 50 games suspension for HGH.  Bengie Molina hit a pair of HRs on Tuesday.  Cliff Floyd (knee) landed on the DL.  San Diego put Michael Barrett (elbow) on the DL.  El Duque (foot) is out indefinitely. Detroit finally won.  Mike Jacobs and Albert Pujols hit a pair of HRs on Wednesday.  Mike Napoli and Jason Kubel hit Grand Slams.  Cleveland signed Fausto Carmona to a four-year, $15 million deal.  It could increase $28 million more over three years if Cleveland picks up his options.

Michael Vick is playing jailhouse football to pass the time.  My crack statistics team reported Vick has a passer rating of 75.7.  Some things never change.  Washington signed Jerome Mathis to return kicks.  Cleveland waived  DB Kenny Wright.  David Garrard signed a seven-year, $60 million deal with Jacksonville.  Overpaid.  The Patriots signed LB Victor Hobson.  The Benglas continued cleaning house by cutting RB Quincy Wilson, who was arrested in June.  San Diego signed S Clinton Hart to a five-year deal. The Jets signed S Kerry Rhodes to a five-year, $33 million extension. 

Kansas knocked off Memphis in OT to win the National Championship.  Mario Chalmers hit a three to send the game into overtime.  He won the Most Outstanding Player Award.  Darrell Arthur was great with 20 points and 8 boards for the Jayhawks.  Earlier Memphis proved everybody wrong (well, most everybody) by knocking off UCLA to go to the title game.  Chris Douglas-Roberts  and Derrick Rose combined for 40 of Memphis’ 68 points.  Chris Douglas-Roberts led the way with 28 points.  Derrick Rose added 25 points and 9 rebounds.  Kansas jumped off to a huge lead, let UNC get within 5, and then pounded them to submission.  Brandon Rush led the charge with 25 points.  One I missed last week:  Ohio State won the NIT tournament.  Mike Montgomery is leaving Stanford for the Cal job.  Dick Vitale earned a spot in the National Collegiate Baskeball Hall of Fame.  Coach K will probably introduce him.  Eric Gordon is going pro.  Joining him is Arizona’s Jerryd Bayless and Chase Budinger, Louisville’s Earl Clark, Florida’s Marreese Speights, LSU’s Anthony Randolph, UCLA’s Kevin Love and Darren Collison, Syracuse’s Donte Greene, Stanford’s Trent Johnson, West Virginia’s Joe Alexander, Texas A&M’s DeAndre Jordan, USC’s O.J. Mayo and Alabama’s Ronald Steele.  Miami signed Coach Frank Haith to a five-year extension.   John Calipari was named the Naismith Coach of the Year.  He didn’t look the part in the closing minutes of regulation on Monday.  Bill Self will stay in Kansas.  LSU hired Trent Johnson as their new Coach.

Penn State won’t talk contract with Joe Paterno until after the season.Florida WR Percy Harvin had heel surgery.  Penn State kicked WR Chris Bell off the team after he threatened a teammate with a knife.  Syracuse RB Averin Colier with miss time with a fractured foot.  Carl Edwards won the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at the Texas Motor Speedway.

Tennessee repeated as Women’s NCAA Basketball Champs.  For Pat Summit, it was her 8th title.

Justin Rose and Trevor Immelman lead the Masters.  Tiger is 4 shots back.  

That concludes the Tidbits. As always feel free to add any stories you liked this week in sports or discuss any of the stories I mentioned.

Thanks again for supporting my blog. Be sure to check out My Friends’ blogs. They do amazing work.