(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

The next cab driver I meet that’s as friendly as the cabbie in the Heineken “let a stranger drive you home” commercial will be the first cab driver I meet that’s friendly.

With Nadal out at the French Open, opportunity didn’t just knock on Roger Federer’s door. It kicked the door down. If Federer can capture the trophy at Roland Garros, he’ll tie Pete Sampras for the all-time lead with 14 Grand Slam titles. And he’d do it by winning his first French crown, the only Grand Slam to elude Sampras. How would that be for irony?

Who do you think has grown more tired of discussing his struggles this season, David Ortiz or Dale Earnhardt, Jr.? Both MLB and NASCAR are one third of the way through their schedules and the season probably can’t end soon enough for both stars.

Speaking of Ortiz, now that he’s a shell of his former self, and old teammate Manny Ramirez is under the employ of the Dodgers, is there a better 3-4 combination in all of baseball than Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez?

If Shaquille O’Neal wants to stay ahead of former teammate (and nemesis) Kobe Bryant in the championship ring count, he needs his former coach (and nemesis) Stan Van Gundy and the rest of the Orlando Magic to continue their playoff run. Does this define the adage “the enemy of my enemy is my friend?”

With all due respect to Darrell Waltrip’s accomplishments behind the wheel, the phrase “Boogity, Boogity, Boogity” doesn’t belong in the English language. And NASCAR wonders why its ratings are dropping?

Charles Barkley once said he’s not a role model. Maybe The Chuckster and every professional athlete out there don’t want to be role models. But the fact of the matter is, they all are thrust into that position, unfairly or not.

As the face of the NBA for the next decade, would it really have been that hard for LeBron James to slap Dwight Howard on the back and then walk off the court?

Andy Roddick, much like his compatriot Pete Sampras, is destined to always struggle at the French Open. His game just doesn’t translate to the red dirt. But at least Roddick shook hands with Gael Monfils despite the Frenchman’s antics during their match.

Which team receives less credit for being a dynasty, the San Antonio Spurs and their four titles over nine seasons or the Detroit Red Wings and their soon-to-be five titles over 12 seasons?

While no horse can win The Triple Crown this year, jockey Calvin Borel has a chance to saddle up on all three winners when he rides Mine That Bird in Saturday’s Belmont Stakes.

In a sport that conjures up images of old men at the track pouring over a racing form while puffing away on a fat stogie, Borel provides some unexpected intrigue come post time on Saturday.

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