Bleacher Report - Articles by josh millar

Roger Federer IS History!

josh millar — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:51:28 -0400

While Roger Federer’s French Open victory wasn’t a classic, it was one that put him in the history books, and once again ignited a debate about Roger Federer’s greatness or lack thereof? What?

It’s sad to me that we have so many detractors in the sports world who are diminishing Federer’s French Open win because he didn’t beat Rafael Nadal in the final.

Tell me how it was Federer’s fault that Rafael Nadal wasn’t at his healthiest this time around? And why discredit the man who did beat Nadal, Robin Soderling?

Tell me why we forget that Roger Federer had to win two five-set matches to get to the final?

Lets face it. Roger Federer is the victim of the high standard he set for himself during that remarkable four-year period of 2003-2007. He spoiled the tennis fans too much, but recently Federer has shown us he knows how to overcome adversity as well.

Roger Federer didn’t beat Nadal for the French title, so what?

In Federer we’ve seen greatness manifested in domination, but in tennis there’s always the opponent on the other side of the net, 14 times in a slam final he’s been the victor and in my opinion vastly under-appreciated by the average sports fan.

Those who discredit Federer’s French Open conquer are a discredit to the history of the sport and history is the word fitting for Roger Federer, for his racket isn’t finished writing it just yet...

Federer/Roddick: An Insomniac’s Delight

josh millar — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:56:31 -0500

While most of us will be sleeping Thursday at 3:30 AM ET, there are those of us who will be glued to the television for what promises to be an intriguing semifinal encounter between the affable American Andy Roddick and the superb Swiss Roger Federer.

You’ve heard the numbers 15-2 all time, 6-0 in majors both in favour of the Federer express. Throw the numbers out the window. Let’s play tennis.

Roddick's played great thus far and he looks quicker then I’ve ever seen him. For all the talent of the ambitious American, he’s underachieved and he looks ready to make a statement.

Federer has already had a scare in this tournament against Tomas Berdych and appears equally focused.

How appropriate is it that with Pistol Pete Sampras’ record 14 majors in full frontal view, he has to go through this decades top American along the road?

This could set up a dream final of Federer/Nadal, that is if Andy Roddick doesn’t give Federer a nightmare first.

The anxious American, the spectacular Swiss.

Does The Australian Open Care About The Fans?

josh millar — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:31:30 -0500

In these tough economic times we want to make the most of everything.

Apparently, that may not apply in the tennis world. I say that somewhat sarcastically, but hang with me here.

The 2009 Australian is in its second week of competition and unfortunately the hottest thing isn’t the competition, its the summer heat.

Temperatures on court reached 58 degrees Celsius yesterday afternoon.

Over the past two days of competition we have seen three retirements as a result of this oppressive heat (including defending champion Novak Djokovic) and the quality of play has dropped as the temperature has risen.

Conspicuous by their absences this tournament has been the rooftops of both Hisense and Rod Laver Arena.

Tournament directors claim that temperatures have not reached the limit which by rule the court can be covered.

With that statement the Australian Open proved they don’t care first and foremost about its fans, who pay good money to see these matches.

As for the purest who may say dealing with weather is part of the conditioning process. They either have played in these conditions or haven't paid the money these great fans pay.

We have roofs for the purpose of this Australian weather. LET'S USE THEM!

NHL All Star Game: A True Hockey Fan's Nightmare

josh millar — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 10:08:36 -0500

Every year around this time comes the NHL All-Star Game, and every year I learn to despise it a little more.

I’m the biggest hockey fan of them all. During the season i watch games till 1 am everyday.

The All-Star "game" makes me cringe however.

For a true hockey fan this is nothing more but a glorified scrimmage.

What makes hockey great is the combination of masterful skill and hard nosed physical play.

In the All-Star "game" one of those is missing and it isn’t the skill. Well heck, even that is missing, it’s not a true test of skill with all the open ice.

The All-Star game is nothing short of another example of the NHL's greed trying to pinch every penny by claiming this draws fans. Maybe it does.

But those of us who know this game, hate it because it isn’t hockey.

Give all the stars five days off like everyone else; the season's second half will be better for it.

Has Bob Hope Classic Become "Hopeless"?

josh millar — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 10:52:51 -0500

This week is a special stop on the PGA Tour, or at least it used to be.

In Southern California, the Bob Hope classic is underway. The format is a unique one: a five-day, four-course pro-am.

Bob Hope passed away in 2003, and the tournament may as well have died with him. No top 10 players are in the field this week.

But we cannot blame the golfers. They are, after all, independent contractors, and the European Tour’s desert swing with the perks of appearance money has become a more viable option.

That does not lessen the sadness I and many others may feel.

Bob Hope was a genuine fan and an ambassador of the great game of golf, so much so that the great Arnold Palmer has assumed hosting duties for the week.

I don’t know what can be done to help this tournament, but I hope it does turn around. It is a great opportunity to attract a new audience to the game because of the presence of celebrities.

Take a lesson from the Wachovia Championship and the desert swing: Throw in some perks. This tournament deserves its own unique place in history.

That won't happen with second-rate fields.

MLB Playoffs: Looking Back and Looking Ahead

josh millar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 06:29:26 -0400

Many feel the Tampa Bay Rays are the biggest surprise in the playoffs.

Not me. They were the biggest surprise of the regular season. This isn’t Kansas anymore Dorothy, and the Rays are legit.

It was no surprise to me that they beat the White Sox who had to win four games just to get to the postseason. The fact that they had the highest percentage of runs scored off of the home run ball of any playoff team since 1969 didn't help their cause.

What was a surprise was the sloppy defensive play of the Angels. This raises the age old question—did they clinch too early?

They hadn’t played a meaningful game in what seemed like months and it showed.

It may be time to admit it—the Angels aren’t built for October.

Now in the ALCS The Red Sox face the Rays. One might think the young Rays may be intimidated by the storied Red Sox. Not here. The two teams played 19 times this year and the Rays bested the Red Sox to take the AL East.

Rays in seven.

In The National League, It was no surprise That the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Brewers. The Brewers were gassed from their run to the postseason.

The surprise was how handily the Chicago Cubs were defeated by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Cubs, like the Angels, coasted to the postseason. They were highly touted for the second year in a row and failed to win a single game.

But what else could we expect from America’s loveable losers?

The Phillies' pitching is at its peak, and the Dodgers' bats are hotter than they’ve been all season.

Good pitching beats good hitting

Phillies in six.

The Ryder Cup: The Spirit of Golf

josh millar — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 03:47:02 -0400

It is time now.

Time to forget about money.

Time to forget about points.

Time to forget about the individual.

It is time to play for your country.

It is time to play golf for the sake of playing golf.

It is time now to remember what golf truly is.

A spirited competition of sportsmanship and class.

A fiercely contested match, between two sides of the world. Americans and Europeans, divided by continent, united by golf’s great spirit.

It is time to bring out the best in one another.

It is time to remember that golf isn’t just played for love of money, just love.

Love of Country and love of the game.

It is time for men to be boys and for boys to become men.

It is time for great golf.

It is time for the Ryder Cup.

Will Golf Have a $20 Million Man?

josh millar — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 03:27:49 -0400

The PGA Tour Playoffs are interesting concept in many ways. The race is over with the Tour championship still to play.

Furthermore, it causes a ripple effect in the world of golf.

Players out of this chase are now relegated to playing on the Nationwide Tour, meaning some regulars can't get into events they wish to play.

Furthermore, some players are dual members of the European and PGA Tours. That concept will only get more interesting when the European Tour adopts its own playoff-like concept, the Race to Dubai.

This will be interesting because to be a member, you only have to play 12 tour events but as many as 8 of those are co-sanctioned events (the WGC and the majors are official European Tour events), This means some players could qualify for the 10 million euro prize by playing only 4 European tour events.

It will be interesting to see who chooses to do so.

Could golf have a $20 million man? Good luck following your favourite players in the coming seasons. Some may gain extra airmiles.

Why Do We Watch Football?

josh millar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 03:48:15 -0400

Recently I read an article by my friend and Bleacher report colleague Todd Reilly. In his article, Mr. Reilly suggested that the actions of Mr. Owens are unnecessary and disgraceful.

I went on to read some of the comments posted about the article. I read several comments stating that Mr. Reilly’s point of view to be “stuffy” and dry.”

I also read that Terrell Owens' end-zone celebrations were entertaining. That, to me, was an alarming statement.

Allow me to explain.

Somewhere along the line, the position of wide receiver became the prima donna position in the NFL.

Terrell Owens is a great receiver, there’s no questioning that, but how in the world are his goofy celebrations part of that pedigree?

Sports are about the concept of TEAM, and every time T.O. dances in the end zone, he disgraces the game of football, his team, and his acumen as a wideout. Furthermore, those actions carry the stench of a "ME ME ME!" type attitude.

And entertaining? How entertaining would it be if the opposing team came back to score a touchdown? No, that wouldn’t be entertaining for your team would it?

Let's face it, in today’s media market, making great catches isn’t enough, you have to push the envelope.

Football and sports aren’t about celebration and trash talk, they're about making plays and giving it your all.

Those of you who watch and think entertaining celebrations are a necessity to your NFL experience, may I suggest watching WWE RAW Mondays, 9/8 CDT on USA. You’ll find your fix of dancing prima donnas every week.

Roger Federer, Serena Williams Add to Legacies with US Open Titles

josh millar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 04:12:29 -0400

The US Open is done; now comes time to reflect.

The US Open served as a proving ground for two of the game's great champions: Roger Federer and Serena Williams.

We’d heard all year about Federer’s disappointing season, which now boasts a Slam and two finals.

We heard he was done.

At the US Open, we heard a cry of graceful joy as he was crowned champion. A subtle jab at his doubters, perhaps.

Throughout the years, we’d heard that Serena Williams played too little tennis, all while we've watched two of her contemporaries leave the game too soon.

We’ve questioned her commitment.

At the US Open, we saw that commitment, not just on the warpath to victory but in the celebration.

Serena’s jumps of joy can only be compared to those of her father when sister Venus won at Wimbledon in 2000.

That reaction showed how much it meant to her.

Indeed what we saw at the US Open were two great champions who are spectacular and underappreciated.

While the sun has set on the US Open, the careers of these two will continue to rise.

Terrible Thursday? US Open, Day 11, Novak Djokovic & Roger Federer Advance

josh millar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 01:56:12 -0400

It should come as no surprise that Roger Federer triumphed over Gilles Muller but Muller showed his mettle by hanging with Roger Federer, losing serve but once in the match.

Muller made Federer earn the straight set victory 7-6 6-4 7-6.

In the night match, Novak Djokovic beat the American hopeful Andy Roddick.

Roddick never got on track in this match.

His serve was off and at times awful.

With great ball strikers like Roddick, his serve has a certain pop, to my ears it sounded different last night and the gun, at times provided evidence to that. His serve was in the 110’s in that first set, far below average for the big bomber.

Roddick would fall behind early first to sets to Djokovic 6-2 6-4

Roddick appeared to right the ship come set three as he found his rhythm his serve improved a bit along with a dip in play from Djokovic he took the third set 6-3.

What would follow in the fourth set was truly shocking.

With Roddick serving for the fourth set and up 30-0, Roddick would serve up consecutive double faults paving the way for Djokovic to break.

It would culminate in a tie-breaker at 5-5, Roddick attempted an ill-fated drop shot. Djokovic took the set and the match 6-2 6-4 3-6 7-6.

Djokovic played a high quality first two sets but he created some intrigue for the media.

He criticized Andy Roddick who was seemingly only joking about Djokovic’s injuries.

The crowd booed heavily of course but I’m just dumbfounded by what I’m hearing.

“Djokvoic needs the crowd” they say.

What? Crowds win matches? That’s news to me. So you are saying, if I sit in the stands at the US Open, I can win USD 1.5 million?

Ok, I am willing to admit that support doesn’t hurt but I seem to remember a tennis player who could lose a crowd quicker than a hiccup and he had a terrible career

Seven majors, four years at No. 1.

Maybe you’ve heard of John Mcenro?

If Djokovic beats Federer, it will be because of his tennis. Nothing else!

Today is the Women’s semis on Furious Friday, I think Dementieva and Serena will advance.

Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams Win Big on Wild Wednesday

josh millar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 03:34:34 -0400

The second Wednesday at the US Open started slowly, but when things got rolling, it was fast and furious!

Andy Murray and Juan Martin Del Potro took the court just before 3 p.m. EST. What followed can best be described as a sluggish, four-hour slugfest.

Murray took the first set 7-6 in a tie breaker set lasting over the 60-minute mark.

The second set also went to Murray in a breaker.

This was a first opportunity for both men to advance to a Grand Slam semi, and frankly, it showed.

The first two sets-plus were error-filled and sometimes unentertaining but, as day became night at Flushing Meadows, the crowd got into the match. It was as if this gave both men a little relief from the tension of the moment.

Murray would break early in the third set of this match but failed to serve it out, eventually forcing a fourth set, which he won.

Most importantly, this match showed the potential of Murray and Del Potro. They’ll meet again, and when they do, they may just steal the show.

That match lasted four hours, delaying the night session by almost an hour.

The much anticipated “sister act,” however, did not disappoint New York’s rabid tennis fans.

The first four games or so started as sluggishly as can be expected when the sisters play one another.

By the middle of the first set, both sisters had worked out the jitters and were ready to do what they do best: play tennis.

It was a hard-hitting match as always, but it was Serena who looked slightly better on this night.

The sisters traded breaks in the first set, and it would ultimately end 7-6 for Serena.

In set two, Venus broke early and served for the set but was broken at 5-4. It would go to a tiebreaker and by set's end, Venus had 10 sets points. She converted none. Game set, Match, 7-6 7-6.

This was as physically tough of a match as I thought it would be. What will Venus have left come Friday?

That match ended just after 11 p.m. but we weren’t done yet, folks, for it was time for Arthur Ashe stadium to become “The world's largest Fish bowl” as over 20,000 “fisherman” looked on in anticipation of American Mardy Fish and world No. 1 Rafael Nadal.

Fish had the best start he could possibly ask for. He broke Nadal in his first service game and took the first set, 6-3. Fish served tremendously in that set, but he couldn’t keep it up.

Perhaps the late start time offset Nadal, and the first set loss was his wake-up call. He took the second 6-1 and was in cruise control for the remainder of this match.

Watching this, Ii was reminded of Andre Agassi. Agassi made every match a physical encounter. He wears his opponent down, even if he loses points. Nadal loses some battles, but he wins most of the wars, as Mardy Fish can attest.

The toughest combatants on this night were the fans, many of whom hung in past the 2 a.m. hour.

Kudos.

See you after the action on Tremendous Thursday (we hope it’s tremendous anyway).

Terrific Tuesday: Looking Back and Ahead

josh millar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 02:53:00 -0400

It was indeed a terrific Tuesday at the US Open, a day session that saw two of the world’s best play back-to-back thrilling five set matches, an upset and a hungry American.

Novak Djokovic was the first to set the tone with his five set match against Spaniard Tommy Robredo

Djokovic looked sluggish in the first set losing it 6-4

In the second set, he suffered what appeared to be a hip injury. The injury seemed to focus the youngster and he went on to win a tough five setter match.

However, Djokovic is tired and hurt and it won’t get any easier. He’ll face Andy Roddick in his quarterfinal.

Roddick and his serve looked sharp again last night and his forehand was solid.

Roger Federer had a tough five set win Tuesday against Igor Andreev. I like the work ethic of this man. He provided a tougher test than many of us thought he could, alas, Federer one the “big points” in the match.

Despite his win it was certainly not the Roger Federer we once knew. What was once a labour of love seemed more simply a labour?

He struggled mightily on this day, as he seemingly has all season, but there was one positive on this day.

Federer showed emotion. He shouted, pumped his fist, things we would not expect from Roger Federer, but what it does is it turns into a mental game with his opponents, showing them he wants it and maybe, just maybe make his opponents doubt themselves.

Looking ahead

Novak Djokovic is hurt and has a tough quarter against Roddick, the winner will have most certainly battled to move on.

Rafa Nadal has a seemingly easier quarter, but alas strange things happen under the lights at Flushing Meadows. I still think Nadal will survive.

Roger Federer has the easiest quarter of all against qualifier Gilles Muller who played five matches in the quallies and his last three matches have been five set affairs.

I still think it sets up well for Roddick who is the freshest man remaining.

Speaking of being fresh , on the women’s side the Williams sisters play each other in a quarterfinal match tonight. This match because of the unique circumstances may result in greater mental rather than physical drain.

The winner will likely face Dinara Safina, who’s been hot this summer.

No matter the scenario, things are set up well for another Russian Elena Dementieva whose confidence is sky high.

Business is picking up at the Open. Enjoy!

Will Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal Be Undone by Forehand Troubles?

josh millar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 03:16:54 -0400

With the first week of the US Open in the books, all I’ve heard is what an uneventful week it's been. For some, a week is uneventful unless there are upsets. Those people don’t really know tennis.

In the first week, the world's top two players have shown a chink in their armour.

Roger Federer, though yet to be truly tested, has looked anything but crisp. He made more forehand errors in his third-round match then I can recall him ever making.

In fact, the forehand appears to be the shot that will decide this year’s last major.

We saw Nadal have trouble with his forehand against Sam Querrey. Once more, Nadal appears to be weary at the end of the hard court season.

I didn’t like Andy Roddick’s chances last week; now he may be the favourite.

Flushing Meadows courts appear to be playing very quick, setting up well for the rambunctious Roddick and his big serve, but like the rest of the group, his forehand is the big question.

Anybody know how Nikolay Davydenko’s forehand is? He may look pretty good by week’s end.

Ana Ivanovic Ousted Early at US Open: Was It A Surprise?

josh millar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:57:41 -0400

The woman’s world No. 1 Ana Ivanovic was ousted in her second round match of the US Open yesterday, going down 6-3 4-6 6-3.

That Ivanovic lost was not a surprise—she’s played poorly all summer—but it was who she lost to that was: Julie Coin of France, a player ranked 188^th in the world.

This was Coin’s first grand slam event, first tour event, and first win over the World No. 1.

Even more unnervingly for Coin, she had been scheduled to play at the Louis Armstrong Stadium, but due to a 2^ndset retirement by Steve Darcis (who was facing James Blake) the match was suddenly moved to Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The Arthur Ashe is tennis’ largest arena, which could have intimidated the youngster. She remarked she was nervous (who wouldn’t be), but she did not look overrawed.

She played technically sound in the match, forcing Ivanovic to raise her game. The Croation didn’t, instead she raised eyebrows.

Ivanovic didn’t look crisp from the get-go, spraying her forehand wide time after time. She took advantage of a dip in play by Coin at 3-3 in the second set, but that would be the youngsters’ only donation towards the match.

One has to wonder now how bad Ivanovic’s thumb really is. Or has she simply yet to develop the mental toughness to be a top player?

Tennis Coaches and Their Pupils: Walking the Tightrope?

josh millar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:16:27 -0400

I was watching USA Network's coverage of the US Open yesterday, and during Ana Ivanovic’s match, John McEnroe and Jim Courrier and Tracy Austin were having a discussion about the uniqueness of the player-coach relationship in the sport.

The aforementioned commentators suggested that coaches had to walk a fine line: attempting to improve a player while not aggravating them for fear of being fired.

So I started thinking (rightly or wrongly) about the attitude of tennis players.

Do they want to get better and be the best, or do they want to hear someone else reaffirm how good they THINK they are?

There are players on tour who have had a revolving door of coaches, namely Marat Safin and Richard Gasquet.

Although Gasquet is still young, you could argue that both players have underachieved for their talent. Perhaps a lack of direction can be to blame for that?

The skeptic would say Roger Federer shoots that theory down. I can hear you saying as you read “Roger Federer’s won majors coachless.” I say: Not everyone is Roger Federer.

There’s no formula for how long you should retain a coach for, but sometimes with all the money out there, it makes you wonder how many players want coaches who push them while nurturing them, or coaches who just nurture them?

Does It Matter Whether Roger Federer Is the Greatest Ever?

josh millar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 01:32:49 -0400

Quite frankly, I need to get something off my chest.

While the debate of greatest of all time may entertain some and act as filler for actual sports talk, it never has tickled my fancy.

I am not interested in the conversation of "this guy has so many titles" and did such and such.

Why do I feel this way, you ask?

It is because so often this debate is about numbers and not about the old eyeball test.

It's about the numbers you know and what you hear and not what you see.

Which brings me to Roger Federer.

Forget the numbers for once. Just watch and absorb the man they call Roger Federer, and my point will become clearer.

He has a quiet composure. His matches always seem to carry that composure. Even his most exciting matches seem to allow tennis purists to be overcome with quiet and calm.

His footwork s graceful; even slow motion doesn’t do it justice, because he doesn’t run on the court; he soars and prances. It’s elegant, really.

The sound of the ball off his racket is purely crisp; you can hear it, as there is no intimidating grunt.

Throughout a match he breaks nary a sweat. For Federer, tennis is not work but a talent show, of moments never before seen, perhaps never to be seen again.

To the man, his sport is the greatest in the world. He doesn’t carry the torch; he shares it with his compatriots, wanting to do his best, not just for himself.

He has a gracious attitude on and off the court, carrying himself with the grace of a champion.

So next time you watch Roger Federer, observe him for who he is and what he does.

Then let the numbers tell their half of the story, for it is only half.

The other is the great man himself.

ROGER FEDERER: greatest of all time? Let someone else decide.

For he already exemplifies greatness, and that’s all that should matter.

US Open Day 1: Nadal Wins But, Opponent Steals The Show

josh millar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:59:05 -0400

Rafael Nadal walked out on to Arthur Ashe stadium court expecting a routine 1^st round match and it was. 7-6 6-3 7-6. The score line was routine the match... wasn’t

Nadal faced the worlds 136^thranked player Bjorn Phau. Skeptics will say that Nadal’s trip to Beijing made him wary.

While some may say Nadal didn’t look fresh and he may well not have been, what we saw was certainly refreshing.

So many times players like Phau lose before they take the court. Not Phau.

Perhaps it was his experience , Phau is 28 years of age. Regardless it was obvious that though Phau probably knew he couldn’t beat Nadal he COULD test him. He did just that.

Phau took the 2 of 3 sets to breakers where perhaps the nerves got to the underdog, however Phaugot to every ball making Nadal come up with answers.

It was an expectedly fun entertaining contest.

I hope a lot of young players saw this match they could have learnt something.

That giving it your best is in itself a righteous victory.

Tim Lincecum's Case for the 2008 CY Young Award

josh millar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:21:01 -0400

I’ve heard people say, “How can Tim Lincecum win the CY Young award?”

The biggest argument I’ve heard against Lincecum is that the San Francisco Giants are a bad team. Maybe that should help rather than hurt.

Consider this. In 1997, the Montreal Expos went 78-84. Pedro Martinez went 17-8 with 1.94 ERA

He won his first Cy Young Award. At that time, he had six years of major-league experience.

Lincecum, at this point, has less than two full years of service. He’s 13-3 on a team that is 19 games under .500 and he’s averaging 6.6 innings per start.

The Giants' fielders have committed 75 errors this season, and the bullpen has an ERA over four.

Lyceum’s 13-3 record could have been better.

The CY young is an individual award, often based on the performance of the players behind him.

Voters vote mostly based on numbers. He has those, but you don't realize how good Lincecum is until you see him, and you see just how bad the Giants are.

Most people don't get to see how bad the Giants are. He pitches out west on a bad team—two kisses of death to Lincecum's Cy Young dreams.

He should win; he deserves to. But if he does, it will be a small miracle.

2008 US Open: What 2 Watch 4

josh millar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:00:31 -0400

With the US Open on the horizon and the Olympics in the setting sun, there are a couple of players to watch out for in 2008 at Flushing Meadows.

The obvious player to watch is the new world No. 1, Rafael Nadal.

Nadal’s Olympic triumph proved to us, and more importantly to himself, that he can win on the grueling surface they call hard courts. When Nadal has his say, he may just make the hard courts look...not so hard.

James Blake had a strong Olympics, reaching the quarters and beating Roger Federer along the way. Blake has made a run at the Open once before, and this year he will be the top American to watch. Sorry, Roddick fans.

Going into this US Open, it is not a question of whether Roger Federer can win but more about who will oust the disgraced champion. Federer as an underdog? Who would have thought?

Serbian Novak Djokovic will try to rebound from a disappointing Wimbledon. Djokovic made the final last year at Flushing Meadows. He may be Nadal’s only challenger.

On the women’s side its wide open. A dark horse for the ladies' trophy may be Elena Dementieva. Coming off the biggest win of her career in the Olympics, she’s made the final of the Open on one occasion (2004). She may finally have the mental fortitude to pull through.

A safe pick is one of the Williams sisters. The rest of the women’s draw is shaky at best.

The US Open begins next Monday.

Greg Maddux Is Just What the Los Angeles Dodgers Needed

josh millar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 07:16:48 -0400

Greg Maddux may be just what the L.A. Dodgers needed.

I know what you are all thinking: He’s had an unimpressive year. So have the San Diego Padres.

But consider this: Maddux has made 26 starts this season going 6-9, but in 15 of those starts, he has received three or less runs of support. And in three of those games, the Padres were shut out.

Maddux’s pitching personality is much like the perceived personality of California: soft and laid back.

Maddux is a crafty righty if there ever was one.

Alas, Maddux’s value may not be determined by wins and losses. Remember, the Dodgers' rotation is quite young. Maddux is a library of knowledge for Hiroki Kuroda, Chad Billingsly, and 22-year old Clayton Kershaw.

Maddux has never won 20 games in a season, but he’ll be a Hall of Famer someday. But for now, he’s a pitcher, and a good one at that. Maddux may not pay off this year, but the knowledge he imparts will.

Be patient, Dodger fans.

Adam Dunn to Diamondbacks—and Done in Cincinnati

josh millar — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 10:32:49 -0400

The win now philosophy has reared its ugly head yet again as the Arizona Diamondbacks have traded for Adam Dunn, giving up three prospects in return.

Many D’backs fans are probably jumping for joy. They shouldn’t be. This deal goes against how the D’backs have built and nurtured this team: through prospects.

Dunn is unlikely to re-sign with the team. What’s more Dunn gives the D’backs more of what they don’t need: strikeouts

The D’backs already have two players who have struck out 100 plus times: Mark Reynolda (147) Chris Young (122). Justin Upton has 97 strikeouts.

Dunn has 120 strikeouts approaching mid-August.

It's simple baseball. If you don’t hit you can't score. And Dunn is a hit or miss type of player. He does damage when he makes, but he misses more than that.

The D’backs aren’t World Series ready either, by those numbers alone.

We don’t know how those prospects will turn out, but the acquisition of Dunn will do little to help Arizona. How much will it hurt? We will know that answer in a few years.

Ozzie Guillen: “Bye Bye Twins?”

josh millar — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 02:13:29 -0400

If Jose Contreras pitches the way pitching coach Don Cooper says, you can say "bye bye to the Minnesota Twins”

That's what Ozzie Guillen said before Jose Contreras’ start on Saturday against the Red Sox, the very start in which he later left with a ruptured Achilles tendon. Early reports have Contreras out for the year.

Ok, so let's take a long look at things here. Ozzie tells his team Contreras is the squad's best pitcher. Not a big problem. Every staff has an ace. BUT, he then goes on to demean his opponents, and give them bulletin board material.

It would seem that Ozzie’s rants my have finally backfired. In the process Ozzie, anointed an ace which he later lost, and motivated a division rival.

The big question now is how does this affect the White Sox? Your ace is gone for the year, the rest of the staff has been inconsistent. What will Ozzie say to get of this one?

The bigger question is: When will he learn to say NOTHING…at least to the media.

The AL Central race just got interesting folks.

Josh Millar

Are Officials Doing Things Backwards at the PGA Championship?

josh millar — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 07:37:55 -0400

As the PGA championship is in a third-round weather delay, I began thinking about the “unwritten rules” of golf.

On Thursday and Friday, Oakland Hills showed its teeth. Whether it was unplayable or not is up for debate, but isn’t a golf course supposed to get tougher as the week progresses?

So today, the PGA of America has given the greens some water and have gone with “easier” pin positions. OK part of it is due to the severe weather, but if they had to make the course easier on a Saturday, that tells me the PGA of America set the course too difficult to begin with.

If a course is at its hardest to start, what do you do for the weekend? I think it’s a syndrome from Shinnecock Hills. The PGA was afraid to lose control of the course.

Now as we sit in this delay, it's raining and the course will soften. Major championships are supposed to be a test to the world's best players, not the organizations who run them. So far the PGA of America has made three bogies this week and they are likely to miss the cut.

Can Both the Cubs and Cardinals Make the Playoffs?

josh millar — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:40:22 -0400

This weekend at Wrigley field the Chicago Cubs will host the St. Louis Cardinals.

Unfortunately for the Cards, their rotation doesn’t line up the way they might have hoped. They are five back of the divison and half a game out of the wild card

The Cards start two converted relievers in the series’ first two games in Braden Looper and Todd Wellemeyer. They will face Ted Lilly and Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano respectively. Even worse for the Cards, they’ve yet to announce the starter for the 3rd game Sunday night. The Cubs will send Ryan Dempster to the mound.

In short, the Cards are outmatched in every pitching match up this series. They will have to out hit the Cubs, but the Cubs are no slouches in the hitting department.

Unless the Cubs continue to struggle on the road, the Cardinals best chance at the playoffs is the Wild Card, especially if they get swept this weekend which they very well could.

The Cardinals could also lose ground in the wild card as the Milwaukee Brewers feast on the lowly Washington Nationals this weekend.

For postseason teams these are make or break series in my mind. If the Cardinals can salvage a series win it will unify them as a team. If they lose it or get swept, the Cardinals playoff hopes may get swept under the rug as well

2008 PGA Championship Preview

josh millar — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 03:56:45 -0400

The 90^th PGA Championship at Oakland Hills has many storylines. Some have had success and others have been haunted by demons.

It was four years ago when some of the world’s best assembled for the 2004 Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills but there may just be some proof in the pudding of those results.

Phil Mickelson comes into Oakland Hills having handed the Bridgestone Invitational to Vijay Singh and his wonky putter.

Oakland Hills may not be a good set up for Mickelson, who went a disastrous 1-3 in the 2004 Ryder Cup (at Oakland Hills) including two losses paired with Tiger Woods, being left out of Saturdays four-ball and losing to Sergio Garcia in singles on Sunday.

Yes, match play is different than stroke play but the bottom line is Mickelson can’t be confident coming in to this one.

Sergio Garcia has had several close calls in majors in his career. This may be the place for Garcia to break through. Garcia went 4-0-1 in the 2004 Ryder Cup including the aforementioned victory over Mickelson. With Tiger not in the mix at a place where he’s had some success, The Players champion will look to hoist the trophy come Sunday.

Two-time British Open champion Padraig Harrington is on a high after his title defence. Whether or not he settles in time to make a run here, we will know shortly, however, he too had success at the 2004 Ryder cup with a 4-1 record.

My pick for the week will surprise many, but I don’t think it should. Lee Westwood has been to put in these terms the bridesmaid of 2008 if you will.

He finished thirdat the US Open, second last week at Bridgestone WGC, and 11^th at the masters. That's three strong finishes in three of golf’s strongest fields, in a WINLESS season.

Westwood went 4-0-1 in the 2004 Ryder Cup. Sounds like a good place to notch your first win of 2008 and make it your first major as well.

Who will claim “Glory’s Last Shot”? We’ll find out Sunday.

Is Michelle Wie the Next Bobby Fischer?

josh millar — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 05:12:17 -0400

With all the talk of Michelle Wie’s fading career, I thought of a unique comparison to chess prodigy Bobby Fischer.

Fischer was a young talented chess prodigy. From the age of 13, he was highly touted. That's the same age that Michelle Wie’s name came to prominence.

In January 1958, at age 14, Fischer became the youngest US champion ever (this record still stands). He earned the title of International Master with this victory, becoming the youngest player ever to achieve this level (a record since broken).

Both Fischer and Wie were pushed at early ages. For Fischer, chess became something he was forced to do, rather then something he enjoyed so much. So, he took almost a 20-year sabbatical.

In 2003, Wie became the youngest player to make a cut in an LPGA event at the Kraft Nabisco Championship, shooting a 66 in the third round, tying the amateur record for a women's major championship, and placing her in the final group alongside Annika Sörenstam and eventual winner, Patricia Meunier-Lebouc.

A few months later, Wie earned a historic victory at the Women's Amateur Public Links tournament, becoming the youngest person ever, male or female, to win a USGA adult event. She also became the youngest player to make the cut in the history of the US Women's Open, where she placed 39th.

She garnered praise from some of the games greats. Arnold Palmer stated in 2003 that "she's probably going to influence the golfing scene as much as Tiger, or more. She's going to attract people that even Tiger didn't attract, young people, both boys and girls, and families."

Wie has yet to win on the LPGA tour and continues to compete with men.

I have to wonder how much of this Wie herself wants or how much influence the people managing her career.

Shooting 80’s against men does nothing for this young woman’s confidence.

The point between this comparison is that in late years, Bobby Fischer came to despise chess.

Wie at 19, has to much to offer, the game of golf and the world. I just hope Wie can live up to the praise the great Arnold Palmer once had for her. She deserves that much and more.

No Tiger Woods? No Problem at WGC Invitational

josh millar — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 03:48:11 -0400

With Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh in the final pairing, the PGA Tour couldn’t be happier.

Without Tiger playing, the next two weeks in golf will showcase just how many people know or care that golf exists WITHOUT Tiger Woods.

The field is strong. Alas, I’m going to throw out a name I think you’ll here about Stateside more often.. Ross Fisher.

The young Englishman hits the ball a mile and strikes it well. Heck, he even garnered the praise of some guy named Tiger when playing with him in Dubai last year.

Hard to believe, but so far we are seeing great golf without the mighty Tiger. Let's just hope the ratings are good this week.

Vin Scully Is a Class Act, but What about Manny Ramirez?

josh millar — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 03:19:36 -0400

It's official. Manny Ramirez has invaded Los Angeles.

At least, Dodgers' television partner FSN Prime Ticket has made it look that way.

In his debut it was all Manny all the time for everybody on FSN Prime Ticket, except Vin Scully.

The Dodgers' television crew showed as many shots of Manny as possible, even advertising his upcoming at-bats and at one point stating he was due up FIFTH in a given inning. All Scully did was go about his business as only the legendary Scully can.

When Ramirez notched his first base hit as a Dodger, Scully remarked, “So, the biggest question now is...when is Manny going to get a haircut?”

The way the Dodgers' broadcast was going, they will probably follow him to the barbershop if he chooses to go. I can't wait for Manny to try to be Manny in LA. Even more, I can't wait to hear what Vin Scully will have to say about it.

People call Vin Scully Dodgers baseball. That’s an injustice. Vin Scully is plainly, simply BASEBALL. He respects the game and the Dodgers too much to make Manny THE story.

God bless baseball’s greatest poet—Vin Scully.

Ana Ivanovic Ousted at Rogers Cup

josh millar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 02:40:48 -0400

Thursday at the Rogers Cup Ana Ivanovic was unceremoniously defeated by Tamira Pascek 6-1, 2-6, 6-2.

Pascek, under the tutelage of Gustavo Kuerten’s former coach Larry Pasos has worked his magic yet again with talented youngster. Remember Pascek I will come back to her later.

The match was just as odd as the scoreline. Neither player played their best at the same time. It was what we in tennis call a "scrappy" match.

The world No. 1 Ivanovic hasn't played very well since she claimed the world's top spot. I’ve noticed a change in Ivanovic.

When she was climbing the rankings, she played with what I liked to call "a soft fire." On the court, she smiled, she saw the ball, she hit the ball. She had a quiet focus.

Now with the top ranking, everything around her is anything but quiet. Her time is precious, yet demanded. This delightfully quiet, timid, smiling youngster can't handle it yet.

To me, the best thing for Ivanovic is to relinquish her perch atop the tennis world (which fellow countrywomen Jelena Jankovic can cease this week), relax, go to the Olympics, and play for Serbia, and get back to the Ivanovic we know and love to watch.

With Ivanovic eliminated and Sharapova withdrawn, the tournament is wide open and so is the US Open.

Tamira Pascek strikes the ball beautifully and her movement is solid.

I mentioned earlier in the week that Ivanovic announced herself to the world in Montreal 2006. Tamira Pascek has a chance, a great chance to do the very same here this week. But by ousting the world’s No. 1, one might say she already has.