JAIL TIME FOR PLAXICO?

Manhattan DA Robert Morgenthau is determined to have beleaguered NY Giants’ receiver Plaxico Burress spend time in jail on the weapons charge he was arrested for last year. According to reports in a NYC tabloid, Burress is willing to spend 0ne year in jail while prosecutors are looking for two years. Either way, Burress appears to be heading to prison-like quite a few NFL players have in recent years. Perhaps NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell should rename the National Football League the National Felon League. As for Burress, he should do jail time. Lets split the difference-18 months. If being stupid were a crime-he would do life!

Let me enjoy this!

I am the most critical Yankee fan I know, so let me enjoy this moment as my Yankees are in first place in AL East by two games over Boston-but look out for Tampa Bay.

TAKE A BOW, TOM!

Defying age, Tom Watson played some of the best golf of his illustrious career at the British Open, despite losing in a playoff to Stewart Cink. Watson, who thirty years ago was golf’s best, was one of the best sports stories of the year. It overshadowed another big story: Tiger Woods failing to make the cut for only the second time in his brilliant career. Take a bow, Mr. Watson for a great week.

FIRE BERNAZARD!

What is there to think about? After a disgraceful display of behavior by NY Mets’ Team executive Tony Bernazard, who ripped off his shirt and challenged the players of the Binghamton Mets, the Mets Double-A farm team to a fight, Bernazard should be fired immediately.

A Tragic Ending

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the apparent suicide of former boxing champion Alexis Arguello in Nicaragua on July 1 from an apparent self inflicted gunshot wound.

A champion in three different weight classifications, Arguello compiled an impressive record of 82-8 with 65 knockouts. He had some classic fights, especially with Aaron Pryor and Ray Mancini. He was elected Mayor of Managua, Nicaragua just last year. Very, very sad.

ALL STATE LADY DEVILS

Three UCHS Lady Devils:

Catcher Whitley Hensley, pitcher Kara Woods and OF Ali Gardner were selected to the Class AA All-State 2009 Softball team by the TSWA. Head coach Grady Lingerfelt was awarded Coach of the Year honors. Well deserved.

Congratulations, Monica

 

She hasn’t played professional tennis for several years but Monica Seles’ fine career was recognized as she was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island recently. It seems all people remember about her career is when she was stabbed by a crazed spectator at a match in Hamburg, Germany in 1993. Seles was the number one female tennis player in the world at that time. Her career was a stellar one: nine grand slam titles  and the number one ranking for 178 weeks. Certainly, had it not been for that attack she would have won several more grand slam titles. But, she was rewarded for her stellar play. Congratulations!

FALLEN IDOL?

Lost somewhat in the wake of the murder of Steve McNair was the death of boxing great Arturo Gatti who was found dead in Brazil. The former junior welterweight champion was a true boxing idol whose combative style left many memories for boxing fans worldwide, especially his three classic battles with “Irish” Micky Ward. Apparently, foul play was involved according to early reports from Brazil. Another athlete dead before his time.

Congratulations, Roger

With an epic five set win-including a 16-14 fifth set over Andy Roddick, Roger Federer stands alone at the summitt of the tennis world as he eclipsed Pete Sampras by winning his 15th Grand Slam event in his brilliant career. Congratulations, Roger, and may you have many more.

A senseless tragedy

Of course, it is early in the investigation of what appears to be a murder-homicide of former NFL-QB Steve McNair. One cannot help but feel for his family who is now without a father and provider. Only 36 years old, McNair was a well respected QB during his 13 year NFL career. This really is a senseless tragedy.