Remember a couple of weeks ago when I told you to call me when Tiger Woods wins the Masters? Well, I'll still wait for that phone call. Even though Tiger Woods finally got out of his 2 year losing streak I still have a hard time believing that he is really back. I mean come on, he was playing in his own 18-man tournament and he hand picked those other 17 players. And although there were world ranking points involved it wasn't really a real tournament.
I'm not trying to diminish Tiger's victory because a win is a win, but we don't measure Tiger in little tournaments; we measure him in majors. Tiger is well on his way to winning a major. This win has boosted his confidence. It wouldn't surprise me if you see him putting on the Green jacket in May. Just don't count his chickens before they hatch.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you all have a fantastic and thanks filled day! Don't eat too much and have fun watching or playing football! :)
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Tiger Tumbling
I'm in love with the game golf. I have been since the age of five when my mom first sat me in front of the TV with Tiger Woods winning the Masters for the second time. I was hooked. I wasn't like 'normal' kids who thought golf was long and boring. I was intrigued by it.
Tiger Woods quickly became my favorite player. I pushed aside his arrogance and rudeness to see exactly what I thought he was, a great athlete. I watched him win 14 major championships. I loved him and I couldn't get enough of him. But, that all started to change after Thanksgiving of 2009. It's a story that's been told a million times. And it doesn't need to be told again.
Ever since then, Tiger's golf game has taken nose dive. One of the best golfers of all time hasn't won a tournament since winning the 2009 US Open on a broken leg. Woods can barely make the cut, let alone finish in the top ten.
That was until recently. Woods has been making a slow climb towards the top of the golfing mountain. He finished third at the Australian Open and brought home the President's Cup home for the US last week by draining a birdie putt, despite his terrible performance the first round.
But, don't let Tiger's vast improvements fool you. Woods has been playing up and down and with every high comes a dark valley.
As much as I'd like to believe that Tiger is going to win again, I don't think it's going to happen. He's aging, hurting, and in the wrong mindset. So, I don't think it's going to happen.
Call me when Tiger wins the Master's again because right now I don't really care.
Tiger Woods quickly became my favorite player. I pushed aside his arrogance and rudeness to see exactly what I thought he was, a great athlete. I watched him win 14 major championships. I loved him and I couldn't get enough of him. But, that all started to change after Thanksgiving of 2009. It's a story that's been told a million times. And it doesn't need to be told again.
Ever since then, Tiger's golf game has taken nose dive. One of the best golfers of all time hasn't won a tournament since winning the 2009 US Open on a broken leg. Woods can barely make the cut, let alone finish in the top ten.
That was until recently. Woods has been making a slow climb towards the top of the golfing mountain. He finished third at the Australian Open and brought home the President's Cup home for the US last week by draining a birdie putt, despite his terrible performance the first round.
But, don't let Tiger's vast improvements fool you. Woods has been playing up and down and with every high comes a dark valley.
As much as I'd like to believe that Tiger is going to win again, I don't think it's going to happen. He's aging, hurting, and in the wrong mindset. So, I don't think it's going to happen.
Call me when Tiger wins the Master's again because right now I don't really care.
Farmageddon
Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers.
It's the game that everyone has been looking forward to in years. Neither team is that great this year, both losing great talent due to graduation and the NFL. But, I could hear the trash talk in the halls starting nearly two years ago. I have heard the bickering between Hawk and Husker fans in every single class period and I'm sure it won't be ending anytime soon.
But, the question on everybody's mind is, 'Who's going to win?' Well, let's break it down a bit. (Oh and let's keep in mind I am not a Hawks fan or a Huskers fan!)
Iowa has fallen into a pattern of alternating wins and losses, coming in off a 31-21 victory over the Purdue Boilermakers as 1.5-point road favorites. The Hawkeyes will be meeting the Cornhuskers for the first time as Big Ten Conference opponents, but comes in with a 12-26-3 record in the all-time series. “We’re going to go into a very tough environment against a very good football team,” commented Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz. “We’ll see if we can put a good plan together and go over and play hard.” Iowa is 7-3 ATS as an underdog the last two-plus years and the ‘under’ is 7-4 in that situation.
The Hawkeyes are already bowl eligible for the 11th straight season and will be looking to move their record to 7-3 in the postseason down the road. Iowa is 1-1 versus ranked opponents this year, handing the Michigan Wolverines a loss, while dropping a contest to the Michigan State Spartans. Offensively, wide receiver Marvin McNutt Jr. has been quite the story, establishing a single season record with 12 touchdown catches. The running game is still the bread and butter of the attack, led by running back Marcus Coker, who has ran for 1,297 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Nebraska will close out the regular season in traditional fashion in playing the day after Thanksgiving, but the move to a different conference brings a different opponent into Memorial Stadium. The Cornhuskers are coming off a 45-17 blowout loss to the Michigan Wolverines, but went over the total for the first time in five contests. “We cant play that way on the road and win a football game,” stated Cornhuskers coach Bo Pelini. The team ultimately lost three of four fumbles and was penalized eight times. Nebraska is 1-5 ATS at home this season and the ‘over’ has gone 3-2 in that situation.
The Cornhuskers have tallied an impressive 13-2-1 record when hosting the Hawkeyes in Lincoln, with the last meeting resulting in a 42-13 win as 42-point home favorites on Sept. 23, 2000. Nebraska running back Rex Burkhead may be showing signs of slowing down, failing to score a touchdown in a game for the first time last week. He finished the game with just 10 carries for a season-low 36 yards.
All the stats are favoring Iowa in this 'Farmageddon' game, but my gut feeling is telling me to choose the Huskers. So, that's what I'm doing. Huskers over the Hawks 36-31.
It's the game that everyone has been looking forward to in years. Neither team is that great this year, both losing great talent due to graduation and the NFL. But, I could hear the trash talk in the halls starting nearly two years ago. I have heard the bickering between Hawk and Husker fans in every single class period and I'm sure it won't be ending anytime soon.
But, the question on everybody's mind is, 'Who's going to win?' Well, let's break it down a bit. (Oh and let's keep in mind I am not a Hawks fan or a Huskers fan!)
Iowa has fallen into a pattern of alternating wins and losses, coming in off a 31-21 victory over the Purdue Boilermakers as 1.5-point road favorites. The Hawkeyes will be meeting the Cornhuskers for the first time as Big Ten Conference opponents, but comes in with a 12-26-3 record in the all-time series. “We’re going to go into a very tough environment against a very good football team,” commented Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz. “We’ll see if we can put a good plan together and go over and play hard.” Iowa is 7-3 ATS as an underdog the last two-plus years and the ‘under’ is 7-4 in that situation.
The Hawkeyes are already bowl eligible for the 11th straight season and will be looking to move their record to 7-3 in the postseason down the road. Iowa is 1-1 versus ranked opponents this year, handing the Michigan Wolverines a loss, while dropping a contest to the Michigan State Spartans. Offensively, wide receiver Marvin McNutt Jr. has been quite the story, establishing a single season record with 12 touchdown catches. The running game is still the bread and butter of the attack, led by running back Marcus Coker, who has ran for 1,297 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Nebraska will close out the regular season in traditional fashion in playing the day after Thanksgiving, but the move to a different conference brings a different opponent into Memorial Stadium. The Cornhuskers are coming off a 45-17 blowout loss to the Michigan Wolverines, but went over the total for the first time in five contests. “We cant play that way on the road and win a football game,” stated Cornhuskers coach Bo Pelini. The team ultimately lost three of four fumbles and was penalized eight times. Nebraska is 1-5 ATS at home this season and the ‘over’ has gone 3-2 in that situation.
The Cornhuskers have tallied an impressive 13-2-1 record when hosting the Hawkeyes in Lincoln, with the last meeting resulting in a 42-13 win as 42-point home favorites on Sept. 23, 2000. Nebraska running back Rex Burkhead may be showing signs of slowing down, failing to score a touchdown in a game for the first time last week. He finished the game with just 10 carries for a season-low 36 yards.
All the stats are favoring Iowa in this 'Farmageddon' game, but my gut feeling is telling me to choose the Huskers. So, that's what I'm doing. Huskers over the Hawks 36-31.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Above The Moral Code? No!
Wow! I haven't written at all! Well, now's a good time.
What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the words 'Penn State'? For me, it's 'Joe Paterno'. He has been the head coach at Penn State since before I was born. Until tonight. Joe Paterno was fired after 46 years at University Park, Pennsylvania.
My first reaction of hearing of his removal was shock and anger. I couldn't understand why the Penn State Board of Trustees decided to rob him of the chance of finishing the season. I also wanted answers. I wanted to know the reason for his dismissal, but I wasn't going to get them from John Surma. HWow! I haven't written at all! Well, now's a good time.
What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the words 'Penn State'? For me, it's 'Joe Paterno'. He has been the head coach at Penn State since before I was born. Until tonight. Joe Paterno was fired after 46 years at University Park, Pennsylvania.
My first reaction of hearing of his removal was shock and anger. I couldn't understand why the Penn State Board of Trustees decided to rob him of the chance of finishing the season. I also wanted answers. I wanted to know the reason for his dismissal, but I wasn't going to get them from John Surma. He was giving straight, but to me, BS answers. Plus, Paterno was a legand. 'How could they get rid of a legand like Joe Pa?!"
My next reaction was sadness. I began to feel bad for Joe Paterno. He was told over the phone, and I found that to be wrong. He never really comitted a crime, so why should that mean he should be in trouble. I also thought that he knew he should have said something, but he didn't. He is going to have to live with that regret his entire life. Isn't that enough?
However, the more I sat and thought about it, my opinion began to change. Although Paterno broke no written laws, he didn't sexually assault those kids, he didn't kill anyone. But, he did break moral laws. He was notified by a scared young man who had just witnessed horendious acts. He told the university, but it wasn't enough. He should have went to the police, but he didn't. And no one really knows why. He could have prevented the other occurances from happening, but he didn't.
People are saying that Penn State could have had the decency to allow him to retire at the end of the season or at least let him coach one more game. I disagree. If PSU had allowed him to coach one more game that would have been wrong. Just because Joe Paterno is a legend at Penn State and in college football does not make him above anyone. He had information, and he never told any authorities. It's morally wrong. If he had said something years ago none of this would have happened. Maybe he thought he was protecting someone by not telling, who knows. Or maybe he thought he could get away with it because of who he is. It doesn't really matter. He is not above the moral code. For that reason, he deserved to get the boot.
It all comes down to being a good person and doing the right thing. Something that I am sure he told his players. Does that make him a hypocrite? Probably. He choose to do the wrong thing over a decade ago and it caught up to him. He had it coming, and somewhere deep down inside of him he knew it.e was giving straight, but to me, BS answers. Plus, Paterno was a legand. 'How could they get rid of a legand like Joe Pa?!"
My next reaction was sadness. I began to feel bad for Joe Paterno. He was told over the phone, and I found that to be wrong. He never really comitted a crime, so why should that mean he should be in trouble. I also thought that he knew he should have said something, but he didn't. He is going to have to live with that regret his entire life.
However, the more I sat and thought about it, my opinion began to change. Although Paterno broke no written laws, he didn't sexually assualt those kids, he didn't kill anyone. But, he did break moral laws. He was notified by a scared young man who had just witnessed horendious acts. He told the university, but it wasn't enough. He should have went to the police, but he didn't. And no one really knows why. He could have prevented the other occurances from happening, but he didn't.
It's time for people to separate their sports heroes and real life and realize that they will mess up. They will disappoint us and people need to get over it.
What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the words 'Penn State'? For me, it's 'Joe Paterno'. He has been the head coach at Penn State since before I was born. Until tonight. Joe Paterno was fired after 46 years at University Park, Pennsylvania.
My first reaction of hearing of his removal was shock and anger. I couldn't understand why the Penn State Board of Trustees decided to rob him of the chance of finishing the season. I also wanted answers. I wanted to know the reason for his dismissal, but I wasn't going to get them from John Surma. HWow! I haven't written at all! Well, now's a good time.
What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the words 'Penn State'? For me, it's 'Joe Paterno'. He has been the head coach at Penn State since before I was born. Until tonight. Joe Paterno was fired after 46 years at University Park, Pennsylvania.
My first reaction of hearing of his removal was shock and anger. I couldn't understand why the Penn State Board of Trustees decided to rob him of the chance of finishing the season. I also wanted answers. I wanted to know the reason for his dismissal, but I wasn't going to get them from John Surma. He was giving straight, but to me, BS answers. Plus, Paterno was a legand. 'How could they get rid of a legand like Joe Pa?!"
My next reaction was sadness. I began to feel bad for Joe Paterno. He was told over the phone, and I found that to be wrong. He never really comitted a crime, so why should that mean he should be in trouble. I also thought that he knew he should have said something, but he didn't. He is going to have to live with that regret his entire life. Isn't that enough?
However, the more I sat and thought about it, my opinion began to change. Although Paterno broke no written laws, he didn't sexually assault those kids, he didn't kill anyone. But, he did break moral laws. He was notified by a scared young man who had just witnessed horendious acts. He told the university, but it wasn't enough. He should have went to the police, but he didn't. And no one really knows why. He could have prevented the other occurances from happening, but he didn't.
People are saying that Penn State could have had the decency to allow him to retire at the end of the season or at least let him coach one more game. I disagree. If PSU had allowed him to coach one more game that would have been wrong. Just because Joe Paterno is a legend at Penn State and in college football does not make him above anyone. He had information, and he never told any authorities. It's morally wrong. If he had said something years ago none of this would have happened. Maybe he thought he was protecting someone by not telling, who knows. Or maybe he thought he could get away with it because of who he is. It doesn't really matter. He is not above the moral code. For that reason, he deserved to get the boot.
It all comes down to being a good person and doing the right thing. Something that I am sure he told his players. Does that make him a hypocrite? Probably. He choose to do the wrong thing over a decade ago and it caught up to him. He had it coming, and somewhere deep down inside of him he knew it.e was giving straight, but to me, BS answers. Plus, Paterno was a legand. 'How could they get rid of a legand like Joe Pa?!"
My next reaction was sadness. I began to feel bad for Joe Paterno. He was told over the phone, and I found that to be wrong. He never really comitted a crime, so why should that mean he should be in trouble. I also thought that he knew he should have said something, but he didn't. He is going to have to live with that regret his entire life.
However, the more I sat and thought about it, my opinion began to change. Although Paterno broke no written laws, he didn't sexually assualt those kids, he didn't kill anyone. But, he did break moral laws. He was notified by a scared young man who had just witnessed horendious acts. He told the university, but it wasn't enough. He should have went to the police, but he didn't. And no one really knows why. He could have prevented the other occurances from happening, but he didn't.
It's time for people to separate their sports heroes and real life and realize that they will mess up. They will disappoint us and people need to get over it.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
A Little About Me
Hey everyone! What better place is there to start than the beginning? I'm going to start off with a little about myself and how my love for sports has turned into this blog. First, my name is Sydney Mook and I am a senior at Westwood High School in Sloan, Iowa. For those of you who don't know where Sloan is, it's just a half hour south of Sioux City and about an hour north of Omaha. As senior, I am planning on attending the University of Missouri to major in Broadcast Journalism with a Bachelor's degree in Sports Journalism. In high school, I have played both basketball and golf.
Now, how I got into sports. I have always been an avid New York Yankees fan. I have memories from childhood of staying up late at night to watch the World Series and other exciting playoff games. That love for baseball has since transferred to many other sports. Golf has developed into my second favorite sport. After watching Tiger Woods in his glory days, I mean, how could you not love it? While I am not the world's biggest NFL fan, it has really started to grow on me. I also love college sports. I absolutely adore John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats basketball team. And I am always looking forward to March Madness. College football has also become a favorite of mine, my team being the Iowa State Cyclones. I love the Cyclones despite their bad seasons as of late.
All of these different sports have led me to follow my dream job, working at ESPN. One day, I hope to be on your television screens rather than on your computer screens. I figured this would be a great place to start.
Now, what can you expect of me? You can expect me to write at least three times a week. You can expect me to write about various topics going on in the world of sports. For instance, for a while you will see my writing about the MLB playoffs. I also plan on writing about different sports memories I've had in my lifetime. Those posts will be on days where the sports world is slow. You can look for playoff predictions and also for rants. So, basically, be prepared for just about anything.
I look forward to writing this blog and I hope that you look forward to reading it.
Thanks!
Now, how I got into sports. I have always been an avid New York Yankees fan. I have memories from childhood of staying up late at night to watch the World Series and other exciting playoff games. That love for baseball has since transferred to many other sports. Golf has developed into my second favorite sport. After watching Tiger Woods in his glory days, I mean, how could you not love it? While I am not the world's biggest NFL fan, it has really started to grow on me. I also love college sports. I absolutely adore John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats basketball team. And I am always looking forward to March Madness. College football has also become a favorite of mine, my team being the Iowa State Cyclones. I love the Cyclones despite their bad seasons as of late.
All of these different sports have led me to follow my dream job, working at ESPN. One day, I hope to be on your television screens rather than on your computer screens. I figured this would be a great place to start.
Now, what can you expect of me? You can expect me to write at least three times a week. You can expect me to write about various topics going on in the world of sports. For instance, for a while you will see my writing about the MLB playoffs. I also plan on writing about different sports memories I've had in my lifetime. Those posts will be on days where the sports world is slow. You can look for playoff predictions and also for rants. So, basically, be prepared for just about anything.
I look forward to writing this blog and I hope that you look forward to reading it.
Thanks!
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