Discouraging words.
“The sports world doesn’t get it. Tiger Woods is not only what’s wrong with golf, but what’s wrong with America. We make a hero out of a guy who slams his club and curses at least 10 times a round. Am I glad he’s hurt? No. But I am glad I can watch a round of golf without this guy cussing, spitting and throwing clubs. Woods is a great golfer, but his dad should have taught him more about morals.”
Larry, Golden
Kiz: While Woods hits a golf shot as pure as anyone since Jack Nicklaus, the language in Tiger’s act can be as impure as anyone this side of Chris Rock. The cursing is definitely uncouth, but it does show Woods actually has some flaws, which is somehow reassuring to the rest of us club-tossing hackers.
Rocco ’round the clock.
“Wanted you to know your column on Woods was the very first time in my life I have read the sports page. Your words were eloquent and brought a tear to my eye. My family of golfers has been watching Tiger since he came on the scene, and his exit will leave a void. But after watching the U.S. Open, I have someone new to cheer for the first time in 15 years: Rocco Mediate.”
Suzie, Westminster
Kiz: Although we all wish we could smack a driver like Woods, it might be more fun to sit down and have a beer with Mediate, who became America’s new best friend at the Open. Rocco reminded us it’s the amount of laughter in your foursome rather than the number of birdies on your scorecard that keeps us coming back to the golf course.
Un-bear-able mentor.
“I’ve often thought Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony needs to hire Larry Bird as a personal adviser, in the manner top tennis pros hire a mentor. If someone could get Melo to watch 100 hours of Bird video and then try to channel Bird? Wow! As tired as I am of his immature face, I’m in the camp that it’s way too early to give up on Anthony. All the trade talk might leave him bitter or could give him the motivation he needs to apply himself more deeply. Here’s hoping for the latter.”
Michael, Evergreen
Kiz: Bird could teach Melo how to pass. John Wooden could teach Melo the beauty of team play. Too often, it seems that the only hoops mentor Melo has ever had is Jackie Moon from “Semi-Pro.” That’s a great role model if your goal is wrestling a bear, not so much if you want to win the NBA title.
Adopt a senior citizen.
“When will sports teams come to the realization athletes are demanding too much money? Some of these athletes have the nerve to state they cannot feed their families on millions of dollars. I am a senior citizen, have been retired for 10 years and would be happy to be adopted by one of Denver’s pro athletes.”
Carol, Aurora
Kiz: And many jocks drive a Hummer. Most of us would be happy if they just gave us their gas money.
Reality check, please.
“Does anybody else see the Rockies creeping up in the standings? Call me crazy (I know you will), but making the playoffs is possible.”
Jose, Louisville
Kiz: Are you crazy, Jose? No way. It’s possible to envision how Colorado could come back and win a weak division. Crazy would be predicting our local team can win the World Series in 2008. Only a baseball nut with Rox in his head would do that.
Parting shot
And today’s parting shot just goes to show that everybody, from an Average Joe on the street to Hizzoner the Mayor, loves a good sports debate. So let John Hickenlooper make one thing perfectly clear: When he predicted the Rockies would win the World Series this year, it was meant to show support rather than to apply pressure.
“Don’t confuse unfairly high expectations with a buoyant optimism. While (the Rockies) have struggled early, we support them winning or losing. We’re not fair-weather fans in Denver, and we especially like our underdogs. We know the Rockies will be back.”
John Hickenlooper, Denver mayor
