Sports roundup

Tiger is beyond compare

By Edward Zawadzki

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Tiger Woods is without a doubt proving himself not only to be the greatest golfer in the world today, but arguably the most successful on the planet in any sport. With his win on the weekend in the Buick International, the greatest one has now stretched his record to seven straight PGA wins only four behind the 62-year-old record of 11 set by the legendary Byron Nelson. Heading towards that record many wonder just how long it will take Woods to reach the next plateau in his incredible career, which without a doubt is matching the great Jack Nicklaus and his 18 career major tourney victories. Woods is in hot pursuit of that accomplishment with his total set at 12 and most certainly climbing.

The Phoenix Suns are chasing another quite impressive record in winning their 17^th straight game on the weekend in handily spanking the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-100. They are now more than at the halfway mark in chasing the record of 34 set in the 1971-72 season by the LA Lakers. The biggest question that I'm asking myself is with the way that Suns' point guard Steve Nash is leading the Suns' high octane offense it will be interesting to see if the league will seriously consider this outstanding Canadian for his third straight league MVP award.

For all you football fans who love to predict the outcome of the upcoming Super bowl Classic between the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears next weekend which rule of thump do you employ in obtaining your prediction. Do you go with the much used wise adage that defense wins Super bowls or the other wise advice that offence is the best defense? No matter how you decide to look at the match up between the two,I personally have to give the advantage to the incredible offensive abilities to the Colts and their record setting QB Peyton Manning, who is hungrily looking forward to silence his many vocal detractors that he can't be considered as one of the NFLs greatest until he has that Super bowl Ring around his finger. Look for an addition to Manning's finger after they handle the tough Bears on February 4th.

Speaking of the big game on the 4^th, good luck and congratulations go out to the two Canadians in the lineup that day, the Bears 6-╘6", 275lb. defensive tackle Israel Idonije, who was born in Lagos, Nigeria but grew up in Brandon, Manitoba and the Colts 23-year-old Offensive Tackle Daniel Federkiel, another western boy who hails from Medicine Hat Alberta.

Condolences go out to the family of one of the greatest clutch goalies to ever play in the NHL, Lorne "Gump" Worsley, who passed away last week of a heart attack at the age of 77. One of the most colorful players in the league the roly poly backstop won himself an impressive four Stanley Cups with the Canadians along with the Calder Trophy in the 52-53 season with the New York Rangers. One of the best of many lines attributed to the quick witted Worsley was when then Rangers coach was berating the paunchy Gump saying that they couldn't win with a goalie with a beer gut, Worsley quickly retorted with "I'm strictly only a rye guy". Truly one of the greatest goalies to play the game, he retired after the 1974 season as a member of the Minnesota North Stars, who employed him for many years as one of their scouts. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1980. We will all miss you, Sir.

Flying in under the radar was the Toronto Blue Jays signing of Japanese born right-hander Tomo Ohka to a one year 1.5 million dollar contract. Ohka, who struggled with an injury shortened 4-5 season last year with Milwaukee might just be a solid 4th starter on the Jays roster next season. No one can argue that the price wasn't right for a potentially solid pitcher who boasts a respectable 48-58 record with a 4.05 era in 174 career games. This is a move that may just add a couple of notches in the win column for the Jays this season.

If the sweet science is more your style, then a no miss amateur boxing tournament is the upcoming Brampton Cup, which takes place between February 3^rd and 5^th at the Century Gardens located at 340 Vodden Street in Brampton. This annual tournament which showcases the finest area pugilistic talents is an annual event put on by the respected Bramalea Boxing Club. For tickets or more information please call Ted Martin or Robin Witty at 416-426-7221.

With people tiring of the current NHL all-star format which pits East against West ,an interesting format has been put forwardby the IHF which would feature the top club in Europe pitted against the NHL best for a one-game showdown during the all-star break. This would most certainly add a little excitement to the game instead of the high scoring, no contact yawners that we have been accustomed too. I really hope that Bettman and company seriously consider this offer, though I have learned never to expect much from this crop of NHL hockey hierarchy.

We in the sporting world lost another great champion when the great Barbaro was put down after breaking one of his rear legs at the Preakness Stakes eight months ago. Even after multiple surgeries and complications, it was decided by doctors and his owners that Barbaro would suffer from chronic and severe pain for the rest of his life and the decision to euthanize him was made. He was the first class of the pack in winning the Kentucky Derby and was leading in the Preakness when his injury occurred at the 130 meter mark. He could have very well have become one of the all time greats rivaling Man of War, Northern Dancer and even the legendary Secretariat.

Congratulations to my great pal Joanne Chuvalo for successfully reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro last week. Old Blood and Guts as she is now known had trained so hard for this adventure and put her substantial heart and soul into the endeavor, which raised a boatload of money for the Canadian Liver Foundation. This is a lady whose guts and determination are only superseded by her big heart for all good causes. She was met on her descent by her proud hubby former Canadian boxing great George Chuvalo and then spent a few days unwinding in Amsterdam before returning home a few days ago. Congratulations Jo, we are all proud of you.

Until next time

Copyright@ Edward Zawadzki All rights reserved

Reprinted with permission