Reds Vault into 1st Place

The Cincinnati Reds took 2 of 3 from the St. Louis Cardinals this weekend to take a 0.5 game lead in the NL Central.  Winning 7 of their last 8 games, the Reds are showing they can compete with the consensus favorites in the National League.  In the last 8 games, Cincinnati starters have a league best 1.88 ERA and the defense hasn't committed an error in 11 games, the best streak since 1997.  This team is finally starting to show the potential that has hovered over it for several years.  "It definitely means something," said Bronson Arroyo, who pitched a complete game Sunday.  "I think it means more on this club right now than it does if we had a winning club the last few years - just because of the confidence and keeping the ball rolling."  The Reds welcome the Milwaukee Brewers to town tonight for a two-game series before traveling to Atlanta.

Back but not quite "Back"

Should we really expect Tiger Woods to immediately return to the dominant force we are accustomed to seeing?  After a 6-month absence from the game stemming from a massive adultery scandal that turned the sporting world upside-down, Tiger's return to professional golf has been less than spectacular.  In three tournaments, he has a T-4 in the Masters, a missed cut at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, and a withdrawal due to an apparent neck injury at The Players Championship.  This isn't the Tiger Woods the world is used to watching.  We have been conditioned over the past twelve years to a man who has little to no competition when at his best.  But, when will his best return?  The problem, from a fan's perspective, is that we hold Tiger on a high pedestal.  If any other golfer went through the media and tabloid circus that he did, no one would ever expect a swift and painless return.  However, this isn't just "anybody else."  This is, arguably, the greatest and most dominant player to ever step foot on a golf course and the most iconic athlete of the 21st century.  The world needs to leave Tiger alone and let him get his mojo back.  He's played merely a fraction of the golf of any other pro since last November.  The old Tiger will return, but not without a great deal of patience and hard work.  Once he learns to juggle it all, he will again be back in the winner's circle.

Celtics Deny "The King' His Crown

The Boston Celtics advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals last night with a 94-85 Game 6 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.  A close game through the first half, the Celtics pulled away in the last 20 minutes behind an impressive display of team basektball.  Kevin Garnett led Boston win 22 points and Kentucky native Rajon Rondo added 21.  In what could be the last game of his Cavaliers career, LeBron James notched a triple-double, with 27 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists.  However, he also had 9 turnovers.  While much of the focus should be aimed at the surging veteran Celtics, most of the media attention is being aimed at James and whether he will become a free agent on July 1st.  "It's all about winning for me, and I think the Cavs are committed to doing that," he said.  "But at the same time I've given myself options to this point, and like I said before, me and my team, we have a game plan that we're going to execute, and we'll see what we get."  A few of the possible destinations being mentioned for James are the New York Knicks, New Jersey Nets, Chicago Bulls, and Miami Heat.  It will be a very difficult summer for James, as well as for the Cavaliers faithful.  But not taking anything away from Boston, they are hot at the right time.  In the 3rd quarter, as the Cavs had just cut the lead down to 5, Celtics coach Doc Rivers was mic'd up during the timeout.  "I know you want to win", he told his players. "But you have to do it TOGETHER."  That has been the Celtics mentality throughout these playoffs.  And if they continue, they have a good shot at yet another NBA title. 

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