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Shanoff’s Wake-Up Call: Bolt’s Double Gold

Aug 21, 2008, 12:55 PM UTC

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Today’s Calls: Usain Bolt vs. Michael Phelps, Angels vs. Rays, Ken Griffey vs. Ozzie Guillen, Steven Jackson vs. Shawne Merriman and More.â†µâ†µThe Opening Pitch: The Usain Bolt Story would be compelling — but not nearly complete — with Tuesday’s defense.â†µ

â†µâ†µBolt’s jaw-dropping performance yesterday in the 200 meters concludes an epic Olympic double:â†µ

â†µâ†µ* Gold in the 100.â†µ

â†µâ†µ* 100 WR: “World’s Fastest Man”â†µ

â†µâ†µ* Gold in the 200.â†µ

â†µâ†µ* 200 WR: Tops Michael Johnson’s in ‘96â†µ

â†µâ†µ* And he made it look ... easy.â†µ

â†µâ†µI was happy to defend Bolt’s “go-for-the-gold” attitude in the 100, but I was thrilled to see another side yesterday: Whether joyous or focused — or his unique combination of both — Bolt has established himself as the greatest sprinter since Jesse Owens.â†µ

â†µâ†µHis Olympic performance was the greatest on the track, in any event, since Owens, as well — even more impressive than Carl Lewis.â†µ

â†µâ†µAnd Bolt is only 22. (Heck, the 100 was a dalliance for him. What would happen if he bothered to try the 400?)â†µ

â†µâ†µNow, the IOC has the chutzpah to claim Bolt disrespects the Games? By combining record-breaking speed, utter dominance over his competitors and an inclusive joy, Bolt affirms himself as a model of the Olympic ideal.â†µ

â†µâ†µScoot over, Michael Phelps. And pipe down, IOC. â†µ

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â†µâ†µMLB Instant History: Replay is a go! The umps are in, and MLB is a better sport for it. Remember: The most important thing is to get the calls right, however that happens. Guarantee it comes up this October.â†µ

â†µâ†µMore: The Rays’ stay at the top of the AL was short-lived (but glorious!) ... Are the Dodgers serious about winning the West or not? Because the D-backs seem to be (especially Adam Dunn). ... NL East: Two huge pitching performances by Mike Pelfrey (Complete game 3-hitter) and Brett Myers (Complete game SO w/ 9 Ks). ... Injury Watch: Mitch Maier (Yeesh: three broken bones in his face by a HBP). Here’s to his full recovery.â†µ

â†µâ†µMilestone Watch: Griffey ties Sosa at No. 5 on all-time HR list, with No. 609, his first HR with the White Sox. (Ozzie Guillen is unimpressed with the moment: “It’s about time.”)â†µ

â†µâ†µNFL: R.I.P Gene Upshaw, Hall of Fame player and, most recently, head of the Players’ Union. Condolences to his family, friends and fans.â†µ

â†µâ†µSteven Jackson ends holdout: Rams fans and fantasy GMs must be breathing a sigh of relief, but what will the delay do to his ‘08 productivity — who wants to bet against some kind of injury?â†µ

â†µâ†µMeanwhile, should Chargers fans be worried about this lingering pain in the knee of Shawne Merriman? I would be.â†µ

â†µâ†µMore Olympics: Congrats to Misty and Kerri, becoming the first beach VB pair to win back-to-back Olympic gold. Not surprising.â†µ

â†µâ†µUSA Oops: For the record, the team is two wins away from reclaiming its “USA Hoops” title. It doesn’t look like anyone will be close, but a loss in the semis undoes everything.â†µ

â†µâ†µMeanwhile, apparently NBA teams now CAN pursue Iranian big man Hamed Ehadadi. Good news for the league and international relations.â†µ

â†µâ†µOlympic women’s soccer: U.S. gold today? Check out a must-read about Hope Solo, the most intriguing (and marketable) player on the team.â†µ

â†µâ†µCFB: Sporting News’ preseason ranking moves into the Top 5, and it’s the defending champs. I have LSU ranked No. 13 on my preseason BlogPoll ballot.â†µ

â†µâ†µ(You can find the entire BlogPoll — a composite of more than 100 of the top college football bloggers’ Top 25 ballots — here.)â†µ

â†µâ†µMeanwhile, no more horse-collar tackling in college football. (It’s about time.)â†µ

â†µâ†µHow badly does T. Boone Pickens want energy reform? Enough that the uber-Oklahoma State fan is willing to root for ... Nebraska. (Huskers fans said they’d return the favor; maybe they think he’ll toss a few million at their athletic department.)â†µ

â†µâ†µNASCAR: If not for Michael Phelps (um, and Usain Bolt, too!), Kyle Busch would be a lock for Sports Star of the Year. Fly OR medley? 100 OR 200? How about cars OR trucks?â†µ

â†µâ†µMeanwhile, imagine the uproar in any other sport if seven people were suspended for cheating, like the Joe Gibbs Racing team was.â†µ

â†µâ†µCBB: Another day, another baffling eligibility decision by the NCAA, this time involving Pitt’s Mike Cook. Mike DeCourcy is right on.â†µ

â†µâ†µPrep football: So if Byrnes High (Duncan, S.C.) doesn’t lose a game this season, is it theoretically possible for it to lose their spot atop the theoretical preseason national rankings?â†µ

â†µâ†µGolf: Tiger Woods walks on water, if you haven’t heard yet.â†µ

â†µâ†µThe Last Word: I had the chance to go to a great party last night at the top of Rockefeller Center to celebrate the re-launch of Sporting News magazine. The first re-launched issue (the NFL preview) looks and reads great (I’m not just saying that!), and I could feel a ton of energy and enthusiasm around the new effort. Thanks for the hospitality (and view), SN!â†µ

â†µâ†µDan Shanoff writes The Wake-Up Call every weekday morning for SportingNews.com and blogs daily at DanShanoff.com. Got any comments, questions or feedback? Email Dan at shanofftsn-[at]-gmail-[dot]-com.â†µ

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This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.

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