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Shanoff’s W.U.C.: Tiger’s Total Domination

Apr 9, 2009, 12:16 PM UTC

Today’s Calls: Tiger Woods vs. the Field, Yankees vs. Oblivion, Scott Kazmir vs. Fenway, DeMar DeRozan vs. Jordan Hill, Marshawn Lynch vs. Roger Goodell and More.â†µâ†µThe Opening Pitch: “A tradition unlike any other.” True: In what other sport is the game so thoroughly dominated by a single player that the rest of the field is basically irrelevant?â†µ

â†µâ†µTiger’s year-long comeback culminates today and this weekend, when he will eclipse the Masters field for everything -- attention, results, whatever.â†µ

â†µâ†µIt is a tenuous position for the sport to be in; just look at how golf dropped off the radar last year the moment Tiger shut it down. No one really wants to see anything but Tiger.â†µ

â†µâ†µOn the other hand ... no one really wants to see anything but Tiger. â†µ

â†µâ†µTiger is the most must-see athlete in sports. Not LeBron. Not an NFL or baseball player. A golfer. Even if you don’t like golf, you have to tune in to see Tiger. You will have one eye on the Masters results, because you want to see how Tiger will do. (Posting a Web cam at Amen Corner? Who cares? I want a camera on Tiger to follow online while I’m at the office.)â†µ

â†µâ†µChances are, Tiger will win -- you’re really tuning in to see how, or perhaps for the shock value in the rare instance he doesn’t win.â†µ

â†µâ†µI can’t think of another sport where given the choice between one specific player and “the field” almost universally results in people picking the specific player, every weekend.â†µ

â†µâ†µThe addiction to Tiger is simultaneously horrible for golf and the greatest thing ever to happen to it. That’s why I will watch the Masters. â†µ

â†µ

â†µMLB Mania!â†µ

â†µâ†µ• The Yankees are 0-2: Time to panic yet? Perhaps. In Game No. 2, they lost to a pitcher making his MLB debut.â†µ

â†µâ†µ• Rays beat Red Sox: At what point will they rename it “Kazmir Park?” Because the Rays SP owns the Red Sox.â†µ

â†µâ†µ• Phillies rally: Speaking of 0-2, didn’t I say yesterday not to worry about the Phillies?â†µ

â†µâ†µ• Manny being Manny: No, not being stupid. Delivering the key hit to win the game.â†µ

â†µâ†µ• Big Unit’s SF debut: Not only did Yovani Gallardo out-pitch Randy Johnson, but also Gallardo became the first pitcher ever to hit a HR off Johnson.â†µ

â†µâ†µ• Fantasy Studs:â†µ
â†µMiguel Cabrera: 3/4, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 Râ†µ
â†µKosuke Fukudome: 4/5, HR, RBI, 4 R, SBâ†µ
â†µNelson Cruz: 2/4, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R, SBâ†µ

â†µâ†µNFL Draft: Maybe I was wrong about Matt Stafford’s NFL potential. If a guy as smart as Jim Schwartz is on board with drafting Stafford as the No. 1 overall pick, the QB has got to have the goods, right? I guess the Lions can backfill their line issues with later picks -- or the inevitable No. 1 overall pick in 2010.â†µ

â†µâ†µNBA Instant History: Think the Suns miss Mike D’Antoni? They are out of playoff contention. But the Mavs are in. The Blazers are up (and the Spurs are down). The Nuggets are rolling. The Celtics are limping. The Cavs are sizzling (at home, at least). One week until the playoffs.â†µ

â†µâ†µNBA Draft: Three new big names join Blake Griffin in the draft pool, all of whom will likely join him in the Top 10: DeMar DeRozan, Jordan Hill, James Harden. (Tell you what: Classic PF, classic SF, classic C, classic SG. All those four need is a good PG and that would make a pretty good young five in the NBA.)â†µ

â†µâ†µCBB Recruiting: Calipari at Kentucky has already generated a nice dividend for the Wildcats -- Cal’s Memphis recruit DeMarcus Cousins has re-committed ... to Kentucky.â†µ

â†µâ†µSuspension Watch: Marshawn Lynch given a 3-game ban for his off-field extra-curriculars.â†µ

â†µâ†µThe Last Word: “Always.” -- Tiger Woods, when asked if he expects to win the Masters ... or perhaps any tournament.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. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/danshanoff. â†µ

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