Mr. Reason wrote:
Regular Reader, sounds like you think I said that only because Tiger is black? Is that true? If it is, then I question your objectivity and frankly your judgement in general. I have been watching golf for over thirty years and just as in baseball, I trust my eyes. I have thought this long before Player wiped the drool off his chin and decided to give his opinion.
Tiger is not the only player I suspect of using enhancers. In the early 90s it was beta blockers. They supposedly allowed the player to maintain his focus while hitting a shot. Nick Price was the most recognized user when he was winning in the early 90s.
The first player I suspected of using body enhancers was David Duval in the late 90s. Are you familiar with him? He went from a pudgy, out of shape, marginal player to overtaking Tiger for the number one player in the world in the span of a year or so. Duval's body changed completely and I took heat from my buddies for suggesting he had help back then.
Tiger looks different than he did only a few years ago. That's just me making an observation based on what I see. It's a level playing field, though, since the PGA does not test for anything. I am aware of Tiger's dedication and the fact that he is the most dominant golfer since Nicklaus, with or without help. That doesn't change my opinion that I believe he needed some help to go from "Reggie Miller skinny" to "defensive back" ripped. Does it help him win tournaments? Probably no more than it does Bonds to hit homeruns. You make the call. Unfortunately, I don't know what's real anymore in any sport and that is sad.
If you can't handle a dissenting opinion without pulling out the race card, then that's your problem, not mine. I only know what I see. And to lump me in with North is very knee-jerk on your part and frankly, a bit disappointing.
I never made mention the first about race. As to how I handle differing opinions, I simply try not to claim that others are wrongfully playing the 'race card', but maybe Mike North does. I just found it funny that when a young golfer came in and dominated from his first year, that so many tried to have something, anything negative stick to hurt him, and now it comes to enhancers (in a 'sport' previously dominated by non athletes). It's equally funny to be accused about pulling the race card, when actually I am really pulling athletic, class and age cards. (Race is coincidental, remember he isn't Black, he's Cablinasian, and he defends that 'race' well enough w/out my help)
Of course Tiger's critics have always seemingly claimed that it isn't a racial attack, but face it, on some level it is, but still more of a by product of the fact that he is a legitimate athlete and intense sportsman dominating a sport that glorifies the country club/ancient elite to which he does not naturally belong. I like Tiger for shattering stereotypes as much as I've enjoyed John Daly, or the tales of Arnie Palmer, the regular everyday guy on the golf course. It's not mainly race that interests me here, its that he has been head and shoulders above the rest, a myth buster, and more interesting than the Evans Scholars who make up most of the tour, and whose best days ended at a party in Chambana, Ann Arbor or Durham.
But then you go and claim legitimacy for your position by citing David Duval?? The same David Duval that hasn't really had a long term term focus, or ability to finish? The same Duval, who by your own admission went from being 'marginal' or 'out of shape/pudgy' to chiseled and in contention for best player in the world status in one(1) year??? Not great at every level. Not an acknowledged prodigy. Not a 'natural' athlete, or a bright Stanford grad tutored by a disciplinarian from toddler days???
Of course he doesn't look the same as he did in '97 or 2002, he was what 21, 26 unmarried and of a sole focus. Who does look the same? Cal Ripken, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and Joe DiMaggio all seemed to grow quite a bit from their early years in the game. Hell so did even Nicklaus. Remember, the 'Golden Bear' nickname wasn't originally meant as a pure compliment. He was Duval-esque as you may say...
It is natural for any athlete to bulk up over his 20's, but Tiger almost solely seems to get the Bonds treatment, though he only looks 20-25 lbs heavier, and he was as much a natural wonder and student of the game now as then. But then again, my question to you is: besides Tiger and Duval, who else do you suspect???? I've never really heard Player say it, why not finish it for him?
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, or Bobby Jones. The kid won and was one helluva story for a decidedly different reason. Now however, he still wins big, and wins in the same dominant way of the old Celtics, Packers, Jordan's Bulls or the Yankees. Sometimes you just have to appreciate greatness.
