The best time of year in sports

In case you haven't noticed, the weather is getting warmer, the birds are starting to chirp, and this is the greatest time of year for sports.

Why? Let's start with the NHL and NBA playoffs. Teams are jockying for position, the first round is soon to begin and every game is important (unless you play for the Edmonton Oilers or the New Jersey Nets).

Not only that, but opening day of Major League Baseball is here. For Toronto Blue Jays fans, that means one legitimate month of playoff hopes remaining.

Not enough? How about the Final Four in NCAA basketball and the Frozen Four in NCAA hockey.

Sitll not enough. How about the Masters in PGA golf. I'm not going to mention the slime ball golfer everyone has been talking about. The Masters would and will be great (perhaps better) without him.

This spree of outstanding sports action comes at just the right time. Most people are still feeling a slight Olympic hangover, and this exciting time of the year is just the thing to revitalize sports fans. So get your seat ready, put on your favorite jersey, and let the games begin.

Are you tired of the Tiger Woods saga?

With so much happening in the world of sports including the Vancouver Olympic Games, most of us were almost able to forget about Tiger Woods. Almost.

In his first public statement since his Thanksgiving dust up with wife Elin, Tiger apologized to his friends, family, fans, and everyone else involved with him. My question is: does anybody still care? Is anyone else tired of the Tiger Woods saga?

I agree, if he had come out with a statement a month or two ago, I would have been glued to my television. Now, however, many in the sports world are tired of hearing about Tiger.

Yes, we all know he's cheated with more than a dozen women. Yes, he's a bad person who has a lot of problems. Yes, he's a great golfer. And yes, he will return to golf at some point.

Can't we just leave it at that and stop talking about Tiger Woods? When Tiger is set to return, which many are predicting will be in time for the Masters, let's re-open the debate and discuss all of Tiger Woods' indiscretions, his cheating, and what his golf game will look like.

For now, let's close this chapter and move on. If Tiger Woods comes back and wins the Masters and five more tournaments or ten more tournaments, good for him. Remember, he is the best golfer in the game. If Tiger Woods comes back and proves yet again that he doesn't belong in the same division as Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer when it comes to class, sportsmanship, and character, well, we already knew that. So again, it will be no surprise.

I truly hope Tiger Woods is sorry. I hope his public announcement wasn't just an effort to save his brand and his billion dollar empire. Hopefully, Tiger Woods has changed. It seems a little unrealistic to expect he is completely rehabilitated after such as short time. And personally, his recent announcement sounded like a carefully concocted batch of lies. Even the embrace with his mother seemed fake.

One thing is for sure, I'm sick of the Tiger Woods saga and I can't wait for it to be over. Goodbye Tiger Woods. I'll write about you again once you do something sports related.

Let the games begin.

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John Daly calls it quits

"I'm done. Just can't play like I used to."

"I'm tired of embarrassing myself."

You can't help but feel sad for John Daly. After two paltry rounds at the Farmers Insurance Open, John Daly said he is done with professional golf.

John Daly was the improbable; a trainwreck waiting to happen; and someone you couldn't help but cheer for. And feel sorry for.

After breaking onto the PGA tour by winning the PGA Championship in 1991, Daly endeared himself to PGA fans with his long drives and unique appearane. Never one to abide by golf etiquette, Daly again surprised the golf world in 1995 winning the British Open.

It isn't the golf side of Daly's life that made his story compelling. Daly, an admitted alcoholic for much of his life, was always one bad shot, one drink, and one minute from a blow up. After suffering through several failed marriages, dealing with gambling issues, battling obesity, and smoking a prolific amount, seeing Daly trundle down the fairway really was like watching a ticking time bomb.

Still, one the good days, John Daly was an athlete you couldn't help cheering for. Something about his flaws, and the fact that he didn't hide them brought him closer to fans. People, including myself, cheered for Daly on the course, and pulled for him off the course.

Daly was honest in his downfalls. He didn't hide his dark life like the infamous Tiger Woods, instead, he almost embraced his wild side. In a way, this life, that was so distanced from the stereotypical golfer, ended up getting the best of Daly. At the same time, it is what people loved about him. Driving by a car wreck, even though you don't want to see the hurt and damage, it's hard to look away. In most cases, we stare harder, hoping to see what's hidden in the wreckage.

Nicknamed "the Lion," it is hard to believe this now sad, and embarrassed man once won two of golf's most coveted tournaments. But I hope, Daly will find happiness away from golf. He was one of the games true characters. Many golf fans will miss his thundering drives, and his adventerous life.

Let the games begin.

This was Tiger's tournament

With the Farmers Insurance Open, formerly the Buick Invitational, next up on the PGA schedule, this marks the first legitimate time we will miss Tiger Woods on the PGA tour.

This was Tiger's tournament. As one of his typical first stops of the PGA season, Tiger Woods had dominated at Torrey Pines winning six out of the past eight years.

Now, with the absence of Tiger Woods, it will open the door for the next generation of golfers such as last years winner Nick Watney, or last weeks winner at the Bob Hope Classic, Bill Haas.

Personally, I'm not upset in the least to see Tiger Woods absent at Torrey Pines in San Diego. I'm not even alluding to his personal exploits, which we are all too familiar with by now.

The PGA was becoming all too predictable. Now, we can cheer for stars who still hold moral values such as Phil Mickelson, or young stars who knew they were up against incredible odds when Tiger and other stars were in the field.

Would it break my heart if Tiger Woods never returned to the PGA tour? Absolutely not. I'd rather some records remain for the legends who created their name on the course and didn't tarnish it away from the game.

It is time for a changing of the guard in golf. It's time for golf to return from the dark place it has been hiding in wake of the Tiger Woods scandal. Back to a game with a tradition in respect, sportsmanship, and class.

This was Tiger's tournament and this was Tiger's tour, now, the door is open for a new star in the game of golf.

Let the games begin.