Tiger Woods King Of All Sports?

Interesting to see Muhammad Ali mentioned a few times. I was at a gas station this week. I saw this fellow in a leather hat, fueling up his Escalade, singing away to his radio.

There he was, plain as day. I went over and shook his hand. I said, "Yo, Champ. Good to see you." We chatted for a few minutes. He kept trying to remember my name. (we'd never met before)

Very nice man. He's a Philly guy, so I always liked him more than Ali. He seems kinds small, for a heavyweight champ.

The place was really busy, but no one else even noticed him. He got his gas and left. I don't think Ali could pull that off.

quote:

Originally posted by RJM:

quote:

Originally posted by Jimmy03:
Baseball was already "America's pasttime, pre-Ruth.

As much as I hate to consider it, I believe Pele did more to popularize his sport than any other on the list.

Pre-Pele, s***er was unheard of in part os the US except in boys PE. Pele took it from a third world sport to truly international levels and he caused the media attention, not other way around.

S0ccer was the biggest sport in the world before Pele was born. Pele played in his first World Cup in 1957. The first World Cup was held in 1930.

Pele was America's first exposure to the US due to Wide World of Sports. But s0ccer didn't catch on in the US on the youth level until the '80's or '90's. It still hasn't caught on as a professional sport. I wonder how many people can name five current s0ccer players other than Beckham without looking them up? How many people could name five s0ccer teams other than Manchester United without looking them up?

The season record for home runs before Ruth was 14. He changed the game.

From 1920 to 1932, generally regarded as Ruth's prime years, average attendance at baseball games declined and the game did not spread internationally.

During Pele's career, average attendance increased and the game spread internationally.

True the world cup existed prior to Pele, but few outside of traditional (at the time) s****r countries knew much about it.

Another difference of opinion we won't resolve.

What disturbs me is the both of you know so much about s****r! lol

quote:

Originally posted by Coach_May:
What disturbs me is the both of you know so much about s****r! lol

I wanted to reply immediately, but I had to clean the coffee off my laptop first.

Off-topic but why is s(****)r censored? Is it a way to poke fun at the sport or is it trying to censor something else (I can't think of anything else)?

quote:

Originally posted by monstor344:
Off-topic but why is s(****)r censored? Is it a way to poke fun at the sport or is it trying to censor something else (I can't think of anything else)?

The creator of the site wanted it that way. When this site was created, soc-cer was gaining steam all over America. I believe he wanted to prevent soc-cer debates/politics from spilling over here on the hsbbweb and thus disrupting this site. IMHO, I believe that was a wise decision.

Trust me, I agonized over putting socker in my original post. I also purposely left out Nascar.

I'm thinking about all of this a little differently after reading all of your responses.

How much of each of these athletes' stardom is created by the media? There's no doubt that Tiger and Jordan had a huge advantage in this discussion with the media and marketing.

Ali probably didn't have that. Ruth surely didn't have that, nor did Bobby Orr.

Socker would only be a third-world game if not for today's politically correct media. And I just don't understand Nascar at all. Clearly publicity driven.

That being said, I don't see a sport that is impacted more than when Tiger isn't on the course.

Golf's not even a sport. It's a game. You play against yourself.

Socker has been shoved down our throat in these parts. Its so much cheaper. It takes no talent to run up and down the field for an hour. Everyone can play. No one knows what the he ll is going on anyway.

The WNBA and Socker have been forced on us. And I just ignore it.

Now some will say socker does this and socker does that. Great if you enjoy it continue to enjoy it. I personally would rather spend my day getting stung by bumble bee's than watch it.

I am very fortunate to be able to work with Muhammad Ali regularly here in Phoenix with his Parkinson Foundation as a photographer. I just spent a few days with him last week and must say, his charisma, passion and popularity has not dimmed a bit. He pretty much speaks with his eyes now but when provoked to muster the strength to crack a smile, the whole room lights up. He is truly..."THE CHAMP" !!
If I can figure out how to attach a pic, i will include a couple recents shots to show you what I mean...DM

quote:

Originally posted by monstor344:
Off-topic but why is s(****)r censored? Is it a way to poke fun at the sport or is it trying to censor something else (I can't think of anything else)?

I didn't know it was censored. That's the way I always spell it.

Really!

Interesting that Accenture dropped Tiger as their spokesman today. "He's no longer the right rep"....good for Accenture.

quote:

What disturbs me is the both of you know so much about s****r! lol

My son is also a college s0ccer prospect, not that he cares. When he's done I'll never watch another s0ccer game. The part I do enjoy watching is there's a lot of pressure on him to succeed as goalie and cover up defensive mistakes. I do like watching world class s0ccer highlights though. The ball handling and shooting is incredible. If s0ccer modified it's offside rule, the game would open up and it would be more exciting like hockey.

quote:

It takes no talent to run up and down the field for an hour. Everyone can play.

This is only true at the little kid, rec level. My son took off two years to play middle school football. When he returned he was way behind in ball handling skills. It forced him to be a goalie. We think the high school coach had him earmarked as a goalie from the time he was twelve. He kept calling and telling me to get him to goalie camps.

It drives the coach nuts my son won't play summer select like every one of his teammates and attend summer goalie camps. My son tells the coach goalie is easy. He said outside the eighteen yard line is like playing short and inside is like playing third. In reality he worls very hard in preseason and during the season. It's a difficult position requiring lightning quick reactions, great intuative instincts, nerve and the ability to kick and punt well. And the only athletes you will find in better condition are long distance runners. In my son's summer sessions practice started with a six mile run and ended with endless suicides.

quote:

Socker would only be a third-world game if not for today's politically correct media.

It's the biggest sport in the world and has been for a long, long time.

quote:

I believe he wanted to prevent soc-cer debates/politics from spilling over here on the hsbbweb and thus disrupting this site.

The issue I have with s0ccer from a baseball perspective is seeing it played in the outfield in the fall with metal stands being dragging across the infield. Fortunately our high school has a s0ccer field. But the freshman s0ccer team plays on the JV baseball field.

Tiger is just the latest version of the Madison Ave. Boxed Boy Band. One talent that can be exploited, nothing that's objectionable, so they make a package around him that's appealing. None of it's true.

Take for example the Gillette commercials where he is in the store shopping for razors. The two commentators make remarks about how everything Tiger does is a great decision. In the end, it all turns out to be the big Madison Ave bag of wind, and I'm not sure why anyone is surprised. Tiger never did or said anything truly intersting.

LOL!

Now thats funny!!!!!!!!

Poor Tiger !!!!!

quote:

Poor Tiger

Never heard those two words put together before.

Let us not go overboard here---the boys are HS or college stars not Billionaire Golfers--- I have to believe that if we as parents did our job in their formative years they will be fine

Is it also possible that Tiger moved into this realm after his Dad passed--it is fact that his Dad had Tiger on a tight leash and had a huge part in creating the Tiger the public knew

It could be as simple as this. He is bored with married life. He is sitting around the house and getting bored. He has all the money and fame needed to go out and do whatever he wants to do. Going to Vegas and Partying his arse off was just alot more fun to him than hanging out at the crib with the wife and kids.

It may not be right. But it sure sounds about right.