EVENTS TO WATCH
PGA » British Open
Thu.-Fri. (TNT, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.); Sat. (TNT, 7-9 a.m.; ABC 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.); Sun. (TNT, 6-8 a.m.; ABC 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m.)
This could be a one-man story line as Tiger Woods pursues his 15th major championship. Don’t look to two-time defending champion Padraig Harrington, who has missed five straight cuts. And four words for Sergio Garcia on the slow greens of Turnberry — find your happy place.
MLB » 80th All-Star Game
Tuesday, FOX, 8 p.m.
This is the time of year for baseball fans to forget what their team is doing (a real good thing here in D.C.) and enjoy America’s pastime at it’s highest level. St. Louis, a great baseball town, will provide a nice backdrop for the Midsummer Classic as both lineups will showcase the game’s best hitters (including Cardinals hometown hero and Triple Crown contender Albert Pujols) against outstanding pitching.
BOLD PREDICTIONS
1. Big men will foul out and undrafted hopefuls will flame out in Las Vegas » The 2009 version of the NBA Summer League kicks off this weekend, with plenty of herky-jerky play in store, thanks most significantly to rules that allow players to rack up 10 personal fouls before being disqualified. And you thought it was difficult for regular season games to get into a flow. Among the 21 NBA teams — and an NBDL select squad — top overall draft pick Blake Griffin will finally show his mettle with the Los Angeles Clippers, but expect Hasheem Thabeet (Memphis) and Jordan Hill (Knicks) to hit double-digit personals first. In the backcourt, we like Jonny Flynn to make Minnesota’s coaches and scouts quickly forget about Ricky Rubio. Among former Washington-area college stars, it’s hard to figure out why Cleveland would take a chance on departed George Washington guard Maureece Rice. Kevin Durant’s brother, Tony, a small power forward from Towson, is also getting a charity look by Oklahoma City. Meanwhile, we’re rooting for Georgetown’s Patrick Ewing Jr. with the Knicks — he’s a great teammate, and a great quote, and he deserves a chance.
2. The American League will win the All-Star game … again » Sure, we’re not exactly going out on a limb here. The National League hasn’t won a Midsummer Classic since 1996 and lately the senior circuit has found unique ways to keep that losing streak intact. In 2003, superhuman closer Eric Gagne — in the midst of saving 84 straight regular-season games — gave up an eighth-inning homer to Hank Blalock leading to a 7-6 AL win. In 2006, all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman gave up a two-out, two-run triple in the ninth to another Ranger (Michael Young) to hand the AL a 3-2 victory. See where we’re going here? The AL will add to its win streak because the back-end of its bullpen simply is better. Heath Bell has been a wonderful story this year, and the Franciscos (Rodriguez and Cordero) are among the league leaders in saves. But we’re taking Jonathan Papelbon, Joe Nathan and Mariano Rivera over anything the NL can dish out.
PLAYER TO WATCH
David Beckham • L.A. Galaxy, MF
The megastar English midfielder will have to upstage himself when he makes his first appearance of the season for the Los Angeles Galaxy against the New York Red Bulls on Thursday. Two days before he takes the field at Giants Stadium, The Beckham Experience, by Sports Illustrated senior writer Grant Wahl, will be released, giving the public a revealing and no-holds-barred inside look at Beckham’s first two seasons in Major League Soccer. Excerpts have already generated a ton of buzz well beyond soccer circles, highlighted by criticism from Landon Donovan, Beckham’s Galaxy teammate. The U.S. national team star himself went on the defensive to back up his assertions in the book that Beckham wasn’t committed to the Galaxy in 2008, speaking to the Los Angeles Times late last week. “I’m not going to apologize for the way I felt,” Donovan said. “What I feel badly about is that I should have been a man and told David how I felt as opposed to telling a reporter.” Questions remain as to whether Beckham and Donovan can co-exist both on and off the field.
FIVE UP & FIVE DOWN
UP
1. Jayson Werth » Up I-95 in Philly, better late than never for former O’s prospect.
2. Anderson Varejao » $50 million deal makes even John Koncak shake his head.
3. Michael Phelps » Only one thing to say about his new butterfly record — smokin.’
4. Rasheed Wallace » In shamrocks, his knucklehead quotient suddenly drops.
5. Lance Armstrong » If anyone knows comebacks, it’s The Lancenator.
DOWN
1. Matt Wieters » How long will it take for this struggling O’s hotshot C to blossom?
2. Carolyn Bivens » The clock is ticking for the embattled LPGA cotmmissioner.
3. Tennessean » Posthumously ran Steve McNair’s comments on his restaurant.
4. Allen Iverson » For his hat-in-hand free agency, only himself to blame.
5. Tony Stewart » He’s definitely off of Kyle Busch’s Christmas card list.
