Time to give thanks, and we'll start with Tiger

The start of winter used to be defined by the last day you could hold a golf club without your fingers bleeding from frostbite.

And spring was invited out with the first practice round at the Masters.

Tiger Woods has changed all that, and for that on this Thanksgiving we are grateful.

Everything and anything golf has been redefined by when and where Woods arrives in front of a TV camera and sees his shadow. Forgive the rest of the PGA Tour if it all feels like Groundhog's Day.

When last seen, Woods was ripping apart courses and winning for fun at a clip that's stunning even by his standards.

Though he's finishing first at a 27 percent pace for his career (61 of 230), that number includes a 1-for-19 in 2004 when he went through a swing change. Since then, he's won 40 percent of his starts (21-for-52).

This year, he went 7-for-16 (44 percent) and since the 2006 British Open, Woods has taken 13 of 22 events (59 percent), including three of six majors with two seconds.

And now comes the scary part.

This year's fiery finish had an added bonus: a tweak in his swing.

You probably can't call it an out-and-out "swing change,'' as was the 2004 major restructuring, but after finishing second at the Masters and U.S. Open in 2007 and a sluggish British, Woods was clearly frustrated at his inconsistency off the tee.

So he tweaked. In the middle of a season. Before a major. On his way to the PGA.

And the result was he won four of his last five events, with a second.

Not ever wanting to give away anything, he tried to downplay the change when I asked him about it during the BMW Championship at Cog Hill. But his opponents noticed after the British Open that he was more upright and closer to the ball.

Geoff Ogilvy told me he believes Tiger, after an aggravating British Open, discovered a middle ground between the flatter, rounder swing of coach Hank Haney, and the upright swing of former coach Butch Harmon.

Mark Calcavecchia noted that Woods isn't over-swinging on his drives, with his hands higher over his head at the top, and his swing looks less rigid, and more rhythmic and athletic.

If he can maintain that plane, Ogilvy said, Tiger is unbeatable, because it was only the missed fairways and occasional errant putt that ever left the door open.

"Everyone tinkers,'' Woods said, refusing to admit a serious alteration, before issuing a warning. "Any time I've made changes, though, I've always taken a step back before I take a few steps forward.''

Which suggests 2008 may be the year he raises the bar.

It's a shame Chicago won't get to see Tiger Woods pass through town next year, but we can at least be thankful to have seen him here in 2007, when he put on a show at Cog Hill that will be etched in our memories forever.

Don't regret later that you passed on any chance to see him play.

Thanks for the …

In 2007, Chicago sports fans had many other people and moments for which to be thankful, and here are just a few that come to mind:

• Rocky Wirtz, who intends to put the NHL back on the map in Chicago, and has moved quickly to make significant statements about the future of the franchise.

To think of where the organization was two months ago -- still stuck in the '50s -- and to see it now, is one of the most extraordinary turnarounds of upper management in Chicago sports history.

Suddenly, because of Rocky Wirtz, it's OK to admit you're a Blackhawks fan again.

• Wolves owner Don Levin, who not only kept the sport alive in Chicago the past 10 years, but gave us a chance to hear Pat Foley call again.

• Devin Hester, perhaps the best to ever return a kick in NFL history, and the first to return the opening kick of a Super Bowl for a touchdown.

Now, if only the Bears had the coaching and the innovation to make him a genuine part of the offense.

• Jim Thome, a class act and a truly fine individual, who walloped his way to home run No. 500 and perhaps the Hall of Fame.

• Brett Favre, as much fun to watch today as he was 15 years ago, his play is a reminder that there's only one Brett Favre.

• NCAA football, which has never been more exciting, more balanced and more interesting. Now, if only the goofs at the top would finish it off with a playoff system.

• Illini football, which had a breakthrough year, and offers hope of a top-10 season in 2008.

• Mark Buehrle, whose no-hitter was the highlight of the year for the White Sox.

• The kids, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, hard workers and excellent talents. Given the right direction and environment, they could become NHL superstars.

• Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken, the 2007 inductees to the Baseball Hall of Fame, who at least for a day allowed us to remember how good the game could be.

• Jim McMahon, the less-than-punky, middle-aged QB, who spends his free time visiting troops in harm's way and raising money for various veterans causes.

• Derrek Lee, the classy Cubs first baseman who proves you can be great and decent in professional sports.

• Greg Olsen, who answered our decades-long call for a tight end in Lake Forest, and looks suited to fit the bill for a very long time.

• Kenny Williams, the gutsy White Sox GM who never shrinks from a challenge and never lets the views of a few affect decisions that will impact the many.

• Lon and Kevin Kruger, who began their Sweet Sixteen run in the NCAA Tourney at the UC in March, upsetting No. 2 Wisconsin along the way. They didn't try to sell their story to anyone, but you couldn't help but be moved by how much dad and son enjoyed being together.

• Mike Ditka, who went to bat for his fellow ex-players and took a beating for it, but managed to shed light on the horrible problems facing the infirmed and insolvent.

• Lou Piniella, who helped a city erase the memory of all things Dusty Baker.

• Rex Grossman, who -- like him or hate him -- remains one of the most entertaining, polarizing and often comical figures in Chicago sports in the last 20 years.

• Carlos Marmol, who has a chance to be latest on a long list of great Chicago closers.

• The Anaheim Ducks, who stormed to the Stanley Cup and warned the "new NHL'' that size, toughness and ferocity are still just as important as speed in the greatest game ever invented.

• The NL Central and the NFC, which allowed the Cubs and Bears to play later into their seasons than their talent should have allowed.

• Hall of Famer Dan Hampton, who's never afraid to tell the truth and give honest analysis -- traits disappearing by the day.

• Wrigley Field, for as long as we're permitted on the grounds. We fear she's not long for this world, and let's hope that we're wrong.

• Phil Mickelson, a good guy who lives a happy life, and reminds us winning is great, but it's not everything.

And finally ...

As always, on a day of stuffing yourself with food, football and family, think of those who are missing someone at the table, perhaps for the first time, and be grateful for what you have.

Happy Thanksgiving.