Mediate almost slays giant with a new approach: kindness
A real-life "Rocky" almost brought down the champ.
But in real life, as in the original movie, Rocky came up one punch short of a knockout, and when you have the world No. 1 on the ropes, you better put him away.
In the end, Rocco Mediate couldn't.
Still, he nearly found a formula, a way to beat Tiger Woods never before considered.
Unlike adversaries of the past, this time the challenger didn't tug on superman's cape, or spit into the wind.
Rocco nearly killed Tiger with kindness.
He treated Tiger with respect and took the edge off with laughter. And coming down the stretch he had Tiger in deep trouble.
The greatest of all time blew a 3-shot lead while Mediate went on a 3-birdie run that put him in the lead.
Yet, when it was on the line, when the United States Open Championship was there to be won, Rocco found the fairway bunker on No. 18 Monday.
Tiger, who needed a bird on the 18th Sunday to force the playoff, dropped another clutch putt Monday on the last hole to send the playoff to double-OT.
And then, finally, you knew it was over.
Part of you couldn't help but root for the 45-year-old with the bad back, whom you will almost certainly never hear from again.
The guy with the grand smile, the great laugh and the nerves of steel, stared down the best and didn't give in until he merely had nothing left on the first hole of sudden death.
He seemed to know the entire weekend that he was on borrowed time and looked like he didn't want to go home Monday night, knowing the golfing future he faces involves much less good than bad.
It was a bit sad to see it end.
However, Rocco will be remembered forever for having taken Tiger to the limit in not only the best U.S. Open of all time, but what some were calling Monday the best major championship of all time.
If an exaggeration, it's absolutely in the team picture.
For that, Rocco Mediate will have his place in history.
As for Woods, there are no words left that don't feel superfluous.
Yet, try as we must, consider then that he is a gift to us all who wondered where there would be wonderment in sports after Michael Jordan retired.
Woods is that and -- dare we say -- even more.
While comparing them favorably, Jordan always had his place alone at the top among the offerings from above, placed here to allow a spectator hope that today will be the day to witness something never before imagined.
The question now, after watching Woods play on one leg, coming from behind time after time after time, under the most intense pressure ever created for a solo performer, is whether he has surpassed Jordan.
The belief here is he has, that he is the greatest athlete to have ever played any sport on any surface.
And if you disagree, for how much longer will you?
Might it be his next major that changes that thought? Will it be his next 70-foot eagle putt that brings a roar not heard since Jordan went on that unhinged, 3-point spree against Portland in '92, in the ear-splitting din of Chicago Stadium?
Will it be his 19th major, or will it take a grand slam?
There's a part of you this morning that remembers a stubborn Tiger refusing to take birds on the par-5s at Augusta, knowing he could now be 2-for-2 and halfway to a slam.
But two majors remain this year on courses that suit Tiger very nicely.
If he gets to 16 this season, he's looking Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 squarely in the face in 2009. Perhaps that will be the year we all admit that nobody's ever done it better than Tiger Woods.
Congrats
To Pat Foley, on his return to the NHL, where his excitement and honesty will be a welcome change from the past couple of years.
Let's hope partner Ed Olczyk is no longer under orders from above to pretend that every move made by a hometown player, coach or GM is perfect, and that every opposing player, coach and GM is terrible, because it made the broadcast unwatchable.
Cheerleading is to be expected, but over-the-top spin, lathered in syrupy layers of excuse, is insulting to even an uneducated viewer.
We assume that since he's good on the national games this wasn't Olczyk's fault, and that paired with Foley he will now be allowed to call the game we're actually seeing, not the imaginary one of the past.
Condolences
To Arlington Park senior director of communications, Dave Zenner, whose dad, Norman Zenner, passed away on Father's Day in Arizona. He was well known on the North Shore as the affable and long-serving proprietor of legendary Skokie restaurant Sam & Hy's, and will be missed by many.
Rotation junction
If you're GM Jim Hendry, don't you hurry up and move Jason Marquis right now before he goes back to being Jason Marquis?
He may get hot and even stay hot for a while, but ultimately you know how this story ends, and you also know Marquis is due $9.87 million next year.
Just asking
With the Yankees more desperate than ever, will they get to the Indians and grab C.C. Sabathia before the Cubs?
Best headline
Sportspickle.com: "Hand check leaves Paul Pierce on life support."
And finally …
Michael Strahan to Fox Sports Net, on Vikings end Ray Edwards saying he will break Strahan's sack record: "Ray Edwards plays where? Honestly, no disrespect, but if you didn't put his picture up there, I wouldn't have known who the guy was."