Tiger is the greatest

I may be in the minority, but I loved every second of the British Open. It was, without question, one of the most exciting events in recent years.

Tiger Woods, for the umpteenth time, proved why he is the greatest golfer ever to play the game, and why he will eventually break Jack Nicklaus' record for wins in majors. He now has 11, and he's barely into his 30s. Nicklaus' record is what drives Tiger.

People who doubted Tiger after he missed the cut at the U.S. Open should have had their heads examined. The guy hadn't played a competitive round of golf after the death of his father, Earl, and it showed. He was rusty. Heck, if it wasn't a major, he wouldn't have tried to come back so fast.

The smart people knew that he would come back with a vengeance. Tiger gears his entire season around the big events, because he knows that's where golf measures your greatness, and he was as focused as I've ever seen him.

I can only imagine the gamut of emotions that he endured, especially on Sunday.

Tiger was all smiles as he walked down the 18th fairway with his caddy, Steve Williams. When he two-putted for a two-stroke win over fellow American Chris DiMarco, he started sobbing into Williams' shoulders, and then when he left the green, TV cameras focused on him hugging his wife, Elin.

Pictures are worth a thousand words, and nothing needed to be said in that instance. Tiger's emotion was sincere. His dad wasn't there to get a hug or a phone call, and won't be anymore, and the tears he was shedding were just as much for his dad as they were for winning the tournament.

JOSE 'CAN'T' YOU SEE

Gee what a shock that Jose Canseco never met with reporters during the Long Beach Armada's recent three-game weekend series at Peccole Park.

Friday's press conference was postponed because Canseco's plane got in late from Southern California. Sunday's press conference also was wiped out because of Canseco's back spasms, which is why he didn't play the last two games of the series.

I asked Reno pitching coach Mike Hartley if he thought Canseco had even a small shot at getting back to the majors, and Hartley doubted it.

The only positive thing that Canseco did was sign autographs. I think he's just trying to keep his name out there and possibly sell a few more books. His best days are long behind him.

CARSON 13S

Kudos to the Carson 13-year-old Babe Ruth all-star squad which is two wins away from winning the state tournament.

Carson is 2-0 thus far with a game against Sparks tonight. A win would move them into Wednesday's championship round.

WAC MEDIA DAY

The WAC is holding its annual Media Day for football in Boise starting tomorrow, so look for previews and features on all nine teams starting later in the week.

Some WAC reporters have complained because two of the biggest names in the conference - quarterbacks Jeff Rowe (Nevada) and Colt Brennan (Hawai'i) - won't be in attendance.

Hawai'i traditionally brings seniors to the event. Nevada opted to bring talented tight end Anthony Pudewell to the event.