Each week I'll talk about the world of sports …
• Josh Beckett has been a stopper when the Red Sox have needed it most, becoming the first 20-game winner this season. Consider this, Beckett had an ERA over five last season! He had a big performance in a win over the Devil Rays last week, and that probably clinched the A.L. Cy Young award.
• The Red Sox clinched a playoff berth and they cannot be overtaken. Let me tell you, psychologically, it would be a big blow for them if they lost the division to the Yankees.
• What about the success of Alfonso Soriano? You think there was some moaning and groaning about his contract, worth $136 million? Soriano has been coming through down the stretch after hitting just four home runs through May. He has been clutch, a big plus for the Cubs in their goal to make the playoffs and win the division.
• The National League races look like they will come down to the wire. Baseball dreams of games that have meaning the final week of the season. The battle for the wild card could come down to the final pitch! Unbelievable.
• For those who were questioning Donovan McNabb and the Eagles, just look at the first half against the Lions. Wow! Kevin Curtis and Brian Westbrook teamed up with McNabb to help lay a hurting on Detroit.
• What goes around comes around. Last week, the Raiders kicked an apparent winning field goal in overtime when Mike Shanahan of the Broncos called time out. Then Sebastian Janikowski missed the second attempt and Denver ended up winning. This time around, Cleveland's Phil Dawson had a winning three-pointer called back when Raiders coach Lane Kiffin called time out. Dawson's second try was blocked. Seems like poetic justice for the Raiders.
• It's hard to figure out what is wrong with the 0-3 Rams and 1-2 Chargers. LaDainian Tomlinson has not had a 100-yard rushing game yet and he seems to be frustrated. On the flip side, what about the job being done by Brett Favre and the 3-0 Packers. Favre tied Dan Marino for the NFL record with his 420th career touchdown toss.
• What else is new in the AFC as the Patriots, Colts and Steelers all rolled to 3-0 starts. New England keeps posting impressive Ws as Tom Brady has so many weapons to work with and Randy Moss keeps finding the end zone.
• How about a salute to Oklahoma football? We hear all about USC, LSU and Florida but when will people give the Sooners some credit? That Oklahoma attack looked incredible against Tulsa last week. Bob Stoops' squad puts up points against everybody! Sam Bradford looks like the real deal at quarterback and this team can run the ball, too.
• Kentucky football is making some real noise. First it was a win over Louisville, then a big W at Arkansas in SEC play. Andre' Woodson has been impressive and fans across America are learning that this program can flat out play.
• What is going on at Louisville? Maybe you can believe a loss to Syracuse in basketball, but not in football. You couldn't tell it to the Orange players. If you want to win big in sports, you have to play defense. Now the fans are getting psyched for Rick Pitino and Co. because the football team has had a couple of tough weeks. The offense has been outstanding and Brian Brohm puts up nice numbers, but the defense has been porous and was victimized by Middle Tennessee, Kentucky and now Syracuse. Remember, the Orange totaled 32 points in the first three weeks before putting up 38 against Louisville.
• Congratulations to the Andy Roddick, James Blake, the Bryan brothers and captain Patrick McEnroe as the United States made it to the finals of the Davis Cup with a win over Sweden. This is great news for American tennis fans. Next up is Russia in the championship round.
• It is also nice to see the U. S. women's soccer team in the World Cup semifinals after a 3-0 win over England. The American squad, one of the favorites going in, takes on Brazil next.
