I’m glad the golf world is relieved, as Tiger Woods announced that he will return to the golf course, probably making his first appearance at the Masters in Augusta. Not surprising that Woods picked Augusta where they can control the crowds and, for the most part, the media.
I’m hoping that we will see a new Tiger Woods but rather doubt it. Woods’s apology a few weeks ago sounded forced to me, and I am starting to think that if it wasn’t for golf, he would be working at Sports Authority selling shoes. His cocky and “I don’t have time for you” attitude would certainly fit in with those at that chain. I am wondering how the ESPN and CBS announcing crews will handle the situation on the air. The powers that be in Augusta have total, and I mean total, control over what goes out on the airways.
In fact I think they have more control these days then what the Chinese government has over their announcers.
We’ll see what type of journalist CBS play-by-play man Jim Nantz is as it will sound awfully stupid if he avoids talking about what Woods has gone through recently. I also will be surprised if Woods talks about anything but golf. Remember, he has yet to face the media and answer questions, still in total control of his situation like he has been for all these years.
Woods would certainly help himself by coming out early in the week, allowing the media to ask their questions. Seriously, right now not many are interested in how he hits his 7-iron. The golf world will care once the Masters starts but for now they want to hear him explain himself.
Again, I may be way off but my bet is Woods hides behind the walls of Augusta National.
A WORD ON HEWITT …
Georgia Tech let the big contract roll over, and head coach Paul Hewitt will be back for another season. Hewitt’s team made a nice run in the ACC tournament but has a near impossible track in the NCAA Tournament, starting with Oklahoma State tonight. Hewitt has been bothered by the criticism he has received in the media and has lashed out at reporters and fans that he feels have gone overboard with their remarks. I’m surprised Hewitt has let this get to him. I’ve always felt coaches get paid an awful lot of money, and because of that and the expectation to win, they are better off just ignoring things like that. Hewitt reminds me of Braves manager Bobby Cox, who used to tell me when I was the beat writer that he had stopped reading the newspaper. Hewitt has said the same thing, yet he seems to know everything that has been written. Cox was the same way and finally I said, “Bobby, you told me you stopped reading the AJC but you always know what I wrote and bring it up.” He answered me by saying, “Well, my wife reads it, too.”
SPEAKING OF THE BRAVES …
It’s interesting to see the team move over its radio network to 680 The Fan. I like the fact that they hired former Channel 2 broadcaster Chuck Dowdle to handle postgame shows and look forward to hearing former pitching coach Leo Mazzone rattle on. But I am surprised that they put former Georgia quarterback Buck Belue into heading up the pregame show. It doesn’t make any sense putting in a football player into that role and it isn’t as if Belue is easy on the ears during the four hours he does every day. Actually, I would have rather seen the station go with Belue’s partner Jon Kincade, who, while obnoxious, would have made things interesting before every game. My biggest problem with 680 having the Braves is that their signal is a weak one at night and I know I can’t hear the station at my home in Roswell after the sun goes down. That’s why it was so nice when the team was on WSB 750 AM.
AND FINALLY …
Answer me this question: School systems are cutting teachers, increasing the size of classrooms and cutting programs but what do you think the response would be if the high schools cut out freshman sports? I think you would have parents breaking down the doors of every county school board, which is a sad statement on our education system today. While I think sports is very important in the schools, I just wish this country took more time to focus on the academic part of the schools and would like to see a public outcry on what is happening to our schools. For me, the way to fix the system is to put in place one of these car executives, like the one at Ford, which has come in and saved these companies. That type of person will know how to overhaul what is a very broken system.
And there you go, I feel much better now. Now if it would only stop raining …
Rosenberg can be reached at 404-256-1572 or ijrosenberg@scoreatl.com.
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