Reilly lecturing again

[Den1983]

I, too, enjoyed the piece. It's a good column and brings up a good point that not nearly enough people call out Tiger on.

I also agree with those who said it's refreshing to not see a ESPN junkie slobbing over Tiger and bringing up a legitimate point. Good for Reilly; it's something of his we've seen few and far between these days.

 

[LongTimeListener]

Tiger is normally one of the most ardent supporters of golf's old standards and traditions. When he's asked why crowds can't make noise the way they do when basketball players are shooting free throws, he answers with a variation of "that just isn't our game." He doesn't think steroids would ever be a problem because golfers, unlike other athletes, truly believe in a code of honor. He has spoken eloquently about introducing kids to the experience as spectators and about bringing them up to the etiquette standards that make golf different.

I don't think Tiger has it over Jack Nicklaus or Ben Hogan in the intensity category. And he talks glowingly of following in their footsteps. When he throws his clubs and curses on the course, he is contradicting himself.

And since I was the first one to comment on how ridiculous the thread's initial criticism was, let me reiterate: I have no idea what Rick Reilly's alleged (and now it sounds like nonexistent) behavior in a press box many years ago has to do with this column. That's really one of the most childish arguments I've seen around these parts.

 

[silentbob]

I hate when people write or say that golfers have to act a certain way because it's "golf." I think that very attitude is what drives so many people away from the sport. I only have to cover a major tournament once a year, and the whole prim-and-proper charade drives me nutty. So if Tiger wants to drop a few F-bombs, more power to him.

That said, I liked the column. One of Rick's better efforts lately.

 

[YGBFKM]

I hate when people write or say that golfers have to act a certain way because it's "golf." I think that very attitude is what drives so many people away from the sport. I only have to cover a major tournament once a year, and the whole prim-and-proper charade drives me nutty. So if Tiger wants to drop a few F-bombs, more power to him.

That said, I liked the column. One of Rick's better efforts lately.

What LTL is saying, though, is Tiger can't have it both ways. He can't play the "that's golf" card when it benefits him, then turn around and act like a baby when things don't go his way.

 

[Double J]

I agree with that.

And I would absolutely **** my pants with laughter to see this:

It would be funny to see someone honk an air horn at the top of his backswing just to see him melt down, though.

 

[YGBFKM]

Oh, yeah, Tiger would make Happy Gilmore blush.

 

[PopeDirkBenedict]

I liked this one. RR made his argument, backed it up with solid points and stayed away from his Katskillz Komic routine. Nice to see him throw a good fastball.

 

[JackReacher]

The column was not great, but an easy read. And I even agree with Reilly.

The big problem I have is the fact the guy is paid hand over fist and can't even muster the effort to talk to anyone. Wanna blast Tiger? Then have the balls (and integrity) to talk to the guy. Ask him why he gets so upset. Question whether he thinks he needs to be more of a role model.

Talk to kids watching. Do they throw clubs as much as they do the Tiger fist pump? Do parents watching there even care what Tiger does?

Reilly just doing the legwork a blogger could do is crap. I thought sports journalists were paid to bring people places they couldn't go. It would seem Tiger Woods' mind and feelings would qualify as that.

Just my two cents ...

And Reilly gave his two cents. He's a columnist, not a beat guy. He's not obligated to talk to Tiger for an opinion piece on Tiger. Columns can be one-sided, ya know? That's kind of the point.

Oh, I understand a column has an opinion. But that doesn't excuse laziness.

Columns can, you know, be good journalism.

But what's the point of asking Tiger why he cusses so much? ("Because I'm ****ing pissed off.")

Or asking kids at the course what they think? ("What does '****ing cocksucker' mean?")

What a bad, bad column that would be. "Local kids think Tiger has a potty mouth -- and I agree!"

Some columns don't need extensive reporting. This is one of them. There are a million things to slam Reilly about these days. Your critcism is like picking the nits on top of nits.

Thank you.

Talking to Tiger for the piece would do nothing to change Reilly's opinion, which, you know, is the point of the column....to express his opinion.

I really didn't think this was that deep of a concept.

 

[slappy4428]

I agree with that.

And I would absolutely **** my pants with laughter to see this:

It would be funny to see someone honk an air horn at the top of his backswing just to see him melt down, though.

Would be worth it to watch Steve Williams head explode... so that's cool...

 

[Double J]

Even more, I'd love to see Steve Williams try to confiscate the camera of someone who turns out to be a third-degree black belt in a killing martial art. Except the person doesn't kill Williams, just punts him around the golf course like a hacky sack.

 

[DanOregon]

"I am Tiger Woods."

 

[anotherjrcsurvivor]

Rick wrote: "This isn't new. Woods has been this way for years: swearing like a Hooters' bouncer, trying to bury the bottom of his driver into the tee box, flipping his club end over end the second he realizes his shot is way offline."

Only problem I've got with the column: I've never seen a bouncer at Hooters. And before the comments start: No pun intended.

Rick needs to get out more.

 

[DirtyDeeds]

I took that as possibly a weak reference to John Daly(?!) But yeah, it's not the best part of the column.

 

[Sneed]

Thought it was a fine column.

 

[SixToe]

Even more, I'd love to see Steve Williams try to confiscate the camera of someone who turns out to be a third-degree black belt in a killing martial art. Except the person doesn't kill Williams, just punts him around the golf course like a hacky sack.

One day he'll try to take someone's camera or will get in their face, and they'll beat the ever-loving **** out of him right there in front of everyone.

 

[Stitch]

Reilly's column was weak because you can't rip a guy for not being professional when he acts like a clown and girl up to the press box.

I'm pretty sure it turned out Reilly never actually did such a thing -- in fact, was nowhere near said town where said press box is located on the day he was accused of this.

Of course, we never read *that* retraction on the Big Lead. God, I love the Internet.

I'm pretty sure he did bring his current wife to the press box. But the point is don't rip on someone's professionalism when you have problems yourself in being professional. You can't keep it separate.

http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/watchdog/blog/2009/02/espns_rick_reilly_generally_is.html

 

[broadway joe]

Reilly's column was weak because you can't rip a guy for not being professional when he acts like a clown and girl up to the press box.

I'm pretty sure it turned out Reilly never actually did such a thing -- in fact, was nowhere near said town where said press box is located on the day he was accused of this.

Of course, we never read *that* retraction on the Big Lead. God, I love the Internet.

I'm pretty sure he did bring his current wife to the press box. But the point is don't rip on someone's professionalism when you have problems yourself in being professional. You can't keep it separate.

http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/watchdog/blog/2009/02/espns_rick_reilly_generally_is.html

I think it's debatable whether he was unprofessional if his version of events is true -- that he brought his fiance to the press box of a game he wasn't covering, and they didn't behave inappropriately. But even if it was, it's a pretty big stretch to say it should disqualify him from writing what he wrote about Tiger.

 

[sportsguydave]

Apparently the minority view ... but I yawned when I read this one. Reilly jumped the shark a long time ago. He hasn't been interesting or compelling in years. Any of us could have written this column. I'd put this one in the category of the "blind squirrel finding a nut."

And when did Hooters start hiring bouncers??

 

[micropolitan guy]

No one expects pro golfers to be robots, but I was always taught that throwing clubs after a bad shot and swearing out loud are examples of unacceptable behavior at any level of competitive golf, from juniors to club championships to the PGA.

Silly me.

(It was also unacceptable in friendly games with my father and brothers. And it's unacceptable when my son and I knock it around at the local par 3.)

I'm no great fan of RR. But that was a very solid, balanced column.

 

[jfs1000]

I couldn't get through this. Ricky Reilly's move to ESPN has been an unmitigated disaster. That's for another thread. This guy is suddenly boring.

As far as Tiger's F-Bombs? Would we prefer if he didn't care? He has a temper and is generally a jerk on the course. Tell me something I don't know.