An's Victory Symbolic of Changes in Golf

By MIKE HENRY

Outside of Southern Hills in Tulsa, Okla., site of the U.S. Amateur Championship, little attention was paid nationwide to the event.

Folks on the west coast of Florida tuned in, but only after a wire story Saturday alerted the local newspapers that 17-year-old finalist Byeong-Hun An of South Korea trained in Bradenton while attending Bradenton Prep Academy.

When An became the youngest amateur champion ever with a sloppy 7-and-5 victory over Ben Martin of Clemson in Sunday's 36-hole final, it continued a couple of trends.

First, the ongoing worldwide success of Korean golfers. Besides its thorough domination of the LPGA this year, Korea produced U.S. Women's Open champion Eun-Hee Ji and PGA winner Y.E. Yang, who took down Tiger Woods in Minnesota.

Second is the recent foreign domination of the men's amateur. Only two Americans (Ryan Moore and Colt Knost) have won since 2003, and An is the second consecutive Korean-born champion, following Danny Lee.

An, who has another year of high school before heading off to the University of California, had a previously undistinguished junior record. But his dedication at the Jonathan Yarwood Golf Academy, located at The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton (designed by Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin), is paying huge dividends.

An's expectations at Southern Hills were somewhat modest: to make the 64-man match-play portion of the event. It's not as if An got red-hot after qualifying 22nd, but the pressure may have done in at least a couple of his rivals.

An advanced from his round-of-16 match against Marquette product Mike Van Sickle despite a bogey on the second hole of sudden-death, because Van Sickle made double bogey. In his next match, An survived against Steve Ziegler of Stanford when the latter made bogeys on the second and third holes of sudden death.

The final against Martin was not suitable for its Sunday afternoon television slot, although NBC was able to edit much of the ugliness due to tape delay. Despite playing 31 holes in 9-over par, An was much the best, as Martin went 16-over for the last 26 holes.

That is brutal and an indication the U.S. Amateur has lost a great deal of stature since Woods won three in a row from 1994-96.

That detracts not at all from An, the only player to adjust to the lightning-quick greens and smothering pressure in a tournament where many of the supposed top players found it impossible to finish.

It's All About Price with Rays

By MIKE HENRY



It might have been David Price's boldest statement in a Tampa Bay Rays uniform since saving the seventh game of the 2008 American League Championship Series against the Red Sox.


Price's performance in Saturday's 3-1 victory at Detroit -- five hits, four strikeouts and one walk in 7 1/3 innings -- came a day after the trade of his close friend, fellow left-hander Scott Kazmir, to the Angels for three minor-league prospects.


For Rays fans, it's good to know Price was able to shelve his disappointment about Kazmir in time to handcuff the AL Central leaders. The victory represented a career milestone for Price -- his first road victory.


He did it by relying primarily on his fastball. Price (7-6, 4.63 ERA) has been plagued all season by control problems, but his command put the Tigers on the defensive.


Rays fans seem split about losing Kazmir, who had become the face of the franchise in 2007 by leading the AL with 239 strikeouts. He never got untracked this season because of minor injuries and mechanical problems, although he showed enough in recent starts to become attractive to the Angels.


Kazmir is in the first season of a three-year, $28.5-million deal, and if anything, the trade proved the Rays are nowhere near ready to compete financially with AL East rivals New York and Boston (anybody else remember when $63 million could have satisfied 25 guys?).


By slicing $20 million owed to Kazmir in 2010 and 2011 from its payroll, Tampa Bay is positioned to pursue Carl Crawford wholeheartedly when the All-Star left-fielder's contract runs out after next season.

Crawford is entering the prime of his career, plays great defense, is probably the best base-runner in baseball and hits for average and decent power. He's basically the Lou Brock of his era, and oldtimers remember what Brock meant to the Cardinals of the 1960s.

Although he should help the Angels, Kazmir was nowhere near Bob Gibson stature. He had fallen to something less than the Ray Washburn category. Rays management decided it couldn't wait any longer to get back maximum value.

By stepping up Saturday, David Price showed the Rays' gamble on the future might not have ruled out their chances getting to the playoffs this season as a wild card. And it showed Price understands there is no room for sentiment in a major league dugout, even when a friend is sent packing.

Those Old NFL Preseason Blues

By MIKE HENRY
Mother Nature played a sadistic trick on the 63,000-plus fans who attended Miami's 10-6 victory against Tampa Bay on Thursday at Raymond James Stadium.
A few minutes before 9 p.m., with the Buccaneers leading 6-0 in the second quarter, a lightning threat resulted in a 45-minute delay as officials pulled both teams off the field.
Anyone expecting offensive fireworks after play resumed was left wanting, although Miami quarterback Chad Pennington did manufacture a pair of scoring drives for the Dolphins' victory. The game ended about midnight, and a lot of folks who dragged themselves to work this morning must be wondering why they stayed.
For Bucs fans, the main subject around the water cooler is which quarterback will be under center for the opener against Dallas in two weeks.
After what he saw Thursday, first-year coach Raheem Morris is hoping Cadillac Williams can stay healthy. The one-time hope for a bright Bucs future, back from knee surgery, looked strong rushing for 54 yards on eight carries, including an explosive 19-yard run.
Combined with holdover Earnest Graham and former Giant Derrick Ward, the return of Williams gives the Bucs decent depth at the running back spot.
They're going to need it, judging from the uninspiring performances of quarterbacks Byron Leftwich and Luke McCown.
At least Tampa Bay's decision to draft Josh Freeman from Kansas State in the first round makes more sense. With Leftwich and McCown, it's safe to say the future is not now.
Leftwich (9-for-17, 100 yards) could overthrow Wilt Chamberlain, although he did have a few nice completions to the 6-foot-5 Maurice Stovall.
And those who remember the immobile Leftwich from his Jacksonville days are gritting their teeth at the thought of the Cowboys putting together a blitz package for the opener.
McCown, who played pretty well in a 24-23 victory against the Jaguars, reverted to form against the Dolphins, looking like a guy afraid to make a mistake. He got sacked three times and penalized for intentional grounding, and his cause wasn't helped by the absence of some key starters and a rainstorm during his service.
Rumors already are starting to swirl that McCown could be trade material. He might be a decent backup for a defense-oriented contender, but with the Bucs he could be a constant reminder that the alternative to No. 1 is just as lackluster.
Freeman, like any rookie quarterback not named Dan Marino or Matt Ryan, needs time. No sense throwing him to the wolves.
One bright spot for the Bucs was the defense, where coordinator Jim Bates is following in the footsteps of Tony Dungy and Monte Kiffin by assembling a fast, aggressive, gang-tacking unit. The Bucs held Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams to a combined 17 yards on six carries.
Thankfully, the preseason has only another week to run. If it hadn't been for all those sugary goodies in the press box, we doubt some reporters could have made it to the elevator Thursday night for their post-game interviews.

Rays Face Make-or-Break Stretch

By MIKE HENRY
When you look at their rotation, the Tampa Bay Rays don't resemble a contender.
Matt Garza, James Shields, David Price and Scott Kazmir are a combined 29-31, and Kazmir's 6.17 ERA is reminiscent of the franchise's early days (or the 1930 Phillies). Jeff Niemann (12-5, 3.87, two shutouts) has been the most reliable starter for Joe Maddon.
The Rays skipper has done a masterful job getting the maximum from his bullpen. J.P. Howell has 15 saves in 21 opportunities, so the late innings remain an area of grave concern for Tampa Bay fans.
So, with so-so pitching, what are the Rays doing breathing down the necks of the Red Sox and Rangers in the American League wild-card race?
It helps to know the Blue Jays are going belly-up every time you face them. Entering Wednesday's game, the Rays were 11-3 against Toronto, including Monday's comeback from a 6-3 deficit against Roy Halladay.
Unfortunately for Tampa Bay, the AL allows only 18 games against divisional opponents. Beginning Friday with a four-game series in Detroit, the Rays face a stretch of 17 consecutive games against playoff contenders that will either solidify their status as contenders or start management looking to fill the holes on the staff for 2010.
After returning home next week for three games against the Red Sox and Tigers, the Rays play four in Yankee Stadium and three in Fenway Park.
But despite the nagging doubts about pitching and the schedule, it's foolish to think the defending AL champions are going away any time soon.
The best thing the Rays have going for them is Maddon's cerebral, aggressive approach to the game, embraced by nearly everyone on the team.
Maddon stresses working at-bats and taking extra bases, and the unsung double-play combination of second baseman Ben Zobrist and shortstop Jason Bartlett have been the main beneficiaries. Bartlett's .346 average and Zobrist's power numbers -- 23 homers, 69 RBI -- are huge for middle infielders.
Throw in the game's best leadoff hitter, All-Star Game MVP Carl Crawford, and third baseman Evan Longoria, and opposing pitchers find it hard to pinpoint an easy out. And even though Carlos Pena has more home runs than singles -- 37-to-35 -- his .223 average is offset by 91 RBI.
Right now, I wouldn't argue the Rays are equal to the Yankees or the Angels. I do think the Rays are better than the Red Sox, whose second-half struggles and every-game-as-Greek-drama seem to make them a prime candidate to weaken in September.
In addition to their upcoming brutal stretch, the Rays must travel to Texas, where they've already lost three times. The Rangers show no signs of fading, so Tampa Bay has its work cut out.
But their starters, for all their 2009 struggles, know what it's like to pitch in important games, and Shields and Garza are better than their records. I don't expect the Rays to roll over for anyone over the next five-and-a-half weeks.

Accuracy, Mobility Count For McCown

By MIKE HENRY
I don't know what Tampa Bay quarterback Luke McCown was saying to cornerback Ronde Barber in the closing minutes of the Buccaneers' 24-23 victory Saturday at Jacksonville.
But McCown's intense scowl had to bring a smile to the face of head coach Raheem Morris, who said today he plans to postpone a decision on his No. 1 QB until after Thursday's game against Miami, if that soon.
Neither McCown nor the other contender, Byron Leftwich, will be high selections in anyone's fantasy draft. But their spirited competition is a godsend for Morris and the Bucs, whose shaky defense took another hit with the season-ending biceps injury to linebacker Angelo Crowell.
No. 1 draft pick Josh Freeman also impressed, capping an 18-play touchdown drive to begin the second half with a 28-yard touchdown run. But Freeman needs time to adjust to NFL speed and won't be thrown to the wolves, barring injuries.
No, it's between McCown and Leftwich, and there will be a heightened sense of anticipation when the Dolphins come calling.
Leftwich, who didn't play much the past two seasons but got a Super Bowl ring with the Steelers, looked adequate in the first quarter against Jacksonville. But McCown showed the accuracy that used to intrigue former Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden, completing six of nine attempts with one thrown away to avoid a sack.
McCown displayed plenty of zip on his touchdown passes to Jerramy Stevens and seventh-round draft pick Sammie Stroughter, who also had an electrifying 75-yard kickoff return to set up the Stevens touchdown.
Now, I'm one of those guys who thinks the Bucs are looking at 6-10, 7-9 at best. They play the NFC East and travel to Buffalo in Week 2, when the Terrell Owens love affair should be in full bloom.
Especially after what I saw from the Tampa Bay secondary Saturday. Barber is a borderline Hall of Fame candidate on the verge of making selectors forget what the fuss is all about. Safety Sabby Piscitelli still seems best suited to the thrill of the chase (rival offensive coordinators will take note of the Jags' game-opening, 74-yard TD bomb from David Garrard to Troy Williamson and plan accordingly).
No longer will the Bucs be able to win consistently by scoring 17 points, like they did in their glory days. It's going to take a QB who can move the chains, avoid mistakes and hit the occasional deep pass.
I'm thinking that guy is McCown.
Two years ago, McCown completed almost 68 percent of his passes in five games, with a decent 7.3 yards-per-attempt average. Leftwich was vegetating on the Falcons bench and had little to do last season.
McCown also moves a whole lot better than Leftwich, and that probably will factor into Morris' decision.

Rays, Tropicana Field a Good Fit

By MIKE HENRY
With a major-league best home record of 98-44 (through Friday night) since the start of the 2008 season, the last thing the Tampa Bay Rays should be thinking about is leaving Tropicana Field.
Yet on the eve of an important home series against Texas, a consulting group called "A Baseball Community" -- ABC -- decided it's as good a time as any to beat the drum for a new stadium elsewhere in the Tampa Bay area.
Part of ABC's mission statement, according to its Web site, is "the identification and assessment of possible new stadium locations. ... leading to a recommendation for city, county, Rays and general community consideration."
Notice who's last in the pecking order.
ABC is chaired by Jeff Lyash, the president and CEO of Progress Energy Florida.
Wasn't is just last fall the Rays quietly dropped plans for a $450-million, retractable-roof stadium near the St. Petersburg waterfront, at the site of old Al Lang Field? I imagine it probably had something to do with the recession and the fact public tax dollars were being sought to finance the project.
Everyone realized it was a no-go.
Now, in the midst of a pennant race, Rays fans must stomach another reminder how inadequate their south St. Petersburg home is, even though opponents hate coming there because of its quirky hitting background.
Tropicana Field's No. 1 drawback: Corporate profits are not being maximized.
Sure, it's alarming that games have regularly drawn in the 15,000-20,000 range for the defending American League champs. And you have to smirk when Red Sox fans out-number Rays backers on a regular basis.
And it makes sense baseball fans in north St. Petersburg and Tampa would rather see a stadium closer to home. Although Ferg's sports bar offers a pleasant gathering spot before and after games, the Trop sits in a long-neglected area of Pinellas County. No dawdling allowed on the walk back to the car.
But there is nothing wrong with Tropicana Field, even if no one knows the rules for balls hit off the catwalks. Heck, it's home to the Ted Williams Museum.
ABC, and Rays owner Stuart Sternberg and his management team, have a lot further to go explaining how a new stadium will benefit the area -- not just the team -- to gain public support.
Or maybe they need to realize this is not the best time to decide how to raise citizen taxes.
Florida has lost population for the first time since 1946, unemployment in the state is approaching record levels and voters don't have the stomach for financing millionaires.
Of course, common sense tells me Rays management and ABC will find a way. That's why professional sports exist, to get into our pockets and convince us we're part of their success and they're just as loyal as we are.
It just seems so unncessary, a waste of taxpayer dollars, when a perfectly good stadium already is in place.
One where the home team has a .697 winning percentage since last April.

What would Derrick Brooks say?

By MIKE HENRY
This week's arrest of Tampa Bay cornerback Aqib Talib may be the first of countless reminders how much the Buccaneers are going to miss perennial All-Pro linebacker Derrick Brooks.
Even if No. 55 had lost a half-step on the field, he would have been the first to pull Talib aside after he embarrassed the organization by being charged with battery on a cab driver. The alleged victim, identified as David Duggan, said "It was like someone hit me upside the head with a hammer."
The only time I thought about whacking a taxi driver was when one sped through every stop sign in a South Bend, Ind. neighborhood during a rainstorm, but I digress. The Talib incident happened as he and two other men were returning to Tampa from a St. Petersburg night spot.
First-year head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Mark Dominik have voiced their displeasure, privately and to the media. Maybe they'll suspend Talib for a game, if NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell doesn't beat them to it.
But being read the riot act by a pillar of the community such as Brooks, a sure-fire Hall of Famer, would have more impact. It might make Talib realize what he's throwing away.
Cleaning house is a regular occurrence in the NFL, but ditching Brooks in February was a callous move, even by the league's standards. He was beloved by fans, played hurt and knew how to get inside a young quarterback's head.
We remember seeing Brooks a few years back at a charity tennis event, where he signed autographs unfailingly until a young boy handed him a Steelers' jersey. Brooks laughed before handing it back. "I don't do that," he said, indicating he'd sign anything except rival gear.
That's loyalty. That's class. The Bucs need an infusion, quickly.
It's beginning to look as if Talib may have anger-management issues, which were obscured as a Kansas Jayhawk, where he turned in three positives for marijuana. His quick temper manifested itself again in May, when he swung his helmet at offensive lineman Donald Penn and hit teammate Torrie Cox in the face, necessitating stitches.
According to reports, Talib has been fined several times by the Bucs for rules violations. The old growth curve just ain't happenin.'
A few days before Talib's troubles, Bucs safety Tanard Jackson was suspended for the first four games of the season for a violation of the league's substance-abuse policy. These are problems Morris could do without, as he tries to rebuild the defense without coordinator extraordinaire Monte Kiffin and find a reliable quarterback.
Derrick Brooks could have helped. For starters, by telling Talib to stay out of cabs after 11 p.m. And it wouldn't be the last dose of assistance Morris is going to need.