Question of the Week

Nate, San Marcos, TX
Subj: Fore! God and country
It seems like every American president from the past 50 years has been a golfer. Who is the best of the bunch?

That honor belongs to John F. Kennedy, an exceptional all-around athlete who possessed a seven handicap during his prime. Kennedy’s real strength was his long, smooth swing which was nearly as beautiful as some of the women he snuck into the White House. Although Kennedy may have been the Oval Office’s best golfer, the most passionate duffer was probably Gerald Ford. The nation’s 38th president was the first person to join the United States Golf Association (USGA) members program and he routinely worked on refining his game with pros like Jack Nicklaus, Hale Irwin and Dave Stockton. Of course, just because he was passionate doesn’t mean he was any good. Ford was famous for accidentally hitting spectators with wayward shots and he once capped off a memorable appearance at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic by telling the media, "I would like to deny all allegations by Bob Hope that during my last game of golf, I hit an eagle, a birdie, an elk and a moose."

In the Spotlight

I'm delighted to announce that my celebrity profile on U.S. Open champion Andy Roddick is now online. Learn more about his epic matches with Roger Federer and his recent marriage to smokin’ swimsuit model Brooklyn Decker by clicking here.

You've Got To Be Joking

Sit back and relax as you enjoy this week’s Sports Shorts.

Joe Dumars has said he’d like to have a new coach for the Pistons by July 7. It’s nice to know that at least one company in Detroit is still hiring.

Randy Johnson could be headed to the DL with a strained shoulder. No word yet on whether he also pulled his Big Unit.

The Jazz are interested in trading Carlos Boozer. It certainly won’t be the first time that a Boozer has been forced out of Salt Lake City.

Titans quarterback Vince Young says he’s been hit hard by the death of Steve McNair. In all fairness, we think it probably hit Steve McNair a little harder.

Daniel and Henrik Sedin have agreed to identical five-year contract extensions with the Vancouver Canucks. In fact, the contracts look so much alike that only their parents can tell them apart.

A game between San Diego and Houston was delayed by 52 minutes when a swarm of bees took over left field at Petco Park. Apparently not even God wanted to see another Padres game.

The Cleveland Indians have traded minor league pitcher John Meloan to the Tampa Bay Rays for righthander Winton Abreu. If you’ve heard of either of these players you officially watch too much baseball.

Lance Armstrong finished 10th in the opening stage of the Tour de France: just good enough to make doping officials suspicious, but not so good as to completely piss off the French.

Roger Clemens' lawyer says the pitcher was not among the more than 100 players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003. Unfortunately Clemens did test positive for being a douchebag every year from 1984 onwards.

Washington Nationals pitcher Joe Beimel has said he’d like to go to another team. In all fairness, Washington’s entire front office has also said the same thing.

Swiss sensation Roger Federer has won his sixth Wimbledon title. However, Federer did have a major advantage since his racket also turned into a knife, a bottle opener and a compass.

Question of the Week

Rick, Fairfield, NC
Subj: Mel Blount
Where is former Steelers great Mel Blount now?

A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Blount currently oversees The Mel Blount Youth Home of Pennsylvania, a multi-service treatment program for young males who are victims of child abuse and neglect. According to Blount, his inspiration for the idea came from a higher power. "There had never been a pro athlete to come out of my town, so when I would go back home, my nieces and nephews would tell their friends about Uncle Mel coming,” he says. “All the kids would be out there on the farm, wanting to take a picture or throw the football. The Lord spoke to me and said you could do more than this." And he did. Blount’s shelter has helped hundreds of boys get their lives back on track by offering an array of counseling and treatment options. "There are a lot of emotional highs and lows in this,” he admits. “If I can just help kids, just to reach one is worth it."

You've Got To Be Joking

Sit back and relax as you enjoy this week’s Sports Shorts.

Former Dodgers pitcher Darren Dreifort's recently underwent his 22nd surgery. You know your career is in jeopardy when you’ve been poked and prodded more than Alyssa Milano.

Gisele Bundchen is reportedly pregnant with Tom Brady’s child. The fetus is expected to be signed to a major deal later this week.

The University of Florida has announced that its 2009-10 athletic budget will be $89 million. The number is somewhat misleading, however, as $59 million of that will go directly towards paying off NCAA officials.

Dirk Nowitzki has said he would like to have a family, but it won’t be easy to win his heart. No surprise there. With Dirk Nowitzki on your team it’s not easy to win anything.

President Barack Obama has agreed to throw out the first pitch before the Major League Baseball All-Star game at Busch Stadium. Just hearing the words “president” and “Busch” together again is starting to make us nauseous.

Detroit Shock forward Plenette Pierson is expected to be out for the rest of the season after shoulder surgery. On the positive side, at least she no longer has to watch women’s basketball every night.

Cleveland Indians manager Eric Wedge has already lost 25 pounds this season. It’s nice to know that his ability to lose big extends beyond the diamond.

Magglio Ordonez has ended his homerun drought after cutting his hair. The Tigers outfielder hopes to improve his batting average next by shaving his back.

France's anti-doping crusaders are stockpiling needles for testing blood at this year Tour de France. It’s nice to know Lance Armstrong won’t be the only prick at the event.

Shaquille O’Neal plans to wear his collegiate number 33 with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Unfortunately for the Cavs, Shaq has no intention of revisiting his collegiate waistline.

Mets manager Jerry Manuel believes the team needs to acquire a big bat and, if possible, a player who won’t get injured when trying to swing it.

Getting Animated

It’s time for another hilarious episode of Sports Talk Weekly, the show that trashes athletes and sports via animated shorts. In this week’s installment we take aim at Sammy Sosa, Ben Gordon, Kobe, T-Mac, Joe Buck, Artie Lange, Tony Parker, Blake Griffin, Chris Bosh, the NHL and much, much more! Check it out by clicking here.

You've Got To Be Joking

Sit back and relax as you enjoy this week’s Sports Shorts.

Tony LaRusso has picked up his 2,500th victory. In all fairness, half of those have been against the Nationals.

Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio recently became ill after visiting Sacramento. Just wait until he sees Detroit.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have fired Kevin McHale, telling him they plan to go in a different direction. And by different direction, they mean “up.”

Alex Ovechkin has been named the NHL’s MVP for the second straight year. The honor entitles him to a free breakfast at the Denny’s of his choosing.

Dontrelle Willis has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with an anxiety disorder. We’d be nervous too if we had to spend a whole summer in Detroit.

Lou Pinella would like to have beer back in the Cubs clubhouse. Based on some of his managerial decisions we assumed it already was.

Rains forced another lengthy delay at the U.S. Open. On the positive side, it’s the first shower John Daly has had in weeks.

The Washington Wizards have inquired about Larry Hughes and Jared Jeffries. In both cases they were wondering if they were still alive.

Vin Baker has signed with Marinos de Anzoategui of Puerto Rico. It’s unclear whether that’s a basketball team or a family-friendly Mexican restaurant.

Iowa offensive lineman Kyle Calloway has been arrested and charged with operating a moped while intoxicated. On the positive side, he did set a new record for the slowest police chase ever.

A Ryan Leaf autographed jersey is currently selling for $449.99 on NFL.com. The uniform is so valuable since no one knew Leaf could actually write. For those of you on a budget, you can save $450 and get his signature simply by becoming his prison pen pal.

Rotund rebounder Oliver Miller would like to get back into the NBA. He’d also like to get back into a size 46 waist, but that probably won’t happen either.