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Saturday, June 19, 2004

Daily Herald

Mickelson, Woods have switched roles
By Tim Dahlberg AP Sports Columnist
Posted Saturday, June 19, 2004
A D V E R T I S E M E N T

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. - Phil Mickelson finally listened. Maybe it's time Tiger Woods did, too.

What was evident at the Masters came into even sharper focus on a steamy Friday at Shinnecock Hills Country Club, where the new Phil Mickelson took the halfway lead in the U.S. Open by playing 21 holes while looking a lot like the old Tiger Woods.

Woods, meanwhile, was hitting wild shots out of the rough, missing short putts and looking, well, a lot like the old Phil Mickelson.

When he was finished early Friday evening, Woods patiently explained as he has so often in recent months that he was really close, and actually he was. Instead of spraying it to all sides of the course, he had his misses down to one direction.

"The good thing is I know where I'm missing it," said Woods, as optimistic as ever.

Mickelson was long gone by then, probably having some ice cream with the family or maybe doing some early handicapping on the upcoming NFL season.

He left Shinnecock with a wide grin on his face, giddy expectations for the weekend and a growing confidence that finally, at age 34, he has it all figured out.

"I can't wait for the upcoming majors now because I feel like I'm on to something to play well in the big tournaments," Mickelson said.

That something eluded Lefty for 42 major championships, baffling both him and those who sensed he was destined for greatness ever since winning a PGA tournament while still a junior in college.

A different Phil approached each major, from the one who wanted it so badly he jabbed at 3-footers to the one who pretended he didn't care when he hit it in the woods.

One thing was for sure, though. He wasn't going to let anyone tell him how to play the game. Mickelson was determined to pull out the driver and bomb it, then slash his way to the green the rest of his career.

"I won't ever change. Not tomorrow, not Sunday or at Augusta or the U.S. Open or any tournament," Mickelson vowed two years ago after being asked about another self-induced implosion. "I may never win a major that way, but it doesn't matter to me. That's how I play my best golf."

Actually, it did matter to him. It mattered more than Mickelson would ever admit.

It mattered so much that he swallowed his pride and turned for help after a disastrous season last year, allowing instructor Rick Smith to help him fashion a cut shot to keep the ball in the fairway off the tee. He also began relentlessly practicing his short game, making 100 3-footers in a row before quitting every day.

The changes got him over a hump that once seemed insurmountable, and he caught Ernie Els on the back nine to win the Masters.

On a late April afternoon in Augusta, he gleefully jumped in the air, then hugged everyone around before picking up his daughter and giving America a moment to remember him by.

"Daddy won!" he told 4-year-old Amanda Mickelson. "Can you believe it?"

It seemed Mickelson barely could. He slept in his new green jacket that night, then made a round of appearances on late night talk shows to share his new fortune.

He arrived this week at Shinnecock Hills with the confidence of someone who knows he can win, and has proven he can win. He made only 1 bogey in two rounds, and on Friday he played nearly flawlessly on his way to a 6-under 66 that left hi•tied for the lead with Shigeki Maruyama.

The former "best player to never win a major" has now shot in the 60s in his last five major championship rounds.

"I feel as though I'm not having any surprises," Mickelson said. "I know that if I hit it over here, I'm OK; if I hit it over here, I don't have a chance, and so forth. And that has given me a lot of confidence playing the course."

While Mickelson oozes confidence, Woods keeps searching for some. After flirting with the cut for much of the day, he righted himself with a strong back nine Friday, finishing with a par save on the final hole for a 69 that for any player without his short game would have been a lot worse.

Woods' game isn't the only thing that seems fickle these days. The fans who used to roar with every wondrous shot are now firmly attached to the Mickelson bandwagon, something that would have been unthinkable only a year or two ago.

Early Thursday night a group of 50 or so autograph seekers ran after Mickelson as he strode out of the fog like a larger-than-life figure, wearing the half grin that always seems to be on his face. On his final hole Friday, the crowd rose as one in tribute as he approached the 18th green.

Woods clings to the idea that he will do things his way, which means he won't go back to Butch Harmon, who modeled the swing that won seven of 11 majors in one stretch. He keeps hitting wayward shots, but scoffs at the television analysts who like to dissect his swing and tell him what's wrong.

Still, he hasn't won a major since the Open at Bethpage two years ago, and he goes into the weekend seven shots behind Mickelson.

Maybe he should look at the leaderboard and understand that the tables have been turned mostly because Mickelson wasn't afraid to take some advice.

Friday, June 18, 2004

Poker Articles, Pro Tips and Player Profiles from CardPlayer.com . The Poker Authority

MTV.com - News -For The Record: Quick News On Diana DeGarmo, Madonna, No Doubt, Joey Fatone, Ray Charles, Aerosmith

Diana DeGarmo spent last weekend in the studio with Melissa Manchester recording a new version of the veteran singer's 1978 hit, "Don't Cry Out Loud." DeGarmo's cover, which will appear on her debut album, features the "American Idol" runner-up singing over Manchester's original master tapes. ... DeGarmo, who turned 17 on Wednesday, is celebrating her birthday by performing in her home state for the first time since "Idol" ended. Stone Mountain Park in Atlanta is hosting the performance and autograph sessions on Saturday from 4 p.m. to midnight. ...

Madonna will explain why she likes to be called by the Hebrew name of "Esther" during an interview on "20/20" Friday night. "I was named after my mother," Madonna says during her interview. "My mother died when she was very young, of cancer, and ... I wanted to attach myself to another name ... This is in no way a negation of who my mother is ... I wanted to attach myself to the energy of a different name." Madonna's interview airs on ABC at 10 p.m. ... You can hear more of Madonna on Yahoo! Messenger, which launched Madonna Audibles this month — the first music Audibles to appear on the instant-messaging service. When users send an audible — a caricature of the Material Mom — they have the option of sending song samples of either "Who's That Girl" or "Ray of Light." ...

If you bought the 3D action/adventure game "Malice" hoping to hear the voices of the members of No Doubt, you're out of luck. Gwen Stefani recorded her voice in 2002 for the video game's heroine, and her bandmates' voices were going to be used for her character's friends, but the group's dulcet tones were left on the cutting-room floor. The band says on its Web site that this development is due to the transfer of the game's ownership. ... Joey Fatone has started rehearsals for his next Broadway role — Seymour Krelbourn in "Little Shop of Horrors." The 'NSYNC star opened up a preview rehearsal to photographers on Wednesday, in preparation for his joining the musical on June 24. ...

Bill Cosby and Atlanta's Morehouse College will host a tribute to Ray Charles on September 29 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Bill Clinton and Spike Lee are among the biggest names attending the event. Proceeds from the evening, which Cosby and Morehouse College have been planning for several months, will benefit the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center at the school. Charles, who died June 10, had a long-standing relationship with Morehouse, where he performed with the college's jazz ensemble in 1996. In 2001, Morehouse presented the soul legend with an honorary doctorate of humane letters. ... Minnie Driver has signed a record deal with the Rounder Records imprint Zoe Records and will release her debut album, Everything I've Got in My Pocket, in September. Members of Pete Yorn's band and the Wallflowers play on the record. ...

Aerosmith will return to the road Friday night (June 18) in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, after nixing three shows because of singer Steven Tyler's throat problems. The group has an additional six shows scheduled in its North American tour with Cheap Trick, which ends June 30 in Pelham, Alabama. ... Actress Kate Hudson's cousin, Sarah Hudson, is preparing to release her debut album, and she's getting a hand from some famous friends. Steven Tyler lends backing vocals to "Girl on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown," the first single from The Naked Truth, due July 13. Sarah's father, producer Mark Hudson, had worked on some Aerosmith albums (Nine Lives, Just Push Play). ...

The huge box-office numbers generated by "The Passion of the Christ" — $370 million domestic and $600 worldwide — catapulted Mel Gibson to the top of Forbes' most powerful celebrity list, unseating Jennifer Aniston from the #1 slot she held last year. Also in the top five — Tiger Woods, Oprah Winfrey, Tom Cruise and the Rolling Stones. Aniston slipped to #17 this year, while her husband, Brad Pitt, came in at #37. The July issue of Forbes — with its annual list that rates celebs by combining earning power with star power — hits newsstands Friday. ... At the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, set for September 11 in Richmond, Virginia, three cars will be sporting Kiss-inspired designs as they zip around the track faster than Gene Simmons at a sorority mixer: Kevin Harvick's in the Nextel Cup Series, Matt Crafton's in the Craftsman Truck series and Ron Hornaday's in the Busch series. ...

Interpol have set a September 28 release date for the their second album, Antics. The New York rockers will debut the material this summer on the Cure's Curiosa Festival, which kicks off July 24 in West Palm Beach, Florida. ... Damien Rice, who beat out Interpol for last year's Shortlist Music Prize, is releasing a seven-song EP on July 20. Tracks include live versions of "Delicate," "The Professor" and "Woman Like a Man"; the original demo of "Lonelily"; the B-side "Moody Mooday" and a 1997 demo version and instrumental version of "Volcano." Meanwhile, Rice has teamed with fellow Irish singer/songwriter Christy Moore to record the anti-war track "Lonely Soldier." The duo will perform the song at the When Bush Comes to Shove concert in Dublin on Saturday. ...

The prolific Badly Drawn Boy will return to record stores this summer with One Plus One Is One, due July 27. The U.S. release will feature the bonus tracks "Don't Ask Me, I'm Only the President" and "Plan B." ... Ambient techno pioneers the Orb will release Bicycles & Tricycles, their first album in more than three years, on August 3. The disc will feature 12 tracks, including "Orb Is," "Land of Green Ginger," "Gee Strings" and "From a Distance." ... Air have scheduled a special show with a full orchestra for September 26 at the Hollywood Bowl. The French duo will warm up for that gig on September 24 at the Santa Barbara Bowl in Santa Barbara, California. ...

06.17.04

Britney Spears' lawyer has been served with papers — six months after they were filed — for a pre-emptive lawsuit from a Utah drug company seeking relief from accusations that it tried to capitalize on the singer's reported use of the diet pill Zantrex-3. Basic Research claims it was ordered to stop citing an episode where Spears was seen spilling a bottle of the diet aid at London's Heathrow Airport, a fumble captured by photographers. The company claims it wasn't using the incident for its own benefit, and Basic Research is asking a federal judge to declare it has violated no law. ...

One show from Hanson's acoustic tour last fall will be the subject of the DVD "Underneath Acoustic Live," due July 27. The video, shot at the House of Blues in Chicago, features 19 songs, including their breakthrough hit, "MMMBop," and latest single, "Penny and Me." ... Boasting more than 130 artists spread across eight stages, the third annual Austin City Limits Festival, set for September 17-19 in the city's Zilker Park, will feature an eclectic lineup that includes Sheryl Crow, Trey Anastasio, the Pixies, Dashboard Confessional, Wilco, Modest Mouse, Franz Ferdinand and the Roots. Two months before this year's three-day show kicks off, fans can remember last year's performances by R.E.M., Bright Eyes, Kings of Leon and others with The ACL Festival Live CD, due July 27. ...

Stoner-rock pioneers Fu Manchu are putting the finishing touches on their next album, slated for an August release, with producer Brian Dobbs (Coolio). The as-yet-untitled effort will be the band's seventh album and follow-up to 2001's California Crossing. ... Papa Roach will begin their summer tour on June 25 in Spokane, Washington. Dates are scheduled through August 4 in West Hollywood, California. Instruction and Dead Poetic will open. Papa Roach's third major-label album, Getting Away With Murder, is due in mid-September. ...

With more than two dozen songs in tow, dance-rock quartet Hot Hot Heat will begin pre-production for their second album later this month in Los Angeles. Dave Sardy (Jet, Dandy Warhols) is on board to produce the band's follow-up to 2002's Make Up the Breakdown. ... Former Dead Kennedys frontman Jello Biafra's collaboration with the Melvins, Never Breathe What You Can't See, is scheduled for a September 30 release. ...

Static-X will hit the road this summer on the Family Picnic Tour with Trust Company, Soil, Lo-Pro and Arithmetic of War. The tour launches July 27 in San Antonio, Texas, and winds through the country before wrapping up on August 6 in Dallas. ... Kittie will start a tour on July 7 in Chicago. Nine dates have been scheduled through July 30 in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Candiria, 36 Crazyfists and Twelve Tribes are also on the bill. ...

Thursday, June 17, 2004

Harrington memorabilia stolen from Oregon siteHarrington memorabilia stolen from Oregon site

June 14, 2004







Lions and former University of Oregon quarterback Joey Harrington can pull off a benefit on the strength of his autograph alone.

It's a fact that thieves -- like collectors -- have caught on to. Last week, burglars stole more than $15,000 worth of memorabilia signed by Harrington.

The goods were destined for sale during Harrington's charity piano performance with the Oregon Jazz Ensemble in the University of Oregon's Autzen Stadium. The sale was to benefit the Harrington Family Foundation, while the proceeds from the concert tickets were part of a fund-raiser for a new School of Music building.

Even as Harrington rehearsed Friday at Autzen for that night's performance, Eugene, Ore., police were at the stadium investigating the theft, dusting for fingerprints and collecting videotape from surveillance cameras.

The items had been placed in the Club Room specialty shop Thursday in preparation for the fund-raising event.

A security guard arrived at the stadium Friday morning and discovered the steel roll-down shop door open and the merchandise missing.

The stolen items included four authentic Oregon helmets signed by Harrington and valued at about $500 each. Also missing were a signed Lions helmet, a number of jerseys and mini-helmets, and some signed prints.

Harrington tickled the ivories Friday evening to launch the school of music's $15.2-million building renovation and expansion campaign. People paid as much as $125 each to attend the dinner concert.

Harrington helped another charity last week when he paid $12,000 for an Australian trip during an auction at a Portland-area country club. According to the Portland Tribune, the money will go to Neil Lomax charities, a benefit started by the former NFL quarterback. Harrington also co-hosted the event with Lomax.

ARENA BOWL 2004 will pit the Arizona Rattlers and the San Jose SaberCats.

Sherdrick Bonner threw a touchdown pass to Siaha Burley with 17 seconds left to earn Arizona a berth in the championship game with a 45-41 win over the Colorado Crush.

The Rattlers will play the SaberCats at home June 27.

Tom Pace led the Rattlers with nine catches for 110 yards. He and Burley each had two touchdowns.

Damian Harrell had three touchdown catches for the Crush among his seven receptions for 118 yards.

SMARTY JONES may still be racing next year, but the colt's owners already are planning his retirement.

Pat and Roy Chapman spent most of last week touring breeding farms in Kentucky, looking for a place for the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner to embark on his career as a stallion. They will choose as early as this week from nine finalists.

"I wish we could say it was easy to rule anybody out," Pat Chapman said. "It is not an easy job. We are enamored with every one, for one reason or another."

The Chapmans would not specify which farms they visited, or how much they are asking for the breeding rights.

Smarty Jones will not end up breeding alongside his sire, Elusive Quality, at Gainsborough Farm in Versailles, Ky. David Williamson, the farm's pedigree adviser, said the Chapmans didn't stop there last week.

Williamson is curious to learn the stud fee Smarty Jones will command."Everybody is in a guessing game," he said.

Two horses that, like Smarty Jones, lost their Triple Crown bids in the Belmont -- Silver Charm and Real Quiet -- stand at stud in Kentucky.

Silver Charm, now 10, commands a fee of $25,000 per live foal. Real Quiet, a year younger, has a $10,000 stud fee.

Storm Cat is the highest-priced stallion in North America, commanding a $500,000 stud fee at Overbrook Farm in Lexington.


Tuesday, June 15, 2004

Albuquerque Tribune Online

A BRUSH WITH BRIAN

Young athletes huddled at UNM to train under their hero - a Chicago Bear and ex-Lobo who has been scarcely seen since the camp's kickoff


Toby Jorrin/Tribune

Chicago Bears standout linebacker Brian Urlacher takes part in a blocking drill on the first day of his four-day football camp on the UNM practice fields. Urlacher arrived at the fields about 90 minutes after instruction started and left before drills were finished, prompting some of the 218 campers registered to grumble about Urlacher's apparent lack of interest in his camp.



By Jeremy Fowler
Tribune Reporter

Ben Tillman traveled 335 miles from Pueblo, Colo., to attend Brian Urlacher's 2004 Summer Football Camp and meet his football hero.

The 10-year-old was hoping for a hello from the NFL star, maybe a handshake, or possibly a sportsman-like pat on the butt.

Any acknowledgement from the ex-University of New Mexico Lobos star would have been appreciated by Tillman, especially since the Pro Bowl Chicago Bears linebacker has been plastered in poster form on Tillman's bedroom wall since the second grade.

"At this pace, I'd be pretty upset if I didn't get to talk to him," said Tillman, a distant cousin to former NFL safety and war hero Pat Tillman.

"I'm going to try my hardest, though."

Many of the 218 campers from ages 8 to 18 probably could empathize with Tillman after noticing Urlacher's detached approach during the first day of the four-day camp being held at the UNM practice fields.

Urlacher, 26, arrived at his camp about halfway through the 3-hour session. He assisted in a few drills and posed for photos with each age group.

He didn't address his camp with a welcome or provide words of motivation.

He left camp early, allowing a slew of assisting coaches to conclude the day with drills.

Urlacher is scheduled to conduct an autograph session for campers Thursday, but several campers are not happy with Urlacher's apparent lack of interest in his own camp.

"That's what the camp is for - for us to be with Brian Urlacher," said 13-year-old Chris Herrera, whose parents spent $150 for his camp fee.

"It's called the Brian Urlacher camp, so we want to see him more."

Urlacher has a big group to please this summer. The camp increased by 37 campers from last year's 181 count.

Herds of football-hungry kids screamed "1, 2, 3 - Urlacher" in huddles throughout the day while donning their Urlacher Camp T-shirts. A vendor sold Urlacher's Chicago Bears and Lobos jerseys from a trailer.

Urlacher rejected interview requests from the media in favor of "concentrating on the kids," said his agent, Bryce Karger.

Then the former Lobos standout bolted his camp to have lunch with UNM coach Rocky Long - the benefactor of Urlacher's pledge to donate $500,000 to the Lobos Athletics Department to help build an indoor football practice facility.

Urlacher also has another non-camp function Wednesday - an autograph session from 11 a.m. to noon at Cross Country Auto Sales, located at 5704 Lomas Blvd. N.E.

Coaches from Urlacher's camp said the staff will continue to focus on football fundamentals. Monday's session concentrated on running Urlacher's favorite drills as a youngster.

Anthony Chavez, 13, an aspiring linebacker, said this camp is a chance to emulate Urlacher.

"If Urlacher made it to the NFL with these drills, maybe I can make it if I do the same things," Chavez said. "This is my opportunity."

The campers who received the most quality time with Urlacher were in a hitting drill where the Chicago Bears linebacker clutched a blocking pad while tykes pounded into it.

"We got to whack him," said Codie White, 13. "I got a good one on him."

Most other campers probably are hoping for a similar chance.


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