Three Years

Today, my blog, The Sports Scene, turns three years old. And what a journey it has been. It began as just a way to relieve my boredom during the summer on AOL's RED site, but it has turned into much more. On AOL, I had over 350 posts and 51000 visitors before RED Blogs shut down earlier this year in March. Here on Blogger, I've had a good four months with 28 posts and I thank any new visitors as well as the ones who followed me over here. Continue to visit, comment, and email, and look for another great year in superb sports coverage.

Mark Buehrle Throws Perfect Game

Thursday, Mark Buehrle became the 18th pitcher all-time to throw a perfect game: 27 up, 27 down. It is also his second career no-hitter, and the first perfect game in the majors since Randy Johnson in 2004. Congratulations to him for an amazing accomplishment.

Cink Wins British Open over Watson in playoff

Through 71 3/4 holes, Tom Watson had the 138th British Open championship within his grasp. All he needed to do was hole an 8 foot par putt at #18 to finish off his miraculous weekend. But it just wasn't meant to be. Watson, who at 59 (that's not a typo, fifty-nine!) was trying to become the oldest golfer to win a major, missed the putt, forcing a playoff with fellow American Stewart Cink at -2, who had birdied #18 earlier. In the 4-hole aggregate playoff, Watson looked like he ran out of steam and bogeyed #5, while Cink made par easily. Next at #6, Watson made an amazing par save after his tee shot at the par 3 went well right of the green. But at #17, it all unraveled as Watson's tee shot found the deep rough down the left side and he could not recover. Cink ended winning the playoff by six shots, and wrapping up his first major championship. "I grew up watching Tom Watson play on TV and hoping one day maybe I could follow in his footsteps at the Open Championship. He's turned back the clock and I've just been feeling so many different things. I just feel so happy to be a part of it, let alone win."

My Thoughts on the 2009 MLB All-Star Game

Well, the American League did it again, rallying for a 4-3 victory and earning home field advantage for this fall's World Series at last night's MLB All-Star Game in St. Louis. The game was actually pretty good, and you have to give credit to the AL's Mark Buehrle, Zack Greinke, Edwin Jackson, Felix Hernandez, Jonathan Papelbon, Joe Nathan, and Mariano Rivera for shutting out the NL bats for the final 7 innings. Hometown Cardinal Albert Pujols had a rough night, going 0 for 3, including an error in the first inning that led to an AL run. Ryan Howard, who grew up in St. Louis, had a chance in the eighth inning to take the lead with a single for the NL, which was trailing 4-3, but had runners at second and third with two out, but struck out on a slider in the dirt. MVP Carl Crawford made a spectacular catch in the 7th inning to rob Brad Hawpe of a go-ahead home run. The very next inning, the AL took the lead for good on a triple by Detroit's Curtis Granderson and a sac-fly from Baltimore's Adam Jones. From the Astros, Miguel Tejada went 0 for 2, turning a double play, but Hunter Pence never got in the game.

The pregame ceremonies were good again, although I think they're getting longer and longer every year. Obama's first pitch wasn't great, but could have been much worse. (It would have helped if FOX had the correct camera angle) The Heroes in Community Call to Action thing was nice, seeing all 5 living presidents talking about some of the everyday heroes in communities across the country.

2009 MLB Homerun Derby Contestants

American League Contestants
Nelson Cruz, Texas Rangers
Brandon Inge, Detroit Tigers

Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins
Carlos Pena, Tampa Bay Rays
National League Contestants
Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers

Adrian Gonzales, San Diego Padres
Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies
Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals

Watch tonight on ESPN at 8 PM ET.

Federer Wins Wimbledon, Passes Sampras

WIMBLEDON- The record is all his. Roger Federer won his record 15th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon today over American Andy Roddick 5-7, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 16-14 to pass Pete Sampras for the most ever major championships. The 4 hour, 16 minute match featured 77 games and the longest ever fifth set, both the most in Grand Slam final history. "I'm happy I broke the record here because this is always the tournament that meant the most to me," Federer said. "It definitely feels like coming full circle, starting it here and ending it here." Federer's sixth Wimbledon title also allowed him to reclaim his #1 world ranking from Rafael Nadal, who did not participate at the tournament due to injury. Roddick fought hard and played valiently, but even at his best could not beat Federer, who according to Sampras, is the best to ever play. "I have to give it to him," he said. "...He's won all the majors, he's won 15 now, he's going to win a few more here. So in my book he is [the greatest of all time]."

Happy Independence Day

HAPPY JULY FOURTH everyone. Today, our country is 233 years old. I hope everyone will enjoy the fireworks tonight and stay cool.

In NBA free agency news:
Lakers sign F Ron Artest to three year, $18 million deal...Rockets sign F Trevor Ariza to five year, $30 million deal...Pistons sign F Charlie Villanueva and G Ben Gordon...Originally reported to sign with Portland, F Hedo Turkoglu is now apparantly going to Toronto...Mavericks sign C Marcin Gortat