This was the year that the reign was supposed to come to end. For the first time in years it was to be Americans sulking over a failed Tour de France title, not the French. No Lance equals no title, right? Apparently, Floyd Landis didn’t get the memo. Instead, for the eighth straight year an American took home top honors in France’s storied bike race, and for the eighth straight year the French sulked. You would think that the French would have become accustomed to finishing behind an American. The last time a Frenchman won the Tour was Bernard Hinault in 1985. Since then, three separate Americans have claimed victory. I have come to a conclusion: the French don’t want to win as much as they want to see the U.S. fail. I’m betting they would have rather seen Landis fall flat on his face during Sunday’s final ride, than having a countryman actually finish in the top 3. If an Italian, German or Spaniard would have won, the French would have counted that as a victory. Since they aren’t really competitive in their own race, the French have nothing better to do except cheer against Americans. Instead of failing, Landis did exactly what the Lance Armstrong did for the last seven years, he overcame. Landis overcame the Alps, his competitors, and the French supporters. Making this victory even sweeter is the fact the 30-year-old Landis didn’t even take up bicycle riding until the age of 15. He also completed the grueling race with a degenerative hip, which he is scheduled to have replaced. That’s right; he wasn’t even completely healthy and still won. This one-legged, good ol’ country boy from Pennsylvania just beat the French in their own race. Americans now have a full year to celebrate another Tour conquest, and the French have that same time to try to prepare to take their long forgotten crown back. Even if we don’t win the race next year, or for ten more years, we will forever have the Top 8 reasons why the French can’t stand us. www.oldskoolsports.com
The Pistons are going to regret not re-signing free agent Ben Wallace. At least this gives Darko Milicic a chance to get off the pine and get some playing time. Wait a second; the Pistons traded Darko last year in hopes of saving money to bring back Wallace. Talk about awkward.
The Bulls, after stealing Wallace away, are now serious title contenders for the first time since MJ and co. ran circles around the league. I just can’t wait to hear what Ozzie Guillen has to say about the signing.
The New Orleans Hornets have provided the first “what were they thinking” move of the off-season. They gave $64 million to Peja Stojakovic. The same guy who was once compared to Larry Bird. The same guy who has no inside game, period. The same guy who has disappeared in the playoffs every single season. Things could get ugly down in the Bayou.
Some one is going to accuse hot dog eating champ Takeru Kobayashi of using performance enhancing drugs.
How has no one been seriously injured at one of these eating competitions? On second thought, maybe injuries do happen; it’s just that heart attacks, strokes and ulcers are considered occupational hazards in the sport of competitive eating.
David Beckham officially stepped down as captain of England’s soccer team. Here’s betting that the guy who supplants Becks will not be anywhere near as attractive.
Italy will be playing for the World Cup title. They haven’t lost a match yet, only tying the disappointing United States 1-1 thanks to an own goal. Apparently these Italians aren’t as good as they look.
Have fun watching the Subway Series, I mean 2006 MLB All-Star game.
If there was one roster spot still available for the game and the ballot included the Phillies Bobby Abreu or the New York Mets Jose Lima. I’m betting on Lima in a landslide.
Nomar Garciaparra is an obvious snub from the National League’s team. Insert (“I didn’t even know Nomar was healthy” joke) here.
Want to know what’s wrong will the All-Star voting? Kansas City Royals pitcher Mark Redman, he of the 5.50 ERA made the roster. I guess it was the safe pick considering Reggie Sanders’ .240 BA.
The Tour de France is underway. Luckily Lance Armstrong got out when he did. All these doping allegations are enough to ruin a guy’s reputation.
Jose Canseco has already asked for a trade after playing only one game with his new team. He also asked Mark McGwire to be his friend on MySpace. Looks like that trade request might be a little more feasible.
On a final note. Scott Schafer, a Met’s sixth-round draft pick, was dropped by his agent and forced to settle for a below-average bonus after posting pictures of himself in a Met’s hat and espousing vulgar things. Nice one Scott. Gotta love MySpace.
This was the year that the reign was supposed to come to end. For the first time in years it was to be Americans sulking over a failed Tour de France title, not the French. No Lance equals no title, right? Apparently, Floyd Landis didn’t get the memo. Instead, for the eighth straight year an American took home top honors in France’s storied bike race, and for the eighth straight year the French sulked. You would think that the French would have become accustomed to finishing behind an American. The last time a Frenchman won the Tour was Bernard Hinault in 1985. Since then, three separate Americans have claimed victory. I have come to a conclusion: the French don’t want to win as much as they want to see the U.S. fail. I’m betting they would have rather seen Landis fall flat on his face during Sunday’s final ride, than having a countryman actually finish in the top 3. If an Italian, German or Spaniard would have won, the French would have counted that as a victory. Since they aren’t really competitive in their own race, the French have nothing better to do except cheer against Americans. Instead of failing, Landis did exactly what the Lance Armstrong did for the last seven years, he overcame. Landis overcame the Alps, his competitors, and the French supporters. Making this victory even sweeter is the fact the 30-year-old Landis didn’t even take up bicycle riding until the age of 15. He also completed the grueling race with a degenerative hip, which he is scheduled to have replaced. That’s right; he wasn’t even completely healthy and still won. This one-legged, good ol’ country boy from Pennsylvania just beat the French in their own race. Americans now have a full year to celebrate another Tour conquest, and the French have that same time to try to prepare to take their long forgotten crown back. Even if we don’t win the race next year, or for ten more years, we will forever have the Top 8 reasons why the French can’t stand us. 
