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[Mark Smolens]

If Vincent Jackson could return to MLB with an artificial hip, does anyone out there realistically think that TW won't be back, in full force, after an ACL repair?  If so, I'm available to take that wager. . .

[Dan Kelly]

Tim Russert died because he put work above his heath.

Oh, it might not have been that simple. Cf. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/17/health/17russert.html?em&ex=1213934400&en=c173a45ecad758f9&ei=5070

Which gives me an opening to recommend the book I'm now reading -- the best book I've read in a long, long time.

It's called "How Doctors Think." The author is Jerome Groopman, M.D.

[Bill_Yates]

We won't know if Tiger was "dumb" or "stubborn" until the end of his career.

His career goal is to break Jack Nicklaus' record in the majors.  If he does break the record he was "stubborn."  If this turns into a career ending or career wrecking injury, he was "dumb."

[John Shimp]

I've had 3 knee surgeries including an ACL repair (from the early 90's) that is now shot.  Many Ortho doctors don't care what a patient does that has a blown ACL as long as the patient knows that he has to get it fixed at some point (hopefully soon).

 What doctors aren't as good at gauging from my experience is how late in life your knee will behave from an arthritis standpt based on babying it vs. being hard on it (ie. going without an immediate ACL repair or being fast and loose with the cartilage that you left)  Wonder how much cartilage tiger has in his left knee? After 3 surgeries I have next to none.  That could cause him not to be much of a Sr golfer.  But he may well not care about that. 

[Patrick_Mucci]

Cary,

You can't confine the human spirit, especially in the context of the "will" of a world class competitor, especially if he's a superb athlete.

Tiger's determination and spirit are what makes him Tiger.
The two are inextricably woven into the essence of his fabric, his mental DNA.

The minds ability to overcome physical adversity is not to be dismissed lightly.

His U.S. Open win is a victory for the ages, in all sports.

There was never a guarantee that he would surpass Nicklaus's Major record, but, he became a victory closer Monday afternoon.

Time will tell if he made the right decision.

I think he made the right, if not the only, decision for Tiger.

[A.G._Crockett]

Cary,

You can't confine the human spirit, especially in the context of the "will" of a world class competitor, especially if he's a superb athlete.

Tiger's determination and spirit are what makes him Tiger.
The two are inextricably woven into the essence of his fabric, his mental DNA.

The minds ability to overcome physical adversity is not to be dismissed lightly.

His U.S. Open win is a victory for the ages, in all sports.

There was never a guarantee that he would surpass Nicklaus's Major record, but, he became a victory closer Monday afternoon.

Time will tell if he made the right decision.

I think he made the right, if not the only, decision for Tiger.

Dead on, Patrick.

Think of what he has accomplished in the 10 months with a serious knee injury.  If I had to bet, I'd bet that by this time next summer, he is playing as well or better than what we've seen so far.  This will only drive him to overcome doubters; that's who he is.

[Jim Nugent]

How long can Tiger hold on to his #1 position in the World Golf rankings, without playing? 

[Art Fuller]

I've been trying to decide on which 'Tiger wins while injured' thread to post my apology.    I chose this one...

Last week I was upset and indignant that Tiger dissed hockey.  I then went into how tough hockey players are (they really are!) but also I said something to the effect that if Tiger had to play in as much pain as hockey players routinely do, he'd be crying for his mommy.  Well, it seems that Tiger played at the highest level, hurt and in risk of total blow out, and never once cried for his mommy. 

On his press release today, Tiger said he did it because of all the USGA Open means as the hardest to win, and that it was the one held at the Torrey Pines location to support his hometown roots.  That is doubly admirable. 

So, I don't think he was so much "dumb" to play in the face of the injury, as I now think he is as tough as many incredibly tough hockey players, and that he didn't cry for his mommy, and made the kind of stoic/heroic deflective comments of a real tough competitor about the nature and level of pain he was really playing with.  He gutted it out!  My bad! 

But, I still think he'd have enjoyed watching the Stanley Cup finals if he gave hockey a chance of consideration rather than off hand dismissal, and can identify with playing hurt more so with the hockey greats than what he saw in the NBA finals...

There's no way Tiger's going to pass up an opportunity to play a U.S.  Open in Southern California!  When you're competitive and love playing (golf or hockey), you simply play through injury and pain. Even Phil would have played through a serious "ouwie" to be at Torrey last week.  Poulter proved he wouldn't hold up well on a hockey rink though! Anyway, I was glad to see Tiger tough it out. I have to assume from Cary's original post that he's simply not very competitive and just can't relate. I also doubt I'll run into him at the rink.

[Dan King]

John Kavanaugh writes:
Tiger is not as dumb as Tim Russert for not losing a little weight.

Russert outlived Jim Fixx by six years.

Cheers,
Dan King

Maybe Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr will be on for the full hour debating.
 --Luke Russert (on what his Dad might be doing this Sunday)

[Ken Moum]

How long can Tiger hold on to his #1 position in the World Golf rankings, without playing? 

The Chris Wall 1400th-ranked player in the world has a 0.00 point average.

Phil has a 10.21 point lead over Wall.

Tiger has bigger lead over Phil (#2) than Phil does over no. 1400.

#1 - Tiger Woods, 21.54
#2 - Phil Mickelson, 10.21
#3 - Adam Scott, 5.864
#4 - Geoff Ogilvy, 5.82
#5 -  Ernie Els, 5.76
#6 - Sergio Garcia, 5.26

#1400 -  Chris Wall,  0.00 

[John Kavanaugh]

John Kavanaugh writes:
Tiger is not as dumb as Tim Russert for not losing a little weight.

Russert outlived Jim Fixx by six years.

Cheers,
Dan King

Maybe Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr will be on for the full hour debating.
 --Luke Russert (on what his Dad might be doing this Sunday)

As someone who sports a 42 inch waist I found little comfort in this quote:  “If there’s one number that’s a predictor of mortality, it’s waist circumference,” said Dr. Michael A. Newman, Mr. Russert’s internist.

[Jim Franklin]

I think Hank Haney may be looking for another teaching job soon. In Tiger's camp, you DO NOT go to the press and say Tiger didn't do what his doctors told him etc... I saw his quote yesterday and figure he won't be there when Tiger comes back. JMO.

[Jim Nugent]

I think Hank Haney may be looking for another teaching job soon. In Tiger's camp, you DO NOT go to the press and say Tiger didn't do what his doctors told him etc... I saw his quote yesterday and figure he won't be there when Tiger comes back. JMO.

I thought Tiger said the same thing, though.