We’re back. And I’m sick. That’s not why there was no show on Friday, but the emails and “WTFs” were appreciated. Just had some deadlines that needed to be met. Probably why I’m sick.

But we press on. There are a lot of things to talk about on this Monday morning, so let’s get to it. (Note, we talk a lot of golf today, so if you’re listening to this after the US Open is over, it’s not specifically about the play, but sorry if the discussion isn’t as timely for you nonetheless.)

The Weekend That Was:

We start with some talk of the US Soccer teams improbable spot in the semifinals of the Confederations Cup. Needing a huge win over Egypt and a huge loss by Italy, the Americans got both of those and find themselves in the semis against Spain. Today should be a day to celebrate, and it is, until Michael Bradley had to go all “nobody believed in us” on American fans.

You know what, Michael Bradley, nobody DID believe in you. Because you were playing like crap. And the US soccer team has a long history of coming up small in big games. We’re tired of the poor play. We’re tired of the excuses. Go out and win. And you did that, so we celebrate today. If you win against Spain, it changes everything. A win on Wednesday changes the course of American soccer forever.

Focus on that.

We also spend a lot of time on the US Open. Things we discuss today, in bullet form:

1. •Have we heard enough about the weather already?
   

2. •Will Monday’s online ratings top those of March Madness?
   

3. •Is there too much focus on Tiger Woods?
   

4. •Is the championship cheapened if a player that’s not a top tier guy wins?
   

5. •Is it bad golf karma to root against a player? Why do golf fans have to cheer everyone? If you don’t like a guy, root against him. If you like a guy who needs another player to miss a putt, why can’t you root for that missed putt?
   
   

Inside the Press Box:

We discuss the passing of long-time Philadelphia sportscaster Gary Papa. We let an email, Adam, do the honors:

Wow, I'm sad.  What I think the listeners need to understand is just how long-standing the Action News team has been in Philadelphia -- every core person has been around since the early 1980s, from anchor Jim Gardner to Papa to weatherman Dave Roberts to supporting players like Vernon Odom, Lisa Thomas Laury, and Rob Jennings. So Gary Papa was part of a family I've been watching for almost thirty years now -- and not just me, but the whole Delaware Valley.  Channel 6 Action News dominates this market like no other local affiliate dominates its market, and when local tv news still matters, they are the ones we turn to. 

The other unique thing about Papa -- beyond his talents as a sportscaster, beyond his bravery in his public fight against prostate cancer -- is that he's the rare transplant that this region loved like he had been here his whole life.  Papa wasn't flashy in what he did, and never saw his job as showing off his smarts or upstaging the athletes.  He was a fan, and with Gary Papa we shared the too-rare ups, the frequent downs, and all the drama in between.  We will all miss him. 

The Soapbox:

I take the idiot fan behind me at the Phillies game to task. Listen, we’re in the 400 level. The umpires cannot hear you. The players cannot hear you. So it’s not necessary to complain about EVERY SINGLE PITCH and EVERY SINGLE AT BAT at the decibel level you do. They cannot, repeat, CANNOT hear you. But you know who can hear you? Everyone in your section. And we all hate you. You’re a blowhard and you aren’t creative or funny in any way.

And that’s it, folks....if you’re going to yell for the amusement and entertainment of your section, at least be witty and funny about it. Otherwise, sir, you’re just a jerk.

Nick advises people to break the law. Seriously, he suggests that if you are sitting at a light with nobody else there, just turn right. Ignore the No Turn On Red sign, because  there hasn’t been a car passing for five minutes and there won’t be a car passing for five more minutes. Just go! (Ed note: I stop at all No Turn On Red Signs). Sometimes you gotta get where you gotta go.

Housekeeping:

Sorry again for sounding sick. And feeling sick. And being sick. Big news we teased last week, I’ll be contributing to the Sporting Blog, starting today. Twice a week I’ll swoop in with some sports media commentary. Today is on the fact that Tiger Woods may be hurting golf.

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