The Zulewski report

By Tom Zulewski

February 10, 2010
 
 



The AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-AM is kicking off on February 11-14 with a purse worth up to $6.2 million and defending champ Dustin Johnson from 2009 his crown will be up for grabs this year. I love Pebble, it's my favorite time of year which is amazing and I really think Pebble has some of the most spectacular scenery in all of golf even more so than Augustus.

In Augustus you’re in the middle of an oasis of all kinds of land around but we have the glory of water at Pebble Beach which is a beautiful thing. The media coverage again for this event will be in full force with radio, TV, print, and CBS which is all part of the fun.

It's really a special place, Pebble Beach is wonderful to the fans and the media and we were lucky enough to be fed in the media room but the public has to pay a little bit. It's really more of a celebrity thing and to take occupational hazard pay for trying to avoid any errant tee shots.

Padraig Harrington is the British Open champ from 2008 and he will be there, it's a thrill to be part of the mirth and merriment and Phil Mickelson hasn't worked Pebble but the fact that Tiger is not around is a good thing. We have heard allegedly that Tiger was going to play Pebble because the Open was going to be there, he thought the better of it because six rounds was never appealing to him.

Sharks in Detroit for game five of six on road trip: The Sharks have the luxury of not being in a make or break mode. In the race for the President's trophy we have the Washington Capitals who have won some 14 games in row, that's nuts and had played the Canadians on Wednesday night.

The Sharks will be fine; it's not a matter of the experience factor but their learning to deal with life on the road. It's a good thing and the way they set up they can get to the break with some momentum. Now at least the NHL is stuffing 60 games in four months whatever it is, now at least they'll lighten up getting into the break.

They'll have some off days with hockey in the Olympic break which is something they look forward to. The Olympic year for the NHL is always nuts. The injury factor has cropped up and for the Red Wings who have been snake bitten with them will be relieved to get to the break it shows on their record.

The Red Wings have been hurt with the likes of, Niklas Kronwall and Johan Franzen, when you get your scorers having sat out as long as they have then that's what you have to live with and play with, the Red Wings will be factor as long as they get in the front door and that's all they have to do. The Wings are third at 27-21-11 in the NHL Western Central.

Lincecum not sweating arbitration: Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum is not worried about how his arbitration case will settle in his bid for $13 million his asking price to the Giants counter of $8 million. Lincecum will be happy with whatever the outcome will be.

It'll be in between that happy medium of that figure of $8 and $13 million that their discussing. He could get an offer much larger than the $13 million he's asking for from another team but he's property of the Giants no matter what for the next four years and that's not necessarily a bad thing.

If the Giants can build some kind of a line up around him and with his continued efforts, Lincecum will be a factor for this year.

Kansas #1 a factor in NCAA action: The Jayhawks continue to rise with their latest victory over #14 Texas. The Hawks are the best in the entire league. Kansas was disappointed in losing to Michigan State last year but this year they have the horses now with Sherron Collins and the like and they'll be right there at this time in March and don't be surprised if Carolina who is slumping like they are can try and be a factor later, and the rest of the Big 12 will know that Kansas will be a factor when the time comes, it's called a champion on the first Monday night in April.

The Jayhawks have one of the winningest streaks at home and away as well, so that will help. The Hawks 23-1 (9-0) at number one in the Big 12 and have a nine game winning streak and their only loss came at Tennessee on Sunday January 10th but have cleaned up ever since.

The Hawks host Iowa State on Saturday February 13th at home and it looks like no one is going to get near the Hawks anytime soon. Where many teams would be relieved to say after facing the Hawks, "were not in Kansas anymore."

Tom Zulewski does the report each week for Sportstalk Radio

 

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