Happy Memorial Day. While enjoying our BBQ, burgers & cold drinks, let's not forget the purpose of this day & why we should remember those that gave our country the ultimate sacrifice.

God Bless America.

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Race fans love the doubleheader of the Indy 500, then NASCAR's Coca Cola 600. Ok, in 2006 they probably care more about the NASCAR race, but yesterday was pretty exciting.

I felt in the early laps of the race that Dan Wheldon was about to repeat as Indianapolis 500 champion. Well, I was wrong. In the end Sam Hornish Jr. had to battle Marco Andretti for the win. Even more amazing was Marco's legendary father Mario was competitive & in the mix late in the race.

It's an old racing cliche' that finishing second just means you were the first one to lose. Marco's disappointment in the post-race surely backs up that point, although the kid is just 19-years old & made a statement on the track yesterday that he is going to be competitive at Indy for years to come.

Media darling Danica Patrick finished eighth, four spots lower than her 2005 finish, although the experts say she raced a better race yesterday compared to last year.

Meanwhile, Kasey Kahne wins the marathon NASCAR race, otherwise known as the Coca Cola 600. The win puts an end to a five-race win streak at LMS owned by Jimmie Johnson.

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The Dallas Mavericks are just two wins away from the NBA Finals after beating the Suns yesterday in the Western Conference finals, 95-88.

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Congrats to Memphis Tigers baseball coach Darron Schoenrock & the amazing turn-around this season for the team. The Tigers' season ended Saturday losing to Rice in the CUSA tournament in Houston. CUSA newcomer & consistent college baseball power Rice went on to win the tournament & will be a host site for the NCAA Regionals later this week.

Memphis finishes the 2006 campaign 32-28, an 18-game improvement over last season. Coach Rock is doing exactly what he promised with this team & 2007 could shape up to be a magical season for Tiger baseball.

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As mentioned above, CUSA's Rice was selected Sunday as a host site for the NCAA tournament's regionals, along with five SEC schools: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky & Mississippi. Other regional sites are defending national champion Texas, Clemson, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Virginia, Cal State Fullerton, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon State & Pepperdine.

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Jeff Maggert used some crafty putting on the back nine to pull away from the pack & win the 2006 FESJC at Southwind.

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Pat Dooley wrote in Saturday's Gainesville Sun: Indiana hired a cheater. And they knew there were issues with the NCAA when they hired the cheater. I guess it could be worse. They could have hired a coach without a degree (see N.C. State) or one with a track record of not graduating players (see Kansas State).

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Tigers in the NBA Draft:

Magic will take a look at Memphis' Carney, Orlando Sentinel

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In regards to slugger Barry Bonds busting through the Babe's homerun record yesterday, Jeff Schultze of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes:

Barry Bonds hit his 715th home run Sunday. But every overblown ESPN news break-in couldn’t drown out the sad reality of the moment. It was as awkward as it was historical. Some wanted to watch. Most wanted to cover their eyes.

This wasn’t a player punctuating greatness. This was the most vilified sports star we’ve ever seen affirming his place among the five darkest moments in baseball history.

Count them. Like plagues:

1) Eight members of the Chicago White Sox are banned for conspiring to throw the 1919 World Series.
2) Pete Rose, the game’s greatest hitter, agrees to a lifetime ban for betting — on baseball.
3) Baseball cancels the 1994 World Series, not because of natural disaster but rather mutant labor negotiators.
4) Congress holds steroid hearings. Among the Murderers Row giving testimony: Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro and Jose Canseco — who ironically turns out to be baseball’s shining light.
5) Bonds passes the great Ruth and closes in on the great Hank Aaron. But he’s the poster child of the steroid era, and his baggage and personality have led him to become the sport’s greatest pox instead of ambassador.

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Ricky Williams became the highest paid running back in the CFL yesterday when he signed a deal to play for Toronto. Williams will sit out the 2006 NFL season after a fourth violation of the league's drug policy.

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