‘The Return of The One’ (The Sequel)
Posted by Chad Ruter on February 24, 2009
Tiger wisely didn't take a page out of Michael's book. He chose the perfect time to return.
It’s been nearly 14 years since the sports world has honed in on the return of an individual to the sport he dominated in the past.
Any sports fan my age or older remembers the day that Michael Jordan returned to the hardwood, a day after his press release contained just two words that would reverberate through more than just the world of basketball. He didn’t call a press conference to say the words, but everyone could imagine that multi-million dollar mug saying coyly, “I’m baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!” Hanging on to that final syllable as if to toy with the minds of guys like John Starks, Reggie Miller, and Karl Malone.
His first game? A less-than-eventful 19-point effort in Indianapolis against the Pacers. But the Nielsen ratings told the real story – they were the highest every for a regular season basketball game since the mid-70’s.
Tomorrow afternoon, MJ 2.0 (a.k.a El Tigre, a.k.a. Tiger Woods) will return to the course nearly nine months after his legendary departure when he chased down Rocco Mediate on one leg to win the U.S. Open in an 18-hole playoff. His return hasn’t lacked an ounce of the fanfare that is predecessor endured; in fact, Tiger has gone through more. I say endured, because when Jordan left basketball, he took up another profession, one that he royally sucked at. Tiger was forced out by an injury, with golf gurus and sports fans alike salivating over the anticipation of his return.
If Tiger was like Jordan, he would’ve waited for the Masters – the most-watched golf event of the year. He would’ve gone in cold, threw caution to the wind and pushed the accelerator to the floor. Jordan could’ve waited until the start of the ‘95-’96 to make his return, but instead chose to shock the world and lead the Bulls to a fourth title in five years. He failed.
Like I said – Tiger is MJ 2.0. Tiger is more controlled. He chose an event that he loves and a format he craves. He has the potential of stuffing seven, full 18-hole rounds of golf into five days. Each match is equivalent to the final round of a golf tournament. You lose, you go home trophyless. Tiger despises that. Saturday and Sunday could potentially be the true test to his fully-healed knee. Both the quarterfinal and semifinal matches are played on Saturday, followed by a 36-hole marathon match for the championship on Sunday. If Tiger gets that far, is there any doubt he’ll close?
Not the 2.0.
If he reaches the weekend...you better believe he'll have this trophy again.
