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Entries from April 1, 2010 - April 30, 2010

9:49AM

RealClearSports: The Wayward Golfer Back on Course

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com


AUGUSTA, Ga. -- The Man was back. Tiger Woods the golfer still was Tiger Woods the golfer, and suddenly, understandably, that was all that mattered.

Had he been missing? Were there marriage infidelities? Did he spend time in rehab?

No one seemed to care in this land of see-no-evil, speak-no-evil.

© RealClearSports 2010
11:21AM

SF Examiner: Time for Tiger to take action

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner


AUGUSTA, GA. — He seemed believable, and for us more than for Tiger Woods, that was progress. Yet, Tiger himself said actions speak louder than words.  

The Great News Conference is done. Thirty-four and half minutes of apology, self-deprecation and occasional salient details of what it’s like to have been Tiger Woods since Nov. 27.

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2010 SF Newspaper Company
10:20AM

RealClearSports: Listening, Doubting, Accepting Tiger's Words

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com


AUGUSTA, Ga. -- The question we asked ourselves was no less important than the questions we asked Tiger Woods. He had spent 34 1/2 minutes in the press conference that would shake the world, if not our perceptions. So what did we think of it?

We hadn't confronted him in months. Hadn't had the chance to find out what really took place that November evening, as if that was a realistic possibility of that happening. Hadn't been given a proper explanation of the goings-on for a man now displaying contrition.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2010
10:47PM

Newsday: Woods: Galea never gave me HGH or PEDs

By Art Spander
Special to Newsday


AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Tiger Woods said the Canadian physician being investigated for allegedly distributing performance-enhancing drugs to professional athletes did come to his Florida home but only to give Tiger platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments.

"He never gave me HGH or any PEDs,'' Woods said Monday of Dr. Anthony Galea during his first full news conference since Woods crashed his car last November, setting off revelations of a sex scandal.

In the 34½-minute news conference three days before he plays the Masters, his first tournament in five months, Woods said he needed treatment both as part of the recovery from June 2008 surgery on the ACL of his left knee and for a subsequent torn Achilles in his right leg.

Galea has been linked with numerous athletes, including the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez and the Mets' Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes.

On Thursday, Rodriguez reportedly told Major League Baseball investigators that he had been treated by Galea, but that he did not receive performance enhancing drugs. Galea has told The Associated Press that he treated Rodriguez with anti-inflammatory medicine after A-Rod's hip surgery last year.

Federal agents have spoken to several athletes, including Reyes and Beltran, who also were treated by Galea. The doctor has been charged with four drug-related charges in Canada.

Woods said federal agents contacted his agent and adviser Mark Steinberg regarding Tiger's contact with Galea.

"And full cooperation whenever they need me,'' Woods said, "but as of right now, they have not asked for my time.''

Woods won the 2008 U.S. Open while in extreme pain from the left knee injury and had reconstruction surgery on the ACL. He was out of golf until February 2009.

"It wasn't reacting properly,'' Woods said of the healing. "So I had the PRP injection.''

That entails withdrawing blood from the individual, putting it into a centrifuge to spin the plasma into entries and re-injecting it.

"And then in December [2008], I started to train, running again, and I tore my Achilles in my right leg. I then had PFRP injections through the year.

"I kept re-tearing it through the year and throughout the summer. I used tape most of the year to play, and I also went to hyperbaric chambers after the injections. It does help you heal faster. And I did everything I possibly could to heal faster so I could get on the golf course.''

Despite his ailments, Woods won six tournaments last year and led the PGA Tour in earnings.

Woods spoke Monday before a reserved-seat media crowd of some 200 that filled the Masters interview room, one of the few times it ever has been packed.
http://www.newsday.com/sports/golf/woods-galea-never-gave-me-hgh-or-any-peds-1.1848035
Copyright © 2010 Newsday. All rights reserved.
9:15AM

RealClearSports: Butler Does Its Ugly Best

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com


INDIANAPOLIS -- The sense is something mystical is happening, something beyond all the rebounds, turnovers and missed shots -- and oh, were there missed shots.

The thought is everything is going so perfectly for Butler, the sporting gods have taken control of the college basketball season.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2010