RealClearSports: Roddick Surrenders to Father Time

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

NEW YORK — He was the kid who grew into a man, the guy with the big serve who never gave in or rarely gave out. Andy Roddick beat them all through the years except Father Time. And so for American tennis, it is now game, set and matchless.

On his 30th birthday, Thursday, Roddick announced he would retire after this U.S. Open. After he plays one more match, Friday night against Bernard Tomic of Australia. Or if he wins, and who wouldn’t hope he wins, a match or three after that.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2012

RealClearSports: Roddick Bids Farewell to His 20s

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

NEW YORK -- What does age matter in the great scheme? One day you're 29. The next you're 30. Maybe the brief step is difficult to accept psychologically, although for Andy Roddick that would seem improbable.

But it doesn't make much difference how you play the game, on the court or off.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2012

RealClearSports: Of Suspensions and Racing Yachts

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

SAN FRANCISCO — What do expect? We've got Napa Valley to the north and Silicon Valley to the south. We've got a billionaire, Larry Ellison, who couldn't buy the Golden State Warriors, so he bought the Hawaiian island of Lanai.

Are you surprised it seems like virtually everybody who plays ball around here has been suspended for using performance-enhancing drugs?

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2012

RealClearSports: Augusta Makes The Inevitable Decision

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

At its core, golf is one of the clearest and fairest of sports. Each swing counts a stroke. No umpire is needed as in baseball, no referee as in football.

The problem wasn't the game but rather the surroundings, the bigotry, the exclusion at certain courses because of race or religion. Or, as at Augusta National, gender.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2012

RealClearSports.com: Giants Will Collapse Without Cabrera

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

SAN FRANCISCO — Nobody died. The terse adage is offered frequently as perspective for sporting disappointment. And for the San Francisco Giants and their disillusioned fans, that's true.

If you don't count dreams. Or hopes, both of which have expired.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2012