MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / June 9, 1999

Saturday’s Belmont Stakes showed once again the unpredictability of horse racing. Charismatic went from making history as a Triple Crownwinner to seeing his career ended with a fractured leg. Fortunately, it wasnot a life-threatening injury.

And while Charismatic was finishing third, Lemon Drop Kid, a 29-1 long- shot, was taking first.

Speaking of quick turnabouts, the Mets’ Bobby Valentine went from being a Manager of the Year candidate two weeks ago to firing three of his coaches over the weekend. Another example of why managers should rentand never buy a house.

Kudos to Louisiana’s college baseball teams for their showing in the NCAA playoffs this year. Tulane, LSU and USL represented their state very well.California, Texas, Ohio and Florida usually get all the talk when it comes to baseball hotbeds but every season Louisiana teams are usually in the hunt.

This year’s French Open could be called the Comeback Tournament. SteffiGraf won her first Grand Slam title in three years, one year after almost retiring because of injuries. If Saturday’s match was indeed her lastFrench Open appearance, the tennis world will miss her.

And Andre Agassi, who has been counted out over and over again, once again quieted his critics, becoming the first American and the fifth overall player to complete the Grand Slam.

To put Agassi’s accomplishment in perspective, think about the names that have not accomplished it – Arthur Ashe, John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl. Whatever you think about him, when Agassi puts his mindto it, he is one of the best players to ever play the game.

The PGA Tour has been put on alert. Tiger Woods has his game back and itsquite a spectacle to look at. With the short game he showed Sunday at theMemorial to go along with his game off the tee, Woods will be hard to beat. The victory was his second in as many weeks coming off a victory onthe European Tour.

Although I like Davis Love III at the U.S. Open later this month, Woodsshould be one of the favorites. With a few more performances like he hadat the Memorial, Woods could be put in the same category as the course’s founder, Jack Nicklaus.

Congratulations to Julie Inkster for her victory at the U.S. Women’s Open.She may not be qualified yet, but she is definitely a Hall of Fame player.

Heavyweight boxing’s wish list – a champion like Roy Jones Jr. Jonesmight be the most exciting fighter in the sport right now.

Speaking of heavyweight boxing and its problems, the call at the end of the Knicks-Pacers game Saturday should go down with the decision in the Holyfield-Lewis fight as one of the most controversial of the year. Do youthink if that game had been played at Indiana that call would have been made? There is homecooking in all sports but the NBA often goes beyond the extreme. And the ridiculous continuation rule, one that is often abused,should be abolished as soon as possible.

Which ever team that comes out of that series will be facing a formidable opponent in San Antonio. The Spurs are the hottest team in the leagueright now and will be well rested for the Finals after sweeping Portland.

And with Patrick Ewing out for the playoffs, neither the Pacers nor the Knicks look like they will be able to match up with David Robinson and Tim Duncan.

Dennis Rodman is entering the wrestling ring again. And the crazinessscontinues… Speaking of bad boys, San Diego quarterback Ryan Leaf missed the first three days of a voluntary summer workout session to play in a golf tournament. And people wonder why Peyton Manning had a stellar rookieseason while Leaf rode the bench.

Prediction for the College World Series – Alabama will defeat Miami (Fla.)in one bracket and Florida State will get by Cal-State Fullerton in the other. Alabama will then defeat the Seminoles in another high-scoringfinal game to capture its first national championship.

And while I am making predictions, Dallas and Buffalo will play an intense seven game series with the Stars winning the Stanley Cup.

Tulane has been picked to finish fourth in Conference USA this season in college football. But look for the Green Wave to pull another surprise andagain challenge for the conference title.

It’s getting to be that time of the year again. The first pro and collegefootball preseason magazines have hit the newsstands. Less than twomore months till training camps open. How time flies.

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