Solo pot-shot saga

Well, turns out U.S. Women's National Team coach Greg Ryan didn't have the same take on Hope Solo's post-game comments as I did. Ryan booted (pun intended) Solo from the team and didn't let her play in the third-place match against Norway (the U.S. won that one 4-1)....she wasn't even allowed to eat with the team.

I'm going to take a firm stance high atop a soap and say, "Solo got the shaft!" Athletes have said, done and been arrested for a lot worse than Solo's comments and they still got to take the field. Need an example? How about good ol' Kobe Bryant. He's openly asked to be traded, trashed his coach and teammates and, oh yeah, something about court appearances in Colorado.

Solo made a mistake in dissing her teammate. You just don't do that. But she apologized to her teammates, specifically Brianna Scurry. For the coach to kick her off the team is a bit drastic. And now he's called into question whether she'll even be on the national team again. That's outright wrong.

If Kobe, T.O., Jamal Lewis, Ray Lewis and the like are welcomed back onto the field of play, there's no reason Solo shouldn't get her chance. She said her peace and has had to pay for it. Now let her get back in goal and do what she does best.

Solo to coach: You're an idiot

Have you heard goalie Hope Solo's comments yet? For those of you who haven't, Solo went off on Coach Greg Ryan's decision to play Brianna Scurry (see picture) instead of her against Brazil. The result: a 4-0 U.S. loss.

Solo said: "There's no doubt in my mind I would have made those saves...The fact of the matter is, it's not 2004 anymore."

(Solo was referring to Scurry's past World Cup play against Brazil.)

I heard Solo's comments on the Mike and Mike show this morning. Mike Golic blasted her for dissing Scurry saying that calling out the coach was one thing, but doing it to a teammate was another.

I'll be honest. I thought it was awesome that she spoke up. She definitely has a right to be mad, and she was just saying what everyone else was thinking.

Most athletes that speak up have unwarranted beefs. I mean, who cares what T.O. has to say?

But Solo had reason to sound off. You only get the World Cup every four years. Why not go out guns blazing? Then it shows how much is really at stake.

Athletes are, for the most part, hesitant to say anything that might upset the apple cart. How many times have you heard: "It just wasn't our day" or "The other team was better."

Here we have an athlete sticking up for herself, basically saying the coach was a jackass and, frankly, most everyone agrees with her.

Hey, I've played on plenty of teams and I give props to Solo for saying she could have done better. And she isn't in this for herself. She's in it for her team.

Remember. A team is made up of individuals. In this instance, Solo is one voice that should be heard.

Tour de Juice?

Lance Armstrong said he believes last year's Tour de France winner, Floyd Landis, did not dope but will likely lose his arbitration case against the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.

The seven-time Tour de France champ made the comment Tuesday at an Aspen Ideas Festival health forum discussion that former CBS anchor Bob Schieffer moderated.

The first thought that pops into my mind - besides what a nice town to have a health forum discussion - is...how the heck does Armstrong know whether Landis juiced? C'mon. Give me a break. Granted Armstrong and Landis were one-time teammates, but that's like Jeff Kent saying he doesn't believe Barry Bonds used steroids. (Not that Jeff Kent would ever say that...) There's no merit to such a statment.

It is a free country and Armstrong can say anything he wants. My guess is that he's just sick and tired of anti-doping agencies knocking on his door and thinks they are now going on a witch hunt with Landis.

But I just have to say, who knew that cycling - men in tight shorts riding bikes - would be such a breeding ground for sketchy behavior. Bikes, right? Not even motor bikes. Like the 10-speed I had as a kid only a few thousand more dollars.

Again, give me a break.

Frankly, the only reason people outside of France knew anything about their precious race is because Armstrong got a winning streak going post-cancer.

In fact the only time you hear about the sport is when Armstrong wins a race or someone gets busted for doping. Since Lance retired, we only hear about the latter.

Rain, rain, go away

Wimbledon is known perfectly manicured courts. Perfectly mannered ball boys and girls. Perfectly served strawberries and cream.

But what Wimbledon hasn't perfected is the retractable roof, at least not until 2009. That's when Centre Court is slated to get some shelter from the storms plaguing the All England Club.

For now players, fans and line judges alike have to run for cover every time the sky opens up. Only the grounds crews have to face the elements in their mad dashes to cover the grass. (Have you ever seen a member of the grounds crew get taken out by the tarp? It's no joke (well, maybe a little one) and happens every year...)

I just find it ridiculous how this tournament gets paralyzed by rain. As of Tuesday there was a backlog of 177 matches including 13 in singles.

Now Rome wasn't built in a day, but you think Wimbledon could come up with enough scratch and know-how to get a dang roof on Centre Court. Then at least the big names could move on.

OR...everyone could save a lot of trouble and hand over the Wimbledon Trophy to Roger Federer.

SIDE NOTE: Yes, that's what the trophy is called. No Claret Jug or Vince Lombardi trophy or Stanley Cup. Just the Wimbledon Trophy.

Wimbledon worries goes beyond weather

Rain delays are not the only concerns facing Wimbledon officials. Two thwarted car bombings in central London have All England Club officials tightening security.

This isn't the first time terrorism has been at the doorstep of Wimbledon. Think back to July 7, 2005. That's when terrorist bombs hit the London Underground during morning rush hour.

Now I'm not suggesting any conspiracy theories here related to the greatest grasss tournament in tennis.

It's just amazing to me that terrorism has hit so close to Wimbledon - twice. The tournament of strawberries and cream; not car bombs and terrorists.

I can't think of any other sporting event where something like this has happened.

I hope it's just a oincidence, not a trend...but I might be naive thinking that.

McDreamy to do some McDriving

Dr. McDreamy (a.k.a. actor Patrick Dempsey) will become Dr. McDriver come race day at the Indy 500 later this month.

Dempsey will drive the Chevrolet Corvette pace car for the Indianapolis 500 on May 27 and lead the field of 33 drivers to the green flag.

In addition to his acting gig on "Grey's Anatomy," Dempsey is co-owner of the Vision Racing team.

No word if Meredith will be on hand...

My new hero

This is the coolest thing ever. Elsie Mclean, a 102-year-old golfer, became the oldest person ever to nail a hole-in-one. She took to the tee last Thursday at a course in Chico, Cali. She's been playing since her twenties, but this was her first ace!

Idiot...nuf said.