In an interview concerning his upcoming start against the Nationals, San Francisco Giants ace Barry Zito announced that he would no longer be throwing curveballs in either practices or game situations due to pressure from his father, Joe. "Dad says it could really mess up my arm for good if I throw too many curveballs," said the visibly embarrassed Zito, whose trademark curve has been a key to the success that saw him sign a seven-year, $126 million contract this past offseason. "Dad also says I shouldn't be pitching so much and that I should have a pitch count of, like, 75 pitches. Plus Coach [Giants manager Bruce] Bochy is always using me for both ends of a double-header and then in relief the next day, and that makes my arm hurt." When asked for comment, a disgruntled Bochy wondered if Zito's arm would be less sore if he wasn't also playing shortstop for his traveling high school team.

pparently oblivious to the fact that his lifetime statistics, while repectable, are not worthy of admittance into baseball's most exclusive club, Indians outfielder Kenny Lofton actually believes he is adding the final flourishes to what he deems a Hall of Fame career. "Four more stolen bases and I'm up to the magic 6-2-5," said the man who led the American League in singles in 1993 and finished in the top 26 of MVP voting four times. "All I've got to do is bump the old career average from .299 to .300, maybe get a few more triples, and I can punch my ticket to Cooperstown." Lofton, who noted that he was also "a very good bunter—perhaps one of the best in the 1990s"—is still deciding whether he should enter the Hall as an Indian, Astro, Brave, White Sox, Giant, Pirate, Cub, Yankee, Phillie, Dodger, or Ranger...

So now that the first year of the FedEx Cup playoffs has come to an end what do you think?

Good for Golf?

Could you imagine Tom Brady taking a week off from the second round of the NFL playoffs to go spend some time on the beach? It wouldn't happen, because it shouldn't happen. I do understand what the PGA is trying to do. They're trying to drum up interest in their sport in the fall, so viewers don't check out after the tour's final major, the PGA Championship, also known as the Tiger Woods Invitational.

Zach Johnson and Sergia Garcia were finishing out the ninth hole at East Lake when someone else's ball came skidding through the green. Guess who was too strong for his own good? Tiger Woods. On his way to a dominating eight-stroke win in the Tour Championship, Woods also violated one of golf's basic no-no's Sunday by hitting into the group ahead of him.

The largest single payday in sports history will go to the winner of the 2007 FedEx Cup, which concludes this week at Atlanta's East Lake Golf Club. But the winner won't see the money for several years. The first-place winner will receive $10 million in a deferred retirement account.Mickelson has complained about the deferment, preferring immediate payment, even suggesting having the millions stacked on the side like a Las Vegas gambling payout.

I'm with Mickelson. Retirement payment...really.

Most everyone who attended the 2003 Solheim Cup in Barsebäck, Sweden, including the vanquished U.S. team, returned to the United States feeling they had just experienced a truly remarkable sporting event. Great golf. Large, enthusiastic galleries. And a bit of history since it was the first time the Solheim Cup had been played on the European mainland. Those fortunate enough to be there also returned to find that precious few in America saw any of the wonderful spectacle.

From starter to bust in 2 games...

Demetrius Jones, the Notre Dame quarterback who lost the starting position after a poor performance in the opener, didn't travel with the team Friday to Michigan for the game against the Wolverines on Saturday,

"At 2:30 today, while boarding the bus to Michigan, I was notified that Demetrius Jones had decided not to make the trip," coach Charlie Weis said in a statement released Friday. "I have not spoken to Demetrius and can only say that he missed the team bus.

Lewis Hamilton got out of his car after finishing second in the Italian Grand Prix yesterday and admitted for the first time that he fears his attempt to win the World Championship in his rookie season could be wrecked by the Formula One spying scandal...

"I never actually thought I'd be sitting here saying I hate something about Formula One, but the politics and people wanting to be bigger than others is just incredible."

Phil Mickelson may live to regret taking the week off, judging by the way his two closest rivals are playing at the BMW Championship. Mickelson leads the points list in the FedEx Cup play-off series from Steve Stricker and Tiger Woods, who were both poised just one stroke from the halfway lead at Cog Hill.

Ask Phil if he cares.

When Tiger Woods returns to Atlanta this week for The Tour Championship, he won't be arriving simply as the No. 1 golfer in the world. In the past 12 months he's added tournament host, golf course architect and father to his resume.

Now there's one other first he wouldn't mind tacking on — winning the PGA Tour's first FedEx Cup.

When quarterback Jimmy Clausen steps onto the field at Beaver Stadium tonight, he will be facing a ranked team, a raucous, white-clad crowd of more than 100,000 and the pressure of making his first collegiate start.

The hype surronding Jimmy Clausen in the offseason made it seem as though the Fighting Irish had a chance to play in a big time bowl with him behind the gun. However after an 0-2 start the Irish may just stuggle all year to stay above 500.

Is Clausen really the chosen one?

Here is the story of the first week of the U.S. Open, as told by the men and women at play.

After shooting a 7-under 64 in the second round on Saturday to move into contention for the lead, Mickelson headed over to Fenway Park to see Red Sox rookie Clay Buchholz no-hit the Baltimore Orioles.

"I was able to take my kids to Fenway Park, and that's an experience in and of itself," Mickelson said. "But to have a no-hitter thrown, the atmosphere was electric the last three innings. It was so exciting."

Mickelson and Woods will play together in the final round just ahead of Arron Oberholser and leader Brett Wetterrich.

After seizing a share of the lead halfway through the round, Tiger Woods had an uncharacteristic late stumble, three-putting the final two holes, to finish with a 67 in the second event of the inaugural FedEx Cup playoff series.