Tiger Wants to Be Like Mike

by Mulligan Stu on Mar 8, 2008 1:30 PM EST

Unfortunately, Tiger Woods has chosen to try to emulate his buddy Michael Jordan on the baseball diamond, rather than the basketball course. Which means that even if Tiger succeeds, he'll still stink at baseball.

On the other hand, it also means he has a much better chance of being like Mike ...

One of Woods' friends and regular golf buddies back home in Orlando is Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz. The Braves are in Spring Training in Florida now, and Smoltz is working on some pitches through "simulated games." Simulated games are ones in which the pitcher pitches without benefit of fielders or umpires, just facing a succession of batters.

Last week, Smoltzy and Woods hit the links early in the week, then a couple days later Smoltz took the mound in a simulated game. And who was there to face him but ... Tiger Woods.

Yep, Woods took his turn at bat four times against Smoltz. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution described the "action":

According to Braves officials who were present, Woods struck out twice and drew a walk before getting a "controversial" single in his final at-bat.

"I've got the second baseman making that play," pitching coach Roger McDowell deadpanned.

So Woods struck out twice, walked, and a hit a weak groundout. Yep, I'd say that's pretty Mike-like.

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Leave it to the AJC to tell half the story

Sorry everybody. I have to apologize for the AJC's weak reporting.

Tiger, John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Chipper Jones, and former Atlanta Brave Greg Maddux have been friends for many years, and play golf together when they get an opportunity.

Earlier this week, Tiger invited Smoltz, Glavine, and Jeff Francouer out for a round of golf. (great stories about the round in the link below)

Wednesday, Smoltz invited Tiger out to practice with the Braves for the simulated game - which is more for fun and to let the pitchers work on things. They let Tiger hit while Smoltz was pitching - in his last at bat, Smoltz tried to groove pitches where Tiger would make contact. On the last pitch, Tiger got wood on the ball (no pun intended), it dribbled past a "lunging" John Smoltz for the "controversial" single. :-)

Here is a direct link to the Smoltz interview on www.790thezone.com.

http://www.790thezone.com/vdDynamic/AudioBits/1-AudioBit4661.mp3

If you're interested, go to 790theZone.com, roll over the Instant Replay link, then click instant replay below that for tht list of interviews. Smoltz' interview is dated 3/7/08. A little further down is Jeff Francouer on 3/4/08.

The Francouer interview is fun for the story about Tiger giving "Frenchie" a driver from his own collection - trying to find one that fit his rather aggressive swing.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Mar 8, 2008 4:27 PM EST reply actions