My Wish

There are many in Blogfrica that hate ESPN and all of their "Worldwideliness". Basically, with ESPN's monopoly on pretty much all that is sports newsworthy, they can present stories and force them on Joe Public as they wish. Sure it can get annoying at times having to hear about Roger Clemens' latest affair from 20 years ago or how Joba is fairing in his new starting role or even pumping up the Arena league like it was the next coming of the NFL, but its not all bad.

Regardless of what you think of their overall coverage, there is one promo they do every year that not even the derogatory commenters/posters on the vile Deadspin can even question or turn into a spewing negative. Bissinger still doesn't have a clue who is who, but I digress.

ESPN has once again started their "My Wish" campaign along with the Make-a-Wish foundation and with the help of Disney. It is truly a magical SportsCenter piece and really shows how sports can positively affect people.

Each and every story is captivating, touching, and heartwarming. These kids have gone through more than most of us can ever imagine. It is just a great series of special performances by athletic superstars who allow these kids to have an experience that will be a positively memorable moment for the rest of their lives.

To check out past episodes and upcoming ones, be sure to click below or watch SportsCenter all this week...as if you don't already:

My Wish 2008

You won't be disappointed. It's truly great stuff.

Superhuman

Amazing.

Phenomenal.

Lethal.

Sick.

Unreal.

The Best Ever.

Tiger Woods has proven time and again that he is just that, the best ever. Sure there have been some golf greats like Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus, and Arnold Palmer, but this superhuman of an athlete is just the best ever. Not only the best golfer ever either.

If you missed that performance live last night. I just hope you TIVO'd it. It was a round for the ages. While Tiger has had many memorable moments throughout his career, last night's feat with a 50-70% healthy knee at the pinnacle of his sport with one of the majors at stake, was simply breathtaking television. I could only imagine what it was like being at Torrey Pines live to witness his amazing skill, mental toughness, and pure competitive spirit.

Some say golf is not the most fun to watch, but when Tiger is on, it is MUST SEE TV for any sports fan whether you like golf or not. His ability to capture an audience is only matched by the likes of Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, and Wayne Gretzky. The guy, no matter what you think of the sport he plays, is just one of the best athletes ever.

His performance yesterday sealed that in my mind. His two eagle putts were the stuff of legend and the chip-in, while lucky to an extent, just showed how much flair for the dramatic he can provide. Grimacing in obvious pain throughout the round from his recent knee surgery, he still was the best golfer out there. After certain tee shots that looked like an amateur's with a 25 handicap, Tiger still found ways to make shot after shot count to take the lead into the final round today.

Although he has never lost a major championship when leading heading into the last round, this time around will be much tougher due to his less than healthy knee. That said, if he still holds on, it shouldn't surprise any of us. While it would be a miraculous feat, let's remember what this guy is...

SUPERHUMAN!

LIVE BLOG: Euro 2008 Croatia vs. Austria

Euro 2008...time for the first-ever MHA Live Blog.

This game pits heavy underdog, but home country, Austria vs. my beloved goats, Croatia.

Enjoy!!!

Pre-game: You have to love the international style entrances, with the kids involved. One complaint I have is that with that tunnel so small, the kids are forced to drag the flags on the floor before getting on the field.

2nd minute: First corner kick for Croatia goes without consequence.

4th minute: PK!!! Somewhat of a questionable call, but that is a foul anywhere else on the field. Pogatetz gets a caution on the foul of Ivica Olic as well. As much as it was a questionable PK call, I can't see that being a Yellow card.

4th minute: PK Goal scored by young guy Luka Modric on a strike right up the middle. 1-0 Croatia and just a dream start for the Goats, but a nightmare for the Austrians whose fans are probably still asking for the team to not play this tourney. This is the quickest goal scored from a PK in the history of Euro Championships.

8th minute: Pletikosa with a save on a Saumel shot from about 30 yards. The Croatian goalie is generally pretty solid and he showed it with his first save there.

13th minute: Gercaliu with a foul on Srna leads to a dangerous free kick opportunity from the right wing for Croatia. Free kick slides past goal but nobody from Croatia is there to tap it in. Croatia controlling the game early on as expected.

14th minute: Another good chance on a corner kick for Croatia, but it is cleared of the post by Austrian defender Standfest.

18th minute: Prodl with a long blast from about 40 that nearly misses. Austria's two best chances in the first quarter hour or so have been from 30 & 40 yards out. That bodes well for Croatia and its defense.

21st minute: Saumel shown a yellow card with a "professional foul" on Niko Kovac. Austrian wall does a nice job of negating Srna's free kick from distance.

22nd minute: Niko Kranjcar takes a vicious knee to the upper right chest area from Austrian GK Macho. Is that really his name...Macho??? It was a clean play, but had to hurt with the force that Macho man was coming out to make the clearance.

27th minute: Very good chance for Austria off of a set-piece near the corner after a Croatia foul against Rob Kovac. Prodl's header goes wide. Tommy Smyth is right about Croatia needing to put away Austria and not keep this a one-goal game.

29th minute: Tommy Smyth has been on point today. Pogatetz should have received a yellow card for that foul against Olic. However, he didn't deserve the first one, so it evened out. This referee has been a bit inconsistent throughout.

31st minute: Another corner for Austria. For being the underdogs and having a nightmare of a start, the Austrians have hung in well with Croatia. Corner is headed out wide.

35th minute: Petric with a very good opportunity, but as Smyth said, he tried to go with the spectacular instead of taking a touch and placing it better. It was fun to watch that volley though despite the poor result.

40th minute: Pletikosa and the Croatian defense comes up huge. Pletikosa using Hands' lead left hand philosophy to parry the ball away.

41st minute: This game has changed over the last 10 minutes. Austria has taken control and the fans are definitely into it. Croatia can't wait for this to get to halftime to re-group.

Halftime: Croatia had a good run early on, but the momentum definitely changed in the last 10 minutes of the half. For Croatia, they can be happy they are up 1-0, but they need to take back control of the game and I'm sure Bilic will stress that in the locker room as he was visibly animated and upset towards the end of the half.

47th minute: Despite the game changing, Croatia's defense has been solid throughout and hasn't really let up much.

51st minute: Rob Kovac with a smart foul near midfield after it looked like he was beat. Foul results in Croatia's first caution of the match.

53rd minute: First corner for Croatia in a long time is cleared pretty easily by Austria.

57th minute: So much for a halftime pep talk for Croatia. Austria continues to have the better of play in the 2nd half. Austria can't really put anything on target though.

61st minute: First sub of the match for Austria, Saumel off for Croatian-born Vastic.

62nd minute: Croatia also takes off Kranjcar for Knezevic.

68th minute: Caution to Prodl for taking down Olic. Dangerous free kick opportunity for Croatia that becomes not-so-dangerous with a pathetic free kick.

69th minute: Second sub for Austria as Korkmaz comes in for Gercaliu.

70th minute: It almost looks as if Croatia is buying into the hype that Austria is not very good and they should just walk through with this game. Since the early PK gave them early control, they have been very lax and passive throughout the game. Austria is even outshooting the Croats.

72nd minute: Budan come on for Croatia as the 2nd sub for Petric who didn't do much aside from his volley that went awry.

74th minute: Austria uses its last sub as Kienast comes on for Linz.

78th minute: Dangerous free kick attempt cleared by Pletikosa, but another shot opportunity goes a few feet over the crossbar. Austria has been the better team over the last 40 minutes.

79th minute: A long header gives Pletikosa a little trouble, but he makes the save. Pressing moments for Croatia. Austria is dominating this game right now.

83rd minute: Another corner for Austria this time cleared easily by Croatia. Olic out for Vukojevic.

86th minute: Korkmaz with a very good strike and Pletikosa with a solid save. Austria has done well and deserves better than an 1-0 loss right now.

93rd minute: One last free kick opportunity for Austria has Keinast leave a great header just wide of the goal. They just can't finish or get lucky. Croatia is going to steal a win here.

FINAL: 1-0 Croatia.

This match showed a few things.

For one, the Austrian fans should be ashamed of themselves for questioning the team and asking them to withdraw from the tourney. Although they don't have too much talent and can't finish, they put forth a good effort and showed some heart. They'll probably go 0-3, but today's performance was respectable.

Secondly, Croatia will need to re-group after this poor showing. However a poor showing resulting in a 1-0 win is always a positive. If they repeat this type of performance against Germany and Poland, they will not advance past the group stage. Slaven Bilic has some work to do to get his team playing at a high level again before the next two matches.

Finally, this game proved how crucial every single pass, shot, and foul is in a soccer (futbol) match. Pogatetz' foul in the 4th minute was dumb and cost his team a point in this match. Croatia took advantage and used that goal to propel them to 3 points. Austria deserved a better result, but the poor decision by Pogatetz cost them that better result.

Adam Bender - 8 year old Hero!

This is the type of story that makes you appreciate life and all the challenges it brings each of us daily.

This kid is an absolute inspiration to me and should be to any human. What a great spirit, attitude, and simple joy for life and the challenges it has brought him. He obviously hasn't let it discourage the way he lives. It makes me proud to see kids in our country like this setting great examples for their friends and strangers, young and old.

Well done young man...I'm sure you make your family proud.

Story and pictures courtesy of Kentucky.com, Mike Fields, and Charles Bertram.

Kid Can Do It All On One Leg