Thomas Robinson Bids Kansas Farewell

Thomas Robinson is forgoing his senior year to enter to the NBA Draft, but none of the Kansas faithful can blame him after what he has given to the program. Considering all he has overcome, he deserves it. In January 2011, Robinson received a phone call from his nine-year old sister that his mother had died suddenly from a heart attack. The two had been raised by their single mother and were very close to her. What made it even harder was that it came within a three week span of losing their grandfather and grandmother as well. Robinson continued to play basketball, and the University of Kansas helped out the family by covering some of the funeral costs and setting up a scholarship fund for Thomas' sister Jayla.

Robinson vowed to play even better his junior season. He did just that for the Jayhawks. On the season, he averaged 17.9 points per game and 11.8 rebounds per game. Robinson led the nation with 27 double-doubles. At times, Kansas' offense would sputter, but they could always lean on their big man inside. Robinson helped lead the Jayhawks to national runner-up in the NCAA tournament. He had 18 points and 17 rebounds in the championship game against Kentucky.

Robinson became the first unanimous first-team All-American since Blake Griffin. He made his formal announcement of his decision to enter the draft Monday with his sister Jayla and head coach Bill Self by his side. Self faithfully supported Robinson throughout his career and encouraged him to make the decision to leave early. Self believed it was in the best interest of Robinson and his sister. Robinson will likely be a top-five pick in the NBA Draft and will receive the luxurious contract that comes with that. Thomas Robinson will be remembered for all he did on and off the court for the Jayhawks and what he overcame to make it happen.

Bubba Bubbling With Emotion After Master's Win

Photo Credit: Don Emmert/Getty Images

Bubba Watson is a character to say the least. He has been seen in a music video in overalls, uses a pink driver, and got distracted at the award ceremony wondering what type of helicopter was flying overhead. Following his miraculous win in the playoff on the 12 hole, Watson could be seen crying uncontrollably. How he got to this point might explain why.

Louis Oosthuizen seemed to be in complete control of the tournament following his incredible shot early in the final round. Oosthuizen made an albatross (double eagle), which is commonly considered to be the rarest shot in golf. He used his 4-iron from 253 yards out on the par-5 2nd hole. The ball landed on the green and rolled approximately 90 feet into the hole. The shot propelled him into sole possession of the lead.

Watson didn't shutter in his pursuit of the lead. He made four straight birdies (13th-16th) on the back nine to force the playoff. On the second playoff hole, Watson's tee shot went badly into the woods nestled in the pine needles. Watson just tried do the best he could. What he ended up doing was use his wedge to hit the ball just under the tree branches above, hook 40 yards while gaining altitude, travel the 135 yard distance to the elevated green, and roll to withing 15 feet of the hole. One of the most miraculous shots in the history of golf, but Watson later referred to it as "pretty easy." Watson tapped in a short put for par to win this year's green jacket.

Watson let his emotions show once he won. He has always been a very emotional person, but didn't always know how to handle. It had got so bad a few years ago that his longtime caddie and friend, Ted Scott, threatened to leave him. Watson got the wakeup call and began to turn around his golf game and life. With his wife unable to have children, the couple had actively pursued in the adoption process. Many failures and disappoints came to an end when they finally were able to adopt a little boy named Caleb. Watson became a new man with a renewed sense of joy. This was just three weeks ago.

Watson's win continued the unlikely streak of 14 different major champions in the last 14 majors. Additionally, the last eight of those, and eleven of the last twelve, have been first-time major winners. Prior to 2003, no left-handed golfer had won the Masters. Now five of the last ten winners have been southpaws. Watson may be not have won in a prototypical way and might not fit in quite right with the prestige of the Masters, but his win was amazing none the less. The tournament reminded viewers that golf can be exciting, no matter how Tiger Woods is playing. There are many golfers just waiting to show you the talent they've got. And maybe some creativity if you are watching the one and only Bubba Watson.

Cabrera and Fielder Show Why They are a Dangerous Duo

When the Detroit Tigers signed Prince Fielder, everyone knew that this catastrophically changed their lineup. They not only gave Miguel Cabrera lineup protection, but paired him one of the best power hitters in baseball. Teams are going to be stressing about how to get through these two monsters all season. One player that clearly hasn't figured out how yet is Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Josh Beckett.

Beckett was on the mound for the Red Sox against the Tigers. Cabrera greeted him with a 426 foot, two run bomb. Fielder showed he could hit home runs too when he hit his first of the season in the 4th inning. In the 5th inning, Cabrera and Fielder decided to light up Beckett again with back-to-back solo shots. Also, in case you were wondering, catcher Alex Avila blasted another two-run bomb in the 4th. Beckett left after just 4 and 2/3 innings, having given up seven earned runs on five home runs.

As an opposing team, that kind of power threat is scary. You can't really intentionally walk both of them, without getting burned somehow. I guess you just have to try and limit the damage the best you can. For the Tigers, this is the kind of breakout performance they expected from their stars to begin the season. Having both Cabrera and Fielder at the heart of their lineup, makes the Tigers' offense very formidable. It is going to be a challenge for any pitchers who dare to try and tame these wild Tigers who are hungry for power.