Sports menu has plenty of entrees
Football season is 44 days away, but there is a lot to do until then
Football season 44 days away, but there is a lot to do until then

By John Rohde

Published: July 17, 2007

Forty-four days remain until opening night in college football.

We're being dogged by the dog days of summer.

Though these no doubt are slow times, there are two roads I will not travel.

I will ignore every stage of the Tour de France and I won't get bent on Beckham.

There are still some things worth seeing, you just have to look for them.

Here are some items you might take a gander at until our state's national pastime takes center stage in six weeks:

British Open: Tiger Woods has a major addition in his life with the arrival of his first child. Will pro major No. 13 arrive this week at Carnoustie?

Barry Bonds: Though despicable, the man knows how to put the bat on the ball. The best thing about Bonds chasing Hank Aaron's home run record is it rekindles Aaron's achievement.

A-Rod: New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez said he won't renegotiate with his team until after the season, but it should be fun to watch a handful of teams flirt to the tune of $30 million-plus per season.

Gary Sheffield: Who will he alienate next, other than himself?

Matt Holliday: Will this Stillwater native win the National League batting title?

Red Sox-Yankees: There is absolutely no reason the Red Sox shouldn't win the American League East, but will they?

Dodgers-Padres: The Dodgers are first in NL batting average and second in team ERA. The Padres are first in ERA and last in batting average.

Tigers-Indians: These former habitual losers are in a fistfight for first.

Atlanta Braves: The Braves' streak of 14 straight division titles was snapped last year. Will a new streak start this season, or will the Mets remain on top?

Seattle Mariners: Can Seattle stay hot and pass the Angels in the standings, and will the Mariners lose another manager in the process?

Chicago Cubs: The Cubs trail by only 3½ games and could make the playoffs. If they do, no front-row seat for Steve Bartman.

SuperSonics: Getting to know you; getting to know all about you.

Drafted rookies: Every drafted NBA kid will quickly sign his first pro contract. Every NFL rookie will beg for more money.

Training camps: Grab your depth charts.

U.S. Amateur: Winner and runner-up earn invites to the Masters.

Pan American Games: OK, now we're reaching for something to watch.

NASCAR: Who'll cheat, who'll get caught, who'll crash, who'll win?

Danica Patrick: Win-place-show. She's all show, having never finished higher than third.

PGA Championship: The world's finest congregate Southern Hills in Tulsa in three weeks for the year's final major. Great players on a great course.

Michelle Wie: Will she be smart enough to not play the remainder of this year?

U.S. Open: We already know who'll be in the men's singles final, but which Williams sister will endure?

The Bronx is Burning: That was one crazy summer in 1977. Sadly, much of it qualifies as normal behavior these days.

Big 12 football Media Days: The official whetting of the appetite.