Wow. It's June 12 - a day after Jomo's 29th birthday - and we have the start of the U.S. Open, the World Cup and a crucial Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
So basically we're dealing with a lot of stuff - candlesticks make a nice gift, maybe find out where they're registered and get a place setting. Let's get two.
From the satellite office of the "Talks too much" studios, let's get to five quick things - the sand is calling - and we could use a mailbag letter or three.
Phil Mickelson watches a shot on the practice tee before a practice round for the U.S. Open golf tournament in Pinehurst, N.C., Tuesday, June 10, 2014. The tournament starts Thursday.• Phil Mickelson overhauled his putting stroke heading into arguably the biggest tournament of his career. If Mickelson could find a way to win this U.S. Open, we agree with Buschleaguer from yesterday that Philly Mick would vault into the top 10 all-time among professional golfers - it would be his sixth major and complete the career grand slam. And to get ready for it, dude picks up a new putting style heading into an event that demands near-perfection with the putter, especially from 5-to-7 feet. Only Mickelson, who is the closest thing to a golfing pirate since Gary Player was going full tilt.
• As for the rest of the field, we were fully prepared to pick Luke Donald or Jason Dufner or even a Brandt Snedeker for this U.S. Open, and we would not be surprised if someone completely off the board was in the mix come Sunday afternoon. We would not be upset to see DCrotty's pick of Lee Westwood pan out. That said, we are now rooting for Rickie Fowler, who unveiled a Payne Stewart tribute outfit that is cool and classy and honorable. Well played, young Mr. Fowler, well-played indeed.
• Jurgen Klinsmann - and yes, every time we say Jurgen Klinsmann, we think of the chef from the Muppets - is the coach of the U.S. men's soccer team. Heading into the World Cup, Klinsmann said it's 'unrealistic' to expect his team to win the Cup. Thanks. This is a little more optimistic than his rant in December, when he told the New York Times the U.S. 'cannot win the World Cup, because we are not at that level.' Dude, we had your back about cutting Landon Donovan - do what you have to do when it comes to your roster and your locker room. But c'mon man - you want the everyday American sports fan to be interested in soccer and the U.S. soccer coach all but says we're sponsored by Chico's Bail Bonds and we have no chance unless Kelly Leak signs on and Amanda Whoseherpants starts throwing sliders. No one is saying he's not 100 percent right, but c'mon Jurgen, didn't your momma teach you not to tell everything you know?
Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) aims for the basket as San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) defends, during their Game 3 of the NBA basketball finals on June 10, 2014, in Miami. The Spurs defeated the Heat 111-92.• Must have for LeBron and the Heatles tonight. Simply a got-to-win moment. Side question: If the Heatles lose this series, how much do we blame LeBron, who then would have two rings in five trips to the Finals? This is a big moment for James, arguably the biggest since winning that first title two years ago. The difference between being a three-peat champ and falling to 2-3 in the Finals is huge.
• Today's Rushmore: Jim Nabors is 83 today. Shazam. What's your Rushmore of comedy casts in a series? We'll take Saturday Night Live and Carol Burnett and the other sketch shows off the board because that's a different animal all together. We'll go Andy Griffith Show, Mary Tyler Moore, Cheers and Seinfeld, and be very remiss that the first few seasons of M*ASH were left off.
• Bonus Rushmore: With so much of the sports world being decided in court right now, we could not help but giggle at the thought of Judge Wapner drawing the Donald Sterling case and that bozo interviewing Sterling as Rusty the Bailiff walked Mrs. Sterling out of the court room. That would be so cool. What's our Rushmore of Judges? Judge Smails is far left, then Judge Wapner and/or Judge Judy. Who else?