COLUMN: Is Tiger Woods too big for his britches?

Before we get into the really good stuff this week, I want to use the first few paragraphs of this column for a readers’ poll. Are you ready?

How many of you are sick to death of Tiger Woods? Raise your hands – it doesn’t matter where you are. Math class, the cafeteria, the library … go ahead and raise your hands so I can get a quick count. That’s it. Raise ’em high.

OK, that’s what I expected. Apparently I’m not alone on this one. The number of people who are a little OD’d on Tiger seems to be growing.

Don’t get me wrong; he’s a heck of a golfer. But I think Tiger, like many of today’s athletes, has become too big for his own britches. The man’s not having any fun out there. He’s walking the fairways with a scorn that would make the Grinch envious.

Tiger’s got Ken Griffey Jr. disease.

The last time Tiger … um, yeah, you in the back, do you have a question or are you still voting? You can put your hand down now if you’d like.

“No, I have a question. What’s Ken Griffey Jr. disease?”

Well, KGJ disease, also known as Kenitis, is an illness some players get that impedes them from enjoying the game. In serious cases, the player lets outside forces like the media drown out his or her love for the game. They become miserable, and sometimes all the money and success in the world just isn’t enough to bring them out of it.

As was the case with Griffey last year in Cincinnati. The trade to the Reds was supposed to cure him of the illness, but it failed big time. In fact, Griffey’s condition worsened. He was playing in the town of his choice for the team of his choice. Junior had the baseball world on a silver platter, but the world was not enough. He seemed like the most unhappy player in baseball – despite being one of the best in the game.

Does that clarify it for you?

“Yeah, so what’s Tiger’s problem?”

Who knows? He seems upset with the world. I don’t think he’s handling his success too well, but that’s just a guess. He yells at camera guys, he snarls at the crowd … He’s just become a genuine Scrooge out there on the course. And golfing is supposed to be a pleasant experience.

Granted, some of these Tiger-crazed fans need to be kept on a leash during the tournaments. I’d be slightly more than miffed if some guy jumped out at me seeking an autograph. But at the same time, Tiger’s self-pity has been escalating for quite some time now.

But enough of Tiger, because as we saw from the hand-vote, most of us have been Tigered to death. Let’s talk about something pleasant, like college basketball.

I’ve got two words for the Duke basketball team: FREE THROWS. Say what you will about Duke’s ability to hit the 3-point shot. The team’s ability to hit the clutch free throw, however, can be seriously questioned after Thursday’s loss to North Carolina.

Speaking of clutch, have you heard the news coming out of Atlanta? John Smoltz, The Braves’ winningest post-season pitcher, is nearly 100 percent after having Tommy John surgery last spring and missing the entire 2000 season.

Get this: He’s got extra movement on all his pitches. His fastball is tailing more than ever, his slider is bending clear across the plate, he’s pulling the string well on his changeup, and the bottom is falling out of his curveball.

And as if those pitches weren’t deadly enough, Smoltz has reportedly developed a pretty good knuckle ball to go along with them.

Granted, spring training hasn’t even started yet, but I’m predicting Smoltz will run away with the National League Cy Young award this year. He’ll finish the season with 20 wins and an ERA under 3.00.

Hide and watch if you think I’m crazy. You don’t have much to lose. It’s going to be either watch Smoltz pitch his way to his second Cy Young award this summer or watch Tiger win his billionth tournament.

And I think we’re all a little sick of Tiger.

Casey Hobson welcomes comments at hobsonhut@hotmail.com