TIGER WOODS' inability to vault up the leaderboard Sunday at The Players Championship left a hollow feeling in many sports fans' souls. He didn't win? Wasn't even runner-up? What gives?
Tiger has created extraordinarily high expectations for himself, by virtue of his 14 major championships and especially last year's U.S. Open epic. He's been under amazing pressure to perform, even before he left Stanford in 1996 for possibly the best pro career ever in any sport.
No other athlete faces greater pressure to perform each time they clock in for work. Let's rank those "others," with the No. 1 spot already reserved for Tiger.
No. 2: Alex Rodriguez
Baseball's highest-paid player is still vying for his first World Series ring, and, if that isn't enough, he's now having to do so after admitting past steroid use (which he blamed on the pressure to perform up to his monster contract in Texas). Is he A-Fraud or A-w-e-s-o-m-e?
No. 3: LeBron James
He just won his first NBA regular-season MVP award, and he's on course to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first championship. If he pulls that off, he'll really live up to his nickname "King James." If not, well, the 2003 No. 1 overall draft pick remains the most dynamic draw in the NBA, and he's only in his sixth season.
No. 4: Peyton Manning
Yes, he's won a Super Bowl, so he doesn't have that monkey lingering anymore on his back (courtesy of the 2006 title run). But he's the NFL's most recognizable player, he plays its most glamorous position and he's entering this season without coach Tony Dungy or long-time target Marvin Harrison. Oh, and he's two Super Bowl rings behind Tom Brady.
No. 5: Manny Ramirez
Another of baseball's greatest hitters is being ridiculed for breaking baseball's drug policy. Last week's 50-game suspension further soiled his already dodgy reputation. When he returns, he'd better be ready to lead the Dodgers to another National League West crown.
No. 6: Kobe Bryant
After winning his first MVP award last season, Kobe led the Los Angeles Lakers into the NBA Finals, where they fell to the Boston Celtics. That meant he still hasn't won a ring without Shaq at his side. Hard to believe but it's been 12 years since Kobe entered the league - after the Warriors and 11 other teams passed on him in the 1996 draft.
No. 7: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
You may think this is too high for a stock-car driver. Tough. NASCAR remains wildly popular. Junior is still his sport's biggest star, and his dad's legacy has cast the most imposing of shadows. He hasn't won since a June 2008 race at Michigan, a victory that ended his 76-race winless streak.
No. 8: Tom Brady
Can the three-time Super Bowl winner still work his magic with a surgically repaired knee? The New England Patriots are praying so. Otherwise, they shouldn't have traded backup Matt Cassel to Kansas City. With three championships already (and an undefeated regular season in 2007), Brady has set an expectation level almost as high as Woods'. But he doesn't have to carry his sport's torch like Tiger.
No. 9: JaMarcus Russell
Your resident Raiders quarterback is in a pivotal year. Sure, this will be only his second full season as their starter. But the heat is on him - the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2007 -- to pull this franchise out of its six-year slump. Every No. 1 overall pick faces immense (virtually unfair) pressure, and we should know by their third pro season whether they're bound to be a star or a bust.
No. 10: Lance Armstrong
He came out of retirement only to suffer a broken collarbone. When he races, cycling gets attention. When he doesn't, cycling only makes news when dopers gets busted. He didn't win the Tour of California, but there's hope he still might win an eighth Tour de France. Check that: There's not just hope, there'll be expectations for him to win in France.
No. 11: Alex Ovechkin/Sidney Crosby
Whoever wins their playoff series will be expected to lead their team to the Stanley Cup and keep hockey on our radar. Entering tonight's Game 6, don't-call-me-Bobby Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins lead 3-2 in the Eastern Conference semifinal series against Ovechkin's Washington Capitals.
Honorable mention: Albert Pujols (is he the only true slugger who hasn't juiced, or the biggest one who hasn't been caught yet?), Serena Williams (remains tennis' No. 1 starlet), Michael Phelps (Olympic swimming sensation-turned-bong smoker), LaDainian Tomlinson (Chargers' dominant running back might be running low on gas), Adrian Peterson (needs Brett Favre to get the Minnesota Vikings over the hump), CC Sabathia (Yankees paid Vallejo product millions, and he's looking better after rocky start to season), Tim Lincecum (Giants ace has lived up to the hype, and he's got a Cy Young to prove it), Tim Tebow (University of Florida quarterback already has a bronzed plaque with his inspirational words), Sam Bradford (Oklahoma quarterback will be vying to repeat as Heisman winner before joining the 49ers ) and, speaking of the 49ers , let's end this list with Frank Gore ( 49ers need him to carry their NFC hopes in Mike Singletary's physical, run-oriented attack).
Look for Cam Inman's Web-only "Candid Cam" takes whenever there's a breaking sports story, or whenever Cam's got something to say _ in short, just about every day. You can reach Cam at cinman@bayareanewsgroup.com and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CamInman.
