Pulling for the Tigers: LSU fans aren’t the only people rooting for the Tigers at the College World Series. Residents of Omaha, Neb., also are cheering for LSU, says Tom Shatel, a columnist with the Omaha World-Herald. “The College World Series is better when LSU wins,” Shatel writes. “There’s no sense in denying it: LSU is Omaha’s team.” Shatel says Omaha residents like the boisterous Tiger fans and the hard-hitting team. “Our other home team is home again,” he says. “Pass the beads.” Read the full column here. LSU plays Arkansas at 1 p.m. Friday in a game that will be televised by ESPN2. If the Tigers win, they advance to the best-of-three championship series that begins Monday. If they lose, they play Arkansas again Saturday, with the winner advancing to the championship series.
Rain, rain go away: The first round of the U.S. Open started today in Farmingdale, N.Y., and the end is not yet in sight. Making greens look like swimming pools and creating streams on many fairways, a daylong deluge overwhelmed an already-waterlogged Bethpage Black and postponed most of the opening round until 6:30 a.m. Friday. Rain started falling moments before play began at 6 a.m., prompted a suspension at 9:16 a.m., and the United States Golf Association gave up hope for the day just before 1 p.m. No one completed more than 11 holes, and half the 156-man field didn’t even get started. Jeff Brehaut, Johan Edfors, Andrew Parr and Ryan Spears were the only players under par when play was stopped, all at 1 under. Tiger Woods was 1 over through six holes. Angel Cabrera and Justin Leonard were among those at even par when play was halted. Other notables: Former U.S. Open champions Geoff Ogilvy, Jim Furyk and Michael Campbell were at 1 over; Boo Weekley and Zach Johnson were 2 over.
Taking a break: The New Orleans Saints wrapped up their organized team activities in Metairie today. The players are taking a break until training camp starts back at the team complex July 30. By then, the Saints could be announcing a new partnership with the Louisiana Lottery Corp., the Times-Picayune says. The agreement will probably involve selling scratch-off tickets with the Saints’ fleur de lis logo. Last month, the NFL voted to allow lotteries to use team logos after years of taking a hard line against gambling. Already several teams have joined up with state lotteries, including the New England Patriots, Washington Redskins, Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens.
