Hit For The Cycle Week

Not to be confused with Lando Calrissian.

Let's go cycling!

C'mon, honey, everyone's doing it. We're going through the quad!

In the past week, we've seen three players hit for the cycle in the major leagues: Los Angeles's Orlando Hudson, Texas's Ian Kinsler and Minnesota OF/DH Jason Kubel. Which brings up this interesting question: When was the last time a player hit a natural cycle (getting a single, double, triple and home run, in that order)?

The last occurrence of a natural cycle in the majors was on Sept. 13, 2006, by Gary Matthews, Jr. of the Rangers. It's a rare feat- it's happened only 14 times in MLB history. Authoring one of those gems was "Sweet-swinging" Billy Williams (above), a Hall of Famer who made his name with the Chicago Cubs. He turned the trick on July 17, 1966.

Midweek trivia mix: Magic, Bird, Kimble, L.T. & Espo

Esposito in action

It's mid-week and we're just starting to dip our toes into the college basketball tournament waters. Conference tourneys are in process and we're just days away from being able to fill out our NCAA Tournament brackets. Aside from college hoops, LaDainian Tomlinson is also in the news, with San Diego confirming his place on its roster with a new three-year contract. And now it's time to get buff:

CLOUD 9

Do you realize it's been 20 years since the amazing run by Bo Kimble and Loyola Marymount? And 30 years since the legendary, magical Larry Bird-Earvin "Magic" Johnson matchup in 1979? And let's not forget UConn's big upset of Duke 10 years ago behind Richard Hamilton and Khalid El-Amin. Years ending in "9" have certainly been special when it comes to the NCAAs. Here's hoping 2009 provides similar memories.

ALL SMILES IN SAN DIEGO

Congrats to Chargers fans, who are stoked to learn that LaDainian Tomlinson will still be wearing powder blue on retro Sundays after agreeing to a restructured contract. On the subject of Tomlinson, his extraordinary rushing and receiving skills are well documented, but did you know that he has also thrown for seven touchdowns in his NFL career? See L.T.'s stats here.


ON THIS DATE IN 1971

In a 7-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings, Hockey Hall of Famer Phil Esposito scored twice to set three new NHL scoring records. He increased his single-season record totals to 60 goals and 128 points. Along with breaking Bobby Hull's regular-season record for goals (58) and his own mark for points (126), "Espo" also set a new standard for most goals in a season including playoffs (previous record was 59, set by Jean Beliveau of Montreal). More on Esposito here.

Know This: Tiger Woods is back

Welcome back, Mr. Woods.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

May I re-introduce to you . . . Tiger Woods.

After an eight-month layoff to repair and rehabilitate an injured knee, Tiger is back.

It's been a while, so without further adieu, here's your lineup of links to get you up to speed on Tiger.

Follow Tiger's progress at the Match Play tourney (scores, video, photos) - PGATour.com

The 2009 Accenture Match Play Championship leaderboard - PGATour.com

Is Tiger really back? Try birdie and eagle on the first two holes - New York Times

Mickelson beats Woods - to the driving range - San Diego Union-Tribune

The official website of Tiger Woods

Last but not least, here's a classic highlight clip:

- A 2-year-old Tiger on The Mike Douglas Show

There you have it, everything you need to know to impress the clubhouse after your round of un-Tiger like golf.

Pure Sports, No Steroids

A+ plus for Mr. Aikman

If you're tired of hearing about all of the recent stories about athletes who have either confessed to using or those who are alleged to have used performance-enhancing drugs, welcome to the sanctuary for good, clean organic sports stuff.

Here you go, sports fans, load up for the day:

- Troy Aikman is back at UCLA

- Prez says predicting North Carolina-Duke game may cost him his Blackberry

- Something special about Cy Young and Cleveland (Frank Viola to team up with Cliff Lee)
Note: Cy Young played over half his career in Cleveland and began his career with the Cleveland Spiders - Cy for yourself

- Six straight NHL games with a goal? And you're a defenseman?

And Now This: Super Bowl Star Commercials

Wow, thanks Mean Joe!

Are we there yet? Are we there yet?

Uh, no kids. We're still two days away from Super Sunday. But we're almost there, so hang in there. In fact, we've got a little something to make the time to kickoff go faster - no, not a juice box. It's a quick list of commercials featuring some of your favorite Super Bowl stars of the past! Consider it a primer for Sunday's parade of Super Bowl commercials.

Amusement Guaranteed

Priceless Peyton

Go Greene

Singing With The Stars

The Fridge Is Running

Huddle Up With The Raiders

Tony D. Turns It Up

Orlando Magic: Mesmerizing Basketball

AllPosters.com

In your face, NBA. The Orlando Magic have stolen the show so far this season.

After a road trip marked by wins over each of the Western Conference's three division leaders - the Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets - Orlando stood atop the NBA mountain with a 33-8 record.

So you're wondering, how in the name of Dennis Scott did this happen? Elementary. This team plays to its strengths - the inside game of Dwight Howard and the outside game of its splendid arsenal of three-point sharpshooters (led by Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu and Jameer Nelson).

Thursday night will be another test as the defending NBA Champion Boston Celtics look to put a Larry Bird-style beatdown on O-Town at Amway Arena. I suggest you watch this one if you can (TNT, 8 p.m. ET).

WITH OR WITHOUT PULP? - Did you know that before the franchise was officially named the Magic, Central Florida's NBA team was almost named the Orlando Juice? Don't believe it? Read it.

MYSTIQUE, SCHMYSTIQUE - The last team to win an NBA game at venerable Boston Garden was the Magic. The Shaquille O'Neal/Anfernee Hardaway-led Magic scored a 95-92 triumph on May 5, 1995, and in the process gave the team its first-ever playoff series win.

CALLING LIL' PENNY - While the Magic are playing lights-out basketball, they might want to consider finding a spot for Lil' Penny in their pursuit of a title. If just for some comedy relief. Watch this classic spot, fool!

Ray Lewis Says Read This Now

Buy this photo at AllPosters.com

NFL fans, freak 'em with knowledge this Sunday. Just offer up this wisdom before the game and during commercials to provide your friends with their very own John Madden:

ALL TIED UP: Expect feathers to be flying in Glendale, Arizona, when the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals match up for the NFC Championship. In their 111 all-time meetings, the Eagles and Cards have each won 53 times with five ties.

BACK IN THE DAY: Sunday's NFL title tilt marks the third all-time playoff contest between the E's and the C's. They did battle for the NFL Championship in 1947 and 1948, splitting the series. (And don't be a bird brain and say the Cards were in Arizona at the time. They weren't. Think Windy City.)

'MEMBER THE NINERS?: Before the Eagles, the last team to qualify for five NFC title games in an eight-year span were the San Francisco 49ers between 1990 and 1997. You know the group: Montana, Young, Watters, Deion, and the rest here on Gilligan's Isle.

* * *

NO PLACE LIKE HOME: Now over in AFC land, we have the Pittsburgh Steelers hosting their friends (not so much), the Baltimore Ravens. When last they met at Heinz Field in September, it was a hard-hitting Monday nighter, but in the end, it was the Ironmen from Steel City emerging from the cloud of dust in a 23-20 overtime win. It was the Steelers' sixth win in their last seven home games vs. Baltimore.

ROOKIE THIS: Baltimore set an NFL record this year for the most wins (11) by a team that was guided by a rookie head coach (John Harbaugh) and rookie quarterback (Joe Flacco).

NO OFF WEEKS: The Ravens will be playing for the 18th consecutive weekend, after having moved up their bye week from Week 10 to Week 2 and rescheduling their Sept. 14 game at Houston to Nov. 9 due to Hurricane Ike.

IMAGINE THAT: NFL Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison was once property of the Ravens. Signed after the 2003 season, the team allocated him to the NFL Europe League in 2004. He re-signed with the Steelers in 2004, returning to the team that originally signed him in 2002.

PASS THE HINES: Just 88 more yards. That's all Hines Ward needs in pass receiving real estate to become Pittsburgh's all-time postseason leader. If gets it, he'll pass John Stallworth (1,054 yards), a four-time Super Bowl winner and now a Hall of Famer. And one more TD catch by Hines means he ties 1975 NFL MVP Lynn Swann (9) for second-best among all Steelers in postseason receiving touchdowns. Mr. Stallworth leads the pack with 12.