March Madness

It's that time of the year, Spring is in the air. Baseball teams are beginning their Spring Training games, NFL Free Agency, NHL & NBA are finishing up their regular seasons, jockying for position and The most enjoyable month in sports for College Basketball.

I love the conference tournaments, especially the mid-major tourneys. All of these conferences usually have 1 dominate team who is expected to get an automatic bid, but if they don't win their conference tournament, will the get shut out? I love watching teams with losing or 500 records put together a win or two in their respective conference tournaments. The whole time, you can't help but think, what if?

Than it all comes down to to Selection Sunday. Who gets in and where are they seeded? Who gets snubbed? When I was in high school, I use to play sick so I can watch the first 2 days.

College Basketball and this tournament and everything leading up to this tournament is so enjoyable. Unlike college football, a true winner is determined on the court, not by the polls or some old men in colored jackets, representing a Bowl Game. And unlike the NBA, the basketball players care, all of them, whether they are the number 1 team or the 65th team.

Hate and Ignorance

I heard comments from former NBA player Tim Hardaway regarding Gays and how he "Hates" them. He goes on to say that he wouldn't want to stand near someone who is gay or when he played wanted to be a teammate of someone who is gay. I sit here in 2007 and I am stunned, not that someone has these feelings, but someone of his statue would publically say this.

I do admire his honesty and he didn't stand behind being drunk or flustered on stage ala Mel Gibson and Michael Richards. Hardaway came out with these comments with the same precision he used as a point guard during his NBA days.

Hardaway's comments were a response to a question posed on him on a radio interview by Dan LeBatard. I find that LeBatard always likes to stir the pot with his questions. I figured he knew Hardaway's stance and wanted to put him on the spot.

The thing is, Tim Hardaway probably played with a gay player in his travels. He probably knows gay people and hangs out with them. He is completely naive if thinks that he hasn't. It's no wonder John Amaechi, the former NBA player who just came out and wrote a book about being gay, hid his sexual orientation while playing in the NBA.

I feel like Mel Gibson and Michael Richards before him, Tim Hardaway just committed career suicide. Although people might agree with Hardaway's stance, no one will publically agree with him, the back lash is will be too strong. The media is always looking for a story, Tim Hardaway is their story now. He doesn't seem bright enough to shut up and I am willing to bet he will shoot himself in the foot again with his hateful comments.

Time to Report

With most of the Northeast being pounded by wintery weather, its refreshing to know that pitchers and catchers are reporting to Spring Training in Florida and Arizona as I am writing this. There really is nothing better than Spring Training, even if you are not a baseball fan, there is something about Spring Training that makes you feel good.

I use to be a huge baseball fan, but recently found myself as more of a marginal fan, I still get excited about Spring Training. For the past 2 years, I have trekked over to Florida's west coast and watched the most enjoyable baseball I've seen in more than 10 years. Maybe its the relaxed atmosphere, maybe its the small ball parks or maybe its the "spring" fans, either way, I really enjoy Spring Training.

For 30 Major League Teams, its a time to be optimistic, your team has a chance to ride the pumpkin into the postseason. The truth of the matter, but the third week in April, the clock has struck midnight for most of these teams.

I long for the smell of Spring, the pop as the ball hits the glove, the crack of the sunflower seed and those 2 magic words the ump shouts, "Play Ball!"

Spring is just about here.

The Trek To Spring Training...

I read this article in the Philadelphia Inquirer on Friday about Spring Training For the Phillies in Clearwater starting in less than a week. A Moving Truck picked up the supplies the Phillies would need for their home away from home in Spring Training. The List of stuff includes:

Jelly beans - 40 cases
Baseballs - 1,200 dozen ($74 per dozen.)
Bats - 850
Batting Helmets - 400 (flap on the left /flap on the right, and some with double flaps. From size 67/8 to 8.
Caps - 30 dozen
Pants - 1,500 pairs
Undershirts - 2,500
Gym Trunks - 300 pairs
Sliding Shorts - 200 pairs
Shower Sandals - 100 pairs
Towels - 2,000
Pine Tar - 2 cases
Sunflower Seeds - 24 Cases
Bubble Gun - 24 Cases
Powdered Sports Drink - 200 Pounds
Paper Cups - 15,000
Laundry Detergent - 300 pounds
Special Grass Stain Soup - 100 pounds
Pine Tar Remover - 50 Gallons
Sewing Machine - 1
Athletic Tape - 60 Cases
Video Equipment - 1 Set
Golf Clubs - 15 Sets

Players in the area will also pack some personal things for themselves and their families. Plus the Front Office Staff will pack things too. When in Florida, the training staff will purchase such things as Shampoo, Soap and Sun Block.

All I can say is it's 25 degrees in Philly, 72 in Florida - PLAY BALL!

Super Sunday

After 2 weeks of hype, it's finally here SuperBowl XLI, The Bears vs The Colts. Before I go into that, I would like to rant about the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Michael Irvin finally got elected after 2 years of eligibility and Paul Tagliabue didn't get in on his first ballot. I have such a problem with the biggest bunch of egomanaics, the Writers. These morons have their own agendas and think they should be the story. For every good, responsible journalists, there is 2 twisted, dumbasses trying to make a statement. I have a simple philosophy when it comes to people's opinions, if you don't like them, don't listen or turn the channel, etc. So with that in mind, I have already tuned out the majority of the idiots on ESPNs Around The Horn, including their braindead host as well as several others. I am glad Michael Irvin finally got into the Hall of Fame, he was the 2nd best receiver in the last 20 years bar none. He was an impact player both on and off the field and he is becoming one of the best analysts in Football. And I don't agree with some of what he says, he always makes a compelling argument.

Now for the SuperBowl. Is there anyone giving the Bears any respect? Just a few months ago, they were the "Best" team in the NFL. Now they are more than 7 point underdogs with everyone questioning why they should be there. Peyton Manning is a great QB and I would love to see him one a Ring. Is there a better receiver right now in football like Marvin Harrison? After the last year that Tony Dungy had to endore, does anyone deserves this more?

The Bears have had 2 weeks to prepare for the Colts No huddle. The Field will likely be wet and sloppy come game time. The Bears Defense wants to make a very big impact early on, but its going to be what happens beyond the first quarter. I think the Bears are going to run, run, run all over the Colts Defense. Plus, Devon Hester is going to change the complexity of the game sometime in the second half. However, The Colts are an offensive machine and can score in a mere minute. The Kickers will have to be at their best. Both of Vinateri and Gould can kick in the outdoors and the slop. I think it comes down Ball Control and Clock Management. Although I think The Colts should win the game, I am going out on a limb and predicting the Bears pull the huge upset 27-25. MVP - Thomas Jones