The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

There are plenty of great times of the year when you're a sports fan. The Stanley Cup playoffs are amazing. The World Series is grand. The Super Bowl is a great excuse to eat if the game isn't any good (and really, even if it is). One could easily make the argument, though, that these past four days have the most sporting action of any four consecutive days of the year. Championship rounds of two basketball tournaments, baseball's opening day, and end of regular season NHL and NBA action. Here's one man's take on the weekend's action.

Friday: Not a whole lot of action... I managed to see a good portion of the Oklahoma/Duke women's semis. I thought both teams looked pretty awful, but apparently that's just OK's MO - they pressure the crap out of the other team, and that frenetic pace carries over into their offense. Either way, I figured the winning team was just UConn fodder.

Had a pre-existing bowling date, so headed to Bounce Bounce and the Bear's place, and then out to dinner. Caught a little of the T-Wolves/Knicks game at Khan's... how sad are the Knicks? I mean really. They had 49 points after three quarters, and were playing Felton Spencer at center. Brought back all sorts of flashbacks of the mid-90s T-Wolves. Definitely not good times. Not that I mind letting the Knicks be that team. They deserve it.

Bounce Bounce dropped a 208 and a 197 on me in bowling, by the way. I thought I was all hot with my 155 and 190... ah well.

Saturday: I rolled out of bed in what I thought was time to watch my two favorite MLB teams (Braves, Twins) play an exhibition in Atlanta. What did I get instead? Rain Delay TV. Is there anything worse? They stations want to play something bad enough so that you won't mind it being interrupted by the game, but good enough to keep you watching their station. What did TBS give me on a Saturday afternoon? World's Scariest Police Chases. Bzzzzt! No thanks, I'll take a shower and a quick game of video baseball instead. World's Scariest Police Chases... the hell's that about? Pffft.

Saturday night I caught most of the Oklahoma/Indiana men's semis. What's the deal with Oklahoma and "scrappy" games? Both teams looked bad here, too. I have no idea how Indiana won. Honestly. Then I was off to poker at Pete's before I could be subjected to the other semi. Pete lost all his money. I have some of it. More than enough to make up for missing the game.

Sunday: A lost day during the day. I did my taxes. I narrowly avoided actually oweing money for the 3rd year of the last 4. That would have been bad. Sunday night was a different story, however.

Baseball's opening night. What a glorious game. Never mind for a moment that it was between the Indians and the Angels. I watched the pre-game, sang along with the National Anthem, and watched the Indians piddle the Halos for 5 runs in the 1st. At least I had fantasy baseball to keep me entertained. Bounce Bounce had the Angels starter, so I could root for the Tribe to pound him, so long as Darin Erstad got some hits. Is there anything better than your fantasy team adding intrigue to what would be a game you'd never watch otherwise? Speaking of Erstad, I think he's Brett Favre. Favre allegedly went to college in Mississippi - I think he was really moonlighting as a punter in Nebraska, and now he plays baseball for fun in the football offseason. The angels never go to the playoffs, so he doesn't have to worry about his falls having conflicts. Well... it's a theory.

Erstad ... Favre
You tell me.

Even with all that to keep my attention, I was still glad to be able to turn to the women's NCAA championship hoops game after about an inning. UConn's run towards a perfect season. Oklahoma's ascent to being a powerhouse after being terrible only 5 years previous. Two coaches who are friends off the court. Oh, who am I kidding? I watched for Sue Bird. She shoots 3s, she has a great drive, she's good in the open floor, her passing is amazing... I'm smitten. Sue, if you ever read this, drop me a line sometime. alex@simpleprop.com Hehe.

In my dreams...

The game was really freakin' good. See my comments about OK from the semis... the energy was nuts in this game. I have no idea how OK made a shot at any time, but there they were, all the way until the end. I never got the sense that they really had a shot, but then again I never really felt like UConn had it put away until the very end, either. All in all, definitely worthy of a championship game. And I'm growing to like Geno Auriemma... crazy little italian guy on the sidelines gives a good interview, and clearly has a sense of humor. Just call me a new fan. Here's hoping the Lynx draft Bird, though. Ok, I think I may need to seek help on this one...

Monday: The real opening day for baseball. Both my teams notch their first W... I think the Braves stole the Juvenation Machine. Seriously, Vinny Castilla? BJ Surhoff? If Albie Lopez wins his first start I'm moving down there and camping out in Leo Mazzone's back yard. I bet he's got three porch swings. The Twins won too, and hit five homeruns. Five! That's like two weeks worth for last year's team. Here's hoping both trends continue for my teams. Hey, it's spring - the time when we can all hope! Even Baltimore fans. Did you see that the Yankees lost, Chelle? Did you? Huh?

Oh man I'm in trouble now...

Which brings us to tonight. The men's hoops final. There's been a running feud at ESPN.com over which is better - college or pros. How's this for an addition: The NBA calls their championships "The Finals". Simple. Effective. The NCAA has a pregame show on CBS called "Prelude to a Championship". Sure seems like we're trying to invent some drama. And don't even get me started on this whole "One Shining Moment" crap at the end...

This game is terrible. It's like a Knicks scrimmage. Fitting for a game in which I could care less if either team wins. Even the CBS commentators are calling it poorly played. I think it's time for bed. Kind of a let down for the best four days in sports, though...

Oh wait, the Rangers and A's are on. Ahhh, that's better.