Sports on TV makes retirement wonderful again.
**On an off-day workout, the Mets practiced their "We-won-the-World-Series" celebration. They have this event where they try to make 27 outs without making an error. When they accomplished it, they all ran to the center of the diamond and celebrated. Sounds crazy, but not unheard of. During the 1982-1983 college basketball season, NC State coach, Jim Valvano had his team practice cutting down the nets on a regular basis at the end of a workout. Valvano claimed it instilled a championship mind set in his players. Think that was silly? That team won the National Championship as one of college basketball's all-time Cinderella teams and the net-cutting was perfect.
**It appears that Syracuse University's chances of making the NCAA Tournament are pretty slim. They lost a heart breaker to Virginia yesterday on a last-second three point shot by a Cavalier who hadn't scored the whole game. Buddy Boeheim continues to amaze with his long distance accuracy. He was 11-20 from the three-point line in two games in the ACC Tournament, a shocking 55%. I hope SU gets into some kind of post-season tournament. He is fun to watch.
**Speaking of the NCAA Tournament, also called March Madness or The Big Dance, I think I enjoy this event more than the World Series or the Super Bowl, for a number of reasons. First, the matchups are very even. In what other sport can a team from say, Gonzaga University (approx 7500 students) compete successfully against an Ohio State University (approx 61,000 students). Ohio State may have 53,000 more students but they can only put five of them on the floor at once. Secondly, every game is one-and-done, so the players go all out and it seems every game is a nail biter. Before the pandemic, there would be two sets of cheerleaders, both crying at the end, one because they won, one because they lost. It's indicative of how emotionally involved both teams are. Third, even if you've never heard of a school before, it's difficult to not root for one or the other because of the obvious efforts the players give. Lastly, there is always a "Cinderella team," a team that has no business lasting more than one round, that you really enjoy watching and rooting for them...unless they're playing your team. Of course, there are the multitude of basketball brackets run by friends, co-workers or your neighborhood tavern, where you can make your picks based on careful research and information, or you can go by team colors or mascots.
**Speaking of which, Annie-O and I have had our own two-person bracket for years and I, the Expert, have yet to beat her. And no buzzer-beater is involved. I'm usually out of it before we get to the Elite Eight. That's when I hear that dreaded phrase, "But that's good for you, Honey." This year it's going to be different: I'm going to cheat.
**MLB is going to institute a number of experimental rule changes in the minor leagues this year, some good, some not so good and some idiotic.
1) Infielders must all have two feet on the infield dirt. Not a bad idea as it will cut down the extreme shifts somewhat.
2) A 15-second pitch clock. Okay, but maybe a little too extreme. This will take some watching.
3) Pitchers must step off the rubber before attempting a pick-off. I like this one because it will stop all the left-handers who have gradually eased their moves to the point that 95% of them are actually balks. This will increase the number of stolen bases against lefties which will add to the excitement of the game and increase the value of the player that has speed as a bit part of his game.
4) Increase the size of the bases by three inches. This is the idiotic one. This is as bad as the three inch glove extensions they allow players to wear. They should dump both of these things. Now!
**Sunday is Selection Day for the NCAA Tournament. Sunday night is whining day for those teams that didn't make it. Next week, I'll write about the teams, the team mascots and the matchups. So Monday will be Sarcasm Day for Chad.
***THEY SAID IT***
"Replay struck, as three reviews, all lengthy, were enacted during the final minute. One was for a baseline possession that was reviewed at least five times before it was decided by a group shrug." -- Phil Mushnick
"The Minnesota Vikings are turning their practice facility into a community COVID-vaccination site. Hardcore fans are demanding to take their shots downfield." -- Dwight Perry
"The NCAA says March Madness Tournament basketball teams will need a minimum of FIVE healthy players on their roster. Uh, so if does this mean if someone fouls out do teams play four on five like they did in youth leagues sometimes?" -- Janice Hough
" A study of beer drinking among MLB fans found Blue Jays patrons lead the majors in one category: starting to drink before the opening pitch. Another joke that just wrote itself." -- RJ Currie
"Players hate going to the NBA All-Star Game — as they should — and get upset when they’re not invited.” -- Nick Canepa
"Any NBA player who complains that a teammate was snubbed in the All-Star selection process must name the player he'd remove from the team." -- Bob Molinaro
"Los Angeles, for example, could sell 11,200 seats to Dodger Stadium at 20% capacity. So all Dodger game crowds will look like game crowds in the first or last three innings." -- Janice Hough
"Earlier on Fox, the last minutes of Wisconsin-Iowa, a close one, took the time it takes to cook a 15-pound turkey." -- Phil Mushnick
"Archaeologists working north of Pompeii have uncovered a ceremonial chariot — leaving scientists amazed at the stellar condition of the iron elements, bronze decorations and mineralized wooden remains.Not to mention the NASCAR sticker on the rear bumper." -- Dwight Perry
Chad Picasner
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