*Know that the games have begun.....
*Florida, Villanova, Creighton, and Louisville make the trip to Dallas for the Final Four. I wanted to include the Aztecs of San Diego State, you know to represent the West Coast, but in the end I just couldn't do it! Louisville will always have a special place in my heart, due the Dr. Dunkenstein, Darryl Griffith, and his 1980 National Champion teammates. As I recall, those Cardinals were fun to watch! The head coach way back then was Denny Crum--I love that name too! Fast forward, hard for a team to win back to back Championships however, so even though my head is telling me Florida, I am picking the Blue Jays of Creighton to hoist their first National Championship Trophy!
*Well, the A's had a tough week with the news on Monday that Jarrod Parker will undergo a second Tommy John surgery. I always kind of wondered why they weren't a little more protective of him the last two years--the guy was grinder, that's for sure. However, I am curious why the second most famous Barry in the Bay Area has been mentioned as possible replacement, you know, Mr. Zito. Zeets is chilling somewhere, but I am just saying, the man who coined the termed scuffle, would fit right in with that zany Oakland clubhouse.
*Keep an eye on Drew Pomeranz....he's the lefty and former #5 pick in the draft the A's acquired for Bret Anderson. Jesse Chavez and Tommy Milone will start the year in the rotation, but I have an inkling, we are going to see Mr. Pomeranz. I get this feeling way down in my pancreas, that DP is going to enjoy pitching a whole bunch more in the O.Co, then in hitter friendly Coors Field. I mentioned before to keep and eye on Chavez too.
*Well with the Dodgers and DBacks just about set to tee it up down under, how about an early MLB prediction? Is the year to follow the money? Will the Dodgers and Yankees meet in a clash of Evil Empires in the 2014 Fall Classic? Can the Red Sox rekindle the magic in Fenway? Ditto the Giants on the other side of the Bay? Over the last 10 years, the Bostonians and the Gigantes have combined for 5 World Series Titles! Is this the year the Tigers finally get over the hump? Ah, what the heck, for the 3rd time in 40 years, it will be the I-5 series, A's and Dodgers.
*Well the Raiders have actually made some surprising, very solid moves. Tonight it looks indeed the Raiders are bringing back CWood--Charles Woodson for one more season. Thus far, the Raiders would appear better, but that draft will be so crucial. I can envision them trading down, in order to acquire another pick, and grabbing either QB Jimmy Garappolo or David Carr; even San Jose State's David Fales is a possibility in the 3rd or 4th round. For the record, I like the McFadden signing. I mean, why not--sure he has been brittle, but on a team currently devoid of big time play makers, DMac can only give opposing defenses something to think about.
*Speaking of moving, the O.Co situation appears a real mess. The A's appear to want a 10 year lease, and some reports are suggesting the A's would like to see a new scoreboard. Hum? The Raiders want a new home to play period. Well, how about this idea: the Raiders can play a game or two over in the Taj De Niner until the baseball season is finished. Once the A's have won the series, than the Raiders can come back home. How is that for a win-win? With a new big screen!
*Tonight I raise my glass to those undefeated Wichita State Shockers--that was quite a run fellas! Enjoy the madness this weekend, and even a little baseball from Down Under!
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