2008 Woodie Awards
Circling the Bandwagon
Open Mouth, Insert Foot
Ryan Pleskach
Issue date: 4/3/06 Section: Sports
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Wow. I do not think I could have been any less correct than I was last week with my NCAA tournament projections. George Mason made it to the Final Four? Stock up the canned goods and bottled water because this can only mean that Armageddon is just around the corner. George Mason pretty much threw my "rule of 10" out the window, seeing they are an eleven seed, and it was pretty much down hill from there.
Now with the national semifinals on Saturday and the title game on Monday night, the Patriots are only two wins away from the immortality. If they could complete this magical trip, it will likely be remembered as the second greatest prelude to a championship in sports history (behind only the 1980 "Miracle on Ice").
George Mason's road will not be easy as they have to play Billy Donovan's Florida Gators, and then either UCLA or LSU for the championship. But, some might argue that this is easier than their previous opponents such as UConn, Michigan State, and North Carolina. George Mason turned me into a believer last weekend with their win over UConn. Many now consider that game to be the second greatest college basketball game of all time, behind the infamous Duke vs. Kentucky thriller in the early 1990's.
I have no idea if it will happen or not, but I am sold on George Mason. Join me on their bandwagon because it might be one hell of a ride through Monday!
Monday also happens to be opening day for many Major League Baseball teams. I for one am not looking forward to the season as I have in previous years. I am sick and tired of hearing about Barry Bonds and steroids. Finally MLB commissioner Bud Selig set up an official investigation. It only took him eight years to do so. Nevertheless, this season should be enjoyable as always, if it is not over shadowed by the steroids issue.
Who are the contenders? Well the usual of course. The Yankees, Red Sox, and White Sox are perennial favorites from the American League. And in the National League the Braves, Cardinals, and Mets.
Two sleepers to look out for are the Oakland Athletics and the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Athletics have a solid core of young talented players who should win the AL West division and could make some noise in October. The Dodgers are the National League's version of the Yankees. They spent some serious cash this off-season acquiring Nomar Garciaparra and Rafael Furcal. They have the big money players that can wreck havoc in the NL West.
The men's basketball national championship and MLB opening day make the first Monday of every April my favorite day of the year!
Now with the national semifinals on Saturday and the title game on Monday night, the Patriots are only two wins away from the immortality. If they could complete this magical trip, it will likely be remembered as the second greatest prelude to a championship in sports history (behind only the 1980 "Miracle on Ice").
George Mason's road will not be easy as they have to play Billy Donovan's Florida Gators, and then either UCLA or LSU for the championship. But, some might argue that this is easier than their previous opponents such as UConn, Michigan State, and North Carolina. George Mason turned me into a believer last weekend with their win over UConn. Many now consider that game to be the second greatest college basketball game of all time, behind the infamous Duke vs. Kentucky thriller in the early 1990's.
I have no idea if it will happen or not, but I am sold on George Mason. Join me on their bandwagon because it might be one hell of a ride through Monday!
Monday also happens to be opening day for many Major League Baseball teams. I for one am not looking forward to the season as I have in previous years. I am sick and tired of hearing about Barry Bonds and steroids. Finally MLB commissioner Bud Selig set up an official investigation. It only took him eight years to do so. Nevertheless, this season should be enjoyable as always, if it is not over shadowed by the steroids issue.
Who are the contenders? Well the usual of course. The Yankees, Red Sox, and White Sox are perennial favorites from the American League. And in the National League the Braves, Cardinals, and Mets.
Two sleepers to look out for are the Oakland Athletics and the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Athletics have a solid core of young talented players who should win the AL West division and could make some noise in October. The Dodgers are the National League's version of the Yankees. They spent some serious cash this off-season acquiring Nomar Garciaparra and Rafael Furcal. They have the big money players that can wreck havoc in the NL West.
The men's basketball national championship and MLB opening day make the first Monday of every April my favorite day of the year!