Jimmy Rollins is 18 away, the Phillies may be 18 out of first by June, Maryland may have a Women's Hoops Dynasty, and Teeing Off at Augusta

Let me start by saying that I am bitter because I typed this up once today, and somehow the web site deleted it before I could get it posted. So, hopefully second time is the charm…..

Jimmy Rollins has started the season by getting hits in his first two games, extending his hitting streak to 38 games. If he is successfully extending it through next week at this time, look for an angry Stitzer to start ranting and raving about how it should not could because it extends over two seasons. Well, if that is the case, I guess Hank Aaron’s 755 should not count because it extends over 20+ seasons. So, to Stitzer, I proactively say, it counts, go J-Roll!

It is a good thing Phillies fans can look forward to Jimmy Rollins exploits, as their team accomplishments are looking remarkably like, well, the Phillies, through the first two games of the season. Last night, the Fightins scratched their way back against St. Louis, and were tied at 3-3 heading into the 9th. Then Pujols went from 1st to third on a steal when Lieberthal threw the ball into center field, before they averted disaster when the anti-Christ himself, Scott Rolen, hit a ball right at Rollins for a force out at home. Then with two outs and a man on first, our new closer extraordinaire, Tom Gordon, walked a rookie then gives up a go ahead run on a single by the catcher of all people. By the way, in like three years, will a representative of the Molina family be catching for all 30 major league teams. I bet the odds on that in Vegas are like 3-to-2. Anyway, the Phils loaded the bases against the Cards closer before a completely overmatched Lieberthal grounded out weakly to end the game. So, to summarize: 1) the Phillies signed an 87 year-old closer who has not closed in about two decades, 2) Mike Lieberthal is still the everyday catcher, and he can hurt you offensively and defensively, and 3) Chollie Manuel is still the manager, and he evidently did not realize that he still had a left handed pinch hitter and a back up catcher on the bench to pinch hit and take the field if a 10th inning were needed, respectively. And you wonder why I predicted a sub-.500 season in March.

Congratulations to the Maryland Terrapins for winning the Women’s National Hoops Championship. I learned three things from watching their win over Duke on Tuesday night: 1, The game was actually entertaining and exciting to watch, even as a Duke fan. 2, whether it is a Men’s or a Women’s game, how many times do I have to say the following: IF YOU ARE AHEAD BY THREE POINTS WITH UNDER TEN SECONDS TO PLAY AND THE OTHER TEAM HAS THE BALL, FOUL!!!!! How many teams will lose games by not doing this before teams change their strategy. I firmly believe we will watch ESPN Classic re-runs in 20 years with the same bewilderment over this strategy that we have now when we see the short shorts that they wore in the ‘80s. And 3, Maryland is very good, and their freshmen could win multiple additional titles before they are done. After all, isn’t it nice in the Women’s game when you know that all your players will stay four full years? At least Kevin J. Marvel and Michael J. Kalinock will have something good to cheer for as the Men's team continues to disappoint!

Today, the Masters has teed off in Augusta. As a moderate golf fan, I would still argue that the Masters is one of the Top 10 sporting events of the Year (others include Kentucky Derby, Belmont if there is a triple crown contender, Indy 500, Daytona 500, Super Bowl, Duke/Carolina, Men’s Championship game in football and basketball, and Game 7 of the World Series, if applicable). Of course, I entered my buddy Kmart’s pool, in which you take five guys and have to fit them under a salary cap, low four day total wins. My team consists of “Fat Boy” Mickelson, Adam Scott, Mike “yes, that was me who won this tournament only three years ago” Weir, Trevor Immelman, and K.J. Choi. Of course, my first guy on the course, Immelman, carded a 75, and is unlikely to make the cut, which pretty much dooms me before most of my guys even tee off on Day 1. Well, at least I have J-Roll.

Check back in tomorrow……