CRAZY HORSE

I've got to admit it I am excited to get the baseball spring season going. Just a short jaunt to Phoenix and you are at the Cactus League where the incorrigible Padres prepare for the '09 season. Really not a lot of changes to the club and most people are hesitant to endorse this crew. However...they did not move their All-Star Jake Peavy and that is great news for SD. One thing that is hinted on and you must be aware of...Kevin Koozmanoff had shoulder surgery and it going to be brought back slowly...look for Chase Headley to work his magic at his normal position at 3b... SDS hosts Wyoming and must get a win. If you have been following me...this is the course of the MWC... Western Oregon is visiting UCSD today for a DH and I am bummed as I can't get out there. This is the NBA's All-Star weekend and the best of that league do a credible job of showing off. People actually watch this one as compared to the NFL's version. Up at Pebble Beach a name from the past h...

What bad luck? 13 things I wish that would change and become true... 1. The Stock Market would rise 13%. 2. The Blazers would quit switching all screens. 3. The Padres would fire Kevin Towers. 4. The Chargers would draft a big running back. 5. Del Mar would have 2 racing seasons instead of one. 6. All Bank CEO's would have to pay back their bonuses. 7. The abolition of all lobbyists. 8. They find the cure for cancer. 9. Clemens, Bonds, and McGuire admit doing steroids. 10. The peanut companies that lied are closed permanently. 11. The war is ended. 12. Unemployment shrinks due to the stimulus package. 13. Banks renegotiate their current loans. Obviously, there are more important ones than the others...no particular order...

Watching the latest plight of American Idol I couldn't help but think about the difficult journey to making a team. Absolutely the worst part of coaching is having to tell somebody they are not good enough...I have seen many a time where the coach will post a list and there it is...the dreams lost on a sheet of paper. AI does it the right way, they tell them to their face. Regardless, it is a miserable moment for all involved. On the other hand, the elation for making the grade, there's not much better feeling than that. Team...the ultimate way to feel a part of a unified group...with similar interests...with similar abilities...with similar traits...with similar ages...What does it take? Many coaches have said it prepares you for life...it is bigger than life...if you quit now you'll always be a quitter...there is no I in team...it is the journey not the outcome...all have some validity. Point is people put their hearts out to be a part of...a team. And here it is.....

So Brett says he's going to retire, again. I have to admit his stint as a Jet was a success. It was a last hurrah...his last chance to shine...to get his club into the playoffs...well...His coach got fired and it was time for him to give it up...again. I hope this is the last time. He has had a wonderful career and has left many memories for NFL fans. Check out the last minute of the Cavs-Pacers game and you have to wonder how all that can happen. Incidentally, the LeBron group lost at the very end due to a foul by the King himself... The PGA tour heads on up the coast to darker, heavier weather and the Pebble Beach crowd has to be used to it. It was not the case here in SD. Have to figure another new name will emerge in that one. SDS has another big stop in their quest for the league title visiting the always dangerous Utes. The underlying piece here is that the Aztecs are missing 2 of their top 8 players for this fray. Actually got to go out and hit the links yesterday and slight...

Let me be very clear. It was what the MLB players did. They were already great. They wanted to be bigger, stronger, faster, and greater. It started off with just a few showing signs of the bigger body...then more and more realized they could do the same. Whether it was down at the mall, over the internet, or by their trainer, they all found a way to get them. Steroids... The statistics were overwhelming. Originally the culprit was the juiced up baseball that was wound tighter than ever. Well...no, it was the steroids. Who brought them is unclear, but the history of the pro-wrestler, the huge NFL lineman, or the trumped up East German ladies...they were out there to be had. Baseball has a history of cheating...the Black Sox, the inequity of the salaries, the pine tar, the grease and whatever by the pitchers, and on and on. You keep going until somebody catches you. Let alone the segregation forever it seems...the records have always been tainted. Sorry folks but it is true....

My top ten for this awful Monday morning... 10. LeBron shoots 5/20 from the field against the Lakers and said they needed to lose the game 'cuz they needed their home streak to come to an end. 9. John Rollins is up by 3 with 5 to go and loses...says he's not that upset 'cuz he still made $574,000 at the Buick 8. Kevin Towers calls Mark Prior his ace in the hole...what? 7. So this gal has octuplets to go with her six other kids. She's unmarried and somebody will help her out...so she says 6. Lefty (Phil Mickelson) decides to go righty 'cuz he's mastered the left side and is almost where he should be... 5. ARod is named in a steroids probe back in 2003. All names should be named so says Kurt Schilling...how many players are in the league? 4. Did you know the Buick used to be the Andy Williams San Diego Open? And he is still alive and kicking...he was at the Grammy's last night 3. What, when, why, where, who on earth are the Jonas Bros? If Stevie Wo...

It's down to a showdown between Camilo and Rollins at the Buick. Each have a legitimate chance at winning it. If somebody comes out of the pack to steal it I'll be surprised. I'm going with Villegas 'cuz he's not had a big round in the last 2. Well Ive been wrong before...the weather looks to be pretty good for the final round. Too bad I can't get out there, but am chauffeuring around a realtor I know. Both SDS and USD had big wins last night to solidify their spots in their respective leagues. The Aztecs in particular are heading to a first place finish. Real cool... The Oregonian is calling for some trades to help out the Blazers. Interesting as they head into the 2nd half of the season the thought is to bring in some more defensive minded players. I think they need to shore up their defense...the pick and roll D is atrocious. Now that is coaching my friend (McCain)... We are but a week away from Spring Training and have to admit I am excited to see ...