19

It took 19 innings of scoreless ball...at home!...and we finally got fired up enough to score a bloody run...and that held up to win the game...the Pads...after going 12 the night before and losing 1-0...turned it around and got our 1-0 V...ah, the sweet feeling of a plus...I guess you can say, that the Giants are going through the same as us...

Today, two of the best pitchers in the game, SF's Baumgartner, and SD's Shields, go at it...probably another 1-0 thinger...who knows...

Let's look this over...we are hitting the ball...but right at blokes...except the 2B Gyorko...who needs to either be sent down, or sat...he's beneath the level of major league...wonder when the brass figures this out...I see Spangenberg taking the spot...plenty of speed....our C Norris, is an outright stud...big presence...and has a good stick...and 1B Alonso, has started really well...the others will...hopefully soon...

The Masters...3 things jump out...Jordan Spieth is playing a different course than the rest...at least at the halfway mark....can he keep this up?...very hard to play real well for 4 days...at 14 under, he's established a new record...very cool...and the 2nd thing...the elder gentlemen, Lefty and Tiger, are representing themselves well...watch out for one, if not both, to make a move today....really...and 3rd, fuggit about the SD Native Hoffman making his own charge...nope, won't happen...finally...finally...maybe Dustin Johnson will break through?...

Bad police...is it not the truth?...repeated brutality by the people hired to protect us...and instead, countless accounts of just the opposite...did you see the last one?...where 10 deputies in the LA area caught a bloke and beat the crap out of him...all viewed by a helicopter cam...do they not see them in the sky?...or do they care?...something is amiss...

I noticed in the rolling part of the screen...that two of our old Pads hit dingers...Headley (NY) and Maybin (Atl)...good for them...glad they are where they are....oops, shouldn't have said that...

You Hillary lovers...you're getting your wish...as she is going to announce her candidacy...eegads, I hope there are others doing so...I do NOT trust or like her...and will not vote for a Repub...it's like 1 3/4 years away....who has that much $ to run so long?...c'mon...

NBA...just a few games left for the playoff spots...OKC may NOT get in...now, that's an upset...and the Blazers...one and done...NO D!...did you see the finish of the Spurs/Rocket game?...no call...as Tim Duncan hacked the Beard on a drive to the hoop...preserving a one point win...pooh...very fishy...."oops, we missed it!"...fine the stripes...I'll reserve judgement until the pairings are out...

If you want a new Apple Watch...you're too late...already...the first shipment is sold out...arriving in June, so it is rumored...give them a bit of time to work out the glitches...

Copacabana...yup, you got that right dude...we are going to the Barry Manilow Concert tonight...

I write the songs...

The Masters

So it has begun...and I'm back from a golf excursion to Borrego Springs...in the desert...a 3 day event for some real hacks...actually, it was quite fun...had an 85 and an 88...not bad, as there are like OB's on most every bloody hole...and only was out once...the first day was a scramble...and oh my, the winds were wild that day...enuff of me...

The Masters has begun...and the young one shot out of the gate...Jordan Spieth is 8 under and leading by 3!...ah, but there is a long way to go...and I get to watch these dudes play now...it's my fav of the year...for sure...

The Pads...well now...for all the enthusiasm...we have stumbled early...1-3...and got shut out for 12 innings in the home opener...you know my fear...I don't think much of Buddy's game management...over the last 8 seasons...and in a tight 0-0 one, we had opps to advance runners to 3rd...by bunting...which he is so reluctant to do...in lieu?...we hit into double plays....Gyorko twice...very frustrating...to be fair, the home plate umpire was terrible...his strike zone floated...and had the trigger temper...staring at all who had the audacity to question his calls...and waiting to pounce...Greg Gibson is his name...the star of the game...sad, huh...

You see the shooting by the policeman in South Carolina?...the victim ran...just took off from his vehicle...it has to be the "stop, or I'll shoot" thinger...and for what reason?...why didn't he use the stun or taser gun?...so many questions abound...what do you think?...

Where are you on this?...a couple was on a trip from here to Europe, via NY...and on the flight...very similar to what we do...the husband was on the aisle seat...and the wife in the middle one...and a Hasidic Jewish Man, who was to sit in the window seat...refused to...cuz, he didn't want to sit by a lady...asked the couple to switch spots...they refused...hmmm...cheers to them...oops, I gave my opinion away...

The Boston Bomber...was convicted of all 30 counts against him....now is awaiting his sentence...life or death...seems like an easy verdict...but I am certainly biased on such an act...

Rand Paul...Kentucky...announced his candidacy to the Repub party to be their prez...and has a revolting issue...he wants to ash can the Social Security System...not often I say things like this...but, if you vote for him, you are a FOOL!...

Idol...and I continue with my observation...there isn't a winner in the group...and if you don't tape it and watch it in like 25 minutes, you are wasting time...and lordy, Florida Georgia Line as advisors?...oh my, they are terrible one hit wonders...who can't sing a lick...ha ha...

You Trailblazer fans...did you feel the wrath of the words of Isiah Thomas?...the analyst on the national broadcast of the PDX/Golden St game...he repeatedly said what I have said for as long as the present Blazer coach has been in charge...they play no D...as he pointed out...not ONE player is in defensive stance...they are all standing straight up...and of course, the Warrior guards had a field day...Curry had 45...a walk in the park...oh yea, GS won...

Time for some grub...

Coach K

Lead changes...bad calls...missed FT's...improper defenses...terrible offensive schemes...wait...it's the champ game...and the two best teams were struggling through it all...emotions were high...stress and tension at it's utmost...for all concerned...as a viewing fan, it was great...had it all...

The 1st half was all Wisconsin...yet, they were having a tuff time shooting the rock...but they were getting the calls...alas, the game was tied...Vegas was ecstatic!...just like it wanted...back to the real world...

The 2nd half was a beaut...in fact, I had the Badgers as a "lights out" winner at one time...and then...Coach K...adjusted his lineup with the bulk of the offense going to his frosh guards...in particular a bench kid...one of his 8 scholarships...wait!...the high and mighty ultra rich Duke, has only 8 on their team?...I digress...and sat his bigs...

And the guards went drive and dish crazy...attacked the hoop...and got the points and the calls...you have to get to the basket, people...I thought that maybe Wisconsin should have gone zone...but not sure if they do that sort of thing...to preserve their lead...and for sure gone to their "best player" in college hoops, Kaminsky...which they DID NOT!...as the Blue Devil bigs were seated on the bench, beneath the wily old coach...

OK, there were some atrocious calls that went the Duke way...and that is the cry of the losing squad today...a couple that were absolutely odious...BUT...so was the lack of offensive scheme by them, too...don't point your finger totally at the stripes...

The crowd...reminded me so much of the college football champ game I was at...when Ohio St dominated...another Big Ten team, Wisconsin, had the same clamp in this hoop's one...lordy, they were loud when it counted...er, when it was needed...

In the end, the difference was the coaching of the Duke staff...the better adjustments...and using their kids in the best way to get the W...give credit where credit is due...the better overall team...WON!...

OK, this boy is off to a T...see you in a few days...

Monday Decaf

And you'd think that the Pads wouldn't do much more on the trade front...right?...so wrong...as they picked up the, get this, the BEST CLOSER in the biz...from Atlanta...and the other bro of the Upton kid we got 4 months ago...for...2 guys we were going to release and 2 prospects...what?...more of a money deal, I suppose...Kimbrel and Upton are now Padres...we just keep getting better...does this mean we beat the Bums and Kershaw in the opener today?...in LA...hang on to your hat...it's a long ride...and will be a very good one...

Chhhhhh changes...in Chi town with the Cubbies...and all the hullabaloo about the "new Cubs"...the park is not done...a battle field...and the team looked terrible in their opener versus the always solid Cardinals of Saint Looey...you get what you deserve...

LPGA...what a great finish in the Dinah Shore...well...it's now some Japanese funded thinger...but at the same place, in Palm Desert...and the 1st major for the ladies...and the winner still jumps into the pond after getting the W...the final 2 girls, er women, were in a match play...and then out of nowhere, Morgan Pressell almost drained a wedge for an eagle on 18 and got within a stroke...and then the eventual winner, Brittany Lincicome, did it...eagled the last and got into a playoff...and beat the downtrodden front runner, Stacey Lewis...a good show...

PGA...JB Holmes came out of the pack...and birdied the first 7 of 8 holes, I think...and ended up in a 3 man OT with Johnson Wagner and the youngin', Jordan Spieth...and then got the W...another fun T to watch...in the Shell in Texas...the Masters all this week...the best golf of the year...

The NBA is closing their regular season...and a lot of jockeying about to see where the teams finish for the playoffs...the Clip Show was at their home building...as visitors...versus the Lake Show...oh my...seemed like the Globetrotters and the Wash Nats...really...they had a 20-2 run...and the Laker's coach just sat there...as the Clips did slams, bounced balls through the legs, and laughed all the way to the hoop...and the Lakers did nothing...no to's, no lineup changes, no nothing...made a mockery of the game...

The Big Dance final game...Duke versus Wisconsin...I have been a big doubter all year long about the Badgers...and cost me in the bracket...ha ha...I never win those...especially when they took it to Kentucky...an exposure of the lack of coaching ability of John C...well, Coach K, is the real deal...and if it comes down to X's and O's, Duke wins...as I think will happen...don't ever bet on what I say...never, ever...

The gals...UConn a game away of winning yet another title...but...their nemesis...Notre Dame...is the opponent...hope it's a good match...usually is...

Early pick for the Kentucky Derby...Bob Baffert trained Dortmund....

Need another cup of decaf...

Easter

And all the Christians rejoice...as he has risen!...social media be abound with the message...kind of who's who that will Tweet their thoughts...you know, I'm not so sure about the positive functionality of the web net...in this case, it is to spread the word...which is the mantra of most religions...or should I say all?...you don't see any atheists posts during this day, now do ya...I am a believer, and I'm not one to make you feel the way I do...when I write, it is to give you MY THOUGHTS, and that is all...

I think back to when all our parents were still with us...and we would have family gatherings...and hide eggs for the boy...we took it for granted that that would never change...if you still have yours, don't you dare not be with them while you can...odd sentence structure, but YOU KNOW what I mean...

Duke vs Wisconsin...first of all, the Blue Devils were absolutely awesome...in all categories...as they beat up Mich St...I think Coach K is like 9-1 over the Spart's Izzo's teams over the years...for those who care about that...I think every year is a different one...the depth and defense was the difference...and when it was time to milk the clock, nobody is better at it...

The Badgers...who I have been a skeptic on for the entire season...easily played their best last night...in taking care of the nation's fav, Kentucky...talent usually prevails...not in this case...as the lack of coaching spelled the diff...Wisconsin took advantage of the Wildcats switching D...and kept moving until they got their mismatches...and scored at will...

So, who wins?...it's a toss up already by the line...and for me?...naw...Duke will win by 10ish...however, a lot depends on how the game is called...too bad I have to say that...as the refs should be invisible...ha ha...fat chance....

Indiana...the host state...very little mention to the religious freedom act, huh...and you think that the local University fans, ah the Hoosiers are not enamored...that should be, hates...their bb coach, Tom Crean...he was introduced and soundly booed...nice gesture...ah, to be loved...wonder why we ever did the job...

LPGA...sure seems like South Korea keeps putting out fantastic golfers...and I can't keep up with them or their names...of course, I am pulling for Morgan Pressell...eegads, she missed 2 shorties in the last 3 holes...and dropped back...oh well, the final day today...should be great viewing at the Dinah Shore...or whatever it's called now...

PGA...21 yr old Jordan Spieth...in the lead in Texas...can he get 'er done?...many blokes a lurking...and Lefty?...hmmm...big day for him, I'd say...an indicator for the Masters...btw, hasn't Shell hosted this event forever?...and oh yea, Tiger tweeted (see above) that he's playing in Augusta after all...go ahead, pick him...not me...

In the final practice game...the Pads took it to the Mexican team at Petco...8-0...and the newbies banged the ball about...the real season starts up in LA on Monday...and the 1st home date is on Thursday....optimism?...you bet...

As much as I was a little apprehensive to hit the links...it all worked out OK...85...in my final prep for the Bozo trip...and I got my 1st eagle at Sycuan...my nemesis hole number 7 on Oak...par 5...3 wood off the tee...3 wood off the fairway to 15 feet...and drano...it felt great...

Still love the Cuisinart coffee maker...very hot coffee....great!...

We went back in time and watched the old flick, American Graffiti...lordy, it was great...and to see Ron Howard with all his hair, well, it made me wish I had mine, too...the music was sensational...

The weather is supposed to turn here...it has been near fantastic for some time...like summer...and there was but a slight breeze yesterday...and I will miss it...going to the desert...

Enjoy your day, kids...