Well...after being gone for almost one full week, I'm back to my daily routine and excited to be, once again, riffing on sports. It's weird being away, especially when you're aware about what's going on in the sports world, but you can't really do anything about it (ranting about it to work peers in a meeting enviornment doesn't always work, especially to those who don't really care). So the next couple of posts will really be a recap of what I missed. Don't worry...a Final Four post is coming, even it is a little late.

First off...a big Thank You to those who posted (Bill and Debbie.....the posts were wonderful!!). Feel free, when you can, to contribute whenever you feel like it! There will always be room! Thank You to mrs. jp23 for helping out!

Now to the recap:

BASEBALL:

-For the first time in a long time, I missed Opening Day, which I consider the first Monday in this country. I thought the opening at Nationals Park Sunday night was real nice, with a storybook ending homerun by "The Franchise" Ryan Zimmerman. But Monday, I missed out. Probably a good thing, since the Cubs lost. In fact, the Cubs are not doing so well. Going 1-3 at home is not a way to start when expectations are high. I hope we're not in for a rough year. From what little I did pick up, I think I'll like Fukodome.
For more on the Cubs, check out this: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/cubs/2008-03-30-title-drought_N.htm

I also found this interesting tidbit in the USA Today this week; seems as though maybe Moises Alou felt he couldn't have caught that infamous foul ball in the 2003 NLCS. Not what he said five years ago. Anyway, here it is:

"....didn't have the heart to tell DePorter this story, but last June, my two sons and I got into an elevator at Macy's department store in midtown Manhattan at the same time as Moises Alou and two friends. Alou was playing for the Mets, but on the disabled list at the time. Someone mentioned Chicago and the conversation turned to the Cubs.
"Everywhere I play, even now, people still yell, 'Bartman! Bartman!' I feel really bad for the kid," Alou said, shaking his head.
"You know what the funny thing is?" he added a moment later. "I wouldn't have caught it, anyway."
My older son, who was wrenched from my arms and converted to Cubdom when he was still little, was leaning against the opposite wall.
"Sure you would have," he blurted out, looking straight at Alou. Then he put his head down, stared at his shoes and said nothing the rest of the ride."- originally from the Naperville (Ill.) Sun

I have to say, it was always wrong to blame Bartman; it was just the sexy way to further perpetuate the Cubs' choking. Alex Gonzalez was the choker in that game when he booted a routine play, but the foul ball beforehand did set the stage. Seeing Alou's comments make me mad, but five years after the fact, what are you going to do??

-A little excitement was generated when the Nats started 3-0, but have since dropped two one run games in a row. I met Manny Acta last year and will always root for him. I generally don't root for individuals, but in this case, he's the real deal.

-What's up with Detroit? Is the Jared Jinx in play? I predicted the Tigers to win it all this year. So far, not so good-and injuries are starting to pile up.

Other stuff:

-Those of us who are George Mason basketball fans breathed a major sigh of relief when coach Jim Larranaga decided to turn down the Providence job. I got a frantic message from my wife about this development early in the week and i'm so glad he decided to stay. I'll comment more on this on my Final Four post

-I guess Lloyd Mayweather got his big win at Pukeamania when he "knocked out"the Big Show. Perhaps now, the Big Show will be known as "No Show"; I wouldn't show my face on TV if I lost like that.

-This may be something only locals to DC can appreciate, but I think it would be kinda neat for the Capitals to make the playoffs. I know, I don't do the NHL; but considering they fired their coach early on, they have made a remarkable run. Ovechkin really seems to be the real deal.

-Indiana University hired a new basketball coach this week. Hopefully this one can stay off the damn phone.

More coming! Stay tuned!