-I have always loved the Olympics. As a kid, it meant sports was on ABC every night, instead of just weekends. As someone that predates ESPN, some of the greatest sports memories I have revolve around the Olympics. The Winter Games bring to mind Franz Klammer's incredible run at Innsburck in 1976. The Miracle on Ice in 1980 have made me a lifetime hockey fan. Watching (now Dr.) Eric Heiden and Dan Jansen skate to Gold Medals was a treat. Can't forget the feeling surrounding Salt Lake City games in 2002, not to mention my wife seeing the Olympic Torch in South Bend. I am looking forward to some of the memories that will be created during the fortnight from Sochi.
-Pitchers and catchers are reporting to Major League teams, leading to today's expected announcement from Derek Jeter. For being a Yankee, he has been a class act. A singular heads-up play against the A's, making the relay to home plate to cut down a run and win a series, is the smartest play I have ever witnessed. I hope he stays healthy throughout the season and has a grand farewell tour, like Mariano Rivera did last season.
-Interesting how the free agent market disappeared after the Yankees gave a lot of money to a MLB unproved Tanaka. Erv Santana is still out there, among other good pitchers. A.J. Burnett's agent earned his money, getting him as much money as he did this late in the signing process. Pitchers still have the better of the situation because of the lack of pitching depth. Look for Santana and Ubaldo Jimenez to still land somewhere competitive: still a lot more people can hit it than throw it for strikes.
-I have been disappointed, but not surprised, at the Cubs lack of movement in the offseason. It fits Theo Epstein's M.O., building from within the organization. I am not sold the organization will stand by this for the amount of time it is going to take to build. They have a plan, but will the Ricketts end of the organization stay the course? Will financials overcome winning? Stay tuned. Meanwhile, I'll be watching the Reds closer. I did as a little kid, listening to every game of the Big Red Machine after listening to Wrigley day games.
-Our weather in Northern Indiana has been frightful and frigid. Robby got to start baseball this morning with Open Gym time. He said it felt okay to be playing again. I am looking forward to the season, even though he will be the only Freshman on the roster. Won't see a lot of the field, but will get the opportunity to practice and learn at the high school level before actually having to do it. Hope he hangs in and does it. On a separate note, my daughter turned 13 today, which means we two teenagers in the house. Glad to have received noise canceling headphones for Christmas.
-One final note- Elkhart Christian Academy's boys basketball team is ranked fifth in the state, and is poised for a long run during the state Class A basketball tournament. Remember the name Ryan Kupferschmidt. If he was 6'4", he would be Top End Division I material. He is still D-1 material at his 5'11" height. He is also a better young man than a player, a pretty tall order. He deserves more attention than he's getting.
So...am I off base?
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