Rando Thoughts - April 12

Random thoughts while wondering why I didn't just play in my 20th Masters.  After all, that was the plan.

-Jordan Spieth is a deserving Master's Champion.  The first wire-to-wire winner since the Carter Administration, Spieth set 36 and 54 hole records on his way to the first of multiple Green Jackets.  Barring a bad back or a bad marriage, he is the next heir to Golf's Throne.  Tiger fell from that title after suffering through both.

-Speaking of Tiger Woods, he has lost control.  A man who seemed to have everything under control for years, hiding his actions and carefully controlling his image.  Now, he just doesn't seem to care.  His lack of self control over the four days in Augusta: the thrown clubs, the angry swats, the face that looks like it just tasted mouse flavored sherbert.  He is still acting like the teenager trying to bend the game to his will.  It worked for a while, but the bottle of control is now empty.

-A wild day in New Orleans leads to James Hinchcliffe in Victory Lane.  Considering he switched places with Simon Pagenaud, the victory is sweet.  He started 16th, and parlayed pit strategy into an upset in a race dominated by Juan Pablo Montoya, who lead 31 of the 47 laps.  Montoya is definitiely the man to beat when the series moved to Long Beach and Alabama over the next two weekends.

-So much for the Tigers seeing the window of opportunity close.  They are 6-0 in their first week of the new season.  Timely hitting, solid pitching and good defense.  If it holds up for 162 games, it should land in the playoffs again.  It is a LONG season.

-Finally, watch out for Notre Dame in College Softball.  They have now won 18 in a row  Easy to ignore when they played in the Big East, but they are playing ACC competition.  Great pitching, solid defense, and timely hitting...wait a minute...didn't I just say this...  They have had a strong program for years, but this may be Deanna Gumpf's best team.

-Umpiring debut is Tuesday.  Lord help us all.

So...am I off base?