I Fail At This Blog

So...a month and no update? I know, I fail at this.

So...what's been happening?

The Lakers totally fell apart, and the Mavs crushed them in a 4 game sweep. Don't know what to say about the Lakers. They blew it.

So now? I'm rooting for anyone but the Heat. Sorry LeBron, just can't get into your court. So, go Bulls and I suppose go Mavs. That could be a fun final. Chicago-Dallas.

Cardinals baseball has been promising despite the loss of Adam Wainwright. However, the recent sweep in Cincy was no bueno. Good news? Cards are only behind one game, and it's a long season still. A lot can happen between now and September.

NFL...well. mediation is scheduled to continue on June 7th. I'm already tired of this. I want to see my man Peyton play this fall. I want football, I miss it already! There is just something about football, I don't know what it is, but I love it.

Got a long way to go, and no telling how these talks will go. Just want an assurance that football will resume in August (pre-season) as planned, is that too much to ask?

Cards Owning It in the West

The Cardinals have suddenly got hot. I'm not sure what exactly happened, but I'm not complaining. Lance Berkman has 6 home runs already this season. And it's...April 17th. Outstanding.

I had the opportunity to go to the game on Friday. Yes, I went into Dodger Stadium wearing my Cardinals gear (not obnoxious about it, just wearing the Cards stuff) and did not get beat up or hounded at all. Of course, the Cards won that game 11-2. Dodger fans didn't really have much ground to give me trouble. Plus, security is AMPED UP. Everywhere I looked there was a security officer.

Glad to see the Cards hitting. We've had excellent pitching for the most part so far, but the offense has been awful. Keep it going boys.

In other news, basketball playoffs have started. And won't end until sometime this summer. No really, basketball won't end until like late June. It's fun to watch but wow, still a lot of games left to play.

Cards May Need a New Closer...

The Cardinals went to San Francisco today to take on the World Champion Giants. Despite the fact that the Cards came back to pull off a lead in the top of the 9th, once again, Ryan Franklin has two outs, men on base and boom! Gives up a hit that ties the game in the 9th. The Cards ended up losing in the 12th.

Manny Ramirez announced his retirement today after testing positive for performance enhancing drugs. Are there any players left in baseball who aren't taking any drugs? Not really surprised by this news, but disappointed nonetheless.

In other news, Peyton Manning and his wife Ashley apparently gave birth to twins. The Manning dynasty could continue through Marshall, baby boy Manning. No one knew the Mannings were expecting, they kept it very private. Good to know that celebs can live a private life in a world where Lindsay Lohan's home is on constant watch.

Congrats to Peyton and Ashley. Now if the NFL can just reach an agreement with the players so the Colts can sign Peyton to a long term contract. That would make me happy.

Sports Madness

The NCAA Championship Game was on Monday, and unfortunately, my Butler Bulldogs did not pull off the win. They had a very tough opponent in UConn, and in the end, UConn was able to break through Butler's defense and once they had a 10 point lead, Butler had no chance.

Both teams played hard, and in the beginning the defense on both teams was very strong. But Butler kept missing shots that they shouldn't. Matt Howard had an awful day, and when he has a bad day that is not good for Butler.

Congratulations to UConn, they played a great game. And congrats to Butler and coach Brad Stevens. They made it to the championship game 2 years in a row. They didn't win, but that's still impressive to get to the final game both years. I think Butler will be a contender for a long time as long as Stevens is still around.

Baseball season has begun and the Cardinals look...well, scary. They had a chance to win the home opener and our closer, Ryan Franklin, gives up a home run with 2 outs in the 9th. *Head desk* It's going to be a long season, I'm afraid.

A lot can happen, there's many more months to go. I'm going to a Cardinals-Dodgers game next week, it may be the only chance I get to see the Cards live this season. Hope they look stronger next week than they have so far. Of course, it would help to get Matt Holliday back in the lineup. Word is, he is not going to be placed on the DL. Hope he heals fast and is back on the field soon.

In Lakers news, they have been on fire since the All Star game. They have already clinched their division, so playoffs are inevitable. Can they three-peat? I think they have a solid chance. Not sure what exactly changed after the All Star game but the Lakers need to keep at it. I'm happy to see them doing well and would love to see them three-peat.

What else...I've sort of lost interest in hockey since the Blues aren't going anywhere. The NFL is still on lockdown and we have the draft coming up. That should be interesting. Not sure what's going to happen here. Teams will make their picks but won't be able to sign them until a deal is done. With this in mind, it'll be interesting to see how teams approach their picks. As it looks right now, a ruling may not happen before the draft.

One thing's for sure, the world of sports is never dull!

NCAA Madness

I have been very lax in updating this. Been quite the busy month, much to catch up on!

So the best thing about March is...the NCAA tournament of course. And this year it definitely delivered when it comes to crazy upsets, underdogs making it and screwing up everyone's brackets.

I had picked Kansas to win in my bracket. I'm not a fan of Kansas, as I'm a Mizzou fan and well, Mizzou fans are anti-Kansas. However, I felt that watching the team the season they seemed like the team to beat.

Well, they got knocked out of the tournament by VCU. Um, yeah. Who predicted that one? I'm okay with it messing up my bracket though because I am so happy to see the teams that made it to the final 4 duke it out.

My favorite? Butler. Coach Brad Stevens went to my alma mater, DePauw University. So I am thrilled to see his team doing so well. I hope they win the whole thing. I think they have a real shot. If there's one thing this team had proven, it's that they do not give up. At DePauw we have a saying. It goes like this: DePauw never quits. Perhaps that bit of wisdom has been passed from Coach Stevens to his team.

Also in basketball news, Matt Painter turned down the Mizzou job offer and is staying at Purdue. I hope I'm not the only one surprised by this. I just couldn't see him leaving Purdue. So, the search continues for a new coach for Mizzou. Did see some mumblings on stltoday.com's message boards about Brad Stevens. Ha. He's not leaving Butler any time soon, I can guarantee you that!

In other big news, tomorrow is THE day. Opening day, that is. Baseball is finally here and ready to go. I'm nervous about the Cardinals season but am optimistic. The great thing right now is that everyone starts at 0. And there's a long season of baseball. You never know who will step up as a hero or what casualties you might endure. Playing this season without Adam Wainwright is going to be super tough for the redbirds. But, the Cardinals have one of the best pitching coaches with Duncan and Kyle McClellan has looked sharp in spring training as a starter so we'll see how that goes.

Either way, I'm excited for baseball season to begin. It's just one of the best sports there is, and there's nothing like going to a baseball game. I will be watching my Cards take on the Dodgers in a couple weeks as the Cards head to LA early this season. Might be the last time I see Pujols in a Cards uniform (I hope not).

Speaking of Albert, check out this awesome site if you want to keep Albert as a Cardinals: http://www.stlwantspujols.com/. May not make a difference in Albert's ultimate decision, but it can't hurt!

Oh Boy...

I am not particularly fond of TMZ, mainly due to the fact that I believe there are more important things going on in the world than Lindsay Lohan's latest court drama or another one of Charlie Sheen's rants.

However, had to share this because it's just too funny. And yes, it's sports related.

Yes, that would be MVP quarterback Tom Brady, wearing a headband similar to something Kimmy Gibbler wore on the 80's/90's sitcom Full House. Here's the link to the TMZ article.

Tom, dude. Seriously. What is going on? As Hans and Frans would say, "you look like a girly man." It's beyond time to cut the hair. Start looking like a man who goes out and plays tough football and less like a future model actor for a Pantene commercial.

I think Kimmy's facial expression in her picture sums this up nicely. "Really? Really Tom?"

Plaxico...

It's March, and I haven't updated in a bit. It's not due to not following sports, it's just that things have been really busy and I haven't had much time to write down my thoughts.

Apparently, Plaxico Burress will be released from prison on June 6th. I have heard lots of talk about the Rams potentially signing him to help fill their wide receiver void. My response to this is, "are we really that desperate?"

No offense to Plaxico, well wait, yeah, it is. The guy is in prison because he was carrying a gun without a holster in public and it accidentally shot off. Fortunately no one was hurt, except for poor Plaxico who shot himself in the leg/foot. In more ways than one, haha.

I'm sure he's had a chance to keep in shape, Michael Vick certainly came out of prison in prime football playing condition.

But I don't know if I want that kind of drama in Rams park. The NFL is full of divas, Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson and T.O. come to mind. I would hope that if Plaxico returns to the NFL he can remain focused on the game and certainly won't be wandering around with guns in his pocket.

I guess he's worth a look, though I hope the Rams can do without. Draft a good wideout early on and start building for the future.

In Cardinals news, the loss of Wainwright hurts but spring training continues and the Cardinals seem to look okay so far. We shall see how things proceed. Only a month away from opening day! Cannot wait for the regular season to start.

Have more thoughts on everything sports in my world but will have to follow up on those later.