Hey, you, don’t look so glum.
Sure it’s February, and sure the clouds just keep hovering over you, along with those professors and those schoolbooks you haven’t even opened.
And yes, it’s easy to get stuck in that same ol’ wake up–go to class–watch TV–go to your other class–watch more TV–attempt to do your homework–and go to bed routine.
But, for the sake of sports, smile.
Smile because pitchers and catchers have reported for spring training.
Smile because March Madness is just around the corner, as well as CBS’ Big Dance theme song.
Smile because the Portland Beavers return this season as the Triple-A baseball team of the San Diego Padres.
Smile because the Portland Trail Blazers have the best record in the Western Conference.
Smile because Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant are still bickering.
Smile because of ESPN’s “SportsCenter.”
Smile because Big 5 Sporting Goods in Springfield is offering decent basketball shoes for less than $25.
Smile because of www.sportspages.com, where you can go straight to the sports sections of many of the nation’s top newspapers.
Smile because Mario Lemieux has returned to the NHL out of retirement in mint condition.
Smile because Michael Jordan hasn’t decided to attempt to be a professional golfer thus far in his second retirement.
Smile because the Oklahoma State men’s basketball team is continuing its season with passion and tremendous courage, despite the fatal plane crash that killed 10 people associated with the team less than a month ago.
Smile because “it never rains at Autzen.”
Smile because the two Lukes on the Oregon men’s basketball team are only freshmen.
Smile because Dennis Rodman hasn’t been in the news in forever.
Smile because where there is a VCR, there is a possibility of watching a sports movie.
Smile because Tony Gwynn, 40, is still with the same team that he started his career with back in 1981 and he still hits for over .300, even with bad knees, a sore back and a belly a tad bit too large.
Smile because of Wrigley Field and Fenway Park.
Smile because there have been six different teams in the past three Super Bowls.
Smile because Tiger Woods hasn’t won a PGA Tour event since the Canadian Open on Sept. 10 (although he did capture the “prestigious” Johnnie Walker Classic on Nov. 19 for his only win since).
Smile because there are seats at Seattle’s Safeco Field for only $6.
Smile because you can search the name “Bobby Knight” on Napster, and it will let you listen to an actual audio clip of the red-faced, red-sweatered former Indiana coach just tearing into his players during halftime of some random game.
Smile because of the unpredictability of NCAA basketball, where a 1-10 Clemson team can beat a 11-0 top-ranked North Carolina team.
Smile because at this exact second, some 11-year old child is shooting baskets on some empty court and into a hoop with no net because of the love of the game and not the number on the check.
Smile because of “When The Crowd Goes Wild” and “And The Fans Roared,” two must-have books that let you relive sports’ greatest moments with colorful pictures, vivid written descriptions and an accompanying CD that contains the actual broadcast of that one-of-a-kind moment.
Smile because of buzzer beaters.
Smile because for the next 40 days until baseball’s Opening Day, every single team believes it has a chance to reach the World Series.
Smile because of Oregon Lottery’s Sports Action.
Smile because former Washington Huskies safety Curtis Williams has been released from the hospital for the first time since suffering a devastating spinal cord injury during an Oct. 28 game that left him paralyzed from the neck down.
Smile because baseball great Lou Brock once said, “Show me a guy who’s afraid to look bad, and I’ll show you a guy you can beat every time.”
Smile because you live on the West Coast where late sporting events don’t start at 10 p.m.
Smile because Bill Walton’s ear-splitting voice and analysis have been relatively non-existent thus far on NBA on NBC television broadcasts.
Smile because there is no joy in Mudville.
Smile because Eugene golfer Casey Martin took his case to the Supreme Court and stood up — on his bad right leg no less — for what he believed in.
And yes, even in such heart-aching, tragic moments as NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt’s shocking death during the final lap of the Daytona 500 Sunday, there’s reason to smile.
Smile because Earnhardt went out doing what he loved. (We should all be so lucky.)
Hakuna Matata, folks.