So there’s caricatures of Shaquille O’Neal everywhere, a battle between Jason Fife and Kellen Clemens for Oregon’s starting quarterback, and Mel Kiper Jr. and his hair have become accepted as an American icon.
Well, at least for the time being.
All of these things mean one thing: It’s April, the most entertaining month of the year in American sports.
First off, the National Hockey League playoffs start tonight. The most intense two months of the season is arguably the strongest playoff system in all of sports. When the No. 8 seed Vancouver Canucks are actually favored by some to defeat the Detroit Red Wings in the first round, there’s definitely something right.
And the playoff MVP should already go to Saku Koivu. What he did, to come back after defeating a cancer that kills 50 percent of the people it infects within five years, is unfathomable. Just his ability to step on the ice and play competitive hockey is an inspiration.
By the way, the Colorado Avalanche defeat Boston in five games. Just a guess…
So who’s the Oregon QB? That question marks the start of the second most popular sport in the state of Oregon.
Spring football rivals basketball as one of the most watched sports, just behind fall football. With a No. 2 ranking in tow, the Ducks are getting more attention than ever before. Add the possibility of Joey Harrington, Rashad Bauman and Co. becoming personalities in this weekend’s draft, and Oregon football has finally gotten on the map.
Speaking of the draft, isn’t Mel Kiper Jr. one of the most overrated personalities on television today? If it wasn’t for his signature haircut, he wouldn’t even be recognizable.
I know he’s been doing his draft stuff since before most of us were born, but more often than not, his predictions go for naught. Besides, unless you’re an executive from one of the NFL squads, predicting the draft is purely hearsay anyway.
On the other end of the spectrum, the most entertaining personality, on radio or television, has got be Dan Patrick. The “Dan Patrick Show,” syndicated on ESPN radio nationwide (KSCR radio in Eugene), is a quasi-serious three-hour look every weekday into the sporting world.
Coupled with former Cincinnati Red Rob Dibble, the two have got great chemistry and bolster a strong ESPN radio lineup.
And Patrick’s not that bad on his other gig, “SportsCenter,” either…
The NBA playoffs also start within the next week or so, and sorry to say, but the bad-boy Blazers probably don’t stand a chance, especially with Damon Stoudamire creating his own headlines these days regarding illegal drugs.
Damon, note to self: “Just say no”…
Through four games at Olympic Stadium, the Montreal Expos have averaged 12,150 fans per game. Take away the 34,351 in attendance on Opening Day, and the Expos average 4,749.
The Pacific Coast League’s Portland Beavers, through four home dates — including a doubleheader on Sunday — have averaged 5,948 patrons per game. Now, is there any reason to believe that Portland won’t be able to support a major league squad?
Instead of focusing on Washington D.C., where it seems Baltimore owner Peter Angelos will fight to the death to keep a team from moving to the nation’s capital, Major League Baseball should look out west. Besides, D.C. has already had its chances at a team, and failed — twice…
Track Town, U.S.A., is in full-swing, but the weather has tried to rain on Oregon’s parade. Rain is not surprising, but snow in March? This is spring, for crying out loud.
Whether the weather lets up or not, both the men’s and women’s track versions are looking like potential contenders to impress at the NCAA Championships in Baton Rouge, La. The women should improve from their 60th place finish last year, and the men will have a hard time improving from ninth. But that doesn’t mean they won’t try…
Finally, as if you didn’t need any other reasons to be happy it’s April, remember, there’s no XFL this year.
That brings a smile to my face.