That wimpy deer?!?!

So, it's been a while. And I really do apologize for the delay in getting in a new post. You see, I'm trying to be graduated so I can move out in this world and make some real money, so I've been pretty busy putting up with professors ridiculous expectations these last few weeks. Needless to say, I took a nice little sabbatical from blogging during perhaps my most favorite time of the sports year.

Let's start with the obvious, and then I'll get on to what I really want to talk about. Kansas won the national championship last night. What John Calipari said he wasn't worried about throughout the whole season came back to bite him. I mean, how hard is it to spend some time in practice every day shooting free throws? I understand that some people just can't shoot a good percentage from the line (Shaq) and never will. But come on. Everyone on your team should be able to hit at least 60 to 65%. Then, add in your good free throw shooters, and your team average should be around 70%. Done. No questions asked. It is the most fundamental thing in basketball, and for a coach who makes millions of dollars a year to totally ignore their importance is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. My 3rd grade coach even knew they were important. And he didn't make any money. And I think we could have beat Memphis in a free throw shooting contest.

And another thing from last night. Did anyone else get the vibe that Bill Self gave a goodbye speech at the end of the game? It's been made fairly apparent that his alma mater Oklahoma State will be making him a huge offer ($3 million a season, plus a ridiculous signing bonus). I just get the feeling he is gone, even though I don't understand why he would leave a program like Kansas to go to Oklahoma State. It would be like a coach leaving Louisville to coach at UK, a huge step down (but in all seriousness, it really would be like a demotion). So I also heard that if Self doesn't leave Kansas, that Oklahoma State will make an offer to none other than Billy Clyde Gillispie. Knowing ol' Bill, he would probably take the money and run. And I would laugh. For a long time. And point.

As for Louisville, they had a good season. I don't think any fans should be upset with the way this year turned out, given where the team was in December (may I remind you, they lost to Cincinnati and Seton Hall in January). Granted, this team was always expected from day 1 to make a Final Four run, but when you run into a team like North Carolina, who just has better talent across the board, there is just nothing that a team can do to stop them. Earl declared himself for the draft, which I can't blame him for doing. He's probably a late first round pick. I wish him the best.

Ok. On to baseball. Darnell wanted me to say something about the Cubs. So here it goes. I hate the Cubs. They will never be discussed on this blog, unless they are playing the Reds and I am talking about how much I hate them. So there. Happy?

Opening Day in Cincinnati is a tradition that's been around since 1869. The first Major League Baseball team. I like to think that Opening Day in Cincy is unlike Opening Day anywhere else. There's just something in the air. But this year, Opening Day was a day of remembrance. This was the first time in 62 years that they opened the year without Joe Nuxhall as a member of the organization in some form, whether it was as a pitcher, or broadcaster.

It was sad. Most of us only know Joe as a broadcaster, but in 1944, he became the youngest pitcher ever in baseball, playing in a game when he was only 15. He had a good career, and began broadcasting with the Reds in 1967. He was paired up with Al Michaels for a few years, then Marty Brennaman joined him in the 70s, and stayed with him ever since. The two did every game, every season together for 30 years. They were truly enjoyable to listen to. Sometimes, I would rather listen to a game on the radio than watch it on TV. And, as some older people can attest to, it was a great way to fall asleep at night. Back when the Reds played in the NL West, they would have long road trips on the west coast, and not start games until 10:00 at night.

So, on Opening Day, I turned on my alarm clock radio to 700 WLW, and listened as they told the story of Joe's life, through playing and broadcasting. They played some of his memorable calls and hilarious things he would say on the Banana Phone (call in show Marty and Joe hosted during rain delays). They played some interviews with him where he would be telling stories of his playing days. He just had one of those personalities that made people gravitate toward him, and he was a great story teller. I got goosebumps listening to this. I really did.

And as a final, fitting tribute to Joe, when the Opening Day lineup was announced on the field, all the players came out wearing #41 Joe Nuxhall jerseys. Aaron Harang wore #41 during the game. I thought it was a great way to honor a person that gave so much to the Reds organization. A person, that up until the day he died, did everything he could to help his community and others. A week before he died, he was supposed to play golf with Marty and a group that had won a charity raffle to play a round of golf with Marty and Joe. He had cancer, and was sick and weak from chemotherapy, and insisted on playing this round, saying these guys paid for a round of golf with Marty and Joe, and he was going to give it to them, no matter what. A truly great man, and will be greatly missed by the Reds and everyone in Cincinnati.

Baseball is a funny thing. It brings something special to the people who love it. They have a connection with it; it's unlike any other sport in that way. And the influence it had in the development of this country is truly fascinating, and another topic altogether that I won't get into.

This makes me want to go watch "The Sandlot" and play backyard baseball with my friends.