ARIZONA winning the national championship in college basketball with nine losses confirms something we've been saying for awhile: Parity prevails in the upper crust of Division I hoops these days -- any of the top 30 or so teams is capable of winning it all. The most important thing is peaking at the right time -- conference and NCAA tournament time. ’Cats o’ nine losses
prove parity prevailsThe Wildcats of Arizona and Kentucky clawed and scratched each other back and forth Monday night, but in overtime Arizona seemed just a bit looser and fresher. Kentucky appeared tight and tired . . .
March Madness has now given way to April Anarchy, as Gary Sheffield signed a $61 million contract with the Florida Marlins. That's $60,999,900 more than we paid for our entire fantasy team Sunday morning, and we got Griffey, Bonds, Ripken, Nomo and Maddux.
Too bad we've also got Marv Throneberry at first and Bill Lee as a fourth starter. I vaguely remember also signing up Willie Mays Hayes in a late round. Bad things happen at fantasy baseball drafts when you run out of buying power and your caffeine buzz goes away at the same time
. . .
As for the real thing, we'll pick the Blue Jays, Indians, Mariners and Orioles in the American League (the defending World Series champion Yankees are old, their bullpen is severely weakened and they'll remember that they're supposed to squabble and underachieve) and the Marlins, Braves, Astros and Padres in the National to make the playoffs. Braves over the Orioles in the World Series, as pitching once again masters a loaded lineup . . .
Hey, are there any other "progressive traditionalists" out there (the baseball fan equivalent of "moderates")? Let's cut a deal with the so-called "purists": If they'll stop whining about interleague play, we'll support killing the DH and artificial turf. Ahh, the best of both worlds . . .
AS a fantasy baseball team owner, it would be hypocritical for me to chastise people for doing silly things with their own time and money (the exception of course being if they owe me a few bucks).
That's why last year when I heard how much it would cost to register for the Great Trans Ko'olau Trek I just shook my head and mumbled, "Why would anyone want to pay $39 to run in a race?"
Then I briefly smirked at this ridiculous projection by the organizers -- 100,000 participants -- and left it at that.
But now I read there's a bill in the Legislature that could provide state money -- money that is mine and yours -- to help fund this already over-hyped, over-priced nonevent.
Although this measure would provide funds to help other budding sporting events, I hope our lawmakers have the good sense to squash it like a bug. How would they be able to justify spending money on promoting athletic events when the state is in debt and cutting back everywhere else? Let private benefactors sponsor these events.
Sure, there are exceptions -- proven money makers like the Pro Bowl and the Honolulu Marathon -- which the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism should continue to support.
Oh, and starting today, it costs $59 to enter the Trek. For that kind of money, I want a guided tour of the Enterprise from Captain Kirk himself.
It's nearly twice as much as the fee for the Honolulu Marathon.
As Kimo Sutton aptly said yesterday at a Honolulu Quarterback Club meeting, "That H-3 run is highway robbery."
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Dave Reardon is a magazine editor and freelance
writer who has covered Hawaii sports since 1977.
He can be reached via the Star-Bulletin or
by email at reardon@aloha.com.
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