Mar 16 2009
Venezuela Advances; Mickelson Wins
A variety of topics tonight, starting with the World Baseball Classic. There are currently seven teams left in the tournament. In one group–based in Miami, Venezuela advanced to the final round Monday by blanking Puerto Rico, 2-0. Venezuela will play in one semifinal Saturday in Los Angeles. Puerto Rico will play the U.S. tomorrow for the second transfer spot from the group. Puerto Rico crushed the U.S. two days ago, 11-1.
In the second group–based in San Diego, Japan defeated Cuba and South Korea beat Mexico Sunday. Cuba is leading Mexico, 7-2, in the sixth inning tonight. The loser of tonight’s game will be eliminated. Japan and South Korea battle each other tomorrow for a berth in the semifinal. Tomorrow’s loser faces tonight’s winner Wednesday to complete the semifinal pairings.
Connecticut is the overwhelming favorite to win the women’s NCAA Tournament. It’s hard to get interested in the tournament because Connecticut is a dominant team this year. Connecticut is the top seed in the East Region. Officially, the region is called the Trenton Region because the second weekend of games will be played in Trenton, New Jersey. That’s east to me.
Duke is the top seed in the West Region and would face Connecticut in the semifinals. I’ll pick second-seeded Stanford to win the West though. Maryland (South) and Oklahoma (Midwest) are the other two top seeds. First-round games will be held Saturday and Sunday. The championship will be Apr. 7.
Phil Mickleson won his third PGA tournament of 2009 Sunday. He defeated Nick Watney by one stroke to take the World Golf Championship event at Doral Country Club in Miami. Tiger Woods finished tied for ninth.
Mickleson closed to within a half-point of Woods in this week’s official golf rankings. I’m still looking at the Masters next month to see if Woods has recovered from knee surgery.
Jay Cutler and Julius Peppers are demanding to be traded. Cutler doesn’t like his new coach, Josh McDaniels. Peppers doesn’t like the 4-3 defense and wants to be a 3-4 alignment.
Yes, organizations are ostensibly in charge. However, people don’t pay to watch coaches or general managers work. Fans want to see players. So do what’s required to placate the best players or trade them. Coaches are a dime-a-dozen. Top-notch players are hard to find.
