Nick & Doug

I’m getting some mild enjoyment out of whatever you want to call the Nick Saban fiasco in Miami (Nick Satan, Bene-nick Arnold, and the Crimson Lied are some of the more colorful expressions I’ve read). How can you not enjoy a situation that produces a column headlined, “The anti-Shula bails out as a greasy, dishonorable coward” (Dan Le Batard, Miami Herald)? I think Pat Forde’s column on ESPN pretty much nailed it by describing how predictable it all is. As a Bills fan, the best part of this is fact that Mike Mularkey left the “unstable” Bills organization to join Miami and get screwed over by Saban a year later. I’m not sure if I’d rather have Mularkey as Dolphins head coach or unemployed.

In light of the heat being generated by this story, consider these facts from the NY Post’s Phil Mushnick: Tennessee's football program has produced 20 arrests in the last two seasons. Since 2000, at least five Division I football or basketball recruits have been charged with murder. Where is the outrage over that? These are people recruited with scholarships to attend schools where Mr. and Mrs. Taxpayer are sending their sons and daughters. I guess refer back to Pat Forde’s column explaining what it’s all about.

Pitchers and catchers report in 41 days.

http://www.springtrainingonline.com/features/reporting_dates.htm

Headline in today’s Post: “Yanks, Doug Reach Tentative Deal.” I was really hoping that the Yankees had signed a guy whose last name was “Doug,” but it turns out that “Mientkiewicz” would have taken up the whole headline so they went with the first name, hoping it would be enough of a hook to get you to read the article. Is this guy really worth the 50+ points Giambi is going to lose off his batting average by DHing? I guess the point is to keep Giambi from breaking down playing the field and to upgrade the defense. Overall it’s nice to see the Yanks dump Sheffield, and it looks like getting rid of the Big Unit could actually happen. Pitching is still a problem. I love Andy Pettite, but he’s less durable and older than he was when the Yanks let him go the first time. I’ll never forget how smug Michael Kay was when Pettite got hurt his first year in Houston, explaining how smart the Yankees were to let him go. I can only guess what he is saying now.

It’s utterly weird to contemplate the certainty that I will have a new son or daughter in less than 48 hours. And not knowing the gender feels thrilling, like a roller coaster or looking over a cliff or something. I didn’t really feel that way the first time about not knowing. And to quote the host of “Hot Probs” from the movie “Heathers:” “I need a name.” Was that guy congested, or what?