March Madness

The calendar hits mid March, and it signals March break, the Ides of March, spring training in full gear and US College basketball's annual big dance.

If you are lucky, you are in a an office pool for bragging rights, or for a pot of money. If you don't even follow the game, who cares, there are always upsets, and the first 4 days are high octane wall to wall action.

Down in Arizona and Florida, they complain it's not warm enough, pitchers are starting to tire their arms as they stretch them to 4, 5 an 6 innings an outing. The ballplayers get caught up in this NCAA madness themselves, and most clubhouses have their own tournament with tables stakes.

Personally, I now take these first 2 tournament days off, and find the sheer weight of game action beginning with the Thursday tip off just fabulous entertainment. The 2 days off also allows me to get a little caught up on what is transpiring down south.

Of note, everyone is all gaga over Jason Heyward, and predicting monster results form this 20 yr old phenom, including his 68 yr old bench boss , one Bobby Cox. This apparently is Cox's last year as a manager, and it should prove an exciting one, when you are ushering in the next superstar. All apologies to Mr. Strasburg in Washington, Heyward is the real deal. So in the Braves camp this year, they have their own "March Madness" to contend with, as the press follow Jason from field to batting cage like he was a rock star.

An update on some interesting stories,

Jermain Dye - still without a contract

Jarrod Washburn - same as Jermaine

Chin Ming Wang - soft tossing right now

Dustin McGowan - 2 simulated games, no pain, next step is a scheduled minor league test

Brian Roberts - recurrent back problems, off to see a Baltimore specialist

Cliff Lee - decked Chris Snyder, got tossed out of a spring start

Alex Anthopolus - chasing Cubans with bucks !

Ken Griffey - likely his last camp, he says he is treasuring every moment.

Aroldis Chapman - looks great, but will have to see some time in the minors

Ben Sheets - No Outs, 8 hits, 10 runs, 9 earned, 1 walk, no K's - tough day

Prepare for the madness, it is coming...