There are few things in this world that truly live up to the hype. Whitney Houston's voice. Michael Jackson's level of creepiness. Jordan when it mattered. Kershaw when it doesn't.
The first weekend of March Madness. All four days of Augusta National, unless Trevor Immelman is prominently involved.
Eddie Murphy in his comedy prime. Dolly when she sings. Sinatra at the height of his powers.
And Hawaii. It's lived up to the billing gang. (And todays photo from The Mrs. 5-at-10 catalog was part of the early morning whale watching the 5-at-10 clan did. Great times.)
From the middle of the Pacific, we're going to quickly bounce around -it's 8:24 p.m. here, which means it's 2:24 a.m. there. That also means the web-editing folks are quite tickled with the 5-at-10 working on Aloha time.
Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout, right, hits a solo home run as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal watches during the sixth inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 7, 2018, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Worth every penny
Mike Trout got monster money. Monster money.
And if anyone deserves it, he does. He's all-time great, both in the analytical and practical sense.
Consider the following: Is there anyone else in baseball you would pay to watch play when he came to your town than Trout?
I say no. (And the only other answer may be his teammate Shohei Ohtani when he gets back to pitching and hitting.)
Yes, the numbers are huge - especially for a dude who has helped his team to one playoff trip in his MLB time.
Yes, it was ahead of the time frame, as Trout had two years left before hitting the market.
And yes, Ronald Acuna should be smiling from foul pole to foul pole right now. Mookie Betts, too.
Still, cue KGB from Rounders, and "Pay that man his money."
Baseball is here
Wow, that snuck up on us.
Baseball starts today. And it's closer to me than it is to you.
A's-Mariners in Japan today starts the MLB campaign.
Good times.
We will have some baseball preview stuff through the next week or so.
Deal? Deal.
Contest
Man, we are dangerously close to not having a single bracket in a single contest for the first time in more than 30 years. (The first tournament pool I ever won was when Danny and the Mannings carried Kansas over Oklahoma. Had the Jayhawks - a 6 seed that year - winning it all and pocketed almost $300, which seemed like all the money in the world at the time. Not in Hawaii gang. Not in Hawaii.)
In some ways, with this being the first tournament without Pop around, that would be somewhat fitting.
Pop loved college basketball and he loved, Loved, LOVED March Madness. Brackets by the recliner. Highlighter and Sharpie at the ready to update each game. A call after every session that either started with "We're still in it" or "Well, that's it, (Fill-in-the-blank) has screwed us."
Good times.
How much did Pop love college hoops? He was late for his weeding 50 years and five days ago because Davidson and UNC went into overtime. Yep, that was the foundation of my family unit friends.
Explains a lot huh?
We have about 40 entries. We still have time if you want to play the "First 1 out, Last one standing" challenge. Give me the 1 seed you think will be bounced first and the double-digit seed you believe will dance the longest. And yes, game time matters, as in if all 1s get to the Final Four, the loser of the first semifinal is the first 1 out.
Get it and win some stuff. Heck, we'll bring someone some Hawaiian-type trinket as well.
This and That
- Robert Kraft has been offered a deal from Florida prosecutors.
- Found a lot of interesting details in this story about the powers that be that brought us Forrestt Gump discussing why they tossed the sequel, which was finished on Sept. 10, 2001. Seriously.
- Bill Belichick was in T-Town for Alabama's pro day, and if you missed the interweb photo of Bill, Nick and one Lyle (Butch) Jones on Tuesday, well, the only thought I had was Butch asking, "Coach Belichick, I know Coach Saban takes two sugars and almond milk. How would you like your coffee?"
Today's questions
Which way Wednesday as the wind blows perfectly across the palms.
Which way will Robert Kraft go - deal or trial?
Which way would you answer this: Considering that YahooSports! is offering $1 million for the best bracket entered in its contest, what sporting endeavor would you feel most comfortable trying with $1 million on the line?
Which way after a Tuesday conversation around these parts between Steve and Chas: Which finish does UT need to have for this year to be considered a success for the Vols all things considered? Through the first weekend, into the Elite Eight, or a Final Four trip?
On this day, Spike Lee is 61. Yes, I thought he was older too.
Spike has some fine feature films, including the Oscar-nominated "BlackKklansman." For the most part his view is not my cup of tea because he tends to assume racism in everything, including the conclusion of "Hoosiers." Seriously.
That said, Spike has to be on the Rushmore of Hollywood celebrity sports fans with his love for the Knicks. Who else is there? And if you have a mailbag question, fire away.
(And remember the contest friends.)