Pac-12 Takes the Lead on Student Athlete Compensation Issues

I am impressed with the Pac-12 taking the lead with the letter (see link here) they sent to the SEC, Big12, Big10, and ACC.  As one reader said "who is going to read and interpret this for the SEC schools..."

HUGE series this weekend!

As you well know, college baseball these days really is all about pitching.
The Beavers and the Huskies face off this weekend and here are some observations:

The Huskies starters are:
Friday, Jared Fisher (5-3; 4.32)
Saturday, Tyler Davis (10-1; 1.77)
Sunday, Jeff Brigham (6-2; 3.04)

Saturday's game looks to be huge.  Tyler Davis' only loss came Feb 24 vs. Oregon State when the Beavers got to him in the 4th inning.  He was removed after 4.2 innings (Jake Thompson started for the Beavs)

I think the Beavs could make a game out of Friday night even if they can't pitch Wetzler (if he is suspended), which it sounds like they will....  Fisher seems to be fairly hitable.

Runs totals for the UW Pac-12 games this year:  Fridays:  42 - 37; Saturdays:  60 - 15; Sundays:  52-40

On Stubhub, no tickets remain for Friday's game.  Only two available each Sat & Sun (I was just curious).  Should be rockin' at Goss!

It just doesn't feel quite right

After the NBA's firm and harsh decision to ban Donald Sterling for life, something didn't sit right with me.  I started a blog entry, but instead of publishing, decided to watch and read more.

I came across this:  NBA's slippery slope which comes as close to expressing my feelings as anything I've seen.  I particularly like the quote:

Sterling represents ugly thinking. Freedom of expression, respect for privacy, and property rights represent beautiful ideals. It’s a shame that defending the latter gets confused for promoting the former. It’s a shame that justifiable outrage over intolerant speech morphs into outrageous calls for more intolerance.

LA is "playing like a man possessed!!"

The last time I thought the Blazers had a chance at the championship in 2001, L.A. (the hated Lakers) came back from 16 points down in the 4th quarter to beat us.  Now LA (LaMarcus Aldridge) might just be the key to finally getting back to championship form.

I used to hear radio announcers refer to guys playing OUT-OF-THIER-MINDS on the hardwood as "playing like a man possessed" (in fact, that is how the Demon Deacons of Wake Forest got their name).  Well, Aldridge is doing just that through two games of the 2014 NBA second season.

This is a great story about LA in the USA Today:   LaMarcus Aldridge has taken over...

All I can say is...don't let off the gas, LA!!

This is perseverance!

Video:  Golfer birdies after being stung 20x

NCAA news during Baseball hiatus

Since the Beavs have the week off from Baseball this week and the Blazers are kinda on pre-playoff break, not much going on in sports.

Mark Emmert, president of the National Collusion Against Athletes opened his Twitter account for questions today.  He deserves 100% of these questions.

However, in their defense, the NCAA did at least make it acceptable for athletes to eat:  Athletes meal plans extended...

Made the Highlight Reel! (4/6/14)

The video below is highlights from the Beavers' 2-1 victory over Stanford on Sunday.  I made it on the video!  My seat for Beavers' home games is just behind 3rd base right where the camera looks if there's a play at 3rd.  Well, there was an important play at 3rd.

To see the play, go to about 1:02 in the video.  At about 1:06, you can see me pumping my fist with the umpire signalling (on a very close play) that the Stanford runner is OUT!  (I'm the guy in black coat with black hat in the front row next to the pole).

Go Beavs!!