Last year I was convinced that Tiger Woods would never again dominate professional golf. I was sure he would win a tournament here and there, but no more than others on the tour. It now looks as if he has regained his dominance, winning the Arnold Palmer sponsored event this past weekend, his third already this year - in only five starts! He is again the number one ranked player in the world. He had fallen as low as 58th. And he's dating Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn. Will he blow it all again? It's not easy to change.
The Yankees, reeling from injuries to aging stars, have made a move that smacks of their pre-revival years. They have acquired 34-year-old outfielder Vernon Wells, who is owed millions on the long-term contract he signed years ago, before his skills began to fade. He hit .218 and .230 the past two years, and his on-base-percentage was an atrocious .248 and .279. .350 is a decent number in the latter category, .400 the standard. Does this mark the Skanks' descent to mediocrity, or will Wells do what so many who have donned the pinstripes have done, rebound to good numbers? As a Yankees hater and fatalist, my hunch is it will be the latter. Their pitching is still top notch. The San Francisco Giants have won two World Series recently without much offense. There's no reason the Yankees can't, although their defense has also been terrible this Spring.
Is coaching at the Division I level in the NCAA a tough gig? The University of Minnesota fired Tubby Smith today after six seasons and a 124-81 record. Overall, in 22 seasons, his teams have gone 511-226, a winning percentage near 70%. His teams have gone to the big dance 17 times, posting a record of 30-16. His 1998 squad at Kentucky won the national championship. As the cliche goes: "What have you done for me lately?"
Let's have a show of hands - who had Florida Gulf Coast University advancing to the Sweet 16? I wonder if any of the school's own students picked them to win one game, let alone two. Despite the number of fake student-athletes involved, March Madness is still great Americana.
RIP Ray Williams, 58, former Knick guard during a lean period, who succumbed to cancer. He had a world of talent but played as sloppily as he lived life, although it sometimes seemed his teammates just couldn't keep up with the speed at which he was capable of playing.
The floating book shop fell victim to the weather today, which spurred me to the dreaded chore of car inspection. There were no problems, unlike last year's massive hit. I have only two major chores left - the dentist and a new pair of reading glasses. If I get off lucky with the first, I'll take care of the second on the next rainy day. If the forecast is correct, the weather should be decent the rest of the week.
Vic's Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
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