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This and that
Dick VitaleSPECIAL TO ESPN.COM
Alex Rodriguez will be back in the pinstripes and he will more than likely finish his career in the Bronx. Fans of the Bronx Bombers should be happy with this news, even with his decision to opt out of his contract and try the free agent market. It seems like agent Scott Boras overplayed his hand a bit, but the bottom line is A. Rod. will be happy in New York, he will be paid very well and perhaps he can get that elusive World Series ring. As I have said before, I did not like the way Boras handled this, with the announcement stealing some of the World Series thunder. It was a tough week for Boras, who did not look good in the A-Rod. situation and then another client, pitcher Kenny Rogers, gave him the ziggy.
When Joe Torre left the Bronx, it appeared that Jorge Posada could be going to the Mets. There was the possibility of Mariano Rivera leaving too. Of course A- Rod. opted out of his deal. When it is all said and done, it looks like Joe Girardi will have all three in Yankee pinstripes. That means the Yankees will be back in the hunt for a division title and ultimately the big prize, the world championship. That is the standard the team is measured by.
It is sad to think about Barry Bonds. His indictment was a sad day for baseball and for his people. Unbelievable to think of a career of that stature, who prior to all the home runs was a lock Hall of Famer, would fall to greed. This was his downfall, embarrassing and humiliating.
Tom Brady and Randy Moss continue to put on clinics. The NFL has to wonder how any team can beat the Patriots at this point. Bill Belichick's squad blew out Buffalo and did it in impressive fashion.
Don't tell me that Memphis beating Connecticut at Madison Square Garden wasn't special for coach John Calipari. Getting a "W" over Hall of Fame coach Jim Calhoun meant a lot, whether the game was in mid-November or early April. My friends, these are two very competitive coaches who were rivals when Calipari was at Massachusetts. John downplayed the significance when we spoke just before the game, but I am not buying it at all. I was so impressed with the quickness of Derrick Rose; he is so special to see in person. Chris Douglas-Roberts, called CDR by some, is a guy who will make opponents need CPR this season. Calipari's team has been in the Elite Eight two straight seasons and the goal is clear this time around … Final Four and cutting down the nets in San Antonio. As for Connecticut, this is still a young team that is learning. It is great to see AJ Price is healthy and playing well. The Big East is loaded this season, and the Huskies will make some noise too.You also saw the importance of Joey Dorsey as Memphis struggled a bit defensively when he took a seat on the pine with two fouls. Calipari's kids were resilient.
With injuries to guys like Michael Hart of Michigan and Dennis Dixon of Oregon, and Boston College's struggles hurting Matt Ryan's chances, the Heisman comes down to Florida's Tim Tebow. He became the first quarterback in NCAA history to have at least 20 rushing touchdowns and 20 passing scores in the same season. It is an amazing achievement for this young leader, who is also outstanding in the classroom as well. He is the leading candidate in my book.
It is such a thrill to have been involved with the induction ceremonies at the brand now College Basketball Hall of Fame. It is an honor to be one of the founding fathers of the facility, as it is a truly special place. Jim Haney and the people involved in making that happen should be really, really proud.
I know this may surprise some people, but I often wonder if college basketball wouldn't be better off starting after Thanksgiving? There are a lot of good games that get lost in the shuffle early in the season, with college football still going strong. I love college basketball, so don't get me wrong.
Ohio State and Michigan are a special rivalry in football, but there is no better match-up in college athletics than the Dukies and Tar Heels doing battle on the hardwood. I don't care what anyone says, the rivalry separated by just eight miles, usually with major implications in the ACC, is numero uno, baby!
Jim Tressel deserves a salute for dominating the series against Michigan. Ohio State will go out to the Rose Bowl. After losing so much talent to the NFL draft, the Buckeyes came back and dominated the Big Ten, only losing to Illinois. Lloyd Carr is retiring and he should be given credit for all the positives during his outstanding career as a head coach.
It was sad to learn that Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon will miss the rest of the season with a torn knee ligament. There so much excitement in Duck Country and the loss to Arizona had to be a disappointment. That was such a tough break for coach Bellotti and his team. Mike Stoops helped his brother, but then Oklahoma fell to Texas Tech Saturday night.
What a dream season for Hawaii football. June Jones' team won another nailbiter over Nevada last week. Colt Brennan was on the sideline but Hawaii found a way to get to the winner's circle. Next up is a challenge for the WAC title against Boise State.
Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in December 1979. Send him a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.
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