Out of Exile

With Texas Rangers pitchers and catchers reporting today, I felt it was time to bring this shirt out of exile.  The last time it was worn was October 27, 2011.  Game 6 of the 2011 World Series.  You know, the one where the Rangers were one strike from winning the World Series not once, but twice.  I tried a different shirt for Game 7, but it didn't help, and after the Series I hung this t-shirt up in the closet, right next to my Mavericks shirt, hoping the Mavs shirt would tell the Rangers shirt all about bouncing back from Finals heartbreak to win it all.

And yeah, when I told my wife this story she rolled her eyes and wished something more meaningful would find its way into my thoughts.  But it's strange how sports affects life.  I keep thinking I'm over the World Series.  I mean, I have a great job, great family, great friends, and another child on the way.  Strangers that are really good at baseball shouldn't make my heart sink when I look at a t-shirt 4 months after a loss.  But I'm still not completely over those feelings.  I'm guessing I'll never get over it until the day that they finally get their World Series.

Other than playoff joy, the two biggest thrills in a baseball fan's life are Opening Day and Pitchers and Catchers reporting.  Today is one of those two days, and my little Rangers heart and my Nike Rangers Baseball t-shirt are ready.

Watch This Dirk Nowitzki Shot

Those of us that follow the Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki are accustomed to watching what he can do when he gets on a roll.  That fade-away, high knee shot becomes automatic, and unless the defender is 8 feet tall, there is no way to stop it.  The second half of last night's game was one of those times where you sit back and enjoy watching greatness before your very eyes.  Dirk got on a streak and brought the Mavs back from a 14 point halftime deficit.

The reason I bring this up is because of what happened in the 4th quarter.  Skip ahead to the 2:00 mark of the video below and watch the shot he put up.  It was like he was just showing off.  The ball hits the very top corner of the backboard, almost missing it completely.  The best part is watching the Sixers' bench react.  Pretty much the way you would expect a team to react when you've blown a lead and the other team's best player can't be stopped.

Dirk's not having his best year, but last night shows he's not done.

The Thing I Love The Most About The Kabaddi World Championship??? The Commercials

I have followed sports for my entire life and have come to the realization that the worst time of year has to be the few weeks after the Super Bowl. My reasons are simple;

1. Football is over
2. Baseball Spring Training is a month away
3. College Basketball means nothing until "March Madness"
4. The NBA Playoffs are as long as the NBA season so why watch now?
5. NHL ???? (see number 4)
6. Daytona 500 (renamed the Danica 500) is three weeks away
7. Golf? Please...... unless, of course, Kenny G. wins the Pro-Am at Pebble.... U Da Man Kenny!!!

So I looked to a foreign land and found the sport of "Kabaddi". The best I can figure out, it is a mixture of "Red Rover", "Tag", and the kid's game of seeing who can hold their breath the longest. I am not clear on all the rules, but I figure that we will see Eli Manning compete one day and somehow he will win the Kabaddi Championship......... Enjoy the highlights!