The Greatst Day on the Sports Calendar

Usually falling on the first Monday in April, we are blessed every year with the greatest day in sports. The beginning of the baseball season and the ending of the college basketball season.

The Orioles game was a sight yesterday. It was great to be in attendance at Opening Day for once, with the pomp and the circumstance, and the fireworks (lots of fireworks). There were player introductions. The loudest ovations coming for B.J. Surhoff, Elrod Hendricks, and Sammy Sosa. The loudes boos and catcalls for Sidney Ponson and Senator Paul Sarbanes, Sarbanes' boos coming before he bounced the cermonial first pitch.

But anytime the Orioles start the year with a 4-0 win, their first Opening Day shutout since Rick Sutcliffe blanked the Indians in Camden Yards' first game, it is a good day.

Then, last night, the Illinois-North Carolina game was everything that every pundit expected. In the end, the best and most talented team won. Nobody can argue that Illinois plays great team basketball, with possibly the greatest trio of guards to occupy the same backcourt in the history of the college game. However, nobody could argue that Carolina had the most talent, played effectively as a team, and deserved the win. A great end to a great season, and I appreciate the fact that for the second time ever my pick to win the tournament actually won.