BUY OR SELL?

We have entered the second week of the 2009 baseball season and thus far it’s been an interesting one. I ask you Bri-Guy Sports (I'm buying this Blahg, and you should too)readers this… Is there parody in baseball(buying parody. Its early but I dont expect any team to win their division by more than 7 games)? I know what you are all thinking?
“Brian, it’s the second week of the season. RELAX!”
Oh, I’m relaxed, but as a big sports fan, and especially of baseball, it’s exciting to see certain teams get off to solid starts when a lot of experts had written them off. No one doubts the Marlins(since every 6 years they win a World Series) but they are showing once again that money doesn’t buy championships; talent, chemistry, and hard nosed baseball does. I'm buying the Marlins. They are 5-1 and loaded with young studs, and if not this year, next year should be a legit threat to do some damage. The only problem with the Marlins is being able to sign and keep these guys after they become All-Stars in the league. Again, I know its early, but congrats to the Padres, Pirates, Mariners, and Blue Jays for getting off to good starts(selling each team, its early as I expect them all to come back down to earth come mid May). It’s a long season and I only expect the Marlins to be fighting for the playoffs come September.

CONGRATS...
Congrats to the University of North Carolina Men’s Basketball team(buying, I picked them to win it all back in November... if you dont believe me, just ask my roommate) for absolutely destroying anyone in site during the tournament. A few college basketball experts doubted UNCs defense during the regular season, but they turned it on during the “dance,” not to mention having offensive weapons at each position. Those who truly enjoy college basketball can soon get excited for next year. For some teams, well, their seniors are leaving and their time is done, for others, such as sophomore Blake Griffin(I'm buying Blake Griffin as I expect him to jump right in and help whatever NBA team lands on him), the next step is taking your game to the NBA, and more than likely the number one pick and big money. A lot of teams should have or could have key players returning along with top recruiting classes. Expect Kansas(buying the Jayhawks to go to at least the elite 8 if they land one these top recruits) to be preseason number one with Cole Aldridge, Sherron Collins and with top recruits Xavier Henry or John Wall considering offers. UNC has a top 5 class coming in next year (i'm buying that UNC wins another title within the next 4 years) also with the slight possibility of Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington returning for their senior seasons.

UNEMPLOYMENT... (selling unemployment, its exciting for about a week, then you really wonder if your ever going to work again?)
In recent weeks I’ve had sometime to catch up on my TV watching. Sure being unemployed helps, as it gives me time all day to apply for jobs, send emails, gather my thoughts, and just use TV as an escape from reality. This is how my day plays out:
9:56am - just in time for The Price is Right
9:57am - brushing my teeth and using the restroom
10:05am – usually go grab some kind of combination of banana/apple/grapes/pineapple for breakfast (I'm buying this breakfast... Its delicious, refreshing and healthy)
10:08 – 10:59 consist of extreme well thought out bids and guessing as I play along and hope someday to visit San Diego and appear on the show. I could bore you with the rest of my afternoon, but let’s face it, it’s not that exciting. Then 4:00pm rolls around its time for “Around the Horn” on ESPN. Buy or Sell? I am selling this show. It’s hosted by Tony Reali, as he asked the panel of sports writers from across the country the various sports topics that surround the sporting world and gives out points based on their answers, as well as take them away. It reminds me of when my friends and I sit around and debate sports issues/stories without anyone giving out points… well, I take that back, our friend Bob will give out points for quick witted or well thought out facts/opinions. Around the Horn are just a punch of sports guys that state the obvious as this tedious show has 4 guys debating, and more than often a few of them share the same thoughts. It makes the show predictable and boring. I’m all up for debating sports/athletes as its one of my favorite things to do, but with four guys sitting around with egos, trying to be funny while they share the same opinions for TV ratings makes the show tiresome as I normally change the channel and wait for PTI.

Congrats to the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks for making the playoffs. It’s the first time they both have made the playoffs since 1992. Can the Bulls win at least 1 game? Can the Blackhawks keep the exciting season alive? I'm selling the Chicago Bulls. The trade to bring John Salmons to the Bulls as another legit scoring option, Derrick Rose proving his the real deal, Ben Gordon continues to prove he can score with almost anyone will have a tough match-up against either the Orlando Magic or the Boston Celtics. The inside presence of Dwight Howard or the veteran leadership of the Celtics will be too much for the Bulls. As for the Blackhawks... buying! I know, I dont know anything about Hockey or the Hawks, but this town, these fans came back to life as they will propel the Hawks into round #2 as the story book season continues.

Bulls out in 5
Blackhawks advance

The Masters...I'm buying. If anyone saw the intensity in the eyes of Tiger, Phil, Kenny Perry, Angel Cabrera, and Chad Campbell in the last round, doesnt appreciate sports and golf. Its the last round of the Masters and for awhile, all had some kind of chance, even if it was only slim to walk away with the green jacket. CBS definitely made a goof when they seemed to show Tiger and Phil more than Perry, Cabrera, and Campbell, but you know what... ABC does it all the time with showing Lakers, Cavs, Spurs, Celtics and Suns games all the time. Primetime teams, with primetime players. Does anyone really want to watch the Sacramento Kings against the Charlotte Bobcats? Unfortunately no. Well unfortunately CBS took the approach of showing Tiger and Phil as if they were the leaders during the Master, not the others. Regardless of who had more TV time, I am buying the Masters. Every drive, chip and putt was delivered with raw emotion as the crowd is a part of every stroke. Which is the best part of the Masters when watching it from home... Is the fan that yells... "GET IN THE HOLE..." Which I find myself yelling, as I bet some of you do as well!