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Pat Riley was once quoted for saying “I feel like a mosquito in a nudist colony: I know what to do; I just don’t know where to start” -classic Mr. Riley. I feel the same way about sports in the month of April. There’s so much excitement as seasons start and other seasons end; it can be as overwhelming as walking into a casino sports book for the first time.
April starts with Opening Day at major league ballparks across the country. Overall attendance for the MLB was up .3 percent from Opening Day in 2010. The Texas Rangers, the defending AL Champs, have started strong. Two weeks into the season and AL MVP, Josh Hamilton who is cursed with injuries, is already out for six to eight weeks after sustaining a fracture in his upper arm while diving into home plate. Prince Fielder remains the chubbiest vegetarian in baseball, Elvis Andrus is still one of the most exciting young players to watch and Boston might be in for a long season.
Then we had the final four matchups to lead into the NCAA Championship game. Brackets were busted and dogs looked more like puppies, but it’s always fun to see Cinderella’s in the dance.
A few days later, we witnessed a tradition like no other: The Masters! For 75 years the Masters is still one of the most prestigious golf tournaments. Rich in tradition and a course where history lives through the greenery- history was made again in Augusta when the first South African, Charl Schwartzel, won the Masters by two strokes.
The NHL conference quarterfinals are being played over the next two weeks for a best of seven series. The defending Stanley Cup Champs, the Chicago Blackhawks, ar down 0-3 to the Vancouver Canucks. The pressure is on for the Capitals. Washington has the talent, a Russian Spy and a fan base that needs to see their team reach the conference finals and bring home the Stanley Cup in June!
The NBA Playoffs, like the NHL playoffs, are going on at the same time and begin with the sweet 16 and play a best of seven series to see who will cut down the nets and hold up the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher both have played in the NBA for 14 years; both have five championship rings- all with Phil Jackson and the Los Angeles Lakers. It’s hard to bet against what Bryant, Fisher and Jackson are capable of when they’re all on the same team. Chicago and Michael Jordan have already started the Derrick Rose MVP chant, but Rose better sink a three-pointer if he wants to get the Bulls to the Eastern Conference Finals. I’ve put the circus in American Airlines Arena behind me, now it’s time for LeBron, Wade and Bosh to take there talents to the NBA Championship game.
NASCAR and Major League Soccer are also in season. Jimmie Johnson beat Clint Bowyer by 0.002 seconds with a push from teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. to win in Talladega. Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, but it’s not as popular in the States. Over all there was a 4 percent increase in attendance from 2009 to 2010. The MLS season just kicked off so there is hope for fan growth in MLS.
To end April’s shower of sporting events, April 28th is the first round of the NFL draft. Despite the NFL lockout, there will still be a draft and we the fans, have our fingers crossed that there will still be a 2011 season.
And for more entertainment- E:60 returns on Tuesday nights with the best stories in sports! In sports, there’s no off-season and April is the best month to be in the game. It’s easy to be overwhelmed, but just like in any sports book- sit back and enjoy the games.