This and That
Each week I'll give my thoughts on the world of sports:
• Manny Pacquiao sent a message loud and clear to the boxing world. He absolutely dominated Ricky Hatton, sending him to defeat in the second round. It was a big loss for Hatton, his second (the first came against Floyd Mayweather Jr.). Pacquaio showed the win over Oscar De La Hoya was not a fluke. It is so impressive to move to different weight classes and keep winning the way the Phillipine star has; six championships in six different weight classes over the years. He showed a lot with his quickness and attacking style.
• How about a salute to Mine that Bird! Think about it, a 50-1 longshot winning the Kentucky Derby, dominating the Run for the Roses with an easy win by more than six lengths. In this day and age, when big-time owners spend millions to buy prospects for the Kentucky Derby, here is a horse sold for $9,500 at a yearling sale and it rolls. How happy was jockey Calvin Borel after the win? He was so emotional, on cloud nine, and it was special. What a great ride by Borel, taking his horse on the rail and getting clear for a convincing win. Now we will have to see if champion goes for the second leg of the Triple Crown at the Preakness. It is not a lock that the owner and trainer will put him in that race.
• The Bulls and Celtics played a truly amazing series. Boston was able to survive and advance by winning game seven. Yes, we know if Kevin Garnett had played this series would not have gone the distance. Chicago battled and battled and showed outstanding young talent in Derrick Rose, Ben Gordon, Joakim Noah and company. Vinny Del Negro got them to play in the playoffs and they came oh so close. This was one of the best first-round series ever.
• What is going on with Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia? I know people are saying it is early, and he struggled out of the gate last year, but he is 1-3 with an ERA near five. With the kind of cash the New York team laid out for Sabathia, there are certain expectations when he toes the rubber for each game. It is all about the results, my friends, especially when shelling out the big bucks. Yes, he has come on strong in the past, and we will have to see if he keeps up that trend this season.
• Let's talk about the soap opera of A-Rod. It continues to go on and on with this new book coming out by Selena Roberts. Yes, my friends, Alex Rodriguez has created a little buzz. Imagine when he returns to the New York lineup. Much of the controversy will be forgotten if he comes back and puts up big numbers in the new Yankee Stadium. If the Yankees win, the New York people will simply say, come on aboard, A-Rod! Get on the track to the winner's circle! Getting those Ws helps solve all the problems. When you think about some of the statements in the book, you have to shake your head since Roberts is a credible journalist.
• The Tampa Bay Rays sent a message that they will be around the race in the AL East after beating Boston in three of four. Carl Crawford stole six bases as the Rays got past the Red Sox on Sunday. Joe Maddon's team got off to a slow start after making so much noise last season. Toronto has been on fire early, and this division promises to be entertaining all season long.
• Rafael Nadal continues to roll after winning a tournament in Italy. He beat Novak Djokovic in the finals, 7-6, 6-2 as he is unstoppable on clay. Nadal has been better and better on other surfaces, and my buddy Nick Bolletieri told me he is truly a special, special player. Nick also said that Roger Federer needs to regain his confidence, and there is no longer a fear factor when opponents face him.
