I'D BE REALLY TICKED by ST

As we hit the Spring Game tomorrow and from my chair, shelve college football until late Summer I have a confession. As a fan I'm really pissed at Jeremiah Masoli. I've read all the pre season polls which have the Ducks ranked really high. Sweet. What does it mean? Just a year ago we saw the USC juggernaut slip with an inexperienced, albeit talented quarterback running the show. If Masoli wasn't a thief and a punk who had to be booted for 2010 this team is a national title contender and the clear favorite in the Pac 10. The whole O-line is back along with just about all their skill aside from Ed Dickson. First time starters can succeed. We saw it in 2008 with Masoli. But win a major conference? Win a national championship? I know at the collegiate level guys are kind of limited as to what they can say publicly or risk getting hammered by their head coach. If I were an Oregon player, I'd be seething at what this guy might have cost us. Oddly a first time starter won the title with Greg McElroy at Bama but he had the Heisman running back and the best defense in America.
Otherwise it was Colt McCoy a senior at Texas, a 2nd yr starter in Terrell Pryor, the Boise State stud Kellen Moore, Andy Dalton was a 3rd year starter at TCU, Tim Tebow, just do the math. National Championship opportunities at a place like Oregon were once an impossible dream. 9 years ago it was lost to Stanford and the idiot BCS system. In 2007 it was Dennis Dixon's knee. In 2010 it was easily avoidable and inexcusable! Remember, if you're attending the game, pack those canned goods for Food for Lane County. Kick off time is 2pm, Justin, Ryan and I will bring you the pre-game on KUGN beginning at 1pm. Enjoy the weekend.

WHOSE KIDDING WHO? by ST

Just read a piece online that says the Yankees are NOT the most hated team in baseball. Yeah, right! Using some ridiculous formula the Nielsen Company has determined it's the Cleveland Indians. Really? Are you kidding me? As a Yankees fan I'm almost insulted. Next you're gonna tell me the most hated team in the NFL is the Carolina Panthers. I was pleased to see the Red Sox were the 2nd most hated. I can't imagine they don't deserve the top spot. Their fans have become the most obnoxious, band wagon filling bunch of clowns I've seen since the glory days of the 49ers.
Heard Luke Ridnaur singing the praises of our new head basketball coach on Doug Gottlieb's national radio show on ESPN this afternoon. Rid claimed he's pumped about the hire, despite it's delay and has heard nothing but good about Dana Altman. We have our first chat with the new hoops boss at 4:25 on today's show. Looking forward to his Sportstalk debut.
I still have a couple of pair of tickets to this weekend's series at PK Park with Washington State. E-mail the correct answer to the following to me at stevetannen@live.com to get in the drawing.
We're well aware that Coach Altman arrived in Eugene via Creighton. Well name the Baseball Hall of Famer who was a 2 sport high school star in Nebraska and actually earned a basketball scholarship to Creighton. Be careful you don't dig in too far with your answer or he might plunk you.

BASEBALL FOR ALL by ST

We're having a guest on during the 5 o'clock hour. His name is Mark Armour. He's recently authored a book called "Joe Cronin-A Life in Baseball". Cronin is an incredibly interesting subject. Hall of Fame player and manager for the Red Sox during some truly glorious years with Ted Williams, our own local star Bobby Doerr, Jimmie Foxx & Dom Dimaggio. Also served as president of the American League from 1959 through 1973. Armour is appearing this evening from 6-7pm at the Barnes & Noble across from Valley River in Eugene.
How about them Duck baseballers? Really took it to Oregon State last night at the big PK. This is not the high caliber OSU team we've grown accustomed to the past half decade. Their offense has become somewhat anemic. Managed pretty much nothing against the Oregon front liners Joey Housey and Madison Boer. Just 1 earned and 5 hits through 7 innings. By the time they broke through late it was academic. The Beavs are dead last in the Pac 10 in batting average, total bases and hits. The pitching and defense are pretty strong, but the lumber will likely cost them a shot at the post season.
Oregon is again home this weekend for Washington State. I have 2 pair of tickets for each game. You want in? E-mail me the correct answer to the following. I mentioned Joe Cronin of the Bosox. His number hangs on the wall at Fenway Park, retired. What is it? E-mail to stevetannen@live.com

NUMBERS GAME by ST

Lot of talk about the recent NFL draft in prime time drawing big ratings and more viewers than the NBA playoffs. For openers, relax. It's the 1st round of the playoffs! Plus the NFL rules sports in this country. The 1st round of the draft was terrific and in this day of the major impact of the salary cap, the draft is critical so fans of all teams understand what happened Thursday through Saturday means something for the 2010 season. Plus duh!!! Having the event in prime time as opposed to a Saturday or Sunday morning will naturally draw more viewers. I think too much is being made of this.
You'll hear a lot being made about the Phillies giving first baseman Ryan Howard a monster deal to the tune of 126 million dollars. Sure it's fantasy land money and history says a large, lumbering, limited dimensional player like Howard will experience a serious decline in his numbers as he's already passed his 30th birthday. The guy is a strikeout machine, tolerable on defense at best, and tipping the scales at 260, not the second coming of Ricky Henderson on the basepaths. AND??? He kills the ball and is a perfect fit for this lineup. Posted video game numbers in 2006 with 58 bombs driving in 149. The past 3 years he's been a model of consistent productivity with 47, 48 & 45 homers, 136, 146 and 141 rbi's. If another team, a weak team, threw that kind of dough at him I'd call it stupid, but for this lineup over the next 3 years, he's perfect. They have Jimmy Rollins, a recent MVP, Chase Utley, one of baseball's best, Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth, Carlos Ruiz and a few others are all in their prime. Philly is the team to beat in the NL. If I'm a fan of this franchise I could care less about the bucks, I'm kicking back and enjoy the ride. They made the playoffs in 2007 after a 13 year absence, won the Series in 2008, made the World Series last year and will be in the mix barring a rash of injuries into the next few years. Don't forget, they also locked up Roy Halladay to front the rotation for the next 3 seasons as well. On a technicality it's not the most brilliant baseball sign, but shows a sweet commitment to their fans and that's all I care about. We're setting up shop at PK Park today for Ducks/Beavs. Should be sweet. Thoughts?

WELCOMING LOGIC AND REASON by ST

No question the process itself was a cluster(fill in the blank). At the end of the day I think Oregon landed a heck of a coach. Perhaps he's the ying to Ernie Kent's yang. No one was a better salesman or ambassador for Oregon basketball. No one even remotely approached his accomplishments at his Alma Mater. The knock was actual in game x's & o's. I think that was debateable but no question Dana Altman has a rep for coaching the heck out of his guys during the 40 minutes of game time. If we had access to a real life rewind button and the day after Coach Kent was dismissed we saw Coach Altman on a short list of candidates, the knowledgable college hoop fans would have been okay with that. Unfortunately we had the fantasy land merry go round with ridiculous names like Izzo or Donovan skewing peoples view of reality regarding this program. From my chair, Creighton plays in the best mid major conference, the Missouri Valley. Top to bottom it smokes the West Coast Conference(Gonzaga), and the Horizon(Butler). I think it's a solid hire and look forward to watching D.A do his thing.
I attended my first UO baseball game as a fan with my wife on Saturday, the O.T loss to USC. Each time I've been to a game at PK it's been on press row so I got a true taste of the experience. The seats are awesome, great view of the game from every reserved chair. The prices are off the charts nuts. Are you kidding me? At least when you get soaked at a pro venue like Safeco or Yankee Stadium you understand there are multi million dollar salaries to pay. My concern is for the guy in the street struggling to pay the bills unable to afford a day at the yard with his kids to watch their beloved Ducks. Finally, if I'm nuts enough to fork over $6 for a beer, I should be able to enjoy it at my seat. Truth be told, I was a bit put off by certain aspects of the whole thing. I'm spoiled, I can go to every game for free, drink coffee, stay warm and watch baseball. My concern is outpricing the fans, the heart and soul of Duck athletics.

MIND AT EASE by ST

Just read that the NCAA has added 2 MORE bowl games pushing the total to 35 for at least the next 4 years. Whew! Good thing. I was worried because we desperately need more ways to get 6 & 6 teams into the post season. Personally I just cant' get enough of the New Orleans, Poulan Weed Eater, Goodyear, St. Petersburg, Midas or Bell Helicopter bowls. I won't rest until we have the Cereal and Cheech & Chong Bowls in the mix. Seriously, we now have the Pinstripe Bowl to be played at Yankee Stadium pitting the #3 team from the Big East versus the Big 12 #6. Throw in the Dallas Football Classic at the Cotton Bowl. Who could possibly not be riveted by a matchup of the 6th place team from the Big 10 and 7th place team from the Big 12?
Had a ball doing yesterday's show from the new Doc's Pad downtown, talking NFL draft with Justin and all of you. Anyone think it was odd Denver picked Tim Tebow so high? Obviously if you're talking character, he's already a Hall of Famer, but I can't imagine he wasn't going to be available with their next selection, the 13th pick of the 2nd round, a mere 20 picks after they chose wide out Demaryius Thomas from Georgia Tech. I know we have our share of Seahawk fans and from my chair, they hit a couple of homers with both of their 1st round picks. The rebuilding of their faulty offensive line takes a huge step forward with Russel Okung of Oklahoma State at six, then an elite safety with Earl Thomas of Texas.
Today we'll talk more draft along with lot's of NFL & NBA playoffs(PLAYOFFS?) plus MLB and our usual digressions. Enjoy the weekend.

BEAT WRITER'S NIGHTMARE by ST

I was reading Rob Mosely's piece on Oregon football in today's Guard. The title alluded to the Duck QB situation remaining up in the air. On this show I get enough calls from folks who actually expect a decision as to who will be the quarterback...IN SEPTEMBER. It's April? I feel for Rob, because he must get these unanswerable questions 10-fold. Does anyone pay attention to anything that's ever happened, and I mean ever. Think about this. A year ago, Oregon was off the Holiday Bowl victory led by Jeremiah Masoli. There was really no question as to who would be QB when the season started, yet Chip Kelly remained adamant all positions fell under the "open competition" category. So with Masoli getting bounced for being a thief and 2 basically unproven guys vying during the spring, you really think a rock solid choice is coming now?
We're doing the show live today at Doc's Pad at it's brand new location at 7th & Willamette Street in downtown Eugene. I'll be joined by Justin Meyers. We will be talking lot's of NFL draft with the event debuting in prime time on the East Coast and 4:30 in our world. Should be fun. Hope to see you there.
I read yesterday that Mark Cuban, the Dallas Maverick owner, came out and said he "hates" the Spurs. Really? I've always like Cuban but now will be riding the San Antonio band wagon. How can anyone hate the Spurs? They're probably the most well run, solid character organization we have in North American sports. Cuban's Mavs aspire to be the Spurs. Dallas constantly underachieves and chokes in the playoffs while San Antonio has piled up 4 NBA titles the past 11 seasons. Can't believe Cuban would be that desperate for attention. Pathetic. Go Spurs!