What's Going On?

Spring is in the air and there is baseball to be played. As the A's and Mariners prepare to kick off the season a week early and half a world away who out there is ready to watch them play....live? First pitch should be about 3am PDT. Even MLB Network isn't showing it until a moderately decent hour at 6am. Still too early, I'll have to DVR it and watch it over breakfast. At least there won't be any commercials. I was a huge fan of the Warriors trade for Andrew Bogut from the beginning. Monta was a really good player, but not good enough to be the best player on your team. That being said, if they end up keeping their own top 7 pick, plus the pick they acquired swapping Capt. Jack for Jefferson and they are starting to look pretty good come draft day. If they can get their hands on a top 7 player (deep draft, you're gonna hear that ALOT)and then package their other #1 along with their 2 2nd round picks along with a player or cash and get another quality player. If that happens the Warriors become dangerous. The Oakland Raiders have been pretty quiet in free agency so far, but that was due to the albatross that Al Davis willed to his son Tommy Boy in the will. Reggie McKenzie has been making all the necesary moves to get under the cap far enough to sign a few badly needed free agents. Not top end, or sexy players, but guys that can compete and get the job done. They couldn't be any worse than the crew they had last season anyway. So why not start fresh? They still may need some CB depth, and a replacement for Bush, but they really need to find a starting LB. That is where McKenzie is going to make his reputation. The best he can do is pick #95, and if he can pluck a starting Lb from that point or beyond Raider Nation should be elated. The Sharks are going on one of their patented late season runs again. They did get this patented didn't they? 3 wins in a row and a couple of timely losses for the teams in front of them and WHAMMY thier back in 1st place in the Pacific Division and the #3 playoff slot. There are still a handful of games to go, and they are against the teams that are chasing them so they will have to keep this going if they want to end up in the spot that they currently hold. If you are into top quality talent and enjoy watching a team at the top of thier game who are now regarded as the best team in the nation, then you need to stop by Levine Fricke Field in Berkeley and check out the #1 ranked softball team. They are led by hometown product Valerie Arioto (Foothill High Pleasanton)who leads the team with 16 HR on the season and a 13-0 mark in the pitcher's circle. They are also led by another local product Jolene Henderson from Elk Grove who has a 17-1 record and leads the team with a .91 ERA. If you get a chance to see them this year, you'll be glad you did. They just played at Stanford for three games and swept the #9 ranked Cardinal. They are at home for a non leaguer on Wednesday and a 3 game tilt vs. Washington over the weekend. In case you are wondering, I'm a believer in "The Tank" for the Warriors. I know the players want to have none of it, but they're players, they're not supposed to want to lose. That's good. The fans should know what will really help this team is to NOT make the playoffs, and to give themselves the best chance at accumulating the most ping pong balls they can as to assure them of keeping the top 7 protected pick. It just seems like everything is falling into place, as the guys that are still playing are playing their hearts out each night, keeping games close and winning a few. However, losing often than not is going to benefit this franchise.