Most people will probably be buzzing about the Final Four, so you won't get any talk from me. Turn on ESPN or any sports talk station to hear about it. I won't waste your time with re-running a game you probably saw.
What will be discussed here in this block of grammar is the fate of Ken Griffey Jr., home run hitter and injury magnet extraordinaire. Holy wow, if only I could get paid $12 million to run around center field and pull hamstrings. This time around Griffey smacked up his shoulder flagging a fly ball. I have to credit him with actually taking his injuries during play, as opposed to motorcycle daredevil Jeff Kent.
What is worrying about Griffey is that he is 33. When you're 20 and you first come into the league, you can run around and toss your body like a pre-game scrub for the WWE without much of a fear for getting permanently damaged. When you get older though, you get older fast, and Griffey is finding that out the hard way. Over the past two seasons he has missed 143 games to injury, not counting the six to 10 weeks he's going to miss now. The dude has to learn to take care of himself before he ends up blowing out a knee and really hurting himself.
While baseball is the subject, it is nice to see the Kansas City Royals off to a strong start this season, going 5-0 to start the year. That's a team and city with a lot of pride in its ball club that has deserved better over the past couple of seasons. Mike Sweeney keeps getting better with every year, so there is something to pin your hopes on. The Tigers, however, are an atrocity - 0-6, again. The Detroit district attorney should be advised to bring charges of visual assault against these clowns.
While speaking of the visuals, it would be tough not to mention that the Sabres busted out the old blue and gold uniforms for Fan Appreciation Day on Sunday. Almost everybody I talked to said it was most excellent. I agree. But, I'd also like a center who can make plays and someone who can score goals to go with that. My, that would look good in the old blue and gold.
Also, someone tell the New York Rangers to buy a defense. The morons missed the playoffs again. And don't give that line about the Sabres missing the playoffs too. You guys have sucked since we went to the cup. Oh well, it just means more money pit antics to look forward to next season.
Rangers' fans constantly tell me their team is not only better than the Sabres, but also that the franchise is on its way to getting the cup back. This is crap. First of all, the Sabres control the all time series in wins with the Rangers 57-45. Along with that, the Sabers have appeared in 93 playoff games since 1991. The Rangers have appeared in 78, and will miss the playoffs for the sixth straight year.
I'll give you this: Mark Messier got you a Stanley Cup. Eric Lindros, however, will never get you one.
Finally, if you are wearing a NY Mets or NY Yankees hockey jersey, you are a total poser.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
