The end of March Madness, more trouble for Rutgers and an ugly statue

From where I sit it looks like Louisville deserved to cut down the net in Atlanta. 

The game was played at a speed only dreamed of, more reminiscent of the school playground, than a high pressure national championship. The Cardinals were down big, 12 points late in the first half. But, Luke Hancock put the team on his back and started to hit 3-pointers. There was only a point in it at halftime. The same break-neck pace continued in the second half. Leaving the rest of us looking on in delight. It's a rare happening in sports...when a much hyped game actually lives up to it's billing. Louisville and Michigan did.

Meanwhile, Rutgers is facing further scrutiny, this time the FBI is involved. 

First basketball coach Mike Rice was fired after video surfaced showing him throwing balls at players and cursing them out. Then it surfaced that athletic director Tim Pernetti saw the tape and took minimal action against Rice. Now, the New York times reports the whistle-blower, Eric Murdock, may have tried to extort money from Rutgers. Allegedly, Murdock's lawyer sent a letter demanding $950,000. When the money didn't get paid, Murdock went public. Now the NCAA is left with a major headache. Again. As the fallout continues from the Penn State debacle, the NCAA is facing more questions about how major problems are dealt with at a school level. Tragically, little will really change and students will continue to be hurt all in the name of money.

And...The Miami Marlins stink  .And that's about as politely as it can be phrased. It's thanks to yet another fire sale from owner Jeffery Loria. However, the biggest insult is saved for the fans. Loria spent $2.5 million for the garish homerun statue in left-centre field. That, sadly, is more than just about every player on the roster. Only Ricky Nolasco ($11.5 million), Placido Polanco ($2.75 million), and Adeiny Hechavarria ($2.75 million) make more. The Red Grooms creation launches into it's 1960s style light and movement with each homerun.

I'm sure it's amazing if you're stoned...but to the rest of us it's just an over-priced eyesore. On the plus side, thanks to the Marlins meager payroll, it's not like people will be subjected to it on anything resembling a regular basis.

At least that's how I see it...and I sit in the cheap seats.