March 2011 Archives

No need to add any extra mustard to the new Doyers Dog. Maybe tabasco?

New traditions collide with old habits, like old rivalries adding new players. Or switching them.

And that 2-1 win to wrap things up: Nice drama. They're on pace for ... well, you do the math.

These aren't the new Doyer Dogs. And shouldn't be consumed. But they may cause heartburn.

The latest email from the famed J. Peterman Company (yes, we still check this stuff out, if only for the product writeups) boasted of a spring cleaning sale that included the authentic Hillerich & Bradsby Louisville Slugger made to Babe Ruth's May 29th, 1935, specifications: 36 oz. in weight, dry. Exactly 35-inches long.

"Surprisingly graceful at the grip, less so at the barrel," says the description (linked here). "Built like the Babe himself."

The stick (item No. 3224) had been listed at $249. Now it's $88.

Thanks, but we'll wiff on that one (besides, we already have one, with a certificate of authenticity).

But the thing that really caught our eye -- one of those bait and switch-hit kind of deals -- was the sale of baseball sleeves.

You know, "the real thing," as they're described.

"They were plain and ordinary, nothing to think about twice. (Or so I thought.) But now I realize they were unduplicatable. I still have mine, and a few emotions, dating from my days in professional baseball.

"When we wore our sleeves, it was always the best time of the year. We were beginning to feel up. I laugh at the imitations today. They have pseudo names like 'river shirts,' 'punting jerseys,' 'henley pullovers.'

"Authentic Baseball Sleeves (No. 1949), for men and women. Two-button placket. Fray-proof hem. Made of two layers of good cotton, to wick away moisture; outer fabric has minute pores, like pigskin."

You had us at "sleeves." And the $59 price tag. In blue or red. Dodger or Angel colors.

While we await that order to land on the front porch -- the last time we had one of these was ... was it wool? -- we'll start pouring past the book jacket sleeves of our latest batch of baseball books, trying to uphold something of a tradition we've done the last three years.

The criteria for books that we will include is somewhat loose, but trying to limit it to baseball literature that came out either very late last year or in the three months of 2011, things that are both well covered as well as things we think we've uncovered.

Several well-publicized books have some out since that April, 2010 list -- including biographies of Hank Aaron and Mickey Mantle. Maybe we'll get to them, but it's not a priority at this point.

The reason is to celebrate another start of baseball, springing ahead.

Just to refresh your memory, a look back on the previous year's lists:

== From 2010: (linked here)

== From 2009: (linked here)

== From 2008: (linked here)

== In 2007, an abbreviated look at the baseball media that took us here: linked here, here, here and here. And here ... and here .... and this one here. ... and here ...

Now, if we just just find some Peterman stirrups to go with this ... and why do we think sending an email to John O'Hurley will somehow get us an in?

Following up on the response to a column we did in January (linked here) -- enlist broadcasters from across the board to tell us what they can learn about the craft of play-by-play by listening to Vin Scully do a game today at the age of 83 -- we've had more responses that we wanted to include as the Dodgers start the 2011 season, with Vin doing the first and last three innings on KABC-AM (790) for Thursday's opener against the Giants from Dodger Stadium that'll be on ESPN:

== Dick Enberg, Emmy winning voice of all major sports for CBS, NBC and ESPN for the last 50-plus years, a former play-by-play for the California Angels and UCLA basketball, the one-time assistant baseball coach at San Fernando Valley State College (now Cal State Northridge), and current voice of the San Diego Padres:

"Returning to the game last season and being able to observe Vin in action, I was totally impressed with the fact that he is one of the first to the ballpark. He is outstanding at 83, because he works at it.

"He anticipates and is prepped to make the right call because he invests time in thorough preparation. His greatness isn't an accident. One would think that a man of his enormous talent could walk into the booth, grab a scorecard, the media notes, and do the broadcast. And Vin could...and we wouldn't know the difference. But HE would.

"His professional pride and drive for excellence is born out of relishing his homework.
Simple stuff, but applicable to anyone, young or old, in our profession. I have learned the same lesson.

"Get there early and know as much about that single game as you can. That combined with talent and experience can help author a winning performance."

== Mike Breen, the ABC voice of the NBA and, like Scully, a Fordham University graduate:

"After all these years -- what has it been, 60-plus? -- every single game is done with such energy so no matter when the game is played, if the Dodgers are in a playoff race or it's spring training, there's still the feeling that there's no other place he'd rather be than in that booth. To me, that's the greatest compliment you can give. You want people who are watching and listening to know: I'm in the best place there can possibly be. Anyone who's done this (play-by-play) knows they have other things going on in their lives, things that are on their mind outside the booth. But to come in with that same attitude night after night, that's a thing that's very underrated. It's a very hard thing to do.

"Also, here's a man with one of the most wonderful voices on the planet, let alone in broadcasting, but he makes silence a big part of who he is. If he didn't stop talking, no one would complain. But silence is a major part of his style. There was a game I was watching him do, when it was decided on the final at-bat. He didn't say a word the whole at-bat until it was strike three and the game was over. That was the most magnificent silence you could have, with the tension building, and the crowd into it. And he doesn't say a word. It was absolutely brilliant. When you get a chance to listen to him, it's just amazing what silence can do to enhance the moment. In an NBA game, you can maybe do it when there's a big shot, instead of trying to scream over the play. That's as important as anything.

"The other thing you can learn is that you can't do it like him. As much as you want to copy and learn, God gave him a talent that He didn't give to anyone else. As much as we may try to be like him, it's impossible."

== Bob Papa, voice of the NFL's New York Giants and the lead play-by-play for the NFL Network who has also done boxing for HBO, does an NFL daily radio show and hosts the Masters for Sirius-XM Radio (and is also a Fordham alum):

"One of the great joys of being on the road is coming to the West Coast, flipping on the TV and if there's a Dodger game, there's the warm and comforting voice of Vin Scully.

"Everytime I hear him, I go through a checklist of reminders as a broadcaster: Preparation, letting the game breathe, be understated, let the fans enjoy the competition. They're not tuning in to hear me scream.

"And with him as a Fordham man, there's that connection we have, so whenever there's a chance just to be around him, he adds so much style. Not just with baseball. Remember when he called golf for NBC? Or the NFL on CBS? There was a certain dignity about the event, no matter what the stakes. That resonated with me. He always has the same even keel and temperament. In a way, he really is the voice of sanity."

== Bill Macdonald (linked here), a Prime Ticket/FSW employee since the start of the network 25 years ago, calling USC and UCLA football and basketball, the Arena League Avengers, and a fill-in on Lakers TV and radio:

"Growing up in Southern California, like many others, Vin was one of the voices of my childhood along with Chick and Dick Enberg. And consequently was one of the reasons I fell in love with not only sports but sportscasting.

"His command of the English language is remarkable and the eloquence and class with which he delivers those words mixed in with just the right amount of excitement and drama for a sporting event is unmatched.

"After all these years the passion and excitement he has for the job, for baseball, and most of all for the fans is inspiring.

"Baseball has a much different rhythm than other sports, and not only does Vin have probably more material to choose from when providing information or storytelling, but it's the way he seamlessly integrates and weaves those stories and anecdotes throughout the course of his play by play which is the perfect model for a broadcaster.

"Plus, the time and patience he has for all who want to stop and say hello to him, wish him well, take a picture, relay a story ... it's wonderful to see as he is gracious with and to everyone. It's been great just getting to know him a bit over the years on a personal level and be able to hang out with him at the ballpark as just one of the fellas. That's a Vin Scully that can be a lot of fun."

== Randy Rosenbloom, the Valley-based sports director at LA 36, the radio voice of Fresno State basketball, and a three-time Olympic broadcaster for NBC on volleyball and rowing from 1992-2004, in addition to calling college football, college basketball and Wimbledon:

"I've been listening to Vin Scully since the 1959 World Series when the Dodgers defeated the Chicago White Sox. For over a half century he has made a great impression on me and his fan base.

"Everyone knows that he is the master of his craft painting a picture as a play-by-play announcer. But what makes him rise above the rest? Without question, it his great ability to talk to you on a very personal level. He is unparalleled at having a conversation with you, and you thinking it's just you and him.

"You always hear broadcasters say they want to talk to you like it's two guys in the bar. Well, Vinnie does that except he does it with a sensational vocabulary and a terrific voice.

"I'll give you two examples of him telling a story. In both instances he is clever if not brilliant and more importantly he is speaking right to you. In 1991, Andre Dawson steps to the plate and Vinnie says he has a bruised knee and is listed 'as day to day ... but aren't we all?' It's the 'we' that ties the story and the listening public together.

"In 1989, Vinnie says, 'How good was Stan Musial? He was good enough to take your breath away.' Again he brings you in by including 'your' breath.

"It is a lost art being in the media and being your listeners or viewers best friend. Vin Scully has never lost sight of that and because of that precise point he has millions of listeners who don't just hear him but feel like he is one of their closest buddies."

== Chris "Geeter" McGee, a sideline reporter at FSW who has developed into dong play-by-play on college basketball and high school sports:

"Vin Scully has positively influenced so many of us in the play by play world. Being from Southern California, I, like so many others, grew up on Vin, and tried to imitate him while playing and watching sports when I was a kid.

"There are a couple of things that stick out when I think of Vin. His ability to punctuate a dramatic moment in a subtle way is remarkable. When Nomar (Garciaparra) hit the home run to win the game in extra innings after the Dodgers had hit four in a row to tie in the bottom of the ninth a few years ago, he let the crowd noise engage the audience without a word spoken and then as he rounded second base Vin simply said: 'And the Dodgers are now in first place.'

"Of course, his most famous one, in my opinion, was after Kirk Gibson's home run won Game 1 of the '88 World Series. The ball flies into the stands and Vin makes the call: 'She is gone' ... He waits silently until just the right moment during the Gibson trot around the bases and says: 'In the year of the improbable, the impossible has happened.'

"I also think nobody tells a story better than Vin. His pace, his timing, and the ability to make you care about the person are second to none. Vin as the ultimate gift of history and knowledge on his side. He has lived all these moments and stories and can make us, the listener, feel like we were there with him."

== Sam Farber, play-by-play man for the Single-A Inland Empire 66ers:

"Vin Scully's ability to weave a player's backstory into the play-by-play is legendary. Personal facts buried so deep in a player's biography that a dedicated investigative reporter would have trouble finding them sound as if they're always on the tip of Vin Scully's tongue. That's not just for the superstars, that's for the mid-season call ups and journeyman additions as well.

"Vin Scully has inspired a love of the game in generations of baseball fans, but for me as a broadcaster he shows that it takes more than a good voice to be a great broadcaster. To acquire those hidden gems that help make a random new addition to the Dodgers important to the fans, Vin Scully has to plain outwork his peers to discover the info no one else takes the time to find. He's been doing that for decades and he inspires me to do the same."

After playing in the spring for its first three years in the International Basketball League, the Thousand Oaks-based Los Angeles Lightning announced it will now compete in the new 2011 IBL Winter season, which runs from mid-November to the playoffs in January.

The Lightning, which has featured former NBA players such as Lamond Murray, Fred Vinson, Darrick Martin, Bryon Russell and Toby Bailey on its roster, won the 2009 IBL Championship. Last season, the team finished 14-6.

"We have a developing business opportunity that would have created a conflict with the later part of the spring season," said Lightning owner and GM Mark Harwell. "We felt it was time for a change. I think it will be a good fit to play during the traditional basketball season."

The IBL starts its seventh spring season in April. The first winter season was held in 2010 with nine teams.

The Lightning will continue to play its home games at Cal Lutheran's Gilbert Sports Arena in Thousand Oaks and plan for about 20 home games.

More information at the official team site: http://www.lalightning.net

The Associated Press

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Motocross star James "Bubba" Stewart (booking photo at left) has been arrested in Orlando after authorities said he tried to pull over two off-duty highway patrol troopers while impersonating a police officer.

According to Florida Highway Patrol arrest affidavits, the 25-year-old Stewart of Bartow was arrested Monday night along with 44-year-old Quinault Jehrrod of Corona.

Authorities say Stewart had red and blue lights in the dash area of his truck when he tried to pull over a car with two off-duty troopers who identified themselves. Stewart then sped off.

The troopers notified authorities and Stewart was eventually stopped at the Orlando International Airport, where he and Jehrrod were arrested.

Both men agreed to talk to officers and according to the affidavits, Stewart admitted to activating the lights and Jehrrod to hiding them in his backpack when officers pulled them over. Stewart told officers that he got the lights at a flea market.

Jehrrod was charged with tampering with evidence. The charge against Stewart is a first-degree misdemeanor. Jehrrod's charge is a third-degree felony.

Both were taken to Orange County jail and released after posting cash bonds.

Stewart rose to prominence as one of the few African-Americans participating in the sport of motocross and super cross racing. He was named the American Motorcyclist Association Rookie of the Year in 2002 during his debut professional season and has since won multiple AMA super cross and motocross titles.

Orel Hershiser and Eric Karros, you've got first crack at a live, in-game assessment of the Dodgers' 2011 prospects as the cloud of ownership hangs over Don Mattingly's first season as the manager.

Hershiser, the Dodgers' 1988 Cy Young Award winner from their last World Series title team who is part of ESPN's coverage in Thursday's opener against San Francisco and will be back on Sunday (ESPN2, 5 p.m., with Dan Shulan and Bobby Valentine), said the disappointing part of franchise ownership "will be questions of whether there is enough capital to spend later in the season to put the team over the top if they're in a position to win."

And without a hot start, "those distractions and disappointments will be something they have to answer every time they enter the locker room. I think the players need to put blinders on and not worry about that situation."

Hershiser said the only comparable front-office thing he experienced as a Dodger was during the April, 1987 Al Campanis-"Nightline" interview that led to the general manager's firing.

"That's the only time I saw (Dodgers owner) Peter O'Malley set foot in the locker room," said Hershiser. "Whatever we had to deal with as far as the front office, it was always in a low-key, classy manner. Peter was never in the limelight, and handled everything with much class and finesse. So now to have someone at the forefront out there, in all that negative light, it's disheartening to say the least."

Adds Karros, the L.A. Dodgers' franchise leader in home runs who'll be in the Fox broadcasting booth with Kenny Albert doing the Dodgers-Giants game on Saturday (1 p.m., Channel 11) as well as returning as the KCAL Channel 9 pregame studio analyst during the regular season:

"When Mr. O'Malley sold the club and we went through a different environment there back in '97 and '98, the players only dealt with all that when they were asked about it, and it wears on you.

"As a former Dodger, or even a fan of baseball, sure, I'd like the focus to be on what's happening on the field. It is what it is. You think of all the historic franchises and you'd just like to see things go well, but they're not picture perfect. There was a time in the 1970s when the Yankees organization wasn't run well."

As for Mattingly stepping in, Karros says "when he first faces adversity, that'll be the true test, whether it's the team struggling or off-the-field issues. I don't think he's been presented with that yet.

"He'll be given some resources, but if you're looking at someone who could be a rookie manager with either the Pirates or the Dodgers, you take the Dodgers' job 10 out of 10 times."

Getty Images for Laureus
Karen Washington, right, of the Mary Mitchell Family and Youth Center in the Bronx, N.Y., gives a tour of the neighborhood to Laureus members Edwin Moses and Monica Seles in 2005 to explain how their Fight Back Project has helped the local youth in the area.

More from today's column (linked here) on how the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation has been trying to focus more recently on helping the children of the U.S. after doing so much good around the world over last 10-plus year:

== Edwin Moses, on how he saw poverty around him while he was traveling around the world as an athlete, and how he sees it differently now:

"When I was competing, we'd always stay at the nice hotels and eat at the nice restaurants. Even in places like Kenya, we'd see all the best the city had. But in the car rides through the town, we'd pass by the street urchins, go through the crime areas. Maybe we'd have someone take us on a side trip to the slum areas. We'd see kids playing in water that, if we were to put our hands into it with a cut, we'd be dead in two days.

"I was very aware of a lot of poverty around, but now it's something I see very differently. And we're doing something about it. We look them in the eye and say: We're coming back and we're going to help you. How many times have they heard that, but haven't had anything delivered? We're committed to three- and four-year projects. This is what we do. We make those kinds of commitments."

== Moses, comparing the emotions he feels now accomplishing something as a humanitarian than when he was an athlete:

"Being an athlete with that lifestyle, and then getting into investment banking, those were the first things where I found some satisfaction. It's avocation. You don't have to think about how much work is involved, you just do it. In the last 10 years, I've gotten the same kind of energy surge as I did when I was running. Then, you'd ge tup and train, go through physical therapy, deal with injuries and compete. Maybe this is as close as I'll get to that lifestyle again for the rest of my life. It means a lot to be a leader of such an organization like this. I guess when you want someone looking at your tombstone, you want them to know that you really made a difference."

Photo by Getty Images for Laureus
Marcus Allen, left, and Edwin Moses entertain the children with an exercise in the boxing ring during their visit at SV Stahl Schoeneweide in Berlin, Germany last November as part of a Laureus Sport for Good Project.

== Marcus Allen, on the group's mission and why he wanted to be involved:

"The problems we have in the U.S. may be hidden more because we are such a rich nation, but there are kids out there all the time who fall under the radar andl need help. It might not be as blatant as some of the countries torn by civil war or extreme poverty, but there are neightbhods in the U.S. screaming out for foundations to do something for these kids. If we don't invest in our kids, we're bound to get in more trouble paying for them more in the long with the prison systems.

"We want to make more people aware of what we're trying to do, partnering with other organizations and that's a challenge for us, even with this economy as it is. Kids are still at risk and the fight must go on."

== Allen, on how individuals can help:

"We need to scream our story. It's unfortunate that controversial stuff travels faster than Volunteering with the organizations that are already out there is a great start to helping get the word out. It's as simple as this phrase: Tell them, and they'll forget; teach them, and they'll remember. Now involve them, and they'll understand.

"It's incumbent for people to understand what we're doing. Once you're involved and have a personal interest, you can understand how important it is. We're a cause greater than ourselves.

For us, it's more important to be something more than just a grand slam winner, or a perfect 10 or a gold medalist. There's something greater in life. That's why we're so involved in this."

More on the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation:

More information: www.laureus.com

Highlights of the week ahead in sports, both here and afar:

MONDAY

MLB exhibition: Dodgers vs. Angels, Dodger Stadium, 7 p.m., Channel 9:

You've paid full price for tickets to this practice game, and your reward: The first 20,000 fans get a magnet schedule. And first crack at the post-Manny concession stand purchases.

NHL: Ducks vs. Colorado, Honda Center, 7 p.m., Prime:

They've iced down the NCAA's West Regional champions, and brought in the Zambonis. Back to hockey business.

TUESDAY

MLB exhibition: Angels vs. Dodgers, Angel Stadium, 7 p.m., FSW:

Last chance to visit the Anaheim facility until the Angels' home opener, which isn't until a week from Friday.

NHL: Kings at Edmonton, 6:30 p.m., Prime:

Are the Kings going to have to limp toward the playoffs without Anze Kopitar? A five-game road winning streak is on the line for the team against an Oilers' squad that they've beaten three times already this season, and now have one of their top scorers, Dustin Penner.

WEDNESDAY

NBA: Clippers vs. Dallas, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., Prime:

The Mavs have two games in two nights at Staples Center. A perfect chance for Mark Cuban to bring his new pal, Charlie Sheen, down to his floor seats.

NHL: Ducks at Calgary, 6:30 p.m., FSW:

Their last meeting two Saturday's ago: The Ducks pulled out a 5-4 OT win thanks to Corey Perry.

MLB exhibition: Dodgers vs. Seattle, Dodger Stadium, 7 p.m.:

Because the Dodgers and Angels didn't want to extend the Freeway Series one more game? Or just a way to get Ichiro some L.A. exposure?

THURSDAY

MLB: Dodgers vs. San Francisco, Dodger Stadium, 5 p.m., ESPN:

Enough San Francisco residents have supposedly raised $8,000 to hire a plane that will fly a banner over Dodger Stadium during Opening Night that reads "Giants 2010 Champs: BEAT L.A." How original. Have they seen the movie "Battle: Los Angeles" yet? There are plenty of local residents capable of shooting objects out of the sky that seem to be the least bit threatening. It's no wonder the World Wide Leader in Sports rearranged the schedule and created this event to open the season, setting up a late-afternoon showdown that'll feature Clayton Kershaw and Tim Lincecum firing pitches from sunlight to shadow that should create eight scoreless innings before the bullpens get involved.
Here's your Hollywood ending: Bottom of the ninth, ex-Giant Juan Uribe drives in the game-winning run off the black beard of Brian Wilson (but we're not sure if he'll even be healthy enough after an injury-plagued spring training). The four-game series resumes Friday (7 p.m., Prime), Saturday (1 p.m., Channel 11) and Sunday (5 p.m., ESPN2).

MLB: Angels at Kansas City, 1 p.m., FSW:

Opening Day starter Jered Weaver, who led the majors in strike outs last year but lost a salary arbitration hearing in the offseason, puts his focus back on a very young Royals team that doesn't have 2009 AL Cy Young winner Zack Greinke as its star thrower any more. The Angels and Royals make it a four-game series with appearances on Friday (5 p.m., Channel 13), Saturday (10 a.m., FSW) and Sunday (11 a.m., FSW).

MLB: Detroit at N.Y. Yankees, ESPN, 10 a.m.; San Diego at St. Louis, ESPN, 1:15 p.m.:

Do we not allow the Cincinnati Reds to play the first game of the season any more? While the Reds do open at home against Milwaukee today, the Tigers-Yankees and Nationals-Braves get the early start.

NBA: Lakers vs. Dallas, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., TNT:

Squashing the Mavs' final hopes for a runner-up finish in the Western Conference is Plan A.

NHL: Kings at Vancouver, 7 p.m., FSW:

There are some who think the Sedin twins could finish 1-2 in the league's MVP voting -- they've been 1-2 in the scoring race. Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo and the Kings' Jamie Quick nearly have the same goals-against-average at 2.21, top five in the league.

Golf: PGA Houston Open, first round, noon, Golf Channel:

Anthony Kim parred the first hole of a playoff with Vaughn Taylor to win the event a year ago, his third PGA title. This is the last event before the Masters. NBC has the third and final rounds Saturday and Sunday.

Golf: LPGA Kraft Nabisco Championship at Rancho Mirage, first round, 9 a.m. to noon and 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., Golf Channel:

Hall of Famer Amy Alcott, a Southern California native, on how she started the tradition of the winner of this event jumping into the pond beside the 18th green: "It was on my second win there in 1988. I made a winning putt and I looked at my caddie and it just happened. I said, 'We're going into the water,' and he said, "Cool, kid." It was rocky and murky, and there were birds in there. The Russian judge probably would have given us a 2 for our jumps." And now, it's common place. Everyone into the lake -- except those who don't win this thing. The LPGA field from last week's event at Industry Hills goes up the 10 Freeway towards Palm Springs for the first major of the season. Golf Channel covers the entire USGA event through Sunday.

College basketball: NIT final: Alabama/ Colorado vs. Washington State /Wichita State, 4 p.m., ESPN:

Can Klay Thompson give the Pac-10 some paltry title hope? Only if the Cougars make it out of Tuesday's semifinals.

FRIDAY

NBA: Lakers at Utah, 7:30 p.m., Channel 9, ESPN:

The Jazz win this one, and they're still in the mix for the playoffs. April Fool's.

NBA: Clippers at Phoenix, 7 p.m, Prime:

The Clippers win this one, and they're still in the mix for the playoffs. See above.

SATURDAY

College basketball: NCAA men's Final Four in Houston: Virginia Commonwealth vs. Butler, 3 p.m.; UConn vs. Kentucky, approx.. 5:45 p.m., Channel 2:

Never has a Final Four been without a No. 1 or No. 2 seed - we've got a 3, 4, 8 and 11. There's your lottery numbers of the week. And you'd not only lying if you had VCU coming this far, but you'd be delusional as well. Having somehow squeaked into the First Four and then, traveling through Dayton, Chicago and San Antonio, have knocked out a team from the Pac-10 (USC), Big East (Georgetown), Big Ten (Purdue), ACC (Florida State) and Big 12 (Kansas), the Rams meet up with the champions from the Horizon League, who've remarkably enough have been here before. ESPN's Jay Bilas, who like most of us mocked VCU's inclusion in the tournament to start with, said Sunday: "There's nothing I've ever seen like it in NCAA Tournament play. For VCU to have won five straight games in the tournament, four of them in double digits, is absolutely incredible." And that's an understatement.

NHL: Kings vs. Dallas, Staples Center, 1 p.m., Prime:

The Kings' 3-2 regulation win over the Stars a couple of weeks ago - it came on Michal Handzus' goal with 20 seconds left - prevented a three-point game.

NBA: Clippers vs. Oklahoma City, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., Prime:

This Kendrick Perkins experiment seems to have some weight behind it for the Thunder.

NHL: Ducks at San Jose, 7:30 p.m., KDOC:

The Sharks have knocked off the Ducks twice already this year, with one more meeting next week.

MLS: Galaxy vs. Philadelphia, Home Depot Center, 7:30 p.m., FSW:

Union-busting activities are encouraged here. Because the Philadelphia team's nickname is the Union. OK?

SUNDAY

NBA: Lakers vs. Denver, Staples Center, 12:30 p.m., Channel 7:

The Nuggets are 12-4 since shipping Carmelo Anthony off to New York (while the Knicks are 7-11 with him), and they're closing in on actually gaining a home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

NHL: Ducks vs. Dallas, Honda Center, 5 p.m., Prime:

Three of the Ducks' final four games of the regular season are at home, starting with this one.

College basketball: NCAA women's Final Four in Indianapolis: Games at 4 and 6 p.m., ESPN:

Two-time defending champion UConn, not to be upstaged by the success of the school's men's team, has to knock out Duke in Tuesday's East Regional final to make a return trip. All the rest of the No. 1 seeds are alive as well: Tennessee, Stanford and Baylor.

In the bizzaro world of Ralph Nader - the Princeton and Harvard-educated attorney, author, lecturer, activist and four-time candidate for President of the United States, according to his Wikipedia page - the stench of college sports is overwhelming.

There's a dire to "de-professionalize," he insists. Especially right now, while we're amidst what he calls "the 2011 NCAA Professional Basketball Championships."

Start by getting rid of all the preferential athletic scholarships. Set up a need-based financial aid system that athletes can use, like every other student.

That will restore academic integrity. It'll even end a "win-at-all-cost" mentality for high school, middle school or elementary school kids - whose hoping for a free ride to college in exchange for their ability to generate income for sports programs.

We need to "be able to use the term 'student-athlete' without snickering," Nader says.
"It's time for our college athletes to be true students on campus, not athletes on athletic stipends with sports - not education - as their top priority and obligation."

True enough, the system in place now is pretty flawed. The athletes who attract the entertainment dollars aren't equitably compensated.

But all that Nader's gameplan lacks is common sense.

Eliminating opportunities for those in need hurts the greater good in the bigger picture. And he misses an essential point: For almost 99 percent of college sports, it is about the amateur athlete, not the budding professional.

NCAA reform, we'd buy into that. Even if the idea leads to someone like Pat Haden, who has managed to make some major philosophical changes in the way USC runs its sports programs now, as a prime candidate to run college athletics' governing body and bring some missing perspective.

Or is that pushing things too far?

== How about this Victoria's Secret a new line of MLB women's clothing - including a three-pair "hipster" pantie pack that features team logos (including the Dodgers and Angels) on the front and phrases like "Caught Looking" and "Meet Me In The Dugout" on the backsides? Is $25.50 a good package deal?

== How much longer can Ohio State's basketball team's run toward an basketball title divert attention from the black-and-Buckeyes athletic department getting Jim Tressel prepared for his permanent golden handshake, with the hopes that Urban Meyer will be waiting to swoop in and save face?

== Butler University, an independent, coeducational, liberal arts and sciences facility with 4,650 students, founded in 1855 in Indianapolis by attorney and abolitionist Ovid Butler, has won eight of its last NCAA hoop tournament games? Hear that UCLA?

== Are we supposed to be paying attention to the Barry Bonds' trial, or the clinical trial he must have put himself through to lose three hat sizes since we last saw him?

== Is the portrait of Pedro Martinez that has been unveiled at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., going up next to the one of Delino DeShields?

== And now, the top 10 coolest things about being in Fontana this weekend . . . No. 10 . . . Any suggestions?

A clip from Sunday's episode of "The Simpsons" (Channel 11, 8 p.m.), in an episode called "Love Is A Many Strangled Thing." -- Homer is sent to see Dr. Zander (Paul Rudd) after he humiliates Bart in front of a stadium crowd, and the doctor recruits Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to help with the therapy:

AP Photo/The Wilmington News-Journal, Robert Craig
Melissa McCafferty sits on a basketball hoop in protest on after Delaware Department of Transportation crews escorted by state police cruisers tore down basketball hoops today in Claymont, Del. Last fall, DelDOT sent letters to at least eight residents in the Radnor Green and Ashbourne Hills subdivisions saying their street-side basketball hoops violated the state's Clear Zone law.

By Randall Chase
The Associated Press

DOVER, Del. -- A Delaware mom climbed atop her family's basketball hoop today in a short-lived bid to keep authorities from ripping it out and confiscating it.

Transportation workers and state police came to her neighborhood in Wilmington Friday morning to remove several basketball goals that officials said were too close to the roadway.

Several residents were sent letters last year warning them that the state's "Clear Zone" law prohibits trees and other objects from being within seven feet of the pavement's edge in a residential subdivision.

John and Melissa McCafferty said they'd gotten more than one warning letter, but that police cars and heavy machinery showed up without warning this morning to remove the hoops.

While their neighbors weren't home, the McCaffertys decided to fight back.

Melissa, 39, parked her van underneath the goal, climbed the pole and perched herself behind the backboard, risking arrest. McCafferty said she could only think about how sad her 10-year-old daughter would be about the removal.

"To be honest with you, I really wasn't thinking. All I was seeing was my 10-year-old's face," said McCafferty, who also has two teenagers who like to shoot hoops.

"They threatened to arrest me, and I told them that would be fine. I don't mind going to jail for my kids."

When a news photographer showed up, police and work crews gave up trying to add McCafferty's hoop to several others they confiscated.

But they returned later, with a state police lieutenant again threatening to arrest the McCaffertys and impound their vehicles if they didn't give up the fight. John McCafferty said he was in the process of trying to get a restraining order, but that the lieutentant refused to allow him to contact a judge

A front-end loader yanked the pole out of the ground and put it in a dump truck that hauled it away.

"I have a feeling that when some of the neighbors come home, they're going to be devastated," Melissa said.

A Department of Transportation spokesman did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment.

John McCafferty, 46, said the pole has been on the property since the 1950s, long before the Clear Zone law was enacted, and that he believes it is exempted from the law.

In any event, McCafferty said, the basketball hoop sits in a quiet cul-de-sac with little traffic and has never been a source of contention until now.

"It's been there for 61 years, and it's created no problem until this year," he said.

The McCaffertys said they and other residents believe the controversy stems from an anonymous complaint from an elderly neighbor upset about having to slow down for kids playing in the neighborhood.

"This is obnoxious," he said.

Looking for work in the sports journalism business? Check the ESPN want-ads.

It shouldn't be a surprise to see the story that ran on the Associated Press wire servies earlier this week reporting that ESPN will add 125 jobs at its Bristol, Conn., headquarters this year, primarily by moving jobs from its publishing division in New York.

Ed Durso, executive vice president for administration, said consolidating ESPN's operations makes "tremendous business sense."

"We've been able to build a very unique thing here in Connecticut over the last 30 years, which is a production capacity on news and information and event coverage that is really in our view second to none," he said.

ESPN is seeking to consolidate in one place its work developing programs for TV, the Internet, phones and electronic tablets, Durso said.

Interestingly, ESPN said it also anticipates hiring up to 70 employees for a child care facility it opened last year.

There's something about ESPN needing more babysitters that seems to make the most sense in all of this story.

More after today's media column where we successfully bash Charles Barkley's barking on the wrong side of the fence (linked here):

== A David Letterman Top 10 list that you've been watching too much college basketball -- including on CBS:

10. "Answer the phone 'Hellohio State?'"
9. "Been having erotic dreams about Verne Lundquist."
8. "Named your kids Xavier, Duke and Notre Dame."
7. "You've started injecting nacho cheese intravenously."
6. "Begin each day by inflating your pants."
5. "Ask your girlfriend to marry you using a dry erase board."
4. "No number four - writer at Buffalo Wild Wings waiting for games to begin."
3. "Actually know what TruTV is - honestly, people, what the hell kind of a name is that?"
2. "You've spent thousands on plastic surgery to look like Jim Boeheim."
1. "Your wife refers to your fat ass as the 'Big South.'"

== CBS' "60 Minutes" plans a profile of fabled high school basketball coach Bob Hurley from St. Anthony's in Jersey City, N.J., with Steve Kroft doing the piece (Sunday, 7 p.m.).

== Fox Sports West and Prime Ticket team up to carry the CIF state basketball championships this weekend, with Paul Sunderland doing play-by-play on four broadcasts. It starts tonight with the girls DII final between St. Mary's of Stockton and Rialto at 6 p.m. (streaming on foxsportswest.com; delayed at 10:30 p.m. on Prime with Sunderland and Tracy Warren. The boys DII final of Archbishop Mitty in San Jose against Summit of Fontana airs live at 8 p.m. on foxsportswest.com and at 10:45 p.m. delayed on FSW with Sunderland and Dan Belluomini. On Saturday, the girls DI final between Mater Dei and Berkeley airs at 6 p.m. live on foxsportswest.com and then delayed at 10 p.m. on FSW with Sunderland and Warren. The boys DI final between Mater Dei and Concord's De La Salle goes live at 8 p.m. on FSW with Sunderland and Belluomini.

== Fox's coverage of the NASCAR Sprint Car Auto Club 400 from Fontana (Channel 11, Sunday) starts with the 11:30 a.m. prerace show (Chris Myers, Darrell Waltrip and Jeff Hammond) from the Auto Club Speedway infield, while Mike Joy has the call with Waltrip and Larry McReynolds, with Dick Berggren, Steve Byrnes, Krista Voda and Matt Yocum in the pits starting at noon.

== The first column for ESPN.com by Poynter's Kelly McBride (linked here) explains that she and Regina McCombs will write a monthly column, as well as a couple of shorter installments "as developments warrant." She says "it's no surprise that there are conflicts of interest and competing loyalties" as the company continues to grow and economic factors come into play, along with the changing landscape of journalism.

== Ian Darke and John Harkes call the U.S. men's national team game against Argentina on Saturday (ESPN2, 4 p.m.) from East Rutherford, N.J.

== Showtime's documentary series on the San Francisco Giants called "The Franchise," which doesn't debut until July 13, has a 30-minute preview set for Wednesday, April 13 at 9:30 p.m.

== This was the lead to an actual press release sent out by ESPN:

ESPN Strikes Deals for Unprecedented Multiplatform Cricket Coverage in the U.S. through 2015, Including the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup

Two four-year agreements to bring Champions League Twenty20 and major ICC events exclusively across TV, online and mobile

Furthering its commitment to cricket, ESPN today announced it has reached two multiyear rights agreements for exclusive live coverage of matches from Champions League Twenty20 and International Cricket Council (ICC) events, including the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, one of the most watched sporting events globally. The deals, signed with global rights holder ESPN Star Sports, will dedicate more than 1,000 additional hours of exclusive live cricket in the U.S. to ESPN3.com's programming lineup.

"It's a big day for cricket fans in the U.S., and we're thrilled to be the network offering this passionate and underserved audience more cricket coverage than ever before," said Damon Phillips, Vice President, ESPN3.com. "We're removing the traditional pay per view barrier and making these world class events available to millions of fans."

== AND FINALLY:

== FunnyOrDie.com has created "Great Moments in History with Gus Johnson" with the explanation: "March Madness is nothing without Gus Johnson, but none of these great moments in history would have been that important without him covering them either":

Nick Charles, in his office, from a photo taken in April, 2010 for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Cancer will soon claim Nick Charles. He knows he will die sooner rather than later. So does most everyone else who has been in contact with him lately.

In a small way to honor his contributions to the boxing world, HBO has granted the 64-year-old Charles a final wish - he'll fly out from his Santa Fe, New Mexico home to Atlantic City, N.J., to be part of the network's next "Boxing After Dark" telecast, calling the opening 12-round bout between up-and-coming featherweights Mickey Garcia of Oxnard and Matt Remillard of Hartford, Conn., on Saturday night (delayed at 9:45 p.m.).

Bob Papa, who would have called that Garcia-Remillard bout, as well as the nightcap between undefeated title-holder Yurirkis Gamboa and Jorge Solis, has graciously agreed to step aside and let Charles do the first fight, with analyst Max Kellerman and Roy Jones.

"It's just a great thing for him, and for boxing fans, to hear him call a bout," Papa said Thursday. "I'm just honored to be part of it. He's been such a classy and dignified, polite person in our business. Such a gentleman. This will be really neat."

Charles, who introduced himself to the sports TV world in 1980 as the first sports anchor at CNN and then did many years with co-anchor Fred Hickman, has been battling bladder cancer that spread to his lungs since 2009.

Charles left CNN in 2001 to host Showtime's "ShoBox: The New Generation" series, but had to take time off for chemotherapy. He was thought to be in remission in early 2010 but the cancer returned, aggressively, and Charles decided not to be numbed by the treatments and let the inoperable disease take its course.

HBO Sports executive producer Rick Bernstein decided to check in on Charles, who did some reporting for HBO pay-per-view boxing telecasts during the 1990s, after a reading a piece on him last month by Sports Illustrated's Joe Posnanski entitled "Lessons of the Fight Game." (linked here).

Bernstein asked Charles if he'd like to call the opening bout for Saturday's fight card. Charles accepted.

Married to CNN International producer Cory Charles, Nick has two children from a previous marriage (ages 39 and 36), an adopted child (24) attending Kennesaw State University and a 5-year-old daughter.

In 2008, Charles was given the Sam Taub Award for excellence in broadcast journalism at the annual Boxing Writers Association of America Awards dinner in L.A. His career has always been involved in boxing coverage in some way or another.

"They had me camp out in Miami after Roberto Duran's 'No Mas' fight until I got an interview," Charles told saddoboxing.com at the time about his days at CNN. "Theysent me to Japan to see Buster Douglas knock (Mike) Tyson on his butt. I was in camp with (Thomas) Hearns in Detroit and at home with (Marvin) Hagler. Though the years, I witnessed boxing history."

Charles added that working on the ShoBox series, which featured matchups against many young fighters, taught him something.

"We usually have these young undefeated fighters who have never lost, and other times these guys who cannot afford to lose again," said Charles. "It is all about acclaim and redemption, risk and reward. Ultimately in this series, people's careers have either taken off or have ended."

When Posnanski asks Charles in the SI story if he'd like to cover one more fight for television, Charles "smiles and admits it probably won't happen. 'It's OK,' he says. 'I've covered a lot of fights.'"

Now, there's one more.

Across the street from Staples Center, where statues already exist of Magic Johnson, Jerry West, Wayne Gretzky, Chick Hearn and Oscar de la Hoya, this one will l be erected in Nokia Plaze at L.A. Live on Friday, nearly three stories high ...

A bunch of balloons caught up in some scaffolding?

A rainstorm?

Wait, those are speed bags like you'd find in a boxing gym ...

Count 'em: 1,300...

Still not sure? Walk around to the front and ...

Well, I'll be dipped in clay, it's Muhammad Ali.

The artist Michael Kalish strung the whole thing up -- it's called "reALIze" -- with two miles of aluminum poles and five miles of cable. And it's yours to admire until April 9 before it starts on a nation-wide tour.

"I have a good relationship with Ali's family," Kalish told ESPN The Magazine about how the sculpture came about. "When I mentioned my idea for 'reALIze' to is wife, Lonnie, she loved it. Then it was a matter of finding the architects, engineers and designers necessary to bring it to life."

Where does it go from here?

"I want it to tour the world," Kalish said. "There's interest in bringing it to London for the (2012 Summer) Olympics, and I'd love for it to get to Zaire. he's such a beloved figure; this needs to travel."

For more information, check out www.realizeali.com

There was an 11-year-old who wanted to meet Galaxy star Landon Donovan. A 6-year-old requested a day with the Kings' Dustin Brown and was given the royal treatment. A 3-year-old simply asked to take his family to a Dodger game and meet a few players.

In 2010, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles was able to make good on 710 wishes for kids who had any kind of life-threatening medical condition. Nearly half of the wishes granted are amusement-park related. But almost one in 10 were to meet a celebrity - sports or otherwise.

Twelve wishes were to meet a favorite pro basketball player. One wanted to be a USC football player for a day. Another wanted to meet his favorite horse jockey.

In many cases, the wishes take place out of the media spotlight. It's a special moment for the athlete and the family. It's mean to be that way.

"Every child has their own personal reason for wishing to meet a celebrity, whether they be an athlete or a Hollywood actor," said Steve Vanderpool, the vice president and chief communications officer for Make-A-Wish L.A. (www.wishla.org), where more than 7,200 wishes have been fulfilled since this chapter opened in 1983.

"In my experience, no one has ever made media coverage a requirement for granting a wish and most are sincerely flattered that, out of all the wishes a child could have, they want to spend it on a chance to meet them."

Jack Nicklaus, for example, was one of them. T.J. Peacock made that happen. But it seemed to be somewhat reciprocal.

Nearly five years ago, T.J., who had been battling a brain tumor with surgery and chemotherapy, was able to have his wish granted - caddying a round of golf with Nicklaus.

T.J., who grew up in Downey with baseball as his passion, discovered that golf could be a real form of therapy. Round after round of radiation treatments were followed by more rounds on the golf course, even twice around the 9-hole South Gate par-3 course before it got too dark.

"He always had his clubs in the car," said Diane Peacock, T.J.'s mother. "He's had clubs in his hand since he was 5. I'd ask him if he just wanted to go home and lay down, but he wanted to go golf. I didn't want him to play alone, so he'd ride in the cart and I'd walk behind him."

T.J. made his Warren High School baseball team, but wasn't able to play after his first seizure. He then made the golf team, and they made him the captain in his junior and senior year.

In May, 2006, Nicklaus was set to play the first round of golf on his signature course at the Toscana Country Club in Indian Wells. Make-A-Wish arranged for the 17-year-old T.J. to wear the white overalls with Nicklaus' name on the back, pick out his clubs and help him read putts.

"It's always been my dream to someday meet Jack Nicklaus," T.J. said at the time.

"In this case, the honor is mine," Nicklaus said. "He's more than a golfer. He's obviously a fighter. We can all learn life lessons from someone like T.J."

The day was capped off with T.J. giving Nicklaus the line on the final putt of the day on the 18th green - which Nicklaus rolled in for a birdie.

A couple of months later, after T.J. had been in remission and was doing well, the cancer returned. Nicklaus called the Peacock family house again to check not only on T.J., but his parents. The 15-minute conversation lifted their spirits.

"I was pretty amazed he'd take the time, and it mattered enough for him to do that," said Diane. "He's a wonderful man."

When T.J. passed away in September of 2007, just four days short of his 19th birthday, Diane didn't want the power of a sports wish to just quietly fade away.

Her wish: Pay it forward.

Each year, Diane has organized a group of family and friends, all wearing special "Team T.J." T-shirts, to participate in the annual "Walk for Wishes" fundraiser. Three Saturdays ago, nearly 75 "Team T.J." members did the two-mile walk around the Mattel headquarters in El Segundo, an event that drew more than 1,500 participants and generated nearly $200,000 in donations.

"It's just about trying to thank all the good people in our lives who made things better for him and made his dreams come true," said Diane, who, with her husband Larry, have two older sons, Travis (28) and Josh (35).

T.J. would be 22 this Sept. 24.

"Every parent says their kid is special," she added. "But I don't want anyone to forget T.J. and how special he was."

As simple as that sounds, her wish had been granted.

This is how Warren High School honored T.J. Peacock after his passing in 2007.

*****************

ALSO:

== A remembrance of T.J. Peacock's day with Jack Nicklaus from Larry Peacock at Make-A-Wish's website (linked here).

== April 29 is World Wish Day (linked here).

== Here's is a recent feature done on T.J. by KTLA-Channel 5:

And thanks to Team T.J. for allowing me to join the group on the "Walk for Wishes" day recently in El Segundo.

If Domino's can create a form where anyone is allowed to rate their performance on the pizza boxes, why can't we do the same and rate the Fats Domino of College Basketball, Charles Barkley, whenever he's asked to break down a game during the NCAA tournament?

Prior to today's Duke-Michigan game on CBS, studio host Greg Gumbel says: "The question before the group: what does Michigan have to do to beat the No. 1 seed in this region?"

Greg Anthony and Rick Pitino chime in about the need to shoot the 3-point shot well, and Kenny Smith touches on beating Duke off the dribble and have the guards fill the lines.

Barkley: "Michigan too young to beat Duke. Way too young to beat Duke."

Gumbel: "I ask you how you're gonna beat 'em and you say they're too youn..." cut off by the commercial. Intentionally?

After Duke's 73-71 win on Morris' missed drive in the lane for Michigan:

Gumbel: "As we take a look at that last play, Charles what did you think?"

Barkley: "Well, I don't know what the kid was thinkin' in that situation ....
Oh, you mean over here, I'm sorry ... uh, this was a good play. I think ... the kid thought he had a layup and he kind of pulled up. Just a good shot. It was a great game... very impressed with Nolan Smith. He was the best player on the court. Let me tell you, those guys on Michigan, I thought they would wilt in the second half but they played terrific."

Hold the anchovies, and extra baloney.

Like the other day (linked here).

Highlights of the week ahead in sports, both here and afar:

TODAY

Series: "Dancing With The Stars," 9 p.m., Channel 7:

Does Sugar Ray Leonard, Hines Ward and Chris Jerico make you want to watch? This is not our idea of the Big Dance.

NHL: Kings vs. Calgary, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., FSW:

If the Kings can't solidify their own playoff spot, can they at least snuff out the Flames'?

TUESDAY

NBA: Lakers vs. Phoenix, 7:30 p.m., FSW, TNT:

We saw how the Lakers struggled against the Blazers without Andrew Bynum; does it repeat itself for Game 2 of his suspension?

WEDNESDAY

NBA: Clippers vs. Washington, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., Prime Ticket:

In a 21-point win at Washington a couple of weeks ago, the Clippers got all of Blake Griffin's 26 points before halftime.

NHL: Ducks at Dallas, 5:30 p.m., FSW:

Is this three-game road trip the beginning of the end for the Ducks?

THURSDAY

College basketball: Men's tournament, Sweet 16: San Diego State vs. UConn at Honda Center in Anaheim, 4:15 p.m., Channel 2; Florida vs. BYU in New Orleans, 4:27 p.m., TBS; Duke vs. Arizona at Honda Center in Anaheim, 6:45 p.m., Channel 2; Wisconsin vs. Butler in New Orleans, 6:57 p.m., TBS:

If the Big East is indeed overrated, then UConn can perhaps change that opinion by knocking off San Diego State and then the winner of Duke/Arizona this weekend.

NHL: Kings vs. San Jose, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., FSW:

Recent problems playing at home don't fare well for the Kings against the Pacific Division leaders.

NHL: Ducks at Nashville, 5 p.m., Prime:

Predators vs. Ducks. Even Discovery Channel watchers know who to bet the mortgage on.

Golf: PGA's Arnold Palmer Invitational, first round, 10 a.m., Golf Channel:

Tiger Woods has won this six times in the last 10 years. As if it matters now.

FRIDAY

College basketball: Men's tournament, Sweet 16: North Carolina vs. Marquette in Newark, N.J., 4:15 p.m., Channel 2; Kansas vs. Richmond in San Antonio, 4:27 p.m., TBS; Ohio State vs. Kentucky in Newark, N.J., 6:45 p.m., Channel 2; Florida State vs. Virginia Commonwealth in San Antonio, 6:57 p.m., TBS:

That VCU victory over USC in that fake first round looks pretty good now, eh?

NBA: Lakers vs. Clippers, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., FSW, Prime:

Last matchup in the Hallway Series this season, and the best the Clippers can do it win to even it up at 2-2 for the season.

SATURDAY

College basketball: Men's tournament, Elite Eight: UConn/San Diego State vs. Duke/Arizona and BYU/Florida vs. Butler/Wisconsin, 1:20 or 3:55 p.m., Channel 2:

Jimmer, are you here?

NHL: Kings vs. Colorado, Staples Center, 1 p.m., FSW:

There's daylight between the Kings and Colorado: The Avs are the next-to-last worst team in the conference.

NHL: Ducks at Chicago, 5:30 p.m., FSW:

The Ducks' trip ends blackhawk and blue.

NBA: Clippers vs. Toronto, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., Prime:

According to EarthHour.org, we're supposed to turn our lights off between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. If it saves Donald Sterling money, why wouldn't he do it?

MLS: Galaxy at Real Salt Lake, 6 p.m., Prime (delayed at 10 p.m.):

They met in the 2009 MLS title game. Do any of them remember that?

SUNDAY

College basketball: Men's tournament, Elite Eight: Ohio State/Kentucky vs. Marquette/North Carolina and Kansas/Richmond vs. Virginia Commonwealth/Florida State, 11:10 a.m. or 1:55 p.m., Channel 2:

It's on to Houston for the last two survivors here.

NBA: Lakers vs. New Orleans, Staples Center, 6:30 p.m., FSW:

The way things line up, they could be first-round playoff opponents.

NASCAR: Sprint Cup Auto Club 400 at Fontana, noon, Channel 11:

We understand giving Southern California just one NASCAR stop a season, but who made the schedule? The series was in Las Vegas and Phoenix -- and then went to Bristol, Tenn., last week before coming back west. Then they go to Martinsville, Va., from here. Do they think it won't rain or something here?

It's halftime of the UCLA-Michigan State game, and the studio crew of Greg Gumbel, Greg Anthony, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley have just looked at a highlight reel of the buzzer-beaters from earlier in the day.

Anthony says something about all the parity in the college game.

Smith says something about how teams need to guard the ball on last-second shots.

Barkley adds: "One thing you notice today -- there's a lot of good basketball players everywhere."

"Wow," says Gumbel. "What a sage you are. That's pretty good."

Anthony and Smith laugh. Barkley is trying to figure out how he just got backhanded by someone other than Ernie Johnson.

It's been Temple over Penn State, 66-64 on TNT; No. 13 stunning No. 4 Louisville, 62-61 on TBS; Butler outlasting Old Dominion, 60-58, on truTV and, finally, No. 4 Kentucky overcoming No. 13 Princeton, 59-57, on CBS on this first day.

Can you handle all the new-age surfing?

UPDATED: Wednesday, March 16, 5 p.m.:

An anonymous UCLA alum believed to be the ex-wife of a former Bruins standout point guard, in possession of the original Pauley Pavilion center court circle installed in 1965, has decided again to put this unique piece of memorabilia up for auction next month.

Despite the wishes of UCLA, which wants it back to display in its soon-to-be renovated arena.

The 12-foot in diameter power blue relic that was replaced in May, 1982, has been a sought-after piece by the UCLA athletic department for more than the last 10 years, says athletic director Dan Guerrero.

"We are extremely disappointed to hear that the original center circle from Pauley Pavilion has been put up for auction," Guerrero said in a statement released by the school this afternoon. "We were made aware of the auction (Tuesday).

"For over a decade, we have made numerous attempts to reacquire the center circle from the current owner but were rebuffed on every try. We even had a donor ready to make a donation to the owner's charity of choice.

"The center circle belongs on display at new Pauley Pavilion and we are hopeful that we will be able to work out an arrangement with the new owner to bring this important piece of UCLA basketball history back to its home."

SCP Auctions in Orange County will start taking registered bids on its website (www.scpauctions.com) on April 15 and continue the auction through April 30.

As per company policy, SCP Auctions president and founder David Kohler would not reveal the name of the seller.

But according to a story posted in Oct., 1998 in the faculity newsletter TodayUCLA.edu. (linked here), Jody Spillane, a Bruin employee since her days as a student in the 1970s who went on to coordinate a graduate student recruitment and placement program, found the center circle in 1987 in a UCLA surplus warehouse while it was in storage.

She wanted it, and she got it, for what was deemed "a nominal amount."

Spillane, the ex-wife of former Palos Verdes High standout Jim Spillane, who played at UCLA in the mid '70s and was on coach John Wooden's final 1975 championship team, is still believed to be the owner of the piece, according to sources.

Attempts to reach Jody Spillane on Wednesday were not successful.

"I came upon it, knew what it was, knew that I wanted it and was actually astounded to see it there," she said in 1998. "I bought it because my family and I are alumni, and it really meant a lot to me."

Auction experts at the time placed the value of the piece at $1 million. The story also says the piece was to be auctioned soon to raise money for Eureka Endowment, a permanent source of support for the education and training of doctoral students in the biomedical and life sciences.

If that auction ever took place, the piece did not sell.

Kohler said his company has a conservative estimate of "six figures," starting at $100,000, for the piece as it is today.

"It really is awesome," said Kohler. "All the old UCLA team pictures have the players lined up on top of this court."

The TodayUCLA.edu story said that in 1998, the center court was displayed at an event held in Pauley Pavilion, attended by Wooden and dozens of former UCLA greats, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Walton, Sidney Wicks and Walt Hazzard.

Many signed the floor with the knowledge it would later be sold at auction, with a "large portion of the proceeds from the sale" to be "dedicated to funding medical research," said an SCP press release.

The financial value of the piece probably doesn't exceed the sentimental value for those at UCLA. Eight UCLA men's teams and one Bruins women's team won an NCAA national championship in the years that the court that had that center circle. It was also used during UCLA's 88-game winning streak from 1971-74.

The first basketball game at Pauley Pavilion was Nov. 27, 1965 -- a scrimmage, pitting the Bruins' varsity team, led by guard Mike Warren, losing to a freshman squad featuring Lew Alcindor.

The halfcourt circle that has been at Pauley for the last three decades is a darker colored blue:

Can we help you find your college basketball game of choice? Did you try truTV yet? HGTV? The Oprah Channel?

Highlights of the week ahead in sports, both here and afar:

MONDAY

NBA: Lakers vs. Orlando, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., FSW, ESPN:

Welcome back to L.A., Dwight Howard. Would you like this locker next to Kobe's? If the Magic center comes to the Lakers when he's a free agent in the summer of '12, will Shaq talk him out of it? Howard posted this on his Twitter account recently about his future: "I never said I wanted to leave . . . stop reading the rumors. It's really stupid. And annoying to be honest. They tryna make something outta nothing I have another yr under my contract before I can sign." Stan Van Gundy couldn't make that any more clear.

NBA: Clippers at Memphis, 5 p.m., Prime:

The five-game roadie ends, and the Clips could still use some more tiger blood to get near a playoff spot - even one that these Grizzles seem to even be holding onto right now.

TUESDAY

College basketball: Men's NCAA tournament, first round in Dayton, Ohio: NC-Asheville vs. Arkansas-Little Rock, 3:30 p.m.; Alabama-Birmingham vs. Clemson, 6 p.m., truTV:

Seriously, UAB? You don't have to be a Harvard scholar to figure out 10 other teams that could be taking its place as the field of 68 tips off.

MLS: Galaxy at Seattle, 6:30 p.m., ESPN:

Season No. 16 for the local kickballers, with an expanded 34-game season that runs until the end of October. Plus, the addition of one Juan Pablo Angel, a 13-goal scorer for the Red Bull last season, to step in for the departed Edson Buddle as the new sled dog for the pack led by David Beckham and Landon Donovan. It's the final year of Becks' five-year, $32-plus million contract, and the 35-year-old could just as easily make this his last go-around. Watch and see.

NHL: Kings at Nashville, 5 p.m., FSW:

To end the four-game road trip, don't let it sound like a country-western song.

WEDNESDAY

College basketball: Men's NCAA tournament, first round in Dayton, Ohio: Alabama State vs. Texas-San Antonio, 3:30 p.m.; USC vs. Virginia Commonwealth, 6 p.m., truTV:

As long as the Trojans don't have to face Rider, Bradley, TCU or Oregon, the reinstated Kevin O'Neill could have an easier path toward a meeting later on Friday against Georgetown in Chicago.

NBA: Clippers vs. Philadelphia, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., Prime:

Since Jan. 21, only the Chicago Bulls have posted a better record in the Eastern Conference than the Sixers. Thanks to Jrue Holiday and Elton Brand.

NHL: Ducks vs. St. Louis, Honda Center, 7 p.m., FSW:

Last meeting: Blue scored nine goals on the Ducks' Curtis McElhinney and rookie Timo Pielmeier.

THURSDAY

College basketball: Men's NCAA tournament, second round in Tampa Bay: UCLA vs. Michigan State, approx. 6:30 p.m. TBS:

A meeting of the March Madness minds: Can Ben Howland refocus his Bruins after their lethargic Pac-10 tournament performance? Can Tom Izzo work his tournament magic and rally his three starting seniors to live up to preseason expectations? It's a quirky meeting of star programs, all right. Consider the Spartans' decline. In Week 3, they're 2-0 and ranked sixth in the country, with six first-place votes. By Week 10, they've dropped out of the Top 25 all together. This day also includes San Diego State vs. Northern Colorado in Tucson, Ariz.. (approx. 1:30 p.m., TNT) and St. John's vs. Gonzaga in Denver.

NHL: Kings vs. St. Louis, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., FSW:

A fluke-ish goal by the Blues' Erik Johnson in the third period resulted in a 2-1 Kings' loss back in January.

FRIDAY

College basketball: Men's NCAA Tournament, 16 second-round games include Arizona vs. Memphis in Tulsa, Okla., approx. 11:45 a.m., Channel 2 and Washington vs. Georgia in Charlotte, N.C, approx. 6:45 p.m., Channel 2:

The Pac-10 reps who met in the conference tournament final share the day. Here's a quirk: Steve Kerr, the former Wildcats star guard, will call Arizona's game with Marv Albert.

NBA: Lakers vs. Minnesota, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., FSW:

Sorry if you invested three grand in courtside seats for this one.

SATURDAY

NHL: Kings vs. Ducks, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., FSW:

Prelude to the home-and-home series on April 8-9 that will end the regular season and likely determine which of them - or neither - make the Western Conference's final eight. The Kings have won the last two of the previous three meetings this season.

MLS: Chivas USA vs. Sporting Kansas City, Home Depot Center, 7:30 p.m.:

One of the Goats' preseason losses was to UCLA, 2-1, on their home turf. That came after another loss to Canada's under-23 national team. Are they ready to play games for real, against the team that used by known as the Kansas City Wizards?

NBA: Clippers vs. Cleveland, Staples Center, 12:30 p.m., Prime:

These bunch of losers not only aren't LeBron's team any more, but they belong to Baron Davis. Dribble-drive that Kia back onto the court and see how that goes over.

College basketball: Men's NCAA Tournament, third round, eight games, from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. tipoffs, Channel 2, TNT and TBS:

Have you figure out how this new CBS-Turner system works yet? Or is it just easier to follow along on NCAA.com? You know, this round sure looks like the old second round.

SUNDAY

NBA: Clippers vs. Phoenix, Staples Center, 12:30 p.m., Prime; Lakers vs. Portland, Staples Center, 6:30 p.m., FSW:

Not a preview of the Western Conference semifinals, but conveniently located for all invited - just like the recent Pac-10 tournament.

MLS: Galaxy vs. New England, Home Depot Center, 5 p.m., Galavision:

First 15,000 for the home opener get a free magnet schedule. At least slap it on your forehead and see if it brings relief for migraine headaches.

NHL: Ducks vs. Calgary, Honda Center, 5 p.m., Prime:

Cam Fowler won it in OT for the Ducks in their last meeting in Calgary, after Teemu Selanne tied it with under 3 minutes to go in regulation.

College basketball: Men's NCAA Tournament, third round, eight games, from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. tipoffs, Channel 2, TNT, TBS and TruTV:

All is sweet for the 16 left after this day's play, with four of them heading to Anaheim for a regional final.

When UCLA's 88-game college basketball winning streak ended in 1974, 8-year-old Steve Kerr cried. The son of Dr. Malcolm Kerr, a longtime political science professor at the school, Steve grew up on power blue and gold.

When UCLA coach Gary Cunningham sent his teams out on the floor at Pauley Pavilion in 1978 and '79, teenaged Steve Kerr rolled out the balls. He had an inside track on getting one of the prized ballboy jobs in the city.

When UCLA didn't recruit him after his senior season at Palisades High, a realistic Steve Kerr understood. Turns out, he had a much better future spending five years in the Arizona desert, leading coach Lute Olson's team to the 1988 Final Four.

When CBS merged with Turner Sports to expand coverage of the new 68-game men's college basketball tournament, Steve Kerr, a recent returnee to the TV world as an NBA analyst, has a new opportunity. Joining Jim Nantz and Clark Kellogg as the broadcast team for the Final Four and championship game kind of brings things full circle.

Just a year removed from a three-season stint at the Phoenix Suns' general manager, the product of a successful 15-year NBA career (with four championships), the former long-range shooting Kerr says he's "fired up" all over again with this assignment. It begins Tuesday with play-in games in Dayton, Ohio, then traveling to Tulsa, Okla., to work the second- and third-round contests with Marv Albert.

Living in north San Diego near Del Mar, with a son about to play next year at the University of San Diego, the 45-year-old Kerr reflects on a very different world from the one he experienced more than 20 years ago as a player and even more recently as an NBA exec:

Question: How different have you been watching the college game these days from when you did as an NBA general manager or even as an NBA broadcaster?

Kerr: The last three years, I was watching it far more for the players than for the teams. I'd go to the Big East Tournament and sit through four games a day for four straight days, then go to the ACC Tournament and do the same. It was awesome, but I was really watching just the individual play. Now I'm focusing on teams and trends and strategies, and it's really been fun again. The NBA game has been second-nature to me since I've been watching them forever, so to focus back on the college game has been a new challenge.

Question: We saw you work on the UCLA-USC broadcast at the Galen Center a couple of months ago. What else has got you refocused on college ball again?

Kerr: I did Oklahoma-Arizona a month before that one, a San Diego State-BYU game in San Diego recently. I ended up doing three Pac-10 games, and I'll be at two Big Ten Tournament games this weekend, so by the time the tournament starts, maybe seven or eight games, which is very helpful in feeling the rhythm and time-out situations, the subtle rule changes. It's been good to get my feet wet again with all that.

Question: Seeing the college game with a fresh set of eyes, what are some of the issues facing the sport that are most troubling?

Kerr: Without a doubt, it's one and done. You're getting so many players who are very talented but leave before they even give themselves time to develop. You rarely get a team anymore with star players that has experience, like the North Carolina team of 2009. Occasionally, you get a situation like Kentucky had last year with all that freshman talent. But it's a shame when the players leave and it affects the overall quality of play. The tournament is still great, with all the passion and emotion, but the level of play has definitely dropped off.

Question: So how do you fix it?

Kerr: It would be tough, but maybe with (the NBA's) new collective bargaining agreement, you change some rules. But that's a long shot. You can't blame some of them for going pro with all the money out there.

One of the things I realized as a GM is when you see the list of those players who have declared to come out early, maybe 75 percent of them are players you've never heard of. That's when it really gets bizarre. You wonder why kids would bypass their education and go after a dream that never gets fulfilled. Of the 25 percent you do know, some make it and will do fine, but even then some of them would be better if they'd stayed in college. And then there are guys that drop off like flies. They're just kids and they don't know the difference.

Did you see the comment that the Clippers' Willie Warren (above, right) made the other day? (The Clippers' 2010 second-round pick out of Oklahoma was recently sent to their Development League squad in Bakersfield for the second time this season). He tweeted something about he may just go back to school because he didn't know if he could deal with all this. Here was a projected lottery pick as a freshman, stayed in school, had a lousy sophomore year, still came out, and just wasn't ready. You wonder what would have happened if he did had some more coaches mentoring him.

To me, that's such a big issue on so many levels, not just how much better a player will get, but how better of a person he'd be with a degree. Even if he did make the NBA, he'd still be much better off at that point, having developed more as a human being.

Question: Do you think of what kind of a team UCLA might have right now if some of those players hadn't left after a season or two? But then, you look at the success they've had in the NBA. Is that a tough thing to convince a kid to stay when others have such quick success?

Kerr: It really is. Schools like UCLA, Kentucky and Duke especially get the big-time recruits and can't keep them. A UCLA team right now with Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook, and Jrue Holliday running the point. Are you kidding me? That would be incredible. But that's the way it goes.

Question: You can compare that to the UCLA teams you saw as a kid growing up, how they stayed together. As a ballboy, what are some of your strongest memories of getting to be close to some of those players?

Kerr: I was just in awe of it. There was Kiki Vandeweghe, another Palisades High guy. Roy Hamilton, who ironically I worked for this season as an executive producer for Fox Sports. Marques Johnson . . . Brad Holland. The players were really respectful.

I had been a UCLA fan since I was old enough to understand what was going on. I remember coming out of Pauley Pavilion when UCLA beat Maryland, which was the No. 2 team in the country with John Lucas and Tom McMillen. I remember crying when the (88-game win) streak was broken in South Bend. It was already in my blood.

I still remember coming out of Pauley once and the fans were complaining that UCLA only won by four points - they're all asking each other, 'What's wrong with our team?' I asked my dad, 'Didn't we win?' He said that everyone was used to winning games by 20 points.

Question: How did the UCLA ballboy job come about?

Kerr: I had a couple of ins. It helped that my dad was a professor there, but I also knew Herb Furth, who was the game-clock operator and was part of the ballboy interview process. I remember that our main job was wear blue corduroys and a white tennis shirt, we weren't allowed to shoot at all - and that part was tough. They were pretty strict. We never went into the locker rooms. We sat under the hoop and rebounded for the players (during warmups) and then sat under the hoop and wiped the floor if there was sweat. But it was such a thrill.

And then there was Coach Wooden, who would still be there. I probably have the same story as everyone else -- going to his camp, writing him a letter five years ago just to tell him what a big impact he had on my life and getting a letter back from his two days later.

Question: Were your dreams of going to UCLA crushed when you graduated from Palisades High and they didn't make you an offer?

Kerr: It sounds funny now, but I was really a late bloomer. I wasn't good enough then and I didn't expect to go there. UCLA recruited players at a much higher level. But there was obvious interest when I got to Arizona, and developed and got pretty good. We clinched our first Pac-10 championship when I was a junior at Pauley Pavilion. We had a lot of great battles with UCLA.

Question: Consider how you weren't recruited out of high school - you took a trip to Gonzaga, but couldn't keep up with John Stockton during a scrimmage; you applied to Colorado and wanted to walk on there; suddenly, Arizona and Fullerton seemed to have a scholarship available, and you took the Fullerton offer because of a miscommunication with Lute Olson. Your father straightens it out, and you get to Arizona. After all that, do you ever wonder what would have happened if you went to Fullerton after all?

Kerr: (Laughing) I probably wouldn't be talking to you right now.

An aside: To start the Q-and-A, Kerr was asked to comment on all the recent changes taking place the Middle East. His father, Dr. Malcom Kerr (linked here and, in this bio written by Steve's mother, Ann, linked here), who specialized in Middle East studies and once chaired UCLA's Political Science department during his 20 years in Westwood, was assassinated in 1989 at age 52, then the president of the American University in Beirut, Lebanon, in an apparent act of anti-American terrorism.

Steve Kerr, who was born in Beirut, spent much of his childhood in Lebanon and other Arab states and attended Cairo American College in Egypt, said this about the recent world events:

"I'd be very interested to hear what my dad would say. I often talk to my mom about it - she's still living in the Palisades and is very involved in that world.

"The intentions are great and the potential for change is great, but there's also the potential for more depression and dictatorship. So who knows. But for sure, hearing my dad talk about these things today would be interesting, but so would going back to the Gulf War and everything else since then."

Why any form of women's wrestling wouldn't even pry some away from the attention now on college basketball as March Madness kicks into full gear this weekend, with a new format and more voices in our heads, as we discussed in today's media column (linked here).

And for Lent 2011, we've given up on many things. Like trying to avoid the temptation of a nice looking cheerleader -- who could be as old as our own daughter. They're part of the appeal of the game. At least they stay all four years. The players don't even do that.

There's more:

== For the CBS tournament pairings announcement -- Channel 2, Sunday, 3 p.m. -- Turner Sports' Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith will team with CBS' Greg Gumbel, Greg Anthony and Seth Davis to co-host the thing from CBS' studio in New York. Jim Nantz and Clark Kellogg will come in via satellite from the Big Ten championship site in Indianapolis to interview NCAA Basketball Committee Chairman Gene Smith.

The show will also videostream on NCAA.com, CBSSports.com and SI.com.

== Steve Physioc and Marques Johnson call tonight's Pac-10 tournament semifinals for FSW at 6 and 8:30 p.m., while Gus Johnson and Bob Wenzel do Saturday's final at 3 p.m. for CBS (Channel 2).

== Because of its committment to doing NCAA men's tournament games next Thursday, TNT's regular Thursday NBA doubleheader has been moved to Tuesday next week and will include the Lakers hosting Phoenix (7:30 p.m., with Kevin Harlan and Kevin McHale) following up Chicago at Atlanta (with Dick Stockton and Mike Fratello).

== ESPN covers Monday's Lakers-Orlando game from Staples Center with Mike Breen calling it, and former St. John's teammates (on the '85 Final Four team) Mark Jackson and Chris Mullin as the analysts.

== Paul Burmeister and Solomon Wilcots call the first of 23 Arena Football League games for the NFL Network when Philadelphia faces Pittsburgh tonight at 5 p.m. Fran Charles and Ari Wolfe will also do play-by-play during the course of the season, with Trent Green, Michael Lombardi, Charles Davis, Brian Baldinger and Tom Waddle.

== Check out the tribule to the late golf producer and lifetime Emmy winner Frank Chirkinian that CBS Sports put up on its website (linked here).

== The Dodgers will shift to a new Spanish-language radio partner, Univision's KTNQ-AM (1020) for all regular season and eight spring training games. Hall of Famer Jaime Jarrin, starting his 53rd season, is rejoined by Pepe Yniguez (13th season) and Fernando Valenzuela (ninth season) on the call.The Dodgers were the first big-league team to start a Spanish-language radio broadcast in 1958.

== In light of Trevor Bayne's victory at the recent Daytona 500, Fox and NASCAR have produced an hour-long documentary on the event that airs Sunday (10 a.m., Channel 11). And Bayne says he wants to see it. "The show sounds really awesome," he said in a press release. "Believe it or not, I haven't had time to sit and watch the entire race, so I look forward to watching the show and seeing how it all went down."

== AND FINALLY:

== Skyhorse Publishing has announced that a new book authored by longtime New York broadcaster Bob Wolff will come out later this month called "Bob Wolff's Complete Guide to Sportscasting: How to Make it in Sportscasting With or Without Talent" (linked here).

From the press release:

"Bob's insight of how sportscasting works shatters many myths. He explains a creative way to get sportscasting jobs and states that although there are many big names with outstanding talent, there are many others with personal appeal who thrive on camera or behind the mike on personality alone. To get hired, one has to please the hirer."

With or without talent? We seem to see plenty in the later category.

This, by the way, is a long awaited followup to a 1992 book that Wolff wrote called: "It's Not Who Won or Lost the Game: It's How You Sold the Beer" (linked here), which is worth tracking down the $1.99 used versions of the book that appear to be available on the Barnes & Noble website.

Maybe the true test of this CBS-Turner mega-March merger that promises to broadcast every single second of the 68-team NCAA men's basketball tournament ultimately come down to one thing.

Who can flip, fumble, find and fixate on truTV before the Gus Johnson hyperventilates?

This otherwise off-the-sports-radar reality channel -- home to such ratings-busters as "Hardcore Pawn," "Lizard Lick Towing," and "World's Dumbest ..." -- will test our remote-control aptitude when the first four games of the new abbreviated first round are dumped into its programming lineup Tuesday and Wednesday.

True enough, truTV is reputed to be available in some 93 million homes. And if was still named CourtTV, it would probably make more sense these days. But since it has kidnapped 13 of the 67 games during the three-week long event, and has extended studio shows planned for the final weekend, doesn't that create some unnecessary consternation with channel-challenged viewers that at least know the buttons related to where CBS (26 games), TBS (16) and TNT (12) belong?

Think of when NBC expanded its Olympics coverage on cable to MSNBC or CNBC. Or ESPN told you to find ESPNU for a special event.

Change can be as challenging as simply changing a channel sometimes.

"Basically, it came down to needing four channels do be able to do all these games on a national basis, and when you have 16 games on some days, there's no way that just CBS, TNT and TBS can do it," said David Levy, Turner's president of sales, distribution and sports.

So the choice was this - DirecTV Channel 246 (right between TBS and TNT), Dish Network Channel 204, Time Warner Cable Channel 74 -- instead of CBS College Sports, which has been stuck with less than 50 million cable homes for some time.

With a 14-year, $10.8 billion agreement done, CBS and Turner folks say that most time-consuming challenge for all involved at this point isn't so much integrating networks, broadcasters, production teams, schedule makers and ad salesmen. It has to do with the consumer education process.

No more CBS lording over everything, switching games at its whim. You're in charge.

"We've empowered the viewer," says CBS Sports chief Sean McManus. "He's got the control in his hands and doesn't have to rely on a CBS executive to switch the games. We'll still do some look-ins and some buzzer-beaters, but the concept is: If you're watching a game on TNT, that's the one you're watching and that's our obligation to show that game in its entirety.

"We'll help navigate viewers with graphics and point to games on other channels that might be closer if the one they're watching gets out of hand, but really there's no flexing here. For better or for worse. And that can take some time (to get used to)."

As forward thinking as all this may be, there will be those who can't resist knocking a concept that's long overdue.

Like, Billy Packer.

The former lead CBS college basketball analyst told USA Today recently that he's been a longtime fan of truTV, "and people who watch it aren't going to be happy they're missing their cops and robbers shows" when it switches over to basketball.

"If truTV viewers liked basketball," he said, "they'd already be watching ESPN."

True enough.

Weaving a common thread of showmanship, cultural rebellion and NCAA sanctions, there's an intriguing connection between two well-made college basketball-related documentaries that HBO and ESPN will debut this weekend.

Coming up on the 20th anniversary of UNLV's last trip to the Final Four, HBO's hour-long "Runnin' Rebels of UNLV" (Saturday, 9:30 p.m.) examines the wild-west impact that Jerry Tarkanian had on what was once referred to "Tumbleweed Tech," after he was lured from Long Beach State in 1973 and somehow survived a tumultuous tenure that caused him to vacate in 1992 after more violations and nasty media attention.

Current CBS college basketball analyst Greg Anthony, Tarkanian's hard-nosed Vegas-native point guard who with Larry Johnson and Stacey Augmon led the school to the 1990 national title, stands out as one of the strongest voices in the piece.

He talks at one point about how the national perception of the program was how "they thought we were thugs and idiots and dumb kids (who) didn't deserve to be in school." Anthony, for that matter, was the school's president of the Young Republicans.

Commentary from comedian Jimmy Kimmel (who grew up in Vegas), Ross Porter (who followed Chick Hearn calling UNLV games on TV that were seen in L.A. from 1978-92) and USC cultural professor Todd Boyd add a cactus-pile of context.

As usual, HBO covers all the bases, and it got a thumbs-up from Tarkanian. In his Las Vegas Sun website blog, he wrote: "(HBO was) professional and fair. The story had to be done and they had a lot of guts for doing it . . . I would say 75 of the program was positive. For me, that is a pretty good percentage."

Meanwhile, ESPN Film's two-hour doc, "The Fab Five" (Sunday, 6 p.m., ESPN), lands with current network NBA analyst Jalen Rose as one of the executive producers and former University of Michigan teammates Juwan Howard, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson listed as producers.

Seemingly picking up the story of college basketball where UNLV leaves it off -- Duke knocks the Rebels off in the 1991 Final Four, and then meets up with Michigan the next season twice, including beating the Wolverines in the '92 title game -- the Fab 5 really was a two-year phenomonem but seemed like much longer.

Rose, Howard, King and Jackson are the focal points in explaining how 20 years ago they landed on the campus as five heralded freshmen who caused a seismic shift in the hoops world with fashion trends and cautionary tales of quick success.

Noticeably missing is Chris Webber. The analyst at NBA TV and TNT didn't feel like talking on camera about either his ill-taken timeout in the '93 title game, or address his relationship with booster Ed Martin that led to the firing of coach Steve Fisher and rescinding two championship game appearances.

"At this point in Chris' life, he's not ready to talk about what happened at that time," Rose said. "It's still a sore spot for him. (But) him not being a part of it in 2011 does not affect the integrity of (the documentary) at all. It's still told in a truthful manner."

The fact we live in a world where someone can make a living simply analyzing the NCAA men's college basketball tournament brackets all year is beyond bizarre enough to begin with.

That ESPN's Joe Lunardi is a self-certified "bracketologist" who actually does this job very well makes it even more mindnumbing.

On his often-updated website (linked here), where the field and seedings are constantly up and down graded based on the latest morsel of information, we've noticed that USC has been sitting in this group called "first four out" since January (today, they're joined by Washington State, Missouri State and Alabama), which sits precariously behind another group of four teams that are "on the bubble" (at this moment: Michigan State, Virginia Tech, Colorado and Georgia).

Swallowing our pride and another blast of "5 Hour Energy," we asked Lunardi to explain this phenomonial Trojan Purgatory Phenomenon and what, at this point, can be done to make it go away.

Lunardi, who also does radio color for St. Joseph's games in Philadelphia, started his answer with a joke: "I've been putting them there all year hoping that someone will invite me to an event in Southern California since its been so dreary in the East Coast."

But all kidding aside, bracket boy, spit out your knowledge:

"Who do they have in the (Pac-10 conference tournament first round on Thursday)? Cal? They (the Trojans) have to win at least two games, and probably the automatic (bid, which means winning the tournament) unless the bubble (above them) falls apart and a whole lot more happens. This season has been very uneven, some bad losses -- I've seen Rider, and they're a nice team, but not an NCAA team. And the Pac-10 isn't giving them a lot of juice numerically. The Texas win really keeps them afloat.

"There are a lot of teams (like USC) where they're very close, but the next loss knocks them out, so they can't really go any higher. USC and Washington State could get an at-large by winning a couple of game and even losing by one point to Arizona (in the title game). But I'm not betting the mortgage payment on it."

The fact he can make a mortgage payment as a "bracketologist" who, in the last 11 seasons has missed only 12 teams in his final projections (including a perfect record in 2008) is, again, stunning.

(FYI: ESPN.com also has a women's tournament bracketologist, Charlie Creme. His real name).

The Associated Press

Charles Barkley's analysis after a first-round blowout in the NCAA tournament: "Duke graduates their players, but that team they did has not graduated a player in like seven years."

Never one for understatement, Barkley was in fact exaggerating Tuesday when he imagined that scene. But not by much. The brash Hall of Famer plans to lobby for better graduation rates in his new job as a college basketball commentator.

CBS and Turner Sports' new 14-year, $10.8 billion deal to televise the NCAA tournament adds announcers from the NBA broadcasts on TNT to March Madness. And Barkley is mad about how few Division I players, especially African-American men, earn degrees.

"They got $10.8 billion. That's a lot of freakin' money," Barkley told The Associated Press. "The players aren't getting any of it, so clearly somebody is making money. I'm not opposed to people making money, but we do have an obligation, to, like, 'OK, you know what? We're making a (ton) of money. Let's at least make sure these kids get educated.'"

When Turner Sports chief David Levy asked him about joining the college studio show, Barkley said he wouldn't take part if he couldn't get academic. He met with NCAA President Mark Emmert in Atlanta in January, which convinced him players shouldn't be paid because it wasn't fair to give athletes in some sports money but not others.

"He understands what this is all about," NCAA vice president Greg Shaheen said. "His comments are representative of the many issues in the environment of basketball we're all trying to address. ... It's a great opportunity for him to comment on those topics."

Ron Shelton (linked here), the screenwriter, producer and director of such movies as "Bull Durham," "White Men Can't Jump," "Cobb," "Blue Chips" and "Tim Cup," sent along a remembrance of Greg Goossen, who passed away on Feb. 26 and will have a memorial service this Thursday (6 p.m., St. Frances de Sales Church in Sherman Oaks).

Shelton, shooting a cable TV pilot that he wrote about Triple-A baseball in Nashville, Tenn., called "Hound Dogs," says:

"In my senior year of high school at Santa Barbara (1964) -- the high school of Eddie Mathews, Jesse Orosco, Jamaal Wilkes, and Sam and Randall Cunningham, among others, so in other words, a very good sports school -- we had probably the best team in school history to that time and won the Channel League.

"Only decades later, as a boxing fan, did I meet the guy who hit those two shots."

Mark J. Terrill/The Associated Press
Kings goalie Jonathan Quick can't stop a goal by Vancouver Canucks right wing Jannik Hansen in Saturday's game at Staples Center.

Highlights of the week ahead in sports, both here and afar:

MONDAY

NHL: Kings vs. Dallas, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., FSW:

A win over Phoenix, followed by a loss to Vancouver, put the Kings no closer to a playoff berth than they started. "You win a game, you're in fifth (place), you lose one, you're in 10th," the Kings' Anze Kopitar said the other day, after a victory over Phoenix pushed them up the Western Conference ladder. Temporarily. "You can't look beyond the next game." Including this one.

NBA: Clippers at Charlotte, 4 p.m., Prime:

What to do again with Eric Gordon injured.

TUESDAY

NBA: Lakers at Atlanta, 4 p.m., Channel 9:

Mike Bibby, Jordan Crawford and Mo Evans combined for 19 points against the Lakers a couple of week ago - and were all traded to Washington for Kirk Hinrich and Hilton Armstrong not long afterward. By the way, the Lakers won that game by 24. Almost as good as the 16-point win over the Spurs on Sunday -- as if it was even that close.

WEDNESDAY

NHL: Kings at Detroit, 4 p.m., Channel 13:

Sandwiched between a "Everybody Loves Raymond" and "How I Met Your Mother" rerun comes a repeat of a matchup that last week resulted in a 7-4 Red Wings win.

NHL: Ducks vs. N.Y. Rangers, Honda Center, 7:30 p.m., Prime:

This is the last Eastern Conference team that the Ducks will face in the regular season -- the final 15 are all against the West. The Ducks are 10-6-1 against the East so far. A recent scoring drought has knocked the Rangers from fifth in the East to holding onto the final playoff spot.

NBA: Clippers at Boston, 4:30 p.m., Prime:

How much longer can the Celtic Pride survive with Nenad Krstic and Troy Murphy trying to clog the middle instead of Shaquille O'Neal and Glen Davis, both nursing injuries? When these two last met on Feb. 26, the Clippers lead by seven at halftime before losing 99-92. "That was (the Celtics') first game with (Jeff Green and Krstic) after the Kendrick Perkins trade. We had not finished our trade (for guard Mo Williams),'' Clippers coach Vinnie Del Negro said. "This time, they'll have their chemistry and we should have ours.''

College basketball: Pacific-10 men's tournament at Staples Center: Oregon State vs. Stanford, 6 p.m., Arizona State vs. Oregon, 8:30 p.m., FSW:

The four teams left with sub-.500 records in the conference regular season slug it out in a free trip to L.A.

THURSDAY

AP Photo/ Bahram Mark Sobhani
Miami's Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh watch from the bench late in their 125-95 loss to San Antonio last Friday.

NBA: Lakers at Miami, 5 p.m., TNT:

The Heat has put itself back on the hot seat. A 30-point loss in San Antonio, just a day after blowing a 24-point lead against Orlando. And then a one-point loss in Chicago. Meanwhile, Miami is just 1-4 against the Western Division elite of the Lakers, Spurs and Mavs this season - and guess which one it beat? That 16-point Christmas Day unwrapping over the Lakers featured a 27-point, 11-rebound, 10-assist effort by LeBron James. No. 3 in the East meets No. 3 in the West, on another national telecast, another statement game for someone. Turn up the heat.

College basketball: Pacific-10 men's tournament quarterfinals at Staples Center: USC vs. Cal, noon; Arizona vs. Oregon State or Stanford, 2:30 p.m.; UCLA vs. Arizona State or Oregon, 6 p.m.; Washington vs. Washington State, 8:30 p.m.:

The Trojans (18-13) have more to lose by losing early than the Bruins (22-9), who should be ranked in the Top 25. The semifinals are Friday at 6 and 8:30 p.m.

College basketball: Big West men's tournament at Honda Center in Anaheim: Cal State Northridge vs. Cal State Fullerton, 8:30 p.m.:

The third-seeded Matadors (13-17, 9-7 in conference) won nine of their last 14 games since Jan. 15 to make things interesting. The semifinals are Friday with the final on Saturday at 5 p.m. on ESPN2. Long Beach State is the No. 1 seed.

PGA: World Golf Championship: Cadillac Championships, first round, Golf Channel, 11 a.m.:

The top 50 players in the Official World Golf Ranking have signed up, and Tiger Woods, who now commands all the respect that a No. 5 overall can, has won this one at the Doral Blue Monster in Miami six times in his career.

FRIDAY

NHL: Kings at Columbus, 4 p.m., Prime (delayed at 7:30 p.m.):

The Kings pulled out a shootout win in Columbus last month when Jarret Stoll beat Mathieu Garon.

NHL: Ducks at Colorado, 6 p.m., KDOC:

Corey Perry had his second hat trick of the season in a 3-0 win over the Avs a month ago.

NBA: Clippers at New Jersey, 4 p.m., Prime:

Perhaps Deron Williams and his new Nets teammates will still be suffering from jetlag, or at least some lethargicness, from their two-game trip to London last week.

SATURDAY

NBA: Lakers at Dallas, 6 p.m., Channel 9:

It's the end of what could be a nasty four-game roadie for the Lakers, in a game they most likely need to win to have any hope of chasing down the No. 1 Western Conference seed. A couple of months ago, the Mavs' Jason Kidd had a season-high 21 points and 10 assists in a 109-100 victory over the Lakers. Now the Mavs have Corey Brewer to bang some bodies.

NBA: Clippers at Washington, 4 p.m., Prime:

The fourth stop in a five-game, seven-day trip might may as well go round two with a Blake Griffin-JaVale McGee dunk contest. No cars allowed.

College basketball: Pac-10 men's final, 3 p.m., Staples Center, Channel 2:

Could the No. 4 seed Trojans and No. 2 seed Bruins end up playing each other a third time this season? That would be a first. Next year, it'll be a Pac-12 tournament title crowned.

SUNDAY

College basketball: NCAA men's tournament selection show, 3 p.m., Channel 2, ESPN:

The inaugural field of 68 is officially announced - and you've only got a few hours to officially fill out a bracket since the new mini-first round starts on Tuesday instead of Thursday next week. ESPN launches a three-hour "Bracketology" show at noon, and keeps hammering on the number 97 - as in the percentage of accuracy that Joe Lunardi has had in predicting the at-large bids over the years. Blame him if your bubble is prematurely burst. This games arrives after the ACC final (ESPN, 10 a.m.), the Atlantic 10 final (Channel 2, 10 a.m.) and the Big Ten final (Channel 2, 12:30 p.m.).

NHL: Kings at Dallas, noon, FSW:

The second meeting with the Stars in six days, and there's one more to go in early April.

NHL: Ducks vs. Phoenix, Honda Center, 5 p.m., FSW:

On the first of daylight savings, don't show for this one at 6 p.m. by accident.

College baseball: USC vs. UCLA, Dodger Stadium, 2:30 p.m. (Prime has it delayed at 7 p.m., after the Dodgers-Cubs exhibition in Las Vegas at 1 p.m. and Dodgers-White Sox exhibition in Arizona delayed at 4 p.m.):

Free parking, all concession prices half the normal rate for a Dodgers game, and a $12 ticket. And no motocross to get in the way. In the first game of this doubleheader, Georgia faces St. Mary's at 10 a.m.

Michael Owen-Baker/Daily News Staff Photographer

For an upcoming documentary on the Pasadena-based Baseball Reliquary, Northridge filmmaker Jon Leonoudakis realized that in the hundreds of hours of footage he's already shot, there was an extended interview he did with Greg Goossen at his apartment last October.

Leonoudakis revisited it this week, edited it down, and produced DVD copies for the Goossen family to have.

There was Greg Goossen alive on the screen again, with all the photos on the wall behind him, talking about his life, appreciating the time he had in the spotlight, wearing the giant gold ring that champion middleweight Michael Nunn once gave him as thanks for his help as a trainer.

And there's lot of laughing. Loud and raspy.

At one point, Goossen is talking about the career of the star-crossed Bill Buckner, and he comes up with the line: "Someone once said, I don't care how they remember me, as long as they remember me."

No worries there, Goose. You won't be forgotten.

From today's column (linked here), we have these additional comments:

From Jim Bouton, who last saw Goossen at a "Ball Four" celebration last September in Burbank, put together by the Baseball Reliquary:

"We did see each other just before that at a reunion in Seattle for the Pilots, and we all went out to a Mariners' game. But afterward, he got lost under the stands when were leaving the park. 'Where the hell is Greg?' 'I saw him go that way...' I took off to find him because I figured he could easily get disorientated. I think I found him 50 yards going the other way, looking bewildered over which way to go. 'Greg, over here!' And he grabbed my arm and said, 'Daddy! Thanks for finding me ... I got you Daddy.' And we swam against the current of fans coming out. ...

"I could just see him as a student in high school, never taking himself too seriously. Maybe not a great student, but a very smart guy who was aware of what was going on around him. Wise to everything enough so that teachers would pass him through. Sort of the class clown, but not having an enemy in the world."

From Pete Rose, whom Goossen stepped in to accept his induction last July in the Baseball Reliquary's Shrine of the Eternals:

"Such a gem of a guy. Just quit smoking. Just got his knees operated on. His weight was good. Great stories at lunch, Mondays and Wednesdays, same seats, making everyone laugh. You know, he never ordered food, but when he'd get up, he'd always be full. And the only reason he'd leave was to take care of his dogs at home. We could always laugh about that. And his 2002 red Mercedes, that only had 18,000 miles on it. He had that flattop haircut. ... and always had a comeback when I'd make fun of it."

Goossen had said that if Rose ever got back into managing in the big-leagues, he might be one of his coaches. Rose's response: "I'd put him on my staff anytime. I'm not sure if he could handled it as a bullpen coach with guys throwing 95. His fingers would be so banged up he couldn't get a quarter off a bar, but I know he'd put the mask on and try it. He would have been a great bench coach fo rme. He knew the game, understood it, was always a couple of innings ahead, knew what the hell was going on."

On the times they played against each other in the big leagues: "Neither of us were very talkative back then (in the mid-'60s). We were young players who just kept our mouths shut even with our personalities. We didn't want to wear out our welcome. I really didn't try to get involved with catchers, either. I didn't necessarily like pitchers or catchers. I kinda wish I knew him better when we were players instead of just the last four or five years. If I were playing against Greg now we'd have so much fun when I would come to bat. That would be a fun at bat. I think I'd still get a base hit, but then get thrown out at second trying to steal."

== From Terry Cannon, the director of the Baseball Reliquary:

"It was really a treat for me to get to meet Greg over the last six months or so. I think he genuinely understood and appreciated the Baseball Reliquary, and felt quite omfortable around the organization and its members. I think there's a very good likelihood that he will appear at some point on the Shrine of the Eternals ballot.

"Looking back over Greg's appearances at Reliquary events last year, I think my favorite story relates to his presentation at the Shrine of the Eternals Induction Day last July, when he accepted Pete Rose's induction on his behalf. Greg was sitting by Sister Mary Assumpta of Cleveland, who was receiving the Hilda Award, and he was dressed in black from head to toe. Several people came up to me who didn't know Greg, and they asked if he was a priest who had accompanied her on her trip to Pasadena. The story gets even better.

"Sister Mary was sitting next to Chris Chesser, a Hollywood guy who had co-produced the film 'Major League,' which featured a cameo appearance by Sister Mary. Chris was there that day to introduce Sister Mary prior to her receiving the Hilda Award. Very few in the audience knew that Greg had tried out for a role in 'Major League.' When I introduced Greg and he began to walk to the podium to accept Rose's induction, Greg walked right by Chesser and mumbled under his breath, but loud enough to be heard by those sitting in the first few rows, ". . . and fuck you for not hiring me for that picture!" I guess if there was anyone in the first few rows still wondering if Greg was a priest, that gave them their answer!

"Greg was just the real genuine article, and I'm sure glad the Reliquary had this interaction, albeit brief, with him. And I'm also really glad that Jon Leonoudakis was able to capture his wonderful appearance at 'Ball Four Turns Forty' and also the interview he did with Greg for the Reliquary documentary. These are wonderful glimpses into Greg's life and personality."

"One more thing about Greg: After the Shrine ceremony, Greg came up to me on his way home and I handed him the induction plaque for Pete Rose. Greg said, 'Hey, this is gonna look great on my mantle.' And I replied to Greg by saying that I hope he kept the plaque, because I think it was probably more meaningful to him than it would be to Pete Rose. I suspect he gave it to Pete, although I never asked him.

"Greg was one of only three players that I recall who was so impressed with the Reliquary that he said to me a couple of times, if there was anything he could do for the Reliquary to just ask. The only other players who ever said that to me were Dock Ellis and Dick Allen. Of course, I wouldn't ask for any favors, but just the fact that they offered showed me that they were Reliquarians at heart and really appreciated our modest efforts to honor the legacy of the game."

The Associated Press
Greg Goossen, left, hits in the New York Mets spring training batting cages under the eye of manager Casey Stengel, right, in 1965. The photo is one of many hanging on Goossen's living room apartment wall.

In Greg Goossen's modest second-story apartment in Sherman Oaks, about the distance of one of his home runs away from the Notre Dame High School campus where five decades later he's still revered as one of its greatest athletes, the photographs framed all over his living room walls tell the stories of his many lives.

Enough for Goose to give everyone goosebumps one last time.

Following up on the return of the media column (linked here), and looking for more gravy to add to the crock of smashed potatoes that will rival anything else served up to you on a silver platter:

== Richard Deitsch's SI.com "media power list" for February (linked here) includes the Poynter hiring by ESPN, and includes a link to his Q-and-A with their leaders (linked here). He also has a link to the "scathing piece" on Poynter's website by former New York Times writer David Cay Johnston after news broke that Nike had been paying a group of ESPN on-air talent to serve as emcees.

== With Spero Dedes doing CBS' coverage of the Oregon-Arizona game on Saturday from Tucson, Ariz. (Channel 2, 11 a.m., with Bob Wenzel), Bill Macdonald will handle the Lakers' radio play-by-play of tonight's game against Charlotte for KSPN-AM (710).

CBS is also pushing its Duke-North Carolina game coverage (Saturday, 5 p.m.) into East Coast prime time, the first time the two schools will meet in that window for non-ESPN network TV. Jim Nantz and Clark Kellogg call it. CBS will also use analyst Reggie Miller on his first college game, as prep work for the upcoming NCAA Tournament, when he does Kentucky-Tennessee on Sunday with Kevin Harlan (Channel 2, 9 a.m.).

== Blake Griffin's behind-the-scenes performance at the NBA All-Star weekend is documented in an NBA TV special that premieres today (3 p.m.) with several replays. The Lakers' Kobe Bryant admits during the half-hour piece: "Let me tell you what the significance of Blake Griffin is: he had me dunking tonight (during the All-Star Game)."

== Interesting first-person piece by Armen Keteyian on CBSnews.com (linked here) about how that organization worked with Sports Illustrated to produce the magazine's cover story about college football players who have criminal records.

"While criminal incidents involving college players appear to have become more widespread in recent years the scope of the problem had never been fully explored," Keteyian wrote. "No one had ever conducted the kind of criminal background checks we were proposing; reporting that would eventually expand to 31 state or local courts, 16 court databases and 25 law enforcement agencies. More than 7,000 checks in all.

"Truth is, only a small handful of news organizations today have the resources (read: manpower and money) to back such an ambitious, game-changing project. And I do believe it is game-changing. Why? Because now schools know what is possible. They've been handed a detailed road map of where to look."

As thorough as the piece seems to be with numbers, stats, and coaches like UCLA's Rick Neuheisel commenting on them, the missing elements, as discussed on many of the sports chat shows, is how the percentage of these athletes matches up to the general population, or even campus student population, for similar offenses. Maybe their numbes look alarming, but are they above or below other standards?

Richard Lapchick, founder of the Center for Sports and Society and president and CEO of the National Consortium for Academics and Sports at the University of Central Florida, is quoted about the report in a SI/CBS press release:

"This sounds an alarm bell that some new policies are going to have to be developed on individual campuses or at the national level to take a closer look at who we're recruiting... With the results of this investigation, I think it's almost incumbent on all those universities who play at this level to do criminal background checks on the people they're recruiting. Not only for the nature of the football program itself, but for public safety on campus."

== If you pass on the above, please give a read to Joe Posnanski'spiece on former CNN sports anchor Nick Charles in the current issue-ender in this week's Sports Illustrated (linked here).

== Why even care about Tennis Channel programming this weekend? David Hasselhoff.

Knight Rider will be featured on the network's "Celebrity Tennis" series (Sunday, 4 p.m. with many repeats) to talk about his love of the game with Vince Van Patten.

From the Tennis Channel press release, the Hof describes his own play to that of a "swatter... like Dr. Seuss on the court."

With a hamburger in one hand and a racquet in the other?

== First, the NFL Network has been doing a splendid job keeping its blinders on with coverage of the scouting combine and airing all the business-as-usual events of the offseason. Yet, without seeming to get too mucked up in any slanted coverage of labor negotiations, how does it all but ignore stories about the fact that network TV money has been dragged into all this as the thing that NFL owners are trying to float upon for a pending lockout situation? A judge's ruling in favor of the players union to prevent owners from using $4 billion in rights fees as a "lockout insurance" has been called by at least one sports economists as a "decision that could surpass the collusion rulings against Major League Baseball in terms of its importance to professional sports, and have a significant impact on the NFL's ongoing labor dispute."

== Bob Papa, Max Kellerman and Roy Jones Jr. call the HBO boxing card from the Honda Center in Anaheim that airs tape-delayed Saturday at 10:30 p.m. that includes Saul Alvarez vs. Matthew Hatton and Daniel Ponce De Leon against Adrien Broner.

== If boxing is considered to be one of the better sports to translate to the new 3D technology, it stands to reason that ultimate fighting would be as well. Versus and UFC tried the first 3D broadcast on Thursday from Louisville, Ky., for those with 3D TV sets.

"We're really excited to start broadcasting UFC events in 3D," UFC President Dana White said of the event in a press release. "UFC is ahead of the curve when it comes to introducing new technology and we think UFC fans will really enjoy seeing fights in 3D."

== The combined Golf Channel/NBC coverage of the Honda Classic this weekend is the first full-field PGA Tour since the two networks were united by the Comcast purchase of NBCUniversal, following last week's collaberation on the WCG Match Play tournament in Arizona. And you may even notice a difference. All the golf on NBC is called "Golf Channel on NBC," with a Golf Channel graphic look and new logos on the NBC commentators jackets (a combo Golf Channel-peacock patch).

Golf Channel continues its coverage today (noon to 3 pm..) and adds two hours of live coveage Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. before NBC begins what is called "Golf Channel on NBC" from noon to 3 p.m. each day. (Yes, kind of like "ESPN on ABC"). Kelly Tilghman and Frank Nobilo are with the Golf Channel coverage today, while Dan Hicks and Johnny Miller pick up Saturday and Sunday, along with Gary Koch, Mark Rolfing, Roger Maltbie and Dottie Pepper, plus Jimmy Roberts running around somewhere with a mike in hand and essay in his head.

Golf Channel says its three-day average viewership for last week's match play event was up 84 percent from last year while viewership for "Golf Channel on NBC" coverage rose 71 percent.

== The Sporting News has officially taken over Fanhouse.com, a move that has resulted in some losing jobs while others deciding not to move to the new site, reports the Sports Business Daily. Readers who entered the Fanhouse URL were automatically redirected to Sporting News' home page. SportsbyBrooks.com says that Kevin Blackistone, the highest-profile Fanhouse writer, decided not to write for the new company.

== FoxSports.com's Brian Lowery (linked here) reminds us that what he calls the "Charlie Sheen Career Suicide Radio Tour" began with an unsolicited call to the Dan Patrick syndicated radio show, which Sheen probably hears in L.A. on KLAC-AM (570).

AND FINALLY:

== The evolution of Prime Ticket into Prime Sports, and Fox Sports Net 2, and FSWest may have been a bit confusing over the last 25 years, but the way it's all explained in an hour-and-a-half special hosted by Bill Macdonald that's been airing on FSW and Prime over the last couple of weeks.

The "Fox Sports West 25th Anniversary Special," which has repeats on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. and Tuesday at 5 p.m. (both on Prime Ticket), starts with a clip of the first event televised on the channel - a Lakers game against Cleveland on Nov. 5, 1985 with Chick Hearn and Keith Erickson .

But it also includes such memorable clips as:

= Oscar de la Hoya's first pro bout, a "Fight Night at the Forum" event called by Hearn on Nov. 23, 1992;
= A first-season Anaheim Mighty Ducks when a Tinkerbell animatied character would sprinkle pixie dust on a player whenever he scored a goal;
= Inglewood High's Paul Pierce after winning the Wooden Award;
= And Tom Kelly calling a Marion Jones race in 1990 when she was a 14-year-old freshman at Rio Mesa High, as well as high school clips of Matt Leinart, Baron Davis and Kevin Love.

Those broadcasters who share stories with Macdonald include Vin Scully, Bob Miller, Mike Walden, Kelly, Don McLean, Stu Lantz, Steve Physioc, Brian Hayward, Jim Watson, John Jackson, Jim Fox, Ralph Lawler and Joel Meyers.

And look close: You'll even see clips of Van Earl Wright and Carolyn Hughes interview Dodgers pitcher Jose Lima.

AND REALLY FINALLY:

== You mean non-Laker fans will be footing the bill as well for this new Time Warner Cable channel that is 24/7 Lakers? But, of course (linked here). Isn't that obviously how it always has worked?

And if you still haven't worked through the math of this:

If Time Warner had the Lakers' channel this year, and was paying $150 million in reported fees, it would only have 57 exclusive games (the others are either on ABC nationally, exclusive for TNT coverage or going side-by-side with ESPN), 22 of the games would have a start time of earlier than 6 p.m. PDT, and two of them would had 10 a.m. starts (fire up the DVRs), and there'd be no Lakers-Miami or Lakers-Boston, and only one Lakers-Orlando game.

Is that still a bargain?

John Ireland had a simple request.

"Can you help an obnoxious, know-it-all, loudmouth sports guy out?" the KCAL-Channel 9 Lakers sideline reporter and KSPN-AM (710) midday sports talk co-host asked in an email sent out recently, an attempt to turn a loss into a win over an on-air guarantee he made before the Lakers' recent game in Cleveland.

The Cavaliers, with the worst record in the NBA, had no chance of upsetting the defending champs who were ending a seven-game, 13-day road trip before the All-Star break. Ireland said as much on the KSPN Lakers pregame show to analyst Dave Miller, who insisted it could happen.

"You sound like an idiot," said Ireland. "I would quit my job and walk home from Cleveland if they lose this game."

Final score: Cleveland 104, Lakers 99.

In 1990, Chick Hearn not only put a Lakers' game at Denver in the refrigerator - they led by 14 with five minutes to play -- but said he'd walk home if they lost. Channel 9 producer Sue Stratton put up a graphic: "Distance from Denver to Los Angeles: 1,050 miles." The Lakers won by just two.

In 1989, when the Pittsburgh Pirates took a 10-0 lead in the first inning at Philadelphia, Pirates broadcaster Jim Rooker said he'd walk home if they lost. They did, 15-11. So he took 12 days to make up the 315 mile trip, and raised money for charity in the process.

Ireland decided he needed a bailout plan.

"I might have given myself some wiggle room," he said, "but the Lakers had no business losing to Cleveland. I had to do something."

He channeled it into taking part in the Walk Now for Autism event on April 23 at the Rose Bowl, raising money for a cause that means a lot to him and his family. The goal was set at raising $2,344 - the distance in miles between Cleveland and L.A.

As of midday today, his page on walknowforautismspeaks.org (linked here) has nearly $12,800 in pledges.

"It's beyond anything I ever imagined," Ireland said. "I just thought it would be cool to get the number with a lot of small donations to that 2,344 number, but now it's taken a life of its own."

Even if Ireland ends up on the road covering a Lakers' playoff game on that date, he plans to fly home for the event, or complete the walk in whatever city he's in during the time it takes place in Pasadena.

"I'll do it, either way," he said. And guaranteed it.

And we've made our modest pledge: $23.44. Match it?

A memorial service is planned for Thursday, March 10 at 6 p.m. at Saint Francis de Sales Church in Sherman Oaks for former major-leaguer Greg Goossen, who died of an apparent heart attack at his home Saturday just hours before was to be enshrined in the Notre Dame High Athletic Hall of Fame.

Goossen, fourth in a family of eight brothers and two sisters, played football and baseball at Notre Dame High and was drafted by the Dodgers in 1964, taken off waivers by the New York Mets and played for Casey Stengel, then had time with the one-and-done Seattle Pilots in 1969, the Milwaukee Brewers and played for manager Ted Williams and the Washington Senators in 1970.

He later worked as a private detective and helped his brothers, Joe and Dan, as a boxing trainer, working with Michael Nunn and Gabriel and Rafael Ruelas, brothers who became featherweight and lightweight champions in the 1990s.

Goossen was survived by his nine siblings, his three daughters Erin Hyder, Tracey Woodside and Kimberly Goossen and four grandchildren.