Many famous peeps have been buried at Forest Lawn in So Cal...

Andy Gibb and Art Linkletter...

Bert Convy, Bette Davis, and Buster Keaton...

Charles Laughton...

David Carradine and Don Drysdale...

Edgar Buchanan, Edie Adams, and Ernie Kovacs...

Forrest Tucker and Fred “Rerun” Berry...

Gene Autry and Godfrey Cambridge...

Rick’s mom, Harriet Nelson...

And John’s mom, Helen Travolta...

Jack Webb and John Wooden...

Leo Durocher and Liberace...

Lou Rawls and Lucille Ball...

Marty Feldman and Marvin Gaye...

Not to mention my dear Uncle Leo...

And my mom and dad...

Forest Lawn at Glendale and Hollywood Hills are beautiful...

However...

Two more burials took place last weekend...

At Sherwood’s Forest Lawn...

The hair, the smile, and the tongue...

Sherwood Brown and Florida Gulf Coast performing last rites...

Jamaal Franklin and San Diego State followed Georgetown...

Going six feet under...

Oh my word...

Haven’t they stolen the show at the March Madness Dance???

We are pleasantly stunned...

But not as nearly as stunning as...

The coach’s wife...

Take a look at him, then take a look at her...

Boy, did he marry up...

Way, way up...

THAT dude got a supermodel???

Amanda Marcum Enfield???

Well...

Now there’s hope for you young and ugly single men out there...

No wonder the Hoyas and Aztecs lost...

Too busy looking at her...

Totally unfair...

Hiawatha!!!!!!!

You better watch out, Florida Gators...

The Undertaker has your grave ready...

But if you took a brief moment to shift your eyes to the court...

You found something incredibly refreshing...

A Phenomenal Phifteen in the Sweet Sixteen...

Actually...

Should a team that beat Miami be seeded that low???

It doesn’t matter at this point...

The Florida Gulf Coast “Iggles” have landed...

Making this tournament incredibly memorable...

In more ways than one...

dvt

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(Merge the left side of Obama's bracket with the right side of Limbaugh's bracket...)

I’m usually pretty good at it...

Even if I do say so myself...

My secret???

I don’t pay much attention to the regular season...

I look at the overall records...

Keep an eye on the conference tourneys...

And my teams...

And lean toward coaches that tend to do well...

I usually give the benefit of the doubt to the school in the major conference...

Then I take a stab at it...

The trick is picking a few upsets...

And getting them right...

So this is what I did this year...

If you look at Michigan St. Coach Tom Izzo...

You will see me riding on his back...

I tend to do that every year...

And it usually pays off at least into the Elite Eight...

I saw Oregon play host to Washington in January...

No way a twelve seed...

I told you so...

An “upset” so to speak...

Not really...

Twelves tend to do well over fives...

Tempting enough for me to take Akron over VCU...

(Ooooopps, that was a stupid pick...)

And I usually like VCU for a game or two...

My three favorite schools are San Diego State, Illinois, and UCLA...

Picking for or against “your team” is not easy...

I try to not be a homer...

The broken foot hurt the Bruins...

Many have them biting the dust against Minnie...

I think they have enough to win one...

Illinois gets Colorado...

Haven’t watched them much...

But I tend to favor the Big Ten in a situation like this...

And I want Cousin Diane to be happy, too...

She’s the biggest Fighting Illini fan I know...

Watches every game...

As for San Diego State...

Not as good as the last two years...

My wife, Miss Kim, used to work with Jamaal Franklin’s mom...

(Dunk of the year...)

You will see him in the NBA next year...

I just had to homer this one...

But I won’t be surprised if it goes the other way...

My son Ryan and I will hang together Friday...

Eat and watch ball...

Watch ball and eat...

And this thing about calling the first round the second round...

That is stupid...

That’s not a round...

Those are play-in games...

Yes, I know that technically those teams are already in...

But it still isn’t a round...

You see...

Even me...

A non-drinker...

I know what a round is...

If you buy a round...

It’s for everybody...

And not everybody is in the so-called first round...

I think they are just trying to be politically correct...

And not hurt the feelings of those teams...

But it’s still not a round...

Enough of that...

I was very nervous about picking UNLV over Cal...

Going against both my “5/12” and “BigvsSmallerConference” rules...

But I did it anyways...

And I am paying for it...

UNLV is playing sloppily...

And about ready to get bounced...

Not really an upset in my book...

Yes, I know the Mountain West isn’t that much smaller...

And they got five in...

But they don’t have the aura of the Pac-12...

What about Marquette???

They scared the "caca" out of everybody...

But prevailed...

It wouldn’t have mattered...

I have Butler beating them in the next round...

Butler is still getting overflow love from previous years...

The Creighton-Cincinnati choice was interesting...

Why is Creighton called the Bluejays???

The Creighton Barrels is much better...

I went with the past track record and Cincy in that one...

Belmont never wins...

Don’t ever pick them...

Belmont is a horse race, not a basketball team...

And speaking of horse race...

Kentucky...

Bwaaaahaaaaahaaaaahaaaahaaa....

Poor John Capillary...

A bloody bad year...

And now for the number one seeds...

You could have drawn from a hat and done as well...

Louisville...

Denny Crum was one of my faves...

Probably because he was a Wooden protege...

Two great nicknames from the past...

"Never Nervous" Pervis Ellison...

And Dr, Dunkenstein...

Darrel Griffith...

Not a Pitino fan...

But he’s a good coach...

I just don’t root for him...

But I’m not stupid either...

I love Saint Louis...

But I see “Loo-vull” squeaking by...

But losing to the Michigan State Izzo’s in the Midwest Final...

Gonzaga almost choked on a cucumber today...

I am not impressed...

Sweet Sixteen is the max for the Zags..

UNLV is only down by three right now...

Maybe there is hope...

Nope...

Oooopps, that was the final score...

Don’t ask me why, but I like Wisconsin over Gonzaga...

Maybe it’s the defense...

They still play good defense, right???

If not, I screwed that one up...

New Mexico could make a big run...

They will definitely outsmart Harvard...

I have the Lobos over the Buckeyes...

But losing to the Badgers in the West’s Elite Eight...

On the other side of the bracket...

Kansas...

Bill Self...

I will never, ever do that...

It doesn’t make any sense...

I would rather bill other people than bill myself...

The Jayhawks will just miss the Final Four...

I really like Florida...

Even though I have only been there once...

And speaking of Florida...

I just can’t ignore Miami in the East bracket...

In my opinion...

That’s your championship game right there.

Miami vs. Florida...

But it won’t happen...

Cus they are on the same side...

So I have Miami nipping Florida...

Wisconsin stopping Izzo...

And Miami winning it all convincingly...

It’s just a bunch of hunches all rolled up into one prediction...

But isn’t that the way everybody does it...

Enjoy the Madness...

dvt

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Hello and welcome to another Wednesday of deep thoughts. March is an interesting month for sports fans. Of course, many would put March Madness at the top of this month’s sports heap, but I am not feeling it this year. I sort of attributed this to my favorite team (Texas) being completely left out of the post season this year. That is until I read an article by Dennis Dodd today comparing and contrasting college football and basketball. In essence, the article discussed how college basketball revels in showmanship and college football throws a penalty flag. To use Dodd’s words…”there is a divide between the discipline of football and the liberalism of basketball.” Football is still about the name on the front of the jersey and basketball celebrates the name on the back of the jersey. I guess I am getting old, but for me part of the allure of sports is the lesson it teaches players. What lesson does this brand of basketball teach? I look at college basketball and wonder what happened? With the best players passing quickly through college, there is no chance for these players to learn discipline or team play. But, why should they? The NBA game is more of the same with a big paycheck to reinforce me first behavior. Many of us have lamented the demise of the NBA, but have we taken a look at what has happened to college basketball?

Maybe basketball is simply a young man’s game? I know that I loved watching Phi Slamma Jamma and countless other college teams growing up. The only thing I can think that is better with the modern game is longer shorts. What am I missing? It is March, but I don’t feel the madness. Maybe the game has just passed me by…of course, if there was even one team from Texas in the tourney, perhaps I would have more "madness'!

Everyone has heard about the fax fiasco with Elvis Dumervil. But I think that there is more to this story than just Dumveril being cut by the Broncos. Why would a 3 time pro bowler be asked to take a pay cut? In the age of the salary cap, we see older players being forced to take a pay cut or they are gone. Dumervil is 29 years old…is this considered old now? In a very violent sport, NFL players rarely get guaranteed contracts. Why? As fans, I think most of us grow tired of seeing players want to renegotiate after a great season. We expect players to honor the contract that they signed. But if we expect players to honor their contract, why should teams not also be required to honor a contract with a player? Why even have contracts if teams can pick and choose which players they will “allow” to keep the deal they signed. I understand the concept of a salary cap. But is the cap too low? Is this really the right way to do business? I suspect that the next CBA that this issue will be one that is hotly contested. Incidentally, it appears that the Broncos are trying to work a deal to keep Dumervil, which is good news for such a seasoned veteran.

Have you read about the lawsuit that Ed O’Bannon has filed against the NCAA? It basically calls out the NCAA for not paying players for using their likeness in video games and TV. Apparently the big boys in college football are paying attention to this. Big 10 Commissioner Jim Delaney made a declaration last week in federal court that read this way:  "Big Ten schools would forgo the revenues in those circumstances and instead take steps to downsize the scope, breadth and activity of their athletic programs. Several alternatives to a 'pay for play' model exist, such as the Division III model, which does not offer any athletics-based grants-in-aid and, among others, a need-based financial aid model." So, is this conjecture or is this for real? Can you see Michigan, Ohio State and Nebraska going with a D3 model? In truth, this might be the best thing for college football. I know that BOB would find this option to be a healthy one…but is this realistic? Of course, Delaney also said, that joining the BCS "was not a first step toward a playoff, but a last step." Except for all those other steps leading up to a playoff. All I know is that there is a ton of money to be made off college football and somehow, I can’t see major college football turning their back on this money. I don’t really know the answer to this problem. I don’t think that college football should share TV money on a 50/50 basis as O’Bannon has suggested…but how can the NCAA tell Johnny Football that he can keep money he receives from suing those making money off his likeness and be fighting this lawsuit. Speaking of Johnny Football, I hear that Johnny is having a big time in Cabo…a really big time. I think it is great to have fun, but I wonder how much longer the Aggies are going to allow this guy to live the high life? Spring break is one thing, but telling a hater on twitter to tell your mom wassup? Oh well, the pitfalls of being young and famous, I guess.

I have been an Astros fan since I first learned what baseball was all about. I spent hours during the summer listening to games on the radio with my grandfather and even though they were not very good in the 60s, they became my team. There have been really good years and some not so good. As a fan, I hope for the best each year but accept whatever the outcome. Former Astro owner Drayton McClain became very good at keeping the purse strings tightly bound. Years of operating in this manner made change necessary. When Jim Crane bought the Stros, I was hopeful that a new group would have a better plan. The talent in the Astro’s farm system had become a league wide joke. Although Houston was terrible last year and destined for a tough first year in the AL West…I was willing to endure the hard times…but when I read what Jim Crane had to say last week, it sort of struck a nerve. Here is what Crane said:

 "It doesn't bother me that people want us to spend more money," Crane said. "But it's not their money. This is a private company, even though it's got a public flair to it. If they want to write a check for 10 million bucks, they can give me a call."

While I understand the logic in how Houston is rebuilding, the Astros will spend $25 million on this year's team...or less than Alex Rodriguez will make in 2013. It would seem that Crane might have a bit of empathy for those fans that he is trying to sell tickets to. Crane goes on to say… "I didn't make $100 million by making a lot of dumb mistakes," Crane said. "We're not going to get everything right, but we're going to get a lot right." I wonder if Mr. Crane made 100 million by telling his customers to kiss his ass? Deep down, I know what Crane is doing is right. The way that baseball is structured now, the teams at the bottom get the most flexibility to sign talent. They are building for the future, but perhaps Crane needs to find someone else to do his public speaking for him. Or build a stadium with fewer seats…

Tuesday night the WBC finished up with the strong Dominican Republic team winning the championship in a 3 to 0 shut out over Puerto Rico. I know that many in the US don’t find much to love about the WBC, but there is no doubt that the fans in Dominican will celebrate well into the night. Congrats to the DR for a well played game. Now get to spring training…

Do you know someone that has always had a beard and suddenly shaves? Would Santa Claus look right without a beard? Abe Lincoln? Well, brace yourself as I have another one for you…Chuck Norris. Oh no, please say it ain’t so, Chuck! After seeing this picture, I had to go find another with a beard to keep in my memory.

                                        Say it ain't so, Chuck...

By the way, I hear that Amazon is having a great special on a wide range of books this week…cookbooks, How to become a nuclear physicist in three easy weeks, The feel of leather and my personal favorite, Jayhawk tattoos.  Happy reading…

Congratulations to Phil Dawson for finding his way out of Cleveland. It really was time for the Browns to find another player to franchise. I think that the 49ers will be very happy with their new kicker. It was sort of a win/win.

That’s all I have today, but I will leave you with a bit of Jack Handey…

“Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes.”

“Sometimes when I feel like killing someone, I do a little trick to calm myself down. I'll go over to the person's house and ring the doorbell. When the person comes to the door, I'm gone, but you know what I've left on the porch? A jack-o-lantern with a knife stuck in the side of its head with a note that says 'You.' After that I usually feel a lot better, and no harm done.”

Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave a few deep thoughts of your own…

Did anybody else notice that it is March?

And do you know what March brings?

MADNESS!!!!

That's right, it is time to start considering how to cure that madness, time to remember the real reason we go to work this month; the 2013 NCAA Basketball Tournament! And with the tournament comes the bracket challenge.

Once again, YouGabSports is hosting a bracket challenge at CBSSports for its members and, well, anyone else who wants to play and talk some trash. 

Feel like you have what it takes to come out on top and smoke the field? Then sign up at the following links, fill out your brackets, and then start practicing in front of a mirror, because it is going to be epic!

Simply sign up below and we will email invites to those who have the stones to throw down.

Welcome to March, Gabbers. It’s supposed to get warmer soon. We’re gonna hit 43 around these parts. Conference tourneys start this week. Those always have some great ball. The Big East tournament is usually legendary, but I have high hopes for the Big Ten this year. I’ve been able to catch the MSU-UofM games this year and they’ve been great. Last Sunday’s one point nail biter was one of the better games I’ve seen in a while.

Our old friends the talking heads seem upset by the apparent lack of favorites heading into this year’s tournament. I can’t remember a tournament where the projected winner made it through anyway. Honestly, the tournament is more about the journey and brackets than favorites. It’s just fun to watch everything shake out and even more fun to try and guess how it will shake out. Think about it, how many other times have you found yourself rooting for Stoney Brook? For my money the fact that this year has been so even makes brackets harder, but makes the tournament that much more exciting.

March is also bringing us the World Baseball Classic this year. The 16 team tournament is already underway, but surprisingly isn’t getting a lot of air play here in the US. ESPN is showing it on one of their associate channels, ESPN Deportes. The US starts play in pool D in Phoenix, AZ. They have a rough bracket as they’re matched up with pre-tourney winners Canada as well as Mexico and Italy. While a lot of big names have pulled out due to injury concern, the US roster features a lot of familiar names from the big leagues including Adam Jones, David Wright, Giancarlo Stanton, and Ryan Braun. The rotation for their first round includes R.A. Dickey (v. Mexico), Ryan Vogelsong (v. Italy), and Derek Holland (v. Canada). Our bullpen is strong with Craig Kimbrel highlighting a group that includes Chris Perez and Heath Bell.

Joe Torre is managing the squad for the US and also plans to use the tournament as a testing ground for improvements for the MLB. Officials from the MLB plan to visit the WBC games in Miami to explore factors that they believe could impact the expansion of instant replay like camera angles. As of now, replay is limited to determing fair/foul balls and trap v catch calls. Many in the game believe that the MLB is considering expanding the use of replay to plays at the plate and throws to the bases. Many believe these calls will be added next season, but won’t rule out the idea of such expansions starting after the all-star break this season.

The questions that still remain center on how the MLB would execute replay calls. Most seem to think the MLB will employ a system of manager challenges similar to what the NFL has in place. Another option would be to create a position for an independent replay umpire who would determine what calls to review. Cost certainly limits the idea of a replay official. The NHL has its system for reviewing goals in which a central office in Toronto reviews every goal to determine if the puck crossed the line and did so legally. Finally, the MLB would have to determine what calls are challengable. While most agree that balls and strikes would be left up to the umpire, there are several other instances that the league may have to consider.

Legally, the player and umpire unions have only agreed to replay options for fouls and catches. The MLB would have to gain the consent of both groups to be able to expand the replay system in any way. I have little doubt that both unions would agree to expand the system in principle. The difficulty would be in the means. How can the league bring in more cameras and stop time for a game many believe is long enough already? I am all for expanded replay, but have doubts about what it could do to the flow of the game. I think it takes away from some NFL games as it stands. The replay process is very new to sports and I only hope they can continue to refine it so it is less of an obstacle and more of a useful tool as was intended.

Arian Foster has come out to announce that he will be logging off of Twitter. Foster, who featured an eclectic feed that talked about the game as well as his appreciation for physics, declared that he was finished with the site Monday on Twitter. Much has been written here and elsewhere about the stupidity of athletes on Twitter. Will Fosters move trigger an exodus from the site by athletes? I hope so in some ways. I’ve yet to see an athlete get much more than bad publicity and outcry from the site. On the other hand, it does give everyone something to write about. Seeing more guys leave would have us focus a lot more on the actual sport. Wouldn’t that be something?

Well, that’s it for me this week. Thanks as always for stopping by. Thinking about the WBC, I don’t know if I should root for the US or Venezuela. Venezuela has 3 tigers and a stacked line-up on paper. Of course, the more time Miggy and co have to rest up, well, that may be favorable in my opinion. That in mind, I leave you with your word of the week.

Vatication, noun

When the Pope abdicates the the Chair (cathedra) of Peter before his natural death, the Emeritus Pope is said to be on permanent Vatication.

Vatication is like the ultimate staycation, since it is a vacation in the Vatican taken on a permanent basis by Emeritus Pope.
Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI starts his permanent Vatication on February 28, 2013, the day he abdicates the pontifical throne, doffs his signature red Prada loafers, and his papal ring is destroyed.