If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, and swims like a duck, it's a damn duck. If a golf club has two female members, and a two black members and is an invitations only membership, and not making any plans to add any more women and people of color, it's a racist and misogynist golf club. Yeah I'm talking about the Augusta National Golf Club: 99% of membership white males. And, really, up to the turn of the century all caddies had to be black? Yes'm masta. What is up with white guys? I'm a white guy and I'm getting really ashamed of my race. So, I wonder why the golfers over the years haven't brought any real pressure to bear on Augusta? Probably because the vast majority are white. Hey, I wonder are there any Asian members? Am I being sarcastic? You bet.
I'm pulling for Sergio at the Masters. As great a golfer as he is and no majors??? I'll settle for Ricky
Fowler. You gotta love his orange Oklahoma State trousers. Watch out for Rose. The Englishman is so damn steady.
Baseball season is on its way. Here's an off the wall and little known book of collected stories about baseball called KILL THE AMPAYA! The Best Latin American Baseball Fiction . Edited and translated by Dick Cluster. Terrific fun read.
Watched Kevin Durant's first game back after injury. Looks like KD will be ready to be the old KD in time for the playoffs. It's going to be real interesting to see how Coach Kerr adjusts his rotations. My wife and I are going to be traveling in Greece during the first round, so I'll have to find a taverna with a TV, but then I might become distracted by a glass of ouzo and a plate of dolmas. Good luck, Dubs!
Teams in the NBA other than the Big Boys that will be better next year, not in any particular order:
1) I like the Suns's young players to mature and become competitive. Booker and Chriss,
and Bender with a summer to improve. Lem incrementally better. High energy wide body
in Williams. One more solid draft choice away, but could surprise even without one.
2) Portland Blazers. They've finally got a big who can score and protect the paint and a summer to
find a little more muscle and an effective reserve point guard.
3) I have to give the Timberwolves some love. They just have too many athletic and talented players
to continue the status quo. If they can take Thibidaux's gruff personality and accept that they must
play D for 4 quarters, they're bound to be be contenders for a playoff spot.
4) I'm giving a nod to the Sacramento Kings. A summer of improvement for their young core: Cauley
Stein, Hield, Labisierre, Richardson, and Papagiannos. They still need a bona fide point guard,
but even if they have to go with the steady if not brilliant Collison, they should be improved.
5) I don't see much improvement in the East, but will take a chance on Washington Wizards. With
addition of Bogdanovich to stretch the floor. With a training camp, he might be the difference
maker for a roster that contains lots of talent. Sometimes it only takes one addition.
6) Philly, but only if Embid comes back healthy and can stay healthy. He is indeed a stud.
Why I Never Played Golf by Tom Meschery
I din't trust myself. Imagine
losing a match by one stroke
on the eighteenth green, his putt
longer than mine. He sinks it
for a birdie and I sink mine
for par, and I have my putter
in my hand and a bad temper
and he is smiling at me.
You understand, smiling.
