Fans seem to enjoy dynastys. Many believe that pro sports are better when a few teams are dominating and the others are chasing. I'm not one of those guys. I get bored seeing the same teams dominate year in and year out. Fresh blood is necessary if for no other reason than to show that smart drafting of young players can improve any team with good management behind it. Who doesnt like the story of the Detroit Lions? After years of mis-management they have become competitive again. The Washington Nationals have been the laughing stock of major league baseball for years...they are in first place this morning. And the LA Kings are going to the Stanley Cup finals. Its just their second trip to the finals ever...the last time was in 1993 with Wayne Gretzky on the team. The 49ers...the Orioles...the Pacers & Thunder & Clippers....the sports world is filled with stories of teams rising from the sewers to battle for championships. In my mind that's ceratinly more interesting than handing the trophy to the same folks year after year.

BTW...the four teams with the highest payrolls in major league baseball were all in last place yesterday. So...no more whining about how you cant compete in a small market. its all about how you spend the money and staying healthy.

Many basketball fans have been turned off by the NBA style game over the years. The Miami-Indiana series is showing why. An exciting matchup with lots of side stories is being overshadowed by the rough play. Someone is going to be seriously injured if the league and the referees dont take charge. Now the howls of indignation will go up if some of the stars are on the bench in foul trouble but going to the basket should not include fearing for your career.

Also, Im not sure it's possible to guard the best players in the game when they are allowed to take 2 1/2 and sometimes three steps to the basket without dribbling. It's a different game and I don't want to sound like one of those old farts that complain about how things were better back in the day...but when the rules are relaxed so much that the greats of the past would not be able to compete in todays game...something is wrong.

Wasnt interested in watching it but Donald Driver becomes the latest pro athlete to win "Dancing With The Stars"...they may have to limit the use of pro athletes in this event because they are in so much better shape and have so much better coordination than regular folks that its not really fair.

Just saw that Nascar Truck champion Ron Hornaday will be at State Park Speedway on Thursday night. Scott Wimmer and his dad are really doing some nice things with the aging speedway and his connections to the highest levels of racing will lead to more apperances like this I would imagine.

Songs of The Day   (From my I-pod)

Jack Of Speed-Steely Dan (2000) from the "Two Against Nature" album...the first of new material by the group in 20 years. It won four Grammys including Album of The Year. They are one of the tightest live bands around.

Jack, You're Dead-Joe Jackson (1981) From the Jumpin Jive album...Jackson's tribute to Louis Jordan and the jump music of the 40's. I'm not sure what the point of this video is but it's the only on line version of the song I could find. Tell me you can listen to this without moving.