One thing jumped off the page at me this morning,it actually made me laugh out loud. No big deal just a interesting note in baseball history. It was on this date back in 1920, yes I said 1920, that baseball outlawed all pitches involving tampering with the ball. Oh lord, if there has been a more abused rule I need it pointed out to me. We all know about the hell raised over the batters juicing up and turning the game into scores more in line with slow pitch soft ball results. But when it comes to pitchers doctoring the ball the most common response is a smile and a wink. Hell, I was a pitcher in high school but never could get the hang of it. But good grief, the game has many, many prominent names through the years that everyone knew was doctoring the ball. My brother Lee was a trout guide who used to take a former big league manager on fishing outings and they talked about it. It was something everyone knew was going on. The names are not obscure guys, Gaylord Perry was likely the most blatant abuser. But trust me, it did not end with Perry. How about names like Whitey Ford, Don Sutton, Tommy John, yes, he was known for more than the surgery that now bears his name. Joe Niekro, Jay Howell, Kenny Rogers, MIchael Pineda, Rick Honeycutt, Mike Scott and Orel Hershhiser. Oh it's not just the typical spitter. They get creative, vaseline, shampoo, ky jelly, pine tar. Whatever they can use to make the ball dance to a different tune. Pitchers will always look for any edge. They have been doing it for years and trust me on this, with the money at stake these days there will be no let up. Just part of the game within the game.
Okay, a free play in college hoops. Tonight I am going to the little apple, Manhattan Kansas. The Wildcats are coming in off a monster win last weekend over the Sooners. I for one, missed that one big time. The Sooner's shot around 24% from beyond the arc saturday and that is well below their average. Didn't exactly hurt the cause for the Cat's but the fact is Kansas State out fought Oklahoma. There has never been one question in my mind about the heart of this team. Bruce Weber has a club that will go toe to toe with anyone, anywhere. Tenacity is no issue. Problem is a lack of play makers. Wesley Iwundu shows flashes but has a tough time being consistent. Much the same issue Bill Self is dealing with in Lawrence with Wayne Selden. In the game saturday big Dean Wade found his stroke and had his game of the season. Okay, now the big question. Can the Wildcats build on that momentum here with the Bears coming into town or will they have a let down? I am going to side with Kansas State here at home guys to get it done. These teams just battled it out in Waco on january 20th with the Bears surviving a tough overtime battle. Revenge is on the side of Weber's kids here. Bramlage can be a tough spot to play and OU will testify to that stubborn fact. Baylor has not been covering numbers of late and I do not think they do tonight. I say the Wildcats here are the right side.
Thanks as always guys and best of luck tonight with your action. March madness will be here before we know it.