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02/19/2007: "Sweet Mother of Pearl ... It's The Sports Rant!"

Busy sports weekend ... let's get right to it:

- A great Daytona 500 - if you were smart enough to wait until the last half-hour of coverage to tune in. No real "Big One", but a lot of "Little Ones" knocked out most of the favorites. Kudos to FOX's Jeff Hammond who, when asked who he thought would win, replied "Tony Stewart - if he has racing luck." He had the car, but not the luck, and ended up in the wall with the rest of them. I feel for Mark Martin, who was thisclose to his first victory after nearly thirty years of trying - only a little wiggle in the final corner let Kevin Harvick inch by. Bet you wish you had that Roush engine right about now, eh, Mark?

- The Rehabilitation of Kobe Bryant continued last night, in Sin City of all places. He wasn't just a player, he was a leader - and was justly rewarded with the MVP. Unlike most recipients, he didn't have to campaign for it. He just did his thing within the flow of the game and dominated. Nice to see Kobe and Shaq have friendly words before the game - it looks like the feud is truly over.

- The Phil Mickelson of old reappeared yesterday on the back nine at Riviera, and it cost him the event. Most will point to his bogey on the 72nd hole, or a poor putt on the final playoff hole with eventual winner Charles Howell III. But I knew it was over earlier when he used a wedge on the green - and chunked a big divot. He may have the best short game in the business, but his head continues to be his biggest liability.

- The last of the MLB squads will report for spring training today - thank God! Say what you want about the popularity of football or basketball, or the difficulties baseball has gone through in recent years, but it is still the national pastime. Everyone was throwing money around like drunken sailors in an attempt to pack their rosters - all, that is, but my beloved Florida Marlins. I'd love to tell you how with that great six-pack of rookies they had last hear, all they had to do was stand pat, but that'd be a lie. They're cheap - bottom line. The likelihood that both Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera - or either of them, for that matter - will still be with the team come playoff times is unlikely. But that's the life of a Fish fan, I guess ...