Updates on Tech alum in pro sports

Currently, there've been some rough patches for Tech alum in the major pro sports. Mark Teixeira is struggling as a Yankee batting a lowly .211 in the New York "Homerun Derby Park." He's got three homers helpin' out his slugging percentage. We'll see what happens. Hopefully, Mark'll pull through and justify his contract to the Yankees.

Everyone's favorite name, Nomar Garciaparra, isn't doing much better batting a .179 for the 5-8 Oakland A's.

For completion's sake, Varitek is batting a .250, which isn't great but ain't too bad for a catcher.

In two playoff games for the Celtics, Stephon Marbury has only scored 2 points but he pulled down a few boards and got a few assists in the first game of the series. Otherwise, the playoffs have been like the rest of Marbury's tenure at the Celtics - less than stellar.

Will Bynum, on the other hand, has become a pretty good bench player for the Pistons and is putting in some solid minutes in a desperate effort against the unstoppable Cavaliers. Like I said a few weeks ago, I never thought the tiny man from our Final Four run would be the most successful NBAer when all of those players ran out of eligibility.

Thoughts on NBA playoffs or MLB are welcome.

Day 8: College BBall is Over

I started my day listening to Mike/Mike. It was fine until missed the carpool and in the chaos of driving alone down Highway 52, spilled my soda right into my lap. I survived the spill but the Michigan State Spartans didn't.

Last night was a classic beatdown. State didn't have the horses. Hell, no one had the horses to run with UNC. The best nonbasketball point made in post-game wrap ups was this morning by Andy Katz. He pointed out that Michigan State saved the Final Four. Instead of being the worst attended Final Four (due to poor ticket sales from the other 3), the games set records for attendance because of MSU's proximity to Ford Field. 70,000+ in attendance.

I found it interesting, at least. Imagine a Final Four 50 miles from Tech with Tech in it (more like 3 miles from Tech)...that'd be sweet.

Another interesting tidbit from this weekend was Will Bynum's effort for the Pistons on Sunday. Pretty crazy that he's still doin' it in the NBA and arguably having the best career of the Final Four guys.

Final Conference Roundup
ACC: 9-6 (60.0%)
Big East: 17-7 (70.8%)
Big 10: 9-7 (56.3%)
Big 12: 10-7 (58.8%)
SEC: 1-3 (25.0%)
PAC 10: 6-6 (50.0%)
Other: 12-28 (30.0%)

NCAA Championship thoughts are welcome. Any musings about life in general are welcome.

One Last Trip to San Antonio: April 3, 2004

With it being Final Four weekend in Detroit, and in response to Bird's post last week regarding Will Bynum's shot, I have uploaded the video of the shot. I watch it every year around this time.

Remembering the shot heard 'round ATL

Above: #3 Jarrett Jack, #11 Will Bynum, #12 Luke Schenscher, #42 Clarence Moore, #24 Marvin Lewis

How can anyone forget the shot Will Bynum made to send Tech to the National Championship in 2004? Every time I reflect on the play, I tell people it's one of two times I high-fived my dad. The other time was the 1992 NLCS when Sid Bream slid home and was SAFE. One of my buddies from Pittsburgh has a shirt that says, "Pittsburgh Pirates: Rebuilding Since 1992."

The game was on April 3, 2004. The shot was made off a pick and roll with 1.5 seconds remaining against a favored Oklahoma State team giving Tech a 67-65 win. Every bit of the play is still stuck in my head. Great times.

Anyone like to reflect on past Tech moments, go ahead.