When Too Much Is Too Much

     I thought that today I would have written about the Golden State Warriors doing the unthinkable--sweeping the defending Cleveland Cavaliers and the best player in the world, Le Bron James and nemesis Kyrie Irving en route to an unprecedented 16-0 post-season record. Until the Cavs came out with focus and determination to throttle the Warriors. The series returns to Oakland for Game 5 on Monday night. I am not as comfortable as the many prognosticators who think that it is inevitable that the Warriors claim their second championship in three years. The Cavs came back last year from a 3-1 deficit to win; who says they are incapable of winning four straight? I put nothing past James, Irving, Kevin Love and J.R. Smith to keep momentum on their side. We shall see.

     I could have written about the New York Yankees and their surprising start to the 2017 season. The Yankees are in first place, 3 games better than the consensus A.L. East favorite, arch rival Boston. The Yankees have been led by the gentle giant, Aaron Judge, he of the gargantuan 20 home runs and top 3 exit velocity hits in Major League Baseball. Or how Gary Sanchez has come alive again after last years's incredible rookie season. Or the contributions of Didi Gregorious, who missed the first month of the season due to an injury suffered in the World Baseball Classic. Add in Brett Gardner's homers, Aaron Hicks hitting over .300, Matt Holliday also hitting bombs, All Star play from Starlin Castro and superb pitching from Luis Severino and Michael Pineda. It's early. Time will tell if the Yankees are legit.

     Perhaps it is the Houston Astros, the top team in MLB. The Astros are blowing away the competition in the A.L. Central, running out to a double-digit lead. Even with ace Dallas Keuchel returning to DL for a second stint, diminutive 2B Jose Altuve leads the Astros in hitting--again. It is only June, so the jury is out on how good Houston really is.

     How about the New York Mets stinking up the NL East? Beset by key injuries to star players, a lack of consistent productivity from its hitters and woeful pitching, even with dominating the Atlanta Braves this weekend, the Mets have not come close to expectations. Perhaps the expectations were too optimistic...

     Maybe the French Open suits your style. Rafael Nadal is in another French Open final. He went into the match versus Stan Wawrinka tied with Pete Sampras for second all-time major titles with 14 and he was seeking to be the first player with 10 victories in one Grand Slam. His 19-0 record in the French semis and finals is unbelievable. As Roger Federer and Rafa head towards retirement, when the injuries and age finally do catch up with them, their mark on the sport is reminiscent of Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus in golf. Of course, Nadal is virtually invincible on clay anyway, so his straight set victory today is no great surprise.

     I could also have written about the Belmont Stakes and the upset winner Tapwrit triumphing over the favorite, Irish War Cry. Alas, this third Belmont victory for trainer Todd Plechter meant nothing more than that. there was no Triple Crown winner this year and the horses that won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness weren't even running at Belmont. Too bad.

     Or maybe I could have expounded on the Stanley Cup winning Pittsburgh Penguins and their marvelous and talented captain, Sidney Crosby. Alas, the Penguins returned to Nashville Sunday night ahead 3-2 in the series, but where the Predators had won twice in very convincing fashion. While the Stanley Cup would be on call in Tennessee (I listen to that oddly reverberate in my head--Tennessee and ice hockey??), the betting line was for a winner-take-all Game 7 in Pittsburgh. Except that the Penguins rallied for 2 goals in the last 1:35 of regulation to defeat a very game Predators squad, securing the Stanley Cup in back-to-back years for the first time since the Detroit Red Wings accomplished that feat in the late 1990's. Crosby was also a back-to-back winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Finals M.V.P. This should have gotten at least equal billing with Nadal's historic triumph in Paris.

     Then there is the story of the New York Jets jettisoning veteran players, allegedly developing a QB who reportedly overthrew receivers so badly that TWICE he hit reporters removed from the sidelines with his ugly throws. There is discontent and the specter of a lousy season is prevalent. Certainly a worthwhile read from  a long-suffering season ticket holder perspective.

     But my focus this week is on the absurdity of NCAA Baseball at the Division I level. It is June 11 and the champion has yet to be determined. This weekend is the Super Regional phase--8 sites where best of 3 series are played to determine who heads to Omaha for the College World Series. Teams like number 1 Oregon State, with a remarkable 54-4 record, including 5-0 at home in the NCAA playoffs, stand to play 60-65 contests if headed to the finals, which itself is a best of 3 series after a double-elimination format to determine the final participants.

     The 16 Super Regional teams have been playing since February. The warm weather teams benefit the most, with few rain outs or games postponed due to snow. Usually 4 to 5 games are played per week. Travel is a major consideration for many schools--the far-flung Big 12 can see trips as far East as Morgantown, West Virginia and as far South as Austin, Texas.

     Basketball is bad enough, exceeding 30 games per season is a regular occurrence; North Carolina played 42 games from November to April. At least they played more home than road games. And not more than 3 a week unless in a tournament.

     Where is the schooling for these scholar-athletes? Is sports greater than the academics? Why should teams with graduates for over a month in some instances, still be playing into late June? What about freshmen who are thrust into almost 2 to 3 times as many games than they played in the spring before, when they were high school seniors?

     I am no more in favor of the NCAA Track and Field Championship happening this weekend in Eugene, Oregon. The same complaints are echoed. The difference is that whole 25 man squads are not affected; track is by and large individual competition except for relays.

     At least the NCAA Softball champion was determined earlier in June. Congrats to the repeat champs, the Oklahoma Sooners. It mercifully took them three fewer weeks to accumulate 61 victories in 70 contest to win the title.

     I don't know what the answer is. My Franklin and Marshall College baseball teams in the late 1960's and early 1970's played 25 to no more than 28 contests from late March, invariably with snow on the ground, to the very beginning of May. I was able to concentrate on final exams because we weren't too good and the season concluded within the academic calendar.

     My suggestion to the NCAA is this: stop playing February or end the games in May. Not every team should play each other in 3 game series during the regular season. Finish the playoffs by Memorial Day as in lacrosse. Make the tournament single-elimination. Bring the student back to campus in a far more normal manner--like the other non-athletes.

     Until the NCAA comes to its senses, we will see this ridiculousness continue. To the detriment of youngsters who should enjoy more of the college experience outside of baseball.

     In hindsight, I wish the Warriors had dethroned Cleveland in four games. Then I might have had something to write about.