I can’t say that I was a fan of MLB starting its season in late March, but the weather has cooperated enough that it looks like it was the right move. For those fans who are already pissed off at their teams (looking at you Met fans booing Bo Bichette in his first series at home), remember it’s a long season and SU’s maxim applies here: “You are never as good as you look when you are winning, and you are never as bad as you look when you are losing.”

Many players take a while to adapt to the colder weather up north and often struggle the first few weeks of April. And you can be hitting .130, go 3 for 4, and all of a sudden you are close to .300. One has to be patient.

Having said that, SU is excited about the Yankees 5 – 1 start to the season. And I noted the speech that Judge, Stanton and Goldschmidt gave to the players at the start of the season to bring the focus and energy each and every game. What a concept! The Yankees have played long stretches of mediocre ball the last few seasons that hurts them for seeding in the playoffs in October. Who knows if this works but SU likes the leadership for this year’s team. Remember, there is likely going to be a lockout after this season and who knows if we have baseball in 2027?

So, do we like the ABS system to challenge umpires on pitch calls? SU says yes! It’s done quickly and finally incorporates technology into baseball. Does it embarrass the umpire? I would say only on the calls where they were way off. If it’s a millimeter here or there, come on – no big deal. It’s really the obvious calls where it is such a help. You have to be impressed at how well hitters know the strike zone and know when a pitch just missed. SU is a fan.

Ben Rice is the man. Favorite player on the Yankees, and Aaron Boone needs to make sure he is in the lineup most games. Stanton is batting .500 and is red hot. Of course, Boone opted to rest him on Wednesday with a travel day Thursday as a DH. I don’t know: maybe you play guys every game while they are red hot? Now, true, Goldschmidt hit a home run in that game and we know Stanton only plays 40% of regular season games due to injury. But I did not follow that one.

A few random thoughts this Good Friday:

1. Great men’s Final Four tomororw night. You can make the case for any of these four teams winning it all. Illinois only wants international players on the roster – and they have to be big. Arizona dares the refs to calls the fouls and lives at the foul line. Michigan plays big and may have some karma at play this year. And UConn is here on a prayer and courtesy of another Duke meltdown late in the game. Of course, SU is all in on Michigan. Go Blue! A great season for them no matter the outcome. They play the game the right way – very unselfish with a deep rotation. SU watched a lot of Big Ten games this year and that is the deepest and best conference. Glad to see they showed out in the NCAAs this year.
2. Lots of talk of the top coaches lining up to be considered for the vacant North Carolina job but SU says the ACC is a far cry from what it used to be. Sure, there is Duke but this is no longer a powerhouse conference.
3. Keep an eye on the women’s Final Four starting tonight. UConn is going for a repeat but similar to the men, Texas, South Carolina and UCLA are all even bets to win it all. SU notes that the NCAA has royally screwed up the women’s NCAA tournament by having 2 regionals play in one site. That limits practice time for the teams. They also brought in backboards and rims that were way too tight and overinflated basketballs. Come on – do better here.
4. Sad to see the demise of Tiger Woods in yet another car accident. Given the number of prescription drugs he has to take, and his wealth, can we get him a driver before he kills himself or someone else? He is only 50 but looks so much older now.
5. Men’s tennis is going through a very odd period now as pretty much every tournament is won by Alcaraz or Sinner. Not good for the sport but it’s hard to see who is going to join them as a threat to win a tournament. They are both generational talents but you need more contenders to make things interesting.
6. Finally, hoping the Knicks can show some interest and energy and make a serious run for the NBA championship this year. Detroit and Boston will both be hard to overcome for sure in the East. You have to assume this is the last year that ownership will keep this unit together if they fall short. Need to at least make the finals to call the season a success.