It’s Spring Training in Tampa with the Yankees. What can go wrong? Zack Britton has a bone chip in his elbow and will require surgery. He will be out the first few months of the season. This is a big deal for a team that has 2 starters who will be on pitch counts and thus require more relievers to finish a game. We saw this in the playoffs as Aaron Boone was afraid to use more than a few of his key guys. You have to figure that Chapman will get hurt at some point – he always misses some time – and that leaves Chad Green. As Joe Girardi says, “it’s not what you want.”

Ottavino is gone. The Yankees have to hope that one of the youngsters can slide into a 7th inning role. They have the guys available to step in but hard to know if they can be consistent. SU says look forward to some blown leads this year – certainly more than we are accustomed to in Yankee Land.

SU has had it with Dick Vitale. He’s a good guy, does great work with his charities and has been good for college basketball forever. But he has become unlistenable. Just words nonsense in a steady stream of noise. I finally had to mute the ESPN broadcast tonight – and I never, ever turn off the sound for any sports event. And when you watch with no sound, you realize how much ESPN covers Tom Izzo on the sideline arguing with the refs. Constant. We know Izzo complains all the time but do we need to see it in action? SU used to think the Big Ten Network had the worst broadcast but it’s ESPN now. Congrats to them. After losing to Michigan, I watched his post-game news conference. Izzo is the Serena Williams of college basketball. Give as little praise to the winner as possible and just focus on why you didn’t win.

So, I stumbled across this video on how to shoot under 100 in golf (for me that is the holy grail). I don’t play much but who knew the game could be this easy?

It looks like we are going to have fans in the stadiums for baseball games nationwide and pretty soon. Gary Sanchez already has 2 home runs in spring training for the Yankees. Note: this is not a good thing. I would be happier to read that he had hit 3 singles to right field. For Yankee fans, spring training is all about which pitchers will be shut down for Tommy John surgery. You know it’s coming. As opposed to other years, it does feel like they have enough depth this season to absorb a loss with a number of younger guys ready to take the next step.

The Mets continue to operate under the radar but SU believes they will be right there in the end for 2021. The Subway Series is back – these will be good games between contenders. Enough of the big hugs.

SU continues to be worried about the NCAA Conference championship tournaments. You are crowding multiple teams together day after day. The NCAAs start in just a couple of weeks. You cannot risk losing a top team at this point or even having a team have to forfeit a game once the brackets are set. The experts are showing a lot of love for Gonzaga this year. It’s always hard to know with them as their regular season schedule is not especially competitive. Illinois looked to be all world punching Michigan in the face on Tuesday but SU says beware of teams that peak too soon. But as a sports fan, I am really looking forward to the NCAAs this year. Three weeks of fun and elimination hoops. Predictions to come.

First off, SU is very excited about another major championship for Novak Djokovic – his 9th in Australia. He has made it to the finals there 9 times and won every time. He is now 18 for 27 in Major Tennis Tournament finals. Such an impressive career. He took a lot of heat trying to stick up for the other players who were quarantining for 14 days in their hotel rooms – somehow his PR skills are lacking but SU says he had the right intent. At 33, he is still in his prime. SU says it’s not worth the time to argue who is the GOAT. It’s probably Roger Federer but to me, Nadal and Djokovic are in the same class and we will never see a generation of champions like this ever again. Give the man his due.

Pitchers and catchers have reported! Did you see that Zach Britten already blasted teammate Domingo German who is coming back from his 6-month suspension for domestic abuse? He said that you don’t get to choose your teammates. In the antiseptic world of Yankee speak, that is as big a broadside as you will ever hear. It’s clear German needs to address his teammates as well as the media. We don’t know the full details of what he did but no doubt it was ugly and serious. However, fans are forgiving and he won 18 games a couple of years ago for the Yankees. Time will tell if the Yankees hold onto him.

Brett Gardner is back because of course he is. But SU says you give the left field starting spot to Clint Frazier and ride him. He has paid his dues. Gardner should be the 4th outfielder and he will play plenty because Hicks and Judge are always injured. No doubt Giancarlo Stanton will report in better shape but let’s see if he can make it through the spring in one piece.

Good news on the vaccine front from Israel with the Pfizer vaccine. You have to figure that fans will be back in Yankee Stadium and Citifield in short order. SU would be fine at 50% capacity and you know what? Not having to wait on line for food or be crowded into the men’s room with the drunken fans is a plus for coming back out to the games. SU will be there once I am vaccinated, and why not restrict access to the games to people who are vaccinated? SU is optimistic. Not sure we will see those crowds for NBA games – they are starting off slowly – but by summer, we should be in better shape.

The NCAA is allowing fans for the tournament – I believe 30% capacity. Again, I say get rid of the conference tournaments this year. Why risk your top teams having a COVID outbreak and then miss the tournament completely? It makes no sense to me. Go all in on March Madness and if you need to, add another round or a bunch of play-in games for the teams that are on the bubble.

Btw, the Big Ten is such a good conference this year. Michigan, Ohio State, and Illinois are in the top 5, and Iowa and Wisconsin are right up there as well. I almost exclusively just watch Big Ten games – along with the UConn women’s team of course.

Jeremy LIn is having a strong outing in the G-League. Surely some NBA team should take a chance on him.

SU is watching the series Yellowstone on the Paramount Network. Actually entertaining. Similar to the series Dallas but takes place in Montana. I finished Your Honor on Showtime. Would not recommend.

Ready for some warmer weather and baseball exhibition games. Signs of spring are coming.

Well, the game was entertaining for a half but Tampa Bay was just too good. SU congratulates long-time subscribers Mark L. (Bucs 34-24 and Jeff – Bucs 28-17) for being closest on the predicted scores for the game. So, what happened out there?

1. Todd Bowles’ defensive strategy was pretty much perfect. The Bucs pressured Mahomes on almost every pass play and he was running for his life – especially as the game wore on. You could also see that his turf toe was hampering some of his movement although he got off some passes that no other NFL QB ever does.
2. Brady was efficient and took what the defense gave him. The only mistake was not trying the QB sneak on 3rd or 4th down in the 2nd quarter but Tampa Bay ended up scoring on the next possession so no harm done. He was basically untouched in the pocket. I can’t even recall him scrambling on any pass play. Credit to his offensive line which also opened up holes for the running backs.
3. A lot of outrage on Twitter and by the half-time crew about the pass interference calls in the 2nd quarter against KC but holding and grabbing are holding and grabbing. I must say the one in the end zone in the last few seconds of the first half was likely an uncatchable pass but it did not change the outcome of the game. The call on the long pass to Evans was legit and he could have caught that one. Tony Romo suggested perhaps it might not have been catchable. Btw, he had a pretty mediocre night.
4. You can see why it’s so hard to repeat in the NFL vs. other sports. So much comes down to player health. The Chiefs’ offensive line was down 2 players and it showed big time. Tampa Bay played all of its playoff games on the road and if there are fans in the stands, you wonder if that’s even possible in most seasons.
5. SU liked some of the stats that Romo was throwing out there about the probability of scoring a touchdown on a drive based on the number of penalties on the defense. Some type of table would have been interesting to see as I had never heard of that before. Missed opportunity.
6. I must say that luxury suite where the Brady clan was watching the game was quite crowded at the end of the game. I believe both of his parents already had COVID but SU did not see a lot of masks in there and certainly no social distancing.

Bottom line: the game did not live up to the hype but Tom Brady solidified his hold on the GOAT. At 43, it’s just not that easy. SU is glad the NFL made it through the season and the quality of play was equal to any other season.

Any surprises for you?

We have made it to the big game. Pretty amazing all things considered. SU was happy to see Tampa Bay make it to the Super Bowl and they will have some degree of home field advantage in a partially filled stadium. But let’s be real – not a big factor and Kansas City has no problem playing on the “road.”

As in the past, SU invites everyone to weigh in with their prediction for the outcome of the game. There is your chance for fame and glory, and of course, a chance to win the SU logoed sport bag. I will get things started. History says it’s just hard to win back-to-back Super Bowls. The Chiefs had to come from behind late last year to win. They are the favorites here and deservedly so. A very likable team and fun to watch. SU says that their running game is a bit lacking this year and that may be a factor. It all comes down to whether the Bucs can keep Mahomes in the pocket and not allow him to scamper for first downs on 3rd down and long. SU likes Brady playing in the warm weather and their offense is legit. Whether Antonio Brown plays is unimportant – he is a luxury – and they have plenty of weapons. SU will go with Tampa Bay 30 – 27 as they win late. The floor is open for you to make your game calls and SU will acknowledge the winner on Monday.

Did you see the Trevor Bauer free agent contract with the Dodgers? Whoa. $40 million in 2021 and then $45 million in 2022. The third year is $17 million but he has an opt out after year #2 so it’s really a 2-year, $85 million contract. The Dodgers are the new Yankees – no limit to the budget. SU says he is a bit of a head case – you have to wonder how this one will play out.

Tanaka returning to Japan. The Yankees got the maximum they could have hoped out of his 7-year deal with them and SU understands why they let him go. He still has that torn tendon in his pitching arm and you don’t know when that will go. Great guy in the clubhouse – he will be missed there and he was excellent in the post-season.

The Athletic had an article this week about the Yankees’ all right-handed line-up this week. Right now, it’s just Aaron Hicks and we know he is injured for half the season every year. Didi Gregorius is returning to the Phillies for 2-years at $14 million per season. Yankees are all in on Gleyber Torres at shortstop. Not loving that.

SU is struggling with the NBA – I just can’t seem to get into this season after really enjoying the bubble in 2020. Too many games canceled, too many players out for COVID related reasons. And I watch anything. The players seem tired after a shortened off-season. And enough of Kyrie Irving. He needs to boycott the media – no one needs to hear what he has to say.

The NCAAs need to be played in a bubble. SU says you don’t need the conference tournaments which only increase the risk of top teams having COVID cases. Finish the regular season and go right to March Madness. They want to expand the field – fine – knock yourself out.

I think I need baseball to start on time. Or an early spring. Where is that ground hog?

Make your Super Bowl picks. Fame and fortune await.

Congratulations to the NFL for getting this season to the Super Bowl. Let’s admit it – that wasn’t a given back in September. Interesting games yesterday – SU’s take:

• SU still does not understand Green Bay’s logic late in the 4th quarter to not go for the touchdown there and settle for the field goal. You have Aaron Rodgers at QB who is having an MVP season. You are not guaranteed to get the ball back again, and even if you do, you may have to go 60 – 70 yards with about 30 seconds and no timeouts. SU says the better play is try for the touchdown on 4th down, and if you don’t make it, you still have 3 timeouts, the 2-minute warning and the Bucs inside the 10-yard line. SU would question if the analytics guide even says you kick the field goal there. Rodgers did not exactly support the coach in his post-game comments.
• While Brady had 3 interceptions in the 2nd half, SU felt that most of them were equivalent to a punt on 3rd down. None were deep inside Tampa Bay territory. As Brady was on the SU fantasy team this year, I must say that I have been rooting for him in the playoffs. It’s a great story – you have to admit it whether you like him or not.
• Kansas City will be tough to beat in the Super Bowl but Tampa Bay’s defense has played progressively better each round of the playoffs. They are well coached. Should be a competitive game. SU says the “home field” in Tampa is overblown as in most Super Bowls, the crowd is made up of business partners and not the locals. At a reduced level, not sure it’s a factor but makes for a nice story.

The Yankees are making a bid for an all-recovery starting rotation in 2021. You have Severino coming back from Tommy John surgery, this new guy from the Pirates who has had Tommy John twice, and Kluber who has a different arm problem. Cashman is rolling the dice as he has some youngsters waiting in the wings to pick up the slack if anyone falters physically. I mean, that never happens with the Yankees right? Paging James Paxton.

What is going on in the NBA? You can never watch a game with a full line-up available. SU is not clear if it’s a case of resting your stars or COVID exposure. I watch the Miami Heat games and they always have 2-3 starters out every game. Just strange.

SU was bummed to see Michigan shut down all sports for 2 weeks due to COVID. They are a projected #1 seed in the NCAAs and tremendously fun to watch. Juwan Howard is making a name for himself as a coach and the NBA will be going after him in a couple of years for sure. They don’t have the best players but they are as unselfish of a team that you will ever see. They all buy into the system – make the extra pass – and play tough defense.

The men’s and women’s tennis tours are quarantining in Australia. Pretty tough. 4 weeks in their hotels with no practice time on the courts. Players are worried about injury once they emerge and the tournament starts. The players are getting abused in the Australian media for complaining but SU gets it.

Recent home Neflix/Amazon viewing:

1. Bridgerton – on Netflix. SU says OK – got better towards the end
2. Night Manager – that was really good. One season.
3. Tiger Woods documentary on HBO – part 1 was good, part 2 was enough already. Too much on the women although I guess there were so many, you needed the time to cover them all.
4. Big Sky (ABC) – started out well – got a little too contrived for me

Per usual, feel free to share other selections with the intergalactic subscriber base.

The anxiety level of Yankee fans has been on the rise for weeks now as the stand-off with DJ LeMahieu extended into 2021. Finally, we get word of the 6-year, $90 million contract that seems reasonable to SU although 6 years is a long time. On a normal team with normal contracts, you would say, no problem, once LeMahieu hits 35 or 36 years old, we will slide him into the DH spot. But NO – that will be occupied by Giancarlo Stanton who is signed for the next 27 years, and is already in the DH role at 30 years old. Anyway, the Yankees did what was necessary for 2021 and beyond and locked up their best and most versatile player.

Then, last night we learned about the signing of former Indians’ pitcher, Corey Kluber, to a 1-year deal. He is coming back from injury and this is a bit of a gamble. Apparently, he has looked good throwing to other teams and $11 million by baseball pitching standards is not a payroll breaker for the Yankees. But SU does wonder how durable he will be on a team with a bad track record for these types of pitchers (see Paxton). If he can regain some of his past form, he can be a stud. However, it does appear that signing Kluber means we say good bye to Tanaka which would be too bad. I mean, will Kluber be that much better than Tanaka for one year? Hard to see that. The Yankees have some youngsters ready to make their move and I am fine with letting them fill in the open spots for the start of the season.

There is still time to sign Didi Gregorius. No indication that they will do that but as written here many times before, they sure need a left-handed bat in the line-up.

So, Urban Meyer does make the move to the NFL after all. SU had predicted this for many years although I am surprised it took this long. I don’t like him but he is an excellent coach and I think he will be successful in Jacksonville. Smart move by the Jaguars.

SU notes that since I wrote about the NY Knicks, they have lost every game. I will go back to not commenting on them. Now, as for the Brooklyn Nets, SU is very disappointed. I was starting to watch them and you could see the role players emerging as the season unfolded. Now, they lose LeVert and Jarrett Allen, draft picks and other players. And Kyrie Irving is acting nuttier than usual this season. He’s a great one-on-one player but so high maintenance. SU does not see how this line up will work and I hate watching James Harden. Unwatchable. But I will keep an eye on LeVert in Indiana.

SU is still admittedly a bit shaken this Friday morning after watching the developments from Wednesday in Washington. It was quite a spectacle watching the “very fine people” inside the Capitol wearing their Auschwitz sweatshirts and 6MWE (“6 Million Wasn’t Enough”) shirts. Thank goodness for social media and video. And to think some thought the big problem in the country was NFL players kneeling for the National Anthem? Looks like we have bigger problems.

SU knows that the subscriber base does not want me to veer into this area (#sticktosports) but you wonder if once we get past COVID will we see even more security at sports events in the future? If a player speaks out about some issue (and you can expect to see a lot more of that going forward as the stars in particular are feeling empowered to do just that), will there be more mobs like we saw in Washington forcing their way into a stadium or an arena? If the goal is to be noticed, a televised sports event is certainly a likely target. Just a sad time in our country.

On a more positive note, SU loves the move by the Mets yesterday to trade for Lindor and Carrasco from the Indians. I am not familiar with the players that the Mets gave up but with Lindor being a free agent after 2021, it probably was not a lot. Lindor is still young and signing him to a long-term deal makes a lot of sense. He is also a charismatic guy and he will love NY and NY will love him. SU is a Yankee fan, of course, but the Mets are the hot team in MLB going into this coming season, and they are certainly the more interesting team in NY. I mean, they even have left-handed hitters in the line up. What a concept!

Lots of excitement about your New York Knicks! Full disclosure, I have not watched a full game yet this year but what I have seen is a team that plays hard and gets after it on defense. They are a very likeable team and there is no superstar that you have to cater to for shots each game. SU is going to start tuning in for sure.

Time for NFL predictions. This weekend’s games are interesting as home field no longer means anything with no fans in the stands. Normally, you would expect the favorites to win these games in the first round with probably one upset. SU says keep an eye on the Ravens-Titans game. Both are high scoring and SU feels like the winner will go on a playoff run and make it to the Super Bowl which means beating KC along the way. In the NFC, Green Bay has been dominant and if they can get some cold weather in Green Bay over the next few weeks, that is a big advantage even with no fans in the stands. SU likes Tampa Bay – my pick to make it to the Super Bowl in their home stadium.

Of course, just getting these games played in a pandemic may be seen as a win for the NFL at this point. Anyone have some interesting Super Bowl predictions that go beyond KC vs. Green Bay which is the consensus pick at this point?

Full disclosure: SU watched the Michigan – Northwestern basketball game last night and then The Night Manager on Netflix afterwards (very good, by the way. Enjoying this show a lot). I was following the score of the Eagles – WFT game but did not turn it on. I did watch the Giants – Dallas game that afternoon in its entirety.

I know A LOT of people are pissed off this morning that the Eagles pulled the starting QB and put in the never-used 3rd stringer in the 4th quarter of a close game. Apparently, this guy was horrible and that was the game.

SU says that you need to take care of business and not rely on others on the last game of the season. This happens all the time in baseball when you need a team to lose and the opponent ends up resting their regulars and starting some minor leaguer in their MLB debut. Same thing in the NBA. You need some other team to lose and they are playing the Lakers on the last game of the year. But the Lakers rest LeBron and Davis and that is that. Is it fair? Probably not. The Giants were 6-10 and should have beaten the Eagles in Philly except they mistakenly threw a pass to Evan Engram (as in All Pro Engram which is beyond me) to clinch the game in the final minutes, and of course, he dropped it.

Now, NBC put this game on Sunday night figuring the Eagles might actually try their hardest right until the end. If they had known that Pederson was going to do this, they may have swapped out for another game. It was a bad look for the NFL for sure. The Eagles ended up with the #6 pick in the draft vs. #9 by losing.

The Giants should be super motivated to play the Eagles next season. Of course, they should have been super motivated this year and won that first game. But coaches have long memories and those games next season should be fun and interesting.

OK, Giant fans, let’s hear from you. Are you outraged? Was this a travesty? The floor is open.

SU caught the documentary on CC Sabathia on HBO a few days ago. I thought it was very well done and went deep on Sabathia’s alcohol addiction which he kept out of the media for most of his career. He is very frank in the show. Pretty amazing that the media did not pick up on it as he talked about basically binge drinking between starts for a number of years.

It’s definitely worth checking out. CC is a good guy and was well-respected by his peers in the clubhouse. Possible future managerial material? Not clear he has the interest but something to watch.