SZVETITZ COLUMN: Spring has sprung in sports

Mike Szvetitz
A View From The Lazy Boy
Published: April 2, 2008

Maybe it’s just the pollen. Or the azaleas. Or those little dandelion thingies that my oldest daughter likes to pick and put in water ... but there’s just something about the spring that I can’t get enough of.

It’s the second-best season, of course. Fall, as we all know, is tops. But spring, especially in April, is hard to pass up.

The weather is incredible. The smell of all that blooms is even better. And I can play golf. A lot.

Spring in the South is like Willie Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. There’s so much to see, smell, and if you’re my 4-month old, taste.

It’s heaven. Except having to pick blades of grass out of a toothless mouth. But I wouldn’t trade it — the gummy grass or scenery.

And if running around with your kids outside, chasing butterflies isn’t enough, what about the sports?

Other than football season, is there a better time to be a sports fan? I think not.

And while football is, well, football ... it’s only one sport. Football, aside from playoff baseball, has a monopoly on the fall. It’s the only show in town.

But spring? Ahh, spring is an equal-opportunity season. It’s got a little something for everyone.

First, and let’s get this straight right now, the best event on the spring calendar is The Masters. Period. End of discussion.

I’m going five-kinds of crazy waiting for The Masters to start. ESPN’s been promoting the greatest golf event in the world since like the Super Bowl, and now it’s almost here.

It’s one week away. I’m twitching. Really.

And The Masters just kicks open the door for the PGA Tour and its spring and summer worth of must-see TV — the TPC at Sawgrass, the Memorial, the three other Majors and any other tournament that has the potential for someone other than Tiger Woods to win.

Just wait. You’ll watch the Masters next week, and by the back nine on Sunday, you’ll be jonesing to get out on the links so you can practice that knock-down 7-iron. Promise.

Then there’s baseball. Maybe you’ve heard of it.

The 2008 Major League Baseball season is now underway, marking the official start of spring for most. Sure, baseball won’t get into full swing until the dog days, but spring is the time for a dad and his son to dust off the gloves and head outside for a catch.

What about basketball? It’s easy to forget what happens inside when the weather is so perfect, but spring does bring us a month worth of March Madness.

How’s your bracket? Mine? Let’s just say it’s “en fuego.”

It’s also the season for the NBA and NHL playoff push, with teams in both sports grinding for those precious few postseason slots. And I’ll be the first to admit, those two sports don’t get much play in the Lazy House, but, I do enjoy watching desperation games.

And the end of the regular season for teams on the bubble provides some high-quality drama. And I, like TNT, am all about some drama.

There’s enough spring sporting events to keep one busy until, well, it’s not nice out.

Spring does have its pitfalls, however. I could do without the cleaning and the projects.

I’m supposed to finish the deck after the game. But, it’s OK. I never specified which one.

Ahh, spring.

MIKE SZVETITZ is sports editor of the Opelika-Auburn News. He may be reached at or 737-2513.