While noting Dirk and the Mavs’ first ever Conference championship, Albert Pujols’ apparently serious injury and Brad Penny’s tremendous rebound from getting grumpy with Grady, CSTB’s picks for Saturday’s hottest action come from the world of college baseball.


Earlier today, your correspondent risked serious injury while trying in vain to get some face time on ESPNU during NC State’s thrilling 10 inning, 6-5 decision over UT-Arlington. Let this be a lesson to you all. Pay your dues like Mike Hall. Sun poisoning is no laughing matter. Neither was the Mavericks’ inability to win the game despite having runners on first and third with no outs in the bottom of the 9th. I don’t know if NC State’s Joel Brookens is likely to be picked in next Wednesday’s draft, but he did nothing but help his chances with today’s brilliant work in the 9th and 10th innings.

Some of Saturday’s other compelling storylines include the ouster of Nebraska, Texas on the brink of elmination thanks to Stanford, and Lee Hyde’s sharp work in Georgia Tech’s 7-3 defeat of Vanderbilt. But there’s unlikely to be any boxscore in this year’s dance nearly as ugly as the one generated by UNC-Wilmington’s 21-19 victory over Maine.

I’ll start a petition for Texas to retire Cat Osterman’s no. 8 just as soon as I get over the Mets giving Keith Hernandez’ no. 17 to Jose Lima a few weeks ago.

Not to sound cavalier about human rights violations, but there ought to be a special advertising wing of Abu Gharib for whoever thought the speaking voice of Keifer Sutherland and the dulcet tones of Michael McDonald were a good combination.

The only thing screwier than Damion Easley having a 7 RBI night is the way UPS keeps giving Terry Mullholland the spring and summer off to throw a baseball.