Topic: sports
The Super Bowl is nigh upon us and once again we are treated to the local team taking on the New England Patriots. The Seahawks got to the big game by rallying from a 19-7 deficit to beat the Green Bay Packers 28-22 in overtime. The Patriots made it this far by cheating. Everyone knows about the deflated footballs by now. I'm not shocked that the Patriots were caught cheating, for two reasons. First, they were caught cheating in the past. A few years back, they were caught videotaping the Jets' practices. It seemed like the Patriots knew what play my Ealges were about to run, even before the Eagles knew when they met in the Super Bowl. Now we know why. Secondly, head coach Bill Belichick moonlights as Galactic Emperor. 
How can you expect him to play by the rules? While the cheating needs to be addressed, the NFL is busy scratching its head over what to do about Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch. He won't talk to the media (and gets fined for it), wears gold shoes (threatened with suspension if he wears them), and wears a hat with his own "Beastmode" logo on it (another fine, because it's not licensed apparel). Given the Patriots' sketchy past, I think what the NFL should've done was boot them from the Super Bowl and let the Colts in. Better yet, rather than reinflate the balls at halftime of the AFC Championship, the league should have awarded the game to the Colts by forfeit. The Emperor should be fired and blacklisted. Instead, it's another bungled job by the NFL following a year of player arrests.
In other news, since the Super Bowl is here, that means Spring Training is right around the corner! The local Mariners had a decent finish last year, just missing the playoffs. They added outfielder Nelson Cruz, who brings a big bat to tiny lineup. Former Phillies pitcher J.A. Happ joins the team, coming in a trade that sent outfielder Michael Saunders to Toronto. I expect the Mariners to be competitive again this year, but I'm not expecting a penant. Across the country, my Phillies are gearing up for what should be another long season. Gone is Jimmy Rollins, freshly minted all-time franchise hits leader. 
I will miss him, even though he was traded probably two or three years too late. In return, the Phils got a righty and a lefty I never heard of. The lone free agent they were able to reel in is 36 year old pitcher Aaron Harang, most likely because no one else wants a 36 year old pitcher whose best season is 10 years behind him. Best of luck, Aaron. What I want is another World Series win. I know it won't be easy (or cheap) and I know it won't come for a few more years if rebuilding is done properly. I think a firesale is in order. I would keep catcher Carlos Ruiz, pitcher Cole Hamels, and infielders Cody Ashe and Darin Ruf are the only players I would refuse to deal. Well, I'd trade Hamels if I get a good return. Only three more years sitting on Ryan Howard's contract. Play ball!
