Number Six: What’s up with the city of Anaheim?

Do its sports team not win enough that they have to keep making headlines by changing the name of their squads? First, they were the Los Angeles Angels starting in 1961. Then it was the California Angels when they moved to Anaheim in 1966. Next they were the Anaheim Angels when the Walt Disney Co. bought the team. And now the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim? Talk about a mouth full. But wait, Anaheim’s NHL representative, the Mighty Ducks, announced in January that starting with the 2006-07 season, they would be known as the “Anaheim Ducks.” Are they implying that they aren’t so mighty anymore? Make up your minds people! Fortunately, the Anaheim Amigos (1967-68) of the American Basketball Association only lasted one year; for all we know, they could’ve become the Orange County Friends.

Number Five: What’s up with the World Baseball Classic?

Who would’ve thought that Japan and Cuba would be battling for the championship? Wait, who even knew that they were? Am I being a typical American by saying that after the United States was eliminated, I lost interest? From what I’ve heard, Cuba doesn’t count as a real country anymore. Interesting. Well good for Japan for winning it all and proving that the USA isn’t superior in its own pastime. Here’s an idea: maybe this tournament should be renamed the “World Series” and our own championship series should be simply the “Fall Classic.”

Number Four: What’s up with the Missouri Valley Conference?

After Andy Kennedy and the Cincinnati Bearcats, I was probably the most angry person and complainer in the country that four Missouri Valley Conference teams had made the tournament and the Bearcats, with a strength of schedule of five and RPI of 40 had not. Air Force’s strength of schedule was 158. I emailed Craig Littlepaige, chair holder of the Selection Committee:

“I can't believe you are the leader of a group that put Air Force into the tournament as an AT-LARGE BID over Cincinnati.  In fact, Creighton deserved the spot better than Air Force.,” I wrote.

“Your whole reason for putting Air Force in is because they are considered a tough team to play, so you said. For one, they have a good HOME winning streak -- guess what, they don't play any games at home even if they win the whole tournament.  Next, they don't play in the Big East, nor did they lose to the eventual Big East Tournament Champion by allowing a running three-pointer at the buzzer.  Sometimes teams are put in based on history - not so in this case.  Sometimes by strength of schedule - not so in this case either.”

“And sometimes,” I penned in summation, “more often than not, at-large bids are given out based on the fact of who is a better team - NOT SO IN THIS CASE.  You better hope and pray that Air Force wins a game and bails you out, because right now you look like one of the most out-of-sorts people in college sports.”

He emailed me back with a generalized email that didn’t mention any team names. Well, Air Force didn’t win, and Seton Hall got blown out. And Cincinnati is going to win the NIT Tournament. That’s a bad move on their part, but I will admit the MVC is looking pretty good at this point. These teams like Bradley and Wichita State have definitely done a good job making the Big Ten conference seem very small.

Number Three: What’s up with Billy Packer during the Selection Show for the 2006 NCAA Men’s Tournament?

If you didn’t catch what happened, it was probably the funniest thing I have ever seen on a Selection Show. Packer, who is Jim Nantz’s broadcasting partner on CBS, was supposed to be discussing his thoughts about the Washington, D.C. bracket, which had already been announced. He was talking about how the eight versus nine seeds were two well-coached teams, Arizona and Wisconsin. I’m looking at my Washington, D.C. bracket, and I know that the eight and nine are Kentucky and Alabama-Birmingham. What is Packer talking about? When the Minneapolis region was announced, guess who were the eight and nine seeds?  That’s right: Arizona and Wisconsin. Packer screwed up big time. Next year he better not be allowed to get the full bracket before viewers like myself. I like surprises, just not that kind.

Number Two: What’s up with Dallas fans jumping ship after the Cowboys signed Terrell Owens?

Every Cowboys fan that I’ve heard from and listened to on the radio has declared that they are finding a new team because of Owens. Has he really done something that bad that you have to burn all bridges with the team you and America have loved for years? You don’t want to give the guy with 101 touchdowns and 10,535 receiving yards a chance? Gimme a break. If you don’t want him, the Cleveland Browns will certainly take him.

Number One:  Finally, what’s up with Alfonso Soriano?

People make headlines in different ways. Some people pick teams like Air Force for the NCAA Tournament over Cincinnati. Some people give away the seeds on a Selection Show. And then some people just decide they aren’t going to play left field for the Washington Senators at all costs. You’re getting paid to play baseball. You aren’t even a good second baseman. What do you have to lose? Hey, how about this: I’ll play left field!

Sara Normand can be reached at sara.normand@atomicsportsmedia.com.