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Monday meanderings: Because some of us were a little under the weather Sunday when the Chicago weather actually was spring-like, today’s version might be slightly shorter than usual so that some of us can go back to sleep. Then again, it might ramble on as usual.
Playboy Playmate Nikki Leigh in Michigan attire. The Wolverines are in the Final Four.
* Speaking of the weather, the White Sox season opener Monday (April 1) figures to feature a warm reception for the home team at U.S. Cellular Field — but the players will be lucky if the temperature breaks 40 degrees during the game. Any time that baseball wants to return to starting the season a week or so into April won’t be soon enough. Not that MLB is particularly concerned with fan comfort this early in the schedule.
* On the bright side of sleeping away most of the day Sunday was being able to catch up on all the day’s and night’s sporting events in a matter of minutes. I could have sworn the talking heads on television said the Blackhawks’ margin of victory against the Detroit Red Wings was greater than the Bulls’ margin of victory against the Detroit Pistons. Guess that shows the extent of the delusional state I was in. Oh, really it was Hawks 7-1 and Bulls 95-94? Who knew?
No more Florida in this year’s NCAA tourney.
* Anyone who predicted before this weekend that Brent Lillibridge would the Cubs’ starting second baseman for Opening Day might contact the team’s front office to give an idea of when the Cubs actually might challenge for a division title.
* As I was dozing off during the day, Duke and Louisville were playing basketball. I could have sworn Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski had center Ryan Kelly in the game with a couple of fouls in the first half — only to draw a third before intermission. Another sign of my delusional state or of Coach K’s bad decision? Had to be my delusional state because we all know Coach K never makes mistakes.
* Just guessing, but more people had Louisville not reaching the Final Four in the men’s tournament than they did Louisville reaching the Elite Eight in the women’s tourney. Which is to say not many people for either.
From the fine folks at Bovada (www.Bovada.lv, Twitter: @BovadaLV) come some player props for the 2013 regular season (as if there’s going to be a postseason for the Cubs and/or White Sox?):
This might help console some Duke fans. OK, probably not.
CHICAGO CUBS
Starlin Castro batting average: Over/Under .300
Alfonso Soriano total home runs: Over/Under 27½
Anthony Rizzo total home runs: Over/Under 25½
David DeJesus batting average: Over/Under .275
Jeff Samardzija total victories: Over/Under 10½
Edwin Jackson total victories: Over/Under 11½
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Paul Konerko total home runs: Over/Under 29½
Paul Konerko total runs batted in: Over/Under 92½
Adam Dunn total home runs: Over/Under 33½
Adam Dunn total runs batted in: Over/Under 90½
Alexei Ramirez batting average: Over/Under .275
Gordon Beckham batting average: Over/Under .25
Alex Rios total home runs: Over/Under 20½
Dayan Viciedo home runs: Over/Under 25½
Jake Peavy total victories: Over/Under 12½
Jake Peavy earned-run average: Over/Under 3.50
Chris Sale total victories: Over/Under 14 ½
Chris Sale total strikeouts: Over/Under 205½
From the wonderful world of non-gratuitous video (is there any other sort around here?), the editorial and video staffs at elliottharris.com have located some to view:
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