Good Thursday morning, folks.  One day closer to the weekend.  Is it warming up where you guys are?  The signs of spring are all around the northeast corner of Florida, aside from the 40-something degree nights.  My grapevines are shooting up, my orange tree is blooming, the crotons are planted, the tulip and calalillies are breaking ground…you didn’t know I had a green thumb did you?

So, what’s the deal with today?  Anything ever happen on April 9 in years past?   In 1682, French explorer Robert de La Salle claimed the Mississippi River Basin for France.  When settlers heard of this news, they looked angrily at the French causing them to wave white flags immediately and give it to us.  It might also be significant that the Civil War officially ended 144 years ago today when Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia.  We also bought Alaska from Russia 142 years ago.  The Houston Astrodome saw its first pitch in 1965 in a 12-inning, 2-1 Astros win over the Yankees.  in 1975, the world’s second oldest professional basketball league, the Phillipine Basketball Association, tipped off its first game.  And, sports reporter Lisa Guerrero turns 45 today.

I didn’t realize that insurance companies had this much pull in MLB player movement.

After open heart surgery, Minnesota footballer is back.  Nice story.

Bonuses for the Texas Longhorns coaches…well, except for the head dog.

The Blogfather thinks ARod is beyond Tyson-zone.  I can buy into that.

Speaking of, the Yanks are firmly on their way to an 0-162 record…or would it be 0-164?  However many games are in the beisbol season, that’s how many the Yanks are on track to lose.

The NFL has suspended Bills running back Marshawn Lynch three games for violation of the league’s personal conduct policy.  I think the real reason is because he’s so freaking ugly…I mean, seriously, look at that pic.  Or, it’s TO’s fault.

14 carat white gold with 103 diamonds = the description of the World Series rings that were received by the Phillies players yesterday.

Are there any loitering or soliciting restrictions outside of Augusta National?  Even if there were, I bet John Daly wouldn’t give a crap anyway.

Former NBA’er Marvin “The Human Eraser” Webster has died.  He was 56.

Apparently, the world’s oldest profession isn’t limited to humans. 

When DeJuan Blair told Jamie Dixon he’d stay at Pitt for a full college career, he probably meant it…but not really.

Looks like Matt Stafford will be going from one team that under achieved last fall to a team that didn’t achieve last fall.

A women’s group is taking UFC headman Dana White to task over his disparaging remarks about females.  I bet he cares.

An Angels fan died after a fight at the Angels season opener.  His 27 years look like they were gained much harder than mine.

So, today marks the 15th year since Kurt Cobain was found dead after a self-inflicted gunshot wound.  I can honestly say that even though Nirvana is likely responsible for spawning and influencing bands that play my favorite type of music, I was never a fan.  I still can’t believe it’s been 15 years though.

In Lane Kiffin news, he dismissed a two year starter earlier this week.  Interesting how this guy tries to spin it before giving all the facts. 

Mike Tomlin likes the Vols.

“If you fart again, I’m gonna cut you.”

All the reasons you could ever want to root against Tiger Woods.

Speaking of Tiger, when do he and all the other guys that are sure lose this weekend tee off?  (Maybe I’ll make you a nice little table of tee times if you’re nice to me.  UPDATE: see below for table.)

I didn’t see GatorTrey’s late excuse listed here.

The down-low on new Memphis Tigers head coach John Pastner.  Maybe all isn’t lost and it won’t be so bad.

(George Dubya Bush + Barack Hussein Obama)/2 = Georack Dubssein Obush.

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