Cheers and Jeers: Spring Feeling Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 1 oz Gin
• 1/2 oz Green Chartreuse
• 1 tblsp Lemon juice

Echoing Hitman's comments Pitchers, Catchers and Generally Spring Training is a great time. Despite my feelings that baseball is fake, like boxing, and wish it were more real, like professional wrestling, its hard not to be happy about spring training. There's two reasons I particularly like Spring Training for the over the hill and almost theres. There's just something pure and enjoyable watching as the various minor leaguers try to make a professional roster. You can see the general feeling their way out against their idols, straining to figure out what professional competition is about, and trying to dethrone individuals that have guaranteed contracts. Hope blossoms anew for every .300+ minor leaguer or 97 mph throwing young gun.

However equally enjoyable (at least for me) is the reappearance of over the hills. Usually (at least for the Indians) old time players that I enjoyed rooting for as a youth try out their managerial and tutorial skills in spring time. This year Frank Viola, for example, will be teaching the art of throwing while wearing a mustache, in Arizona to young Indians. And how can you not be excited about that?

As always the Indians must overcome the basement horse to succeed at Jacob's Field

Cheers: To Mo Williams being named to the all-star game. Cavs owner Dan Gilbert was quoted as saying ""In fact, we think it is fantacular, extraordulous and phenomerful.""

Jeers: To media navel gazing. Of all the A-Rod spectacle I think one of the more annoying is the trend of analyzing A-Rod's "performance" with his interview with Peter Gammons. " Did A-Rod act contrite enough?" seems to be the common theme which really exposes the kabbuki of it all. Find the athlete, shame him, force him into an interview where he apologizes and then the media can begin the great healing process. The navel gazing just shows how faux the press outrage really is.

What exactly were you thinking when you swiped those picnic baskets?

Jeers: To this year's QB draft Class. When Matt Freeman of K-State and proud parent of over 34 INTs is considered borderline First Round Status you know its an empty class.

Jeers: To potential rules changes. The NCAA is considering making (some?) taunting fouls a live ball foul which would mean touchdowns would/could be negated. Which is categorically stupid.

Cheers: To Joaquin Phoenix on Letterman. I'm not sure why you decided to go all Andy Kaufman but I salute your insanity

And your cheers and Jeers gal of the week is.... whoever your hanging out with for Valentines Day (provided they are wearing red lingerie)