A day at Fenway. (Make sure to hit Full for the full effect.)

The Drake Relays has long been known as one of America’s premier track and field events. The Relays have gone out of their way in recent years to try to generate interest in track and field, including moving events to high traffic areas, such as downtown parks and office buildings.

Wednesday night, they took it a step further - pole vaulting in a mall. Some of the nations best pole vaulters, (Allison Stokke not included), competed in the middle of Jordan Creek Town Center vaulting almost 20 feet, giving second floor shoppers an up close view.

Fresh off their NL Championship season in 1935, the Cubs are at Catalina Island for spring training. This is a great clip showing the basics of baseball and some great video of the 1936 Cubs.

If $1 hot dogs aren’t enough to get you to Principal Park tonight to watch the I Cubs take on the Oklahoma Redhawks, former major leaguer Sidney Ponson might push you over the edge.

Sir Sidney (he was made a knight by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands), seems to be slowing exiting pro ball. After bouncing around the past few years, he signed a minor league contract this year with the Rangers.

I just hope the Redhawks aren’t staying by the court house.

Drake is expected to announce Arizona State Associate Head Coach Mark Phelps as the new men’s basketball coach today.

Phelps just finished his 12th season coaching on the collegiate level, including stops at ASU and North Carolina State.

This is AD Sandy Hatfield-Clubb’s first major hire and early indications make it sound like a good one.

It is always amazing how wrong the lists of possible candidates for top coaching jobs are - everyone is quick to point out who the top candidates are, but usually forget to take into account the background of the person doing the hiring.

Sandy came from ASU and was very familiar with the staff, so it is easy to see why she went with Phelps.

More later…

P.S. Did anyone in the world besides the Register’s Sean Keeler really think that Barry Hinson was a serious candidate? I mean seriously, he just got fired from Missouri State.

Ok, back from Augusta and a mailbox full of stuff. Time to clean it out.

Longtime “Marty & Miller” listener Mark Opsal boldly contends ‘no one cares about the NBA”!

I disagree as the playoffs-especially this year-could be epic. The west is wide open where 6 of the 8 have a legit shot at beating Boston, Detriot or Cleveland coming out of the east. I honestly think we are going to get Lakers-Celtics in a 7 game edge -of-your-seat classic series. Bout’ time!

Ray Bagg (Radar), Beaverdale left a voice mail on his recent trip to the Masters. Bagger Vance was moved to tears at the sheer beauty of Augusta National. He longed for the day that he could cross The Masters off his “To Do List”.  A life long dream realized and an Iowan in Zach Johnson defending!

It is a very special place indeed. At the Par 3 16th hole on Sunday (atop a newly-constructed viewing area intersecting with #6 Tee) I myself was captivated by the view. Off to my right, 15 green and fairway. Below at a sharp decline #16 Green abutted by water. The tall swaying Georgia Pines on a whispy April Sunday. Sans drama on the course below, it afforded me a opportunity to just soak it all in.  Televsion cannot deliver this, no way no how. And where else can you hear bird’s chirping amid a backdrop of denizens numbering thousands.  A Sporting Shrine!

Wow. This is a tough quiz.

14 questions asking what former athletes are doing today. Example:

Tony Manarich:
A) Owner, Mandarich Auto Parts, Canada’s third-leading supplier of brake pads
B) Owner, Mandarich Media Group, a web development and photography company
C) TV Host, World’s Strongest Man Super Series (on ESPN 2)
D) Offensive Line Coach, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL)

Take the quiz for yourself.

Keno Davis accepted the head coaching position at Providence College. He did the right thing. Whether it truly isn’t for the money, as both he and Sandy Hatfield-Clubb have said, or not, he did the right thing.

There is no way Drake is going to pay and athletic coach $1 million per year. The money is there I am sure, the alumni have deep pockets, but the academic side is not going to go along with a huge athletic contract.

Bob Ryan on Keno’s departure:

Quotes from Keno:

“When I said Providence is interested, he said, ‘You’ve got to go. You’ve got to go and take a look, at least. It’s great basketball. They’re going to know their basketball up there,” said Keno Davis.

“Drake did everything that I could’ve asked of them and more. If it was about money, I’d have probably gone back. Not that they were offering more money but they were doing everything they could,” he said. “It was about what Providence is and that they aren’t. It was about the Big East, and it’s my roots and an opportunity.”

Fan reaction to Keno’s hiring on the Providence Journal:

“GREAT BLOODLINES, NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR. JIM WHO?”

“Davis is a better choice than either Larranaga or Travis Ford. I trust that he’ll build a program and stay around long enough to sustain that program.”

“Mass, guy… local to the area… Travis Ford would have left quickly and Larranaga coaches in a real weak conference and was too old.”

“ONE year coaching? Sure he got to the NCAAs, but blew the game, once they played. No track record. It’s like hiring an assistant coach.”

“I’m not sure really. He has only 1 year of coaching experience and has been a mid-western based coach. I hope he has recuiting contacts on the East Coast. I kind of liked [Karl] Hobbs who is based in DC and from NE.”

“When he finds out how hard (or should I say impossible) it is to win here then he will leave like the others.”

“PC is set to hire ” a young, second-generation coach with limited head-coaching experience, but a winning record during his tenure at a mid-major”….is it 1998 and is his name Tim Welsh?”

“AP coach of the year, not 10 years ago but this year, took his team to the NCAAs for the first time since the 70’s in his first year as coach. Are you kidding me? PC is lucky to have Keno. Great job Bob! Send me my season ticket renewal package I’m ready to sign up.”

“I’m happy, 2008 coach of the year, gives choice some credibility. Are they overpaying him, yes. Will I answer my phone when the PC students soliciting money call again, Not unless he wins.”

Want to relive a little bit of the 2008 Masters? Head on over to Si.com for some of their best shots of the tourney.

Visit the Gallery…

The Iowa Barnstormers make the way back to Des Moines tonight for their 2008 home opener.

The Barnstormer’s, coming back from a 7-year layoff, take on the Lexington Horsemen at 7:05pm at Wells Fargo arena. This is the Barnstormers third go around in Des Moines, and I think this one has a chance. Eight home dates, new building, fast action, crappy weather. I can see this version attracting a good crowd for all 8 homes dates.

The Barnstormer’s first outing was a bit rough, losing 58-28, after spotting Louisville 37 points. As anyone knows that has been to a arena game, it takes getting your feet wet. I expect a much better performance tonight.

Tailgating starts at 4:00 in the parking lot immediately north of Vets Auditorium.

Can’t make the game? Mediacom will be broadcasting all home games. Not a Mediacom subscriber? You can catch all the Barnstormer games live on Nifty Tv .

Football in Spring….you have to like that.