Dykstra: Altria Call Options Are Smoking

Spring training's first full week has already generated several stories of interest to the adoring baseball public. Bernie Williams, a New York Yankee for 15 years, opted not to sign a minor-league contract, which may signal the end of his highly productive career. Manny Ramirez, a man seemingly wed to controversy, has permission from the Red Sox to report late to spring training for family reasons. Reports have surfaced, however, that Manny is scheduled to attend a Classic Car Show in Atlantic City this Saturday.

Speaking of the epitome of controversy, Barry Bonds has officially signed his contract with the Giants for this year. Barring some unforeseen events, Bonds should break Henry Aaron's record for most career home runs this summer.

Adding just a bit of spice to the "controversy pie," Jimmy Rollins, shortstop and leadoff hitter for the Phillies, has anointed the Phils as the team to beat in the National League East. I'm sure the Mets, who won the NL East on cruise control last year, and the Braves, who won it 11 consecutive years prior to last year, took note of J-Roll's assertion. Nonetheless, hope springs eternal in these first few weeks of spring training.

Earlier in the week, I alluded to the battle this weekend for college basketball supremacy, featuring Big Ten foes Ohio State and Wisconsin. Unfortunately, the game has lost a little of its luster because Wisconsin was upset by Michigan State on Tuesday. Regardless, the regular-season winds down with the proverbial "bubble teams" eager to attain another "quality win" to impress the NCAA tournament selection committee. This appears to be a particularly difficult year in choosing a clear-cut favorite for the title.