Dykstra: Filling Up on Anadarko Petroleum

Beyond the Tape

As the Boys of Summer prepare to play the first games of spring this week, there are some rumblings and grumblings making the rounds. Jimmy Rollins' proclamation that the Phils were the team to beat in the N.L. East drew some friendly banter from the Mets' David Wright. At this point, the exchange of opinions is gentlemanly and respectful. Perhaps, as the season heats up, the words will become a bit more tense, thereby creating a true rivalry between my former clubs.

Speaking of gentlemanly, what's happening in The House That Ruth Built? Mariano Rivera, the Jack Bauer of closers, is intimating that he may not finish his stellar career as a Yankee. Moreover, A-Rod and Derek Jeter must be asking themselves, "Why can't we be friends" so the media will stop asking us?

Seemingly, people are perplexed as to how two superstars who patrol the same small parcel of land on the left side of the infield can excel if they are at odds with each other. Rest assured, they are professionals, and they will get the job done.

Meanwhile, on the college hardwood, the Buckeyes of Ohio State eked out a one-point victory over Big Ten rival Wisconsin to stake claim to the top spot in NCAA hoops. Two potential No. 1 seeds in the tournament, Florida and North Carolina, both lost this weekend, which will make the conference tournaments that much more interesting. Duke, under Coach K, has righted the ship, such that they have steered their way into another NCAA berth.

The big news on the NBA front is that the Miami Heat, despite the return of Pat Riley from his medical leave, may not have a chance to repeat as NBA champions. Unfortunately, just as the Heat were beginning to heat up, with Shaq rounding into his usual dominating form, they lost the incandescent Dwayne Wade to a shoulder dislocation. It is uncertain what Wade's status is for the rest of this season. However, it would appear as though surgery will be necessary at some point.

Despite Lasik surgery several years ago, the eyes of Tiger were unable to detect an imperfection in the green, which cost him a potential match-ending putt in the third round of The Accenture Match Play Championship, against Aussie lefthander Nick O'Hern. Tiger Woods merely needed to bag a 4-foot birdie putt on the first hole of sudden death to cap a comeback from four strokes down after seven holes.

Failing to notice a ball mark in his line, Tiger slid the putt over the right edge of the cup, which rendered the commentators and viewing audience speechless. He proceeded to lose the match on the next hole when O'Hern holed a clutch 12-foot par putt, thereby becoming the first player to beat Tiger twice in professional match play. So ends Tiger's pursuit of Byron Nelson's 11 consecutive PGA tour wins, or more appropriately, forces him to start over again.

Over the weekend, I learned that a group of former NFL players has filed a class-action lawsuit against NFL Players, Inc. claiming that they did not receive licensing fees they were promised. Again, situations such as these, regardless of the outcome, reinforce the need for athletes to have a source of guaranteed recurring cash flow.

The Players Club was formed in order to make that a reality. We are dedicated to doing whatever is possible to ensure the financial well-being of athletes. The film, The Departed, and its director, Martin Scorsese, both won Oscars on Sunday night, symbolizing excellence in their craft. Hopefully, The Players Club will gain acclaim for embracing athletes and their financial needs. If that occurs, the happiness and fulfillment of the athletes and their families will be our Oscar!

Always remember: Life is a journey enjoy the ride.

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