Nobody asked me but ...

Nobody asked me but...kudos to the Oran Eagles baseball team for making the final four in Class 1. This marks the eighth time in school history that the Eagles have been in the final four.

Oran first made the state tournament in 1980 and again the following season. But since 1998, Oran has been to the big show six times in eight years.

I have not seen a more fundamentally sound team this season. Head coach Mitch Wood and assistant Larry Boshell have built not only a regional power, but also a state power over at Oran.

The Eagles have amassed 15 district titles and have an outstanding 22-14 record in state play.

Oran has had some outstanding players come through their system. All deserve credit in building a great program, however, one can't go down the congratulatory ladder too far and not find Wood.

A fiery coach with tons of passion for the sport of baseball, Wood is an excellent motivator who encourages the kids to give their best out on the field.

Another factor in the rise of the Eagles, is the overwhelming community support from the good folks in Oran. At both the sectional and quarterfinal games, the park was packed with frenzied Oran fans supporting the local boys.

Good luck at state Eagles.

Sikeston freshman Dominic Fondon had an impressive weekend at the Class 3 state tournament in Jefferson City. The 6-foot-5 Fondon captured sixth place in the triple jump with a jump over 43 feet.

Fondon shattered the longest jump by a Sikeston freshman by over two feet in the triple jump.

The Sikeston Bulls will start the Kitty League season on Thursday at VFW Stadium. The hot topic of discussion is whether or not the area can support the Bulls. To be honest, I am skeptical that the Bulls can survive in this market. However, I am impressed with how general manager Jason Compton is running the organization. He clearly knows what he is doing and what he's done so far in promoting the Bulls has been admirable.

Unlike last year's debacle in the Bootheel Bombers, the Bulls seemed to be well organized and interested in the long haul in Sikeston.

The running of the Indy 500 over the weekend got me to thinking about this once-storied race. Back when TV consisted of only the three major networks, the landscape of televised athletics was starkly different.

The Indy 500, professional boxing and horse racing were kings of the airwaves. What has happened to these sports in the modern-era of TV?

I believe the popularity of NASCAR has taken away from the Indy circuit. Plus, the people in charge failed to hype any other race besides the 500.

Corruption has tainted the 'sport of kings.' While I believe it doesn't get any better than a good prize fight, the invention of pay-per-view and cable has taken away boxing from the masses.

Horse racing has boxed itself into a corner with only three races of consequence. The Kentucky Derby, Belmont and Preakness are the only races that people pay any attention.

Name recognition is nil before the Derby and in my humble opinion, that is the biggest problem. Take a cue from NASCAR and hype a series of races together that will build interest.

* The national media is all abuzz about the pending signing of Roger Clemens to the Houston Astros. It doesn't matter. The Cardinals are the cream of the crop in the NL Central and in MLB as a whole. The Cards, if they can stay healthy, will roll to the World Series and will meet the hated Yanks.

And finally, nobody asked me but...as I have stated before, the Cards should trade Mark Mulder to the Reds for Ken Griffey, Jr. Mulder is going to be tough to re-sign next season. Mulder will ask for a lot of money that the Cards might not be able to match with the likes of the Yanks and Red Sox lurking for another treasure for their chest. As always, I am solutions driven.