The New Mexico State Aggies' season has been given a second life, and they will be down to One Last Breath tonight in the WAC Championship game.

Reggie Theus' vastly improved squad was inching close to at-large bid consideration, but a couple of late season road losses left them with only one option for a Big Dance ticket...

Win the whole thing!

The WAC tourney has shaped up just like NMSU fans had hoped, and they will be playing for the championship tonight against Utah State.  New Mexico State didn't look incredibly sharp in a first round win over Louisiana Tech (77-70), but came up big in the semifinals against Boise State with a 19 point victory.

In other WAC semifinal action, Utah State upset conference-leading Nevada in an extremely close game (79-77).  With Nevada already achieving a top 10 ranking, this ensures that 2 WAC conference teams will be in the NCAA tournament.

Which Aggies will go...New Mexico State, or Utah State?

All signs point to a tough battle in tonight's championship match-up.  Utah State comes in with an overall record of 23-10, and will be riding the momentum from their improbable win over Nevada.  New Mexico State boasts a 24-8 overall record, and will have the home court advantage this evening.  NMSU has been stellar at home, with a 17-1 record at the Pan American Center this season.

However, one of NMSU's five conference losses occurred at Utah State in early February.  A few weeks later, New Mexico State avenged that loss with a 3-point win at home.

So the season series is split, and both teams are fighting for their NCAA tournament lives. 

One last game...one last breath...and one last chance to dance...

This WAC championship game will be aired at 9pm ET tonight on ESPN2.  

With all of the "rebuilding" talk in Pittsburgh over the past 2 decades, you would think the Pirates were erecting the Tower of Babel.

Unfortunately, 14 years of rebuilding has left the Pirates with the MLB equivalent of a flimsy tiki hut.  The troubled franchise hasn't seen a winning season since 1992.  Coincidentally, that was the last year that Barry Bonds wore a Pirates uniform.

And it was all downhill from there.

In the years that followed, everything went wrong in Pittsburgh.  Prospects fizzled out.  The few star players they had were traded for next-to-nothing.  A few bad decisions and a bad case of "Small Market Syndrome" left the once proud franchise in a terrible mess.

Bad luck has also played a major role in the franchise's struggles, especially when it comes to the pitching staff.  According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "In the past decade, five of the six pitchers they drafted in the first round...have needed major arm surgeries."  Add one more pitcher to that list, as first round pick Brad Lincoln will miss the start of the season due to elbow surgery.

Estranged fans may be sick of hearing it, but this team is going to need a few years and lot of luck to become a winner.

2007 Pirates

They probably won't figure into the playoff race, but at least the Pirates will be an improved squad this year.  It may not be the kind of improvement fans would have hoped for, but it's a start.

First off, the Pirates finally pulled the trigger on a deal that makes sense by trading for Adam LaRoche.  There hasn't been an impact left-handed bat in Pittsburgh since Brian Giles left town, and LaRoche should provide a boost to an offense that ranked 29th in home runs last year.

And 2007 may be the first year that Pittsburgh hasn't wasted money on washed-out free agents.  Instead of hiring stop-gaps such as Reggie Sanders or Jeromy Burnitz, the Pirates are using youngsters to take another step in the rebuilding process.

Position Battles

Another good sign is that there are fewer up-for-grab positions than in recent years.

3rd base - Manager Jim Tracy is using Spring Training as an opportunity to shake things up a bit.  For the moment, Freddy Sanchez has been moved to 2nd base in order to give Jose Bautista an audition at the hot corner.  Bautista is a 26 year-old outfielder with very little experience at the major league level.  However, he did display flashes of power last year by hitting 16 HR's in 400 at-bats.

Jose Castillo may be the odd man out after a disappointing season in 2006.  More importantly, his poor fielding and plate discipline has apparently put him in Jim Tracy's doghouse.  Even though he reportedly arrived at camp in good shape (20 lbs lighter), he may need an impressive spring to earn an everyday spot in the lineup.

Outfield - The outfield is pretty much set, barring some serious surprises this spring.  Jason Bay anchors the group in left field, and Chris Duffy is penciled in to play center and bat leadoff.  Xavier Nady has battled some health issues, but should get most of the playing time in right field.

Luis Matos is off to a quick start this spring, and hopes to earn a back-up spot on the Pirates' roster.

Catcher - Ronny Paulino was one of the few bright-spots for Pittsburgh last year, impressing with the bat and behind the plate.  Switch-hitting Ryan Doumit split time between 1st base and catcher last season, but didn't perform very well at the plate.  He should continue to develop as a hitter, but unless he does something spectacular this spring...he will probably see a lot of bench this season.

Throwing It All Away

The pitching staff is almost complete, with Tony Armas, Jr. and Shawn Chacon battling to become the 5th starter.  The rest of the rotation is filled with inexperienced hurlers, led by Zach Duke and Ian Snell - both of whom struggled quite a bit last year.

The bullpen has some depth with guys like Damaso Marte and Salomon Torres.  The bad news is that they could be overworked this year playing behind a less-than-stellar starting rotation.

The Not-So-Distant Future

Andrew McCutchen is easily the best prospect in the Pirates' farm system, as a five-tool outfielder that has it all.  McCutchen has already developed quicker than expected, displaying excellent plate discipline rarely seen from a 20 year-old.  He is supposed to start the season playing for Altoona (AA), but will likely be promoted to class AAA Indianapolis by mid-season.  If he continues to learn at an astounding pace, he could be a serious impact player in 2008.

275 pound Brad Eldred has the kind of power you would expect from a big first baseman, and is already displaying it this spring...by hitting 3 homeruns in just 3 games.  Eldred has nothing left to prove at the minor league level, but with the addition of LaRoche...he won't be able to play everyday for the Pirates.  If he continues to impress, Jim Tracy may decide to try him out in right field.

The biggest problem for the Pirates is their underwhelming stockpile of potential starting pitchers.  As mentioned earlier, most of the 1st round prospects have already had major arm surgeries...with the exception of Paul Maholm, who is projected as a major league starter.  If the Pirates are going to turn things around in the next couple of years, they will need a couple of these prospects to emerge as top-tier starters.  John Van Benschoten and Bryan Bullington are two pitchers that could make it happen, but they still have a lot to prove.  Expect them both to start out in AAA, but may be promoted if some of the other starters begin to falter.

Another concern high on the priority list is the lack of depth at 3rd base within the organization.  To address this need, the Pirates have converted switch-hitting catcher Neil Walker to 3rd base.  Walker is an athletic player capable of making the transition, but needs a lot more time in the minors to improve his hitting.  If the transition works, having a switch-hitter in the lineup could be a boost to the Pirates' offense in a couple of years.

A Painful Process

Fortunately, there is a cure for Small Market Syndrome.  However, it will take a few years...because the Pirates have a bad case of it.  New principal owner Bob Nutting seems determined to build a winner, and the Pirates could be on the road to recovery.  But for now...fans can do nothing more than wait, and hope...

Have you ever noticed how everything in baseball is generalized with brief clich

The season is upon us once again - time to get ready for another year of fantasy baseball.  It's that wonderful time when baseball fanatics are thrust into the role of virtual GM.  Wasted hours hacking away at the keyboard trying to convince other fantasy managers that a Matt Murton for Albert Pujols trade is a win-win situation.

What could be better?

The Sales Pitch

For those of you that don't play fantasy baseball, I highly recommend that you give it a try.  I've heard some people say they choose not to play because it ruins their perception of the sport by focusing on individual stats rather than team chemistry.  But I say that it actually enhances the way you follow the game.  By trying to field a competitive fantasy team, you learn about little-known players and prospects...you pay attention to lower-rung teams...and you also get a closer look at superstar players and what makes them successful.  If ever you needed fodder to support your "he's overrated/underrated" discussion...fantasy baseball is it.

Play Ball

Just a few hours ago, I participated in my first fantasy draft of the season.  By most standards, this may be a bit early to draft a team.  Generally, one should wait until a few Spring Training reports are in before setting their roster.  But I've found that if you do a little homework, an early draft is a perfect way to get a jump on the competition.

En Vogue

Not that anyone should be interested in hearing about my draft...but I thought I would use it as an example to explain certain trends:

Closers & relief pitchers are always overvalued.  The average fantasy baseball league will have about 5 pitching categories, and closers are only useful for one of those (saves).  But it never fails, every time you will see closers taken ahead of valuable starters and position players.  It isn't wise to totally neglect relief pitchers, but the smart money says you will still have options later in the draft.  And since closers are flipped around more than Paris Hilton at a frat party, you can easily add relievers shortly after the season begins.

Stolen base specialists are about as valuable as a pair of Rosie O'Donnell's used underwear.  5-tool players are hard to come by (Carlos Beltran, Alfonso Soriano), but that doesn't mean you should waste an early pick just for stolen bases.  Losing ground in the other offensive categories can sink your team in a hurry.  Best to concentrate on the important stats - batting average, runs scored, RBI's, and home runs.

This isn't the place to show off your team loyalty.  I've been playing fantasy baseball since 2000, and every single league I've been in features a manager obsessed with drafting players from their favorite team.  One year, there was even a team that drafted the entire Chicago Cubs roster (perhaps that was smoketheblowfish).  OK, so the world now knows you're a Cubs fan.  Big deal!  You're in last place, and your pitching staff has less balance than Kirstie Alley on a high-wire.

Shooting Stars

One of the best ways to impress your peers in fantasy baseball is to find a prospect on the verge of stardom.  For this season, here are a few of my suggestions:

Anibal "The Cannibal" Sanchez - SP, Florida Marlins:  This youngster (turns 23 in just a couple of days) throws in the mid-90's and has excellent control.  In just 17 starts with the Marlins last year, he picked up 10 wins and 72 strikeouts.  His ERA was an unbelievable 2.83, which shows that his pitching savvy has matured beyond his age.  The only red-flag is that Sanchez has been battling some shoulder soreness in Spring Training.  Which any former Kerry Wood owner will tell you is scary business.  If he can remain healthy, expect 15 or more wins.  

Nick Markakis - OF, Baltimore Orioles:  The word is out on this guy, and he has been a popular pick in most leagues.  He put a solid season together in his rookie campaign, racking up 16 home runs in 491 at-bats.  His .291 batting average proves that he has good plate discipline, and the stage is set for a breakout season this year.  I took a risk and nabbed him in the 13th round of my draft, hopefully it pays off.

Ian Kinsler - 2B, Texas Rangers:  Kinsler is another second year player with loads of potential.  In 120 games last season, he displayed 5-tool potential (.286 BA, 14 HR, 55 RBI, 11 SB, 65 R).  Expect his numbers to improve in the middle of a solid Rangers lineup.

Joel Zumaya - RP, Detroit Tigers:  He hasn't been given the closer job just yet, but with a 100-MPH fastball...it's only a matter of time.  Zumaya was simply unhittable last year, with a 1.94 ERA and 97 strikeouts in 83 innings of work.  He was a big part of the Tigers' playoff run...and I expect nothing but good things from this flame-thrower.

Other notables:  Conor Jackson (1B - Arizona Diamondbacks), Chuck James (SP - Atlanta Braves), Chris Duncan (OF/1B - St. Louis Cardinals), Ryan Shealy (1B - Kansas City Royals), Josh Johnson (SP - Florida Marlins)

So there you have it, a little glimpse into the realm of fantasy baseball.  Oh, just one more piece of advice - if you have too many Pirates on your ship, it will definitely sink...

I was raised on basketball.  I grew up in a small town, not so different from the Indiana community shown in the movie Hoosiers.  In fact, I first learned to play this wonderful sport aiming at a homemade backboard hovering above a court made of dirt.

Basketball was life...and everything else played second fiddle. 

As a kid, I grew up watching players like Dominique Wilkins, Larry Bird, and Magic Johnson.  But at such a young age, I really didn't have a team that I could call my own.

That all changed in 1988.

My older brother, a die-hard Lakers fan, was glued to the television around playoff time.  And being the brat that I was (and still am), of course I watched along with him...hoping that someone would upset the defending champs.  Then it happened - I found MY team.  In the second round that year, the world champion Lakers faced a relatively unknown Utah Jazz team.  The series was expected to be a mere formality, with the "Lake Show" primed for another title run.

But not so fast.  A feisty point guard and a rugged power forward battled the superstar squad, and brought the playoff series to a decisive game 7.  Although the Jazz would end up losing, I became a fan for life.

And though I didn't realize it at the time, there was one reason that I became so attached to that team...

Heart...

The word "heart" always had a special meaning for me.  Which is odd, because I can't easily define it.  It's the way that someone hustles.  The way they dig down for that something extra.  The way someone believes in their own abilities...even when the world has given them no reason to do so.

And to me, no other basketball player had more heart than Utah's Karl Malone.  Now before you rush to judgment, just bear with me for a moment.  I've heard all the criticism and mockery towards Malone, including a fairly humorous impression by Jimmy Kimmel on The Man Show.  But instead of focusing on Malone, imagine that special athlete that once inspired you.

In the early 1990's, you might remember Charles Barkley's controversial "I am not a role model" marketing campaign with Nike.  While that campaign garnered a wealth of attention, it was a response written by Karl Malone that I remember most.  The letter he wrote was published on the back page of a Sports Illustrated issue.

"We don't choose to be role models, we are chosen.  Our only choice is to be a good role model or a bad one." - Karl Malone

The sentiment of that message still makes me shake my head with astonishment.  I realize that many disagree with that premise, but from that moment on...I felt lucky to be a Karl Malone fan.  Like it couldn't have been any other way.

And that wasn't the only way I identified with Malone.  He has often been referred to as "the best player to never win it all".  In my own obscure way, that was me too.  At the risk of getting too Al Bundy-ish, his run at a title was very similar to my high school career.  For 4 consecutive years, I gave everything I had to get my team to the state tournament.  And each year, we fell one game short of that dream.

In my final year of basketball, we came up 2 points shy of getting to the state tourney.  With possession of the ball and only a few seconds left, the play was set up for me to take that final shot.  And believe me, I wanted that ball.  However, the opposing team knocked the first pass out of bounds...then the defense collapsed on me the second time, and I never got the ball again.

Of course, I was devastated.  I stayed in the locker room for more than an hour...unwilling to take my jersey off for the last time.

Several weeks later, I watched the Utah Jazz fall against the Houston Rockets...who went on to win the championship.  For me, it was heartache all over again.  I saw a determined Karl Malone give everything he had...only to come up a few points short, just like I did.

As heartbreaking as it was...looking back on it all, I don't think I would change a thing. 

One of my favorite quotes comes from Brendan Fraser in Bedazzled.  And even though it's a bit corny...it does speak volumes about my beliefs:

"It isn't the destination that's important, but the journey that really matters."

Well, my journey taught me a lot about heart...and about the kind of person I want to be.  I've recently given a lot of thought about where my life is going...and what my goals are.  But it wasn't until I took a step back from the chaos of life that I realized the one thing I really want...and that's just to live my life with a lot of heart.

So here on Valentine's Day, I encourage each of you to take a step back...and think back to an inspirational moment in your life.

Thanks for reading, and Happy Valentine's Day to all...