Random synapse misfirings while searching for spare change under the seats of my truck:

----------The gross overreaction of the Missouri Valley Conference to limit the stunting of the cheerleaders after the frightening fall and injury to Southern Illinois cheerleader Kristi Yamaoka Sunday is exactly why many people don't view cheerleading as a sport. I'm not talking about the cheerleading you see on the sidelines at NFL games or during timeouts in the NBA, I mean the incredible athleticism of competitive college and high school teams. The stunting and tumbling these kids do is truly amazing, and to take that away because of one injury is an insult to the athletes. Good thing they don't do the same in other sports as soon as an injury occurred, there would be nothing left to watch....


----------Why is it that Dunkin' Donuts introduces possibly the greatest breakthrough in the last thirty years, the gift/debit card, which immediately becomes my new favorite toy, and then half the restaurants don't honor it, forcing me to search for spare change under the seats of my truck?

----------The sad news of Kirby Puckett's death reminded me of another athlete who starred in his sport, only to die much too young. Sweetness himself, Walter Payton embodied much of the same energy and spirit seen in Puckett. He could leap over a fallen lineman, bounce off the defensive end, dart between two linebackers, then outrace the safety to the end zone, leaving you shaking your head in amazement, then simply hand the ball to to an official and head for the sideline. "Act like you've been there before," he said, providing the perfect counterpoint to most of the silliness you see in the end zone from lesser players.

----------Bo Bice is going to sell more CD's in his career than any American Idol winner, including Kelly Clarkson.

----------I believe Boston's Jonathan Papelbon is going to be in the Sox' starting rotation by mid-May at the latest. I also believe he will be the surprise pitcher in the American League this season....This kid has it all, including a live fastball, outstanding control and poise beyond his years.

----------You may not know or remember this, but Joe Montana didn't even begin his senior season at Notre Dame as the starting quarterback. After he replaced starter Rusty Lisch at halftime in two or three games in a row and led the Irish to come-from-behind wins, it finally occurred to head coach Dan Devine that maybe Montana should be playing all the time. By the end of the season the Irish were National Champions and Montana was on his way to a legendary career.


----------I've only been writing posts for a couple of months, but whenever I see a new post from "The Sports Intellectual," I know immediately it will be an interesting, entertaining and fun to read take on the world of sports. When I read his stuff, I feel like I should change my name to "The Sports Ineffectual." Nice job Intellectual and keep it up, a lot of us are waiting for your next words of wisdom.....