All Yankee fans are Jag-offs. Yup, you heard it. Jag-offs. A Pittsburgh word used to describe the most obnoxious fans in the world by someone who lives in Tampa. You guessed it, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays just took two in a row from the Yankees. Mmmmm. Savor the Flavor.

Thursday the Devil Rays got beat for the second straight game by the Angels. So far on this west coast roadie, the Rays have been crushed two straight games. The second loss saw the Rays having to go to their weak ass bull pen by the third inning. Man, you know you’re in for a long one, when you are asking the Rays bull pen to carry you for six innings.

Well I know everyone has been eagerly awaiting my synopsis of the Lightning’s season and I would like to thank everyone for respectfully allowing me a mourning period. I will break this down into two, possibly three blogs. Regular season, post season and next season. The Bolts started slow, but made up a lot of ground after the first of the year. Thanks in large part to the emergence of Swedish netminder Johan Holmquist. Holmer proved to be spectacular at times and confounding at others. But for an NHL rookie, I think he was solid and has the tools to be great. He moves in the crease with great ease, and his positioning is usually outstanding. I’m optimistic if about next season if he comes back.

Next, two words, Vincent Lecavalier. He turned promise into results and became the dominant two way player everyone loves to see. Later, I’ll rant about the marketing jackasses in the NHL, but not pimping the hell out of Lecavalier, especially in the south, is a huge blunder. Best thing the NHL could have done, was arrange for Lecavalier to be visible at one of the Florida Gators National Championship celebrations.

All and all second in the toughest division in hockey is not bad, but who plays for second?

The Tampa Bay Lightning return home on for Monday nights game against New Jersey. I have tickets for all of the Bolts home games for the first two rounds, however, work obligations are going to keep from going to Monday nights game. Can’t wait for Wednesday’s game! Go Bolts!

The Lightning are off to a good start in the opening round of the playoffs against the New Jersey Devils. The Bolts have played hard the first two games, splitting the two games in New Jersey and gaining home ice advantage. The Bolts suffered from poor goaltending in the first game and lost 5-3. However, Holmquist rebounded in the seconded game, highlighted by a second period stand that could prove to be the turning point in the series. In the second period of game two, Holmer stood on his head and turned away 17 out of 18 shots from the Devils. Vincent Lecavalier continued his stellar season, recording his third goal of the playoffs, the game winner just over a minute into the third period.

The Rays lost their season opener to the New York Yankees(all Yankee fans are jagoffs). Oh, by the way, you’ll probably see that statement here frequently. Plus, bandwagonners. The Rays have a shot at the record this season, but there are some bright spots. They are loaded with young talent in the field and at the plate. Delmon Young, Rocco Baldelli, and Carl Crawford are all very promising players. Scott Kazmir might develop into the best lefty in the game. Unfortunately, the Rays ball pen will loose tons of games for them this year. Just like the six runs the bully gave up in the season opener with the Yankees.

Props to Zach Johnson who won the Masters at Augusta National on Easter Sunday. It was his first victory in a major and only his second PGA victory. Plus, it was really refreshing to hear a Masters champion, often crowned on Easter Sunday, to give his thanks to the Lord, on the holiest day of the year. To hell with political correctness. Way to go Zach!

Well, the season is over and it is playoff time! I’ve got my tickets for rounds one and two in case the Bolts make it out of the first round. I like the way we match up with the Devils. The have the best goaltender in the league in Martin Brodeur. After that, we win the matchups. However, having a goalie like Brodeur who likes to see a lot of rubber, and who can stand on his head for seven consecutive games if needed, can carry the Devils a long way. Despite that, I will call the Lightning in an upset in six games. New Jersey fired their head coach two weeks before the playoffs began. This will be too much of a disruption to overcome. Bolts in six!

I will not pretend to be a big baseball fan. However, I do keep up the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and will occasionally watch baseball on the tele, simply because everything else on TV is GARBAGE(see previous rants and watch for future ones). I do enjoy going to baseball games far more than watching them on TV, but the Rays are simply a bad product. The ownership did nothing in the offseason to improve the team via free agency. Unless some pitchers suddenly come into their own, this could be a record year for the Rays, 120 loses.

I have to weigh in on the state of Gator nation basketball and specifically the controversy surrounding Gator head coach Billy Donovan and if he will accept the Kentucky job. I will break this down and make my prediction at the end. Here’s what Kentucky has in it’s favor of luring Billy away:

Kentucky was his first coaching gig.
History/ Tradition/ Mystique of Kentucky basketball.
Big Paycheck(this is a push, I’ll explain)

Florida advantages:
Family loves it in Gainesville(Mrs. D is involved in fundraising to build a new Catholic church)
Kids are starting high school
Better facility and athletic director
Better recruiting(As long as the Kid is there)
Two national titles and three final fours in seven years
Three Peat???
Building the tradition
Bigger Paycheck

This is and is not about money. It is about money because I think part of Billy’s silence is to drive his market value higher. Kentucky fan better not kid themselves, they are prepared to back the Brinks truck up, but remember, whatever price you’ll pay, Jeremy Foley can and will write a bigger check. Money is a pissing match Kentucky can’t win. Period. Donovan knows this.

Who stands to win? Urban Meyer. wait I thought we were talkin’ hoops? We are, but Donovan will stay at Florida for all of the reasons above. But remember, his paycheck will come in at 3 mil per or more. Which is more than Urban makes. No matter how many titles Billy wins, Florida is first and foremost a football school, and with a national title to Meyers credit, the basketball coach will not get paid more than the football coach. Pay raise goes to Urban Meyer.