Holding Us Over

With the start of baseball over two months away and the college football season winding down on Monday we are preparing to enter the Dark Ages of Sports (expect of course, that little thing called the Super Bowl). To be honest, the New Years hangover usually transitions into depressed few months for me that persist until the hope that springs eternal with the reporting of pitchers and catchers. However, take heart sports fans, here are some events (other than the NFL), which can tide us over until baseball:

· Daytona 500- February 20

The Super Bowl of NASCAR. I know, I know you’re saying, “NASCAR, really?” People, if you haven’t seen the Daytona 500, watch it! Especially the last fifty laps are filled with tight racing, big crashes, and lots of strategy

Phi Beta Entertainment Value: ***

· NHL All-Star Game- January 30

This is actually a pretty cool event. It is usually much higher scoring than the average NHL game (low scoring is the American sports fan’s number one complaint about regular hockey). Furthermore, this year’s game features a new format where the captains of each team will pick the rosters from a pool of players selected by the fans and league offices. This game is worth turning on in the background.

Phi Beta Entertainment Value: **

· Manchester United v. Manchester City- February 12

English Premier League soccer in general is a great sport to follow while the American sports world isn’t at its peak. This game between the top two teams in the EPL features perennial powerhouse, Man U, taking on an upstart Man City in a match that both squads desperately 

want (read in a British accent for full effect).

Phi Beta Entertainment Value: ****

· Omega Dubai Desert Classic- February 10-13

True golf fans, such as myself, will be watching a lot of golf this winter jealously watching the players in sunny, warm Hawaii and California. However, I have to admit that for the average sports fan these earlier tournaments can be tough to watch. The Dubai Desert Classic, however, is a tournament everyone can appreciate: it is Tiger Woods much anticipated 2011 debut. If he comes out of the gate strong in 2011, there may be no slowing him down this year.

Phi Beta Entertainment Value: ****

· Australian Open- January 17-30

I am not a huge tennis fan, but the Grand Slams are always entertaining. Can Roger Federer and Serena Williams defend their titles? Probably, but it will be fun to see the drama unfold down under.

Phi Beta Entertainment Value: *****

The bottom line is the NFL will do its best to satiate use until baseball starts again, but there is little we can do to alleviate the winter doldrums. However, these suggestions are some entertaining alternatives to simply Halo Reach and Beirut in the mean time. Enjoy!