Now from the 'Tough act to follow' file.....

Look for Maddux cards and collectibles to spike up dramatically initially and to stay hot throughout the year if the Cubs contend.

Speaking of the USA Today Sports Weekly Power Rankings, here are the Top 10 teams from the Feb. 18-24 issue (post ARod trade):

#1 - Yankees (A-Rod bumps Yanks to top spot)
#2 - Red Sox (Nearly had first place locked up...before Saturday...Doh!)
#3 - Cubs (Dealt Steve Bartman in offseason)
#4 - Phillies (Billy Wagner, grass field should make a big difference)
#5 - Astros (Ex-Yankees pitchers provide a Rocket boost)
#6 - Marlins (Higher expectations than last time they won)
#7 - A's (Retooled offense should cover loss of Miguel Tejada)
#8 - Mariners (Always seem to be in the mix)
#9 - Angels (Awesome lineup, decent pitching)
#10 - Braves (Pitching is a question for the first time in a while)

The 'Evil Empire' Strikes Back - ARod appears Yankees bound (February 15, 2004)

Queue the Star Wars Storm-Tropper music, the Evil Empire strikes back! Darth Vadar, uh, George Steinbrenner, has done it again, seemingly pulling off an absolute shocker of a trade and acquiring Alex Rodriguez from the Texas Rangers for Alfonso Soriano and a Minor League pitcher.

In acquiring ARod (deal pending at the time of this article) the Yankees also get the added bonus of rubbing the Boston Red Sox's noses in it. Earlier this off-season, the BoSox tried unsuccessfully to acquire Rodriguez in a multi-team trade that would have landed current Sox SS Nomar Garciaparra in Anaheim, Manny Ramirez in Texas and Magglio Ordonez in BeanTown. In the process, they alienated their two best players (Garciaparra and Manny), many of the Boston Press and fans, and at the end of day, had nothing to show for it. Not your best work, Theo (ranking up there with the 'Bullpen by Committee' idea). I think it's time for BoSox Management to spend less Quality time on the computer and more in Human Relations!

The Yankees will now be sporting TWO of the greatest Shortstops of All-Time, as ARod teams will Derek Jeter to form arguably the greatest left-side of an infield of Ever!

Prior to this deal the Red Sox were the Vegas-line favorites (Pete Rose, just say NO!) to go to the World Series. Expect this trade to change that dramatically, although their are some big questions marks about the Yanks starting pitching. Can they overcome to losses of Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte and David Wells in the off-season. This writer/BoSox fan PRAYS that they cannot (so much for unbiased journalist, eh!). Can Kevin Brown stay healthy? Can Javier Vazquez handle the New York spotlight? The loss of Soriano also ought not to be forgotten either. Soriano has had a brilliant three year career so far. Is this just another Yankee over-reaction to Soriano's poor postseason performance?

What a day at the Buick Open for 'Big' John Daly! After a round that had more ups and downs then a new patient at the Betty Ford clinic, Daly pulled out an amazing sudden-death playoff win to capture his first PGA Title since 1995! What a crowd pleaser! Big John was mashing the ball all over the course on Sunday, but unfortunately the ball wasn't always flying straight. After having missed a challenging but makeable birdie attempt on the last hole of regulation, Daly, sponsored by 84 Lumber, turned it loose on the first hole of sudden death, blasting his drive and then overshooting the green on his second shot (a problem that this writer would love to have). What a gutty performance. It's great to have him back in the winners cirlce! Long live Daly!

The event, as always, was a smashing success. For those of you out East/Midwest and most points in between, make it a point to come out to San Diego this time of year!

All hail the second coming of Joe Montana! Terrific Tom Brady led the New Englad Patriots to a thrilling win over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII. In what was supposed to have been a defensive struggle between two defense-minded teams turned into a slugfest in the second half. In a QB battle of two steady no-frills signal-callers, Tom Brady again distinguished himself as a feel no pressure winner, raking in his second Super Bowl win in three years.

Look for Brady's cards, already very popular in the collectible industry, to skyrocket. He has rapidly gone beyond the level of mere sports Superstar and into the stratosphere as bona-fide celebrity. He seems to be handling it well. Enjoy the ride Tom, you earned it!

After a 3-week courtship, the Detroit Tigers have signed Ivan 'Pudge' Rodriguez to a 4 year, 40 million contract. The signing continues the Tigers push towards contender status in the American League.

Another chapter is being written in the Shakespearean-esque saga of the rise and fall of of Pete Rose. Seeking redemption, acceptance and entry into the Baseball Hall of Fame, Rose recently made the remarkable admission that he did indeed bet on Major League Baseball. Most remarkable is that he actually did admit it. I was quite positive that he would go to his grave claiming, despite all evidence to the contrary, that he was innocent. However, it appears the strategy has backfired. To most, like me, who always believed he was guilty, it only served to give closure to this sad saga. To many of his supporters, his admission feels like the ultimate betrayal.

As a player Pete Rose was the ultimate representation of what a ballplayer should be - TOUGH, COMPETITIVE, a WINNER. Rose would happily steam-roll his own Mother if she was blocking the plate and it meant another run for the 'good guys'. Little League, All-Star or World Series game, didn't matter. But he also personifies the dark-side of the game. Indeed, at the end of the day, Rose WILL be REMEMBERED for the greatness of the Man on the field equally as much as the weakness of the Man off of it. In essence, as just a MAN.