Sports Writing

Basketball

Let the madness begin

I LOVE this time of year. I love the daffodils and cherry blossoms, the osprey's return, the ability to sit outside in the sun. Spring means renewal. It brings hope. And it comes with passion, camaraderie and silliness, courtesy of March Madness.

BOWL BET: MONEY, IMAGE AT STAKE FOR S. FLORIDA

For South Florida, some California dreams: Two teams from a state known for its earthquakes, fires, floods, riots, celluloid fantasies and O.J. Simpson will play football next Sunday near a city known for its crime and hurricanes.

LET THE GAME-AND PROMOTIONS-BEGIN

The annual, most-watched event in the world is coming, and a marketing committee is spending $ 3.5 million to put the best face possible on South Florida.

MARLINS A HIT!; FANS RALLY AROUND HOME TEAM IN 6-3 VICTORY

A Yankees fan was reminiscing about Joe DiMaggio, and a Giants fan was bragging about Bobby Thomson, and a Cubs fan was talking about Hank Sauer, and the Red Sox loyalists were whining, as usual.

STILL ALIVE AFTER 5; TO FANS' DELIGHT, M'S FORCE GAME 6 TOMORROW

Summer is not over. Forget the falling leaves and the morning fog. We're not through with baseball yet. The Mariners, Seattle's boys of summer, unleashed the magic yesterday in a fairy-tale fifth inning that stilled the New York Yankees, if only for a day or two.

THE ALL-STAR AND THE FAN: 2 INSPIRATIONS

TONIGHT, MICHAEL ADAMS will be sitting at Safeco Field for the first time since he lost the use of his legs and an arm. He'll be rooting for the Mariners' All-Stars, of course, but he'll be cheering especially hard for the player whose attitude he emulates.

THE SPRING OF OUR DISCONTENT; 'THEY FORGET IT'S A GAME'

Baseball didn't used to be like this. It didn't used to be about payroll caps and performance bonuses and free agents and the right to demand trade.