'TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY

The sports world is getting interesting. Let it be noted---temporary as I'm sure it will be---my lowly and beloved Cincinnati Reds are in first place. This could change tonight, but I had to have my moment to crow.

The Tampa Bay Rays look like they have the depth of pitching and hitting to make the Yankees wild card contenders. But Yankee power and stamina---and the ability to shop the market to fulfill their needs---have a way of coming on late.

I'm tired of reading about the speculation concerning LeBron James' next port of entry. He's not technically a free agent until July. Enough, already until at least late June.

Tennis major time is upon us, hooray! I love the sport, and it is great to see that titanic modern rivalry of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal hard at it again. Nadal has recovered from his serious knee problems and is 15-0 on clay, his supreme surface. The French Open, the crown jewel of clay court tennis opens Sunday. Federer, as befits his ranking, is seeded #1,but Nadal is the betting favorite (#2 seed). Then in late June we have Wimbledon, the championship of the short-lived grass season and the most prestigious tournament of all. The hard court season comes roaring back from late July to the U.S. Open in September. I think Federer, almost 29, has his best years behind him, but he has a way of making me eat my words with that heart and spirit of a true champion. I have concerns about Nadal's knees: the tremendous torque he exerts on his body and knees----much more traumatic than Federer's strokes---makes for incredible power and stress on those suspect knees. The most promising young contender, Juan del Potro of Argentina, the reigning U.S. Open Champion, is out with wrist surgery, probably until November. Andy Murray, the talented but spotty Scot, needs to get his act together. Maybe Andy Roddick can make a last hurrah.

The N.B.A. championship looks like it's shaping up to be a battle between those two perennials, the Lakers and the Celtics. Frankly, by late June when that interminable season ends, I'm simply grateful it's over and someone has won.

Then we have three golf majors, the U.S. Open in June, the Open in July (the Brits don't say "British Open", being somewhat xenophobic about their tournament), and our P.G.A. in August. Will Tiger rebound or has his era moved on? Is it Phil's time now? He better hurry, he's pushing forty!

Yes, sports fans, 'tis the season to be jolly--tra la la la la! Sport couch potatoes of the world unite, we have nothing to lose but our voices from cheering!