Rick Pitino goes on a rant

Say what about the Kansas City Chiefs?

Good morning, all. I hope your week is off to a great start!

Whatever happened to “the Buck Stops Here?” President Harry S Truman placed that famous saying on his desk in the Oval Office. It may be my imagination, but it seems from politicians to sports figures “the Buck Stops Here” no longer applies. St. John’s men’s basketball coach Rick Pitino is the latest to pass the buck.

On Sunday, the legendary coach, 71, who is trying to make a coaching comeback, went on a rant about his team, the school and just about anything else in his way. The cause of his ire was his team blowing a 19-point lead to Seton Hall and losing, 68-62.

“If I said I was disappointed, that would be the understatement of the year,” Pitino railed in his post game news conference. Pitino blamed the players, who he recruited by the way, and the school’s practice facilities in his tirade. He called his players “unathletic” and stated coaching St. John’s this season has been “the most unenjoyable experience of my lifetime.”

Wow! As the people in Boston will attest - Pitino had a brief, unsuccessful tenure as coach of the Celtics - “the Buck does not stop here” with the St. John’s coach.

Did you see this about the Kansas City Chiefs?

Spring training arrives

Less than a week after the Super Bowl and MLB clubs are reporting to spring training in Florida and Arizona. Looking at baseball history, because of the expanded playoffs, clubs report about ten days to two weeks earlier than back in the mid-20th century. It used to be under the Players Association Agreement, players had to report to spring training no later than Mar. 1 or be considered a hold out. Of course, that was before the days of free agency.

Now, exhibition games will start this week and some of the big names are still on the sidelines as free agents, including reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell.

The calendar may read February, but for baseball fans spring has arrived.

That is going to do it for this week’s newsletter. Have a terrific week and thank you for subscribing to the newsletter.

DAN LOVALLO