It's the most wonderful time of the year

This is the best week of the year if you are a sports fan, so let’s celebrate.

Let’s celebrate the fact that baseball is back, awakened from its long winter slumber. It’s that special time of year when all 30 teams reenter the race to play in the fall classic and you finally know that spring has arrived—even if in New York it still seems we’re in the middle of winter. Monday’s opening day is celebrated like a national holiday in this country, as it is the one day of year when hope truly does spring eternal. Fathers take their kids to the ballparks, have a couple of hot dogs, and enjoy the national pastime just like they did when they were kids.
Let’s celebrate that we crown two national champions this week in basketball after all March’s madness—or lack thereof, this year—has died down. Whether or not you are a fan of UNC or UConn, you have to stand in awe of the fact that these teams took on the pressure of being preseason favorites and proved every prognosticator right. If you’re like me and watched way more college basketball than any human ever should in a three-week span, it’s also a time to celebrate that your attentions get to shift over to spring practice and football.

Let’s celebrate the fact that, this weekend, the greatest golf tournament resumes for the 73rd time and we all get to witness the best player ever to grace a fairway continue his quest to pass Jack Nicklaus. There’s nothing quite like watching Masters Sunday if Tiger is involved because you’re simply transfixed on the television, wondering on what hole he’ll either begin his comeback or step on his opponent’s jugular if he’s in the lead. Amen Corner and the azaleas in bloom will certainly hold center court this weekend over everything else, and I know where I’ll be Sunday night when the next green jacket is handed out.

Let’s celebrate the fact that it’s the final full week of the NBA and NHL seasons, meaning the playoffs are just around the corner. If you’re team is in a battle for home court or a battle to earn the best chance at the number one pick in the draft, there is always something to watch and enjoy during these last few days of regular season action.

For the more worldly sports fan, let’s celebrate that the UEFA Champions League is now in the quarterfinals stage. The world’s greatest club tournament is now down to eight teams and every moment is must-see sporting action. Now, most Americans look at soccer and view it as a useless game that is low-scoring with players that act more than play the game with proper spirit. To them, I say watch this afternoon’s action—you will not see more passion from athletes on a 100x75 yard area anywhere else in the world.

It’s not hard to see, then, why this week is almost holy for the obsessive sports fan. There is so much to watch this week that I’ll be honestly shocked if any meaningful work gets done in this country.

Even on Columbia’s campus, there’s action to celebrate. Some of the school’s better teams are back in action from the defending Ivy championship baseball team to some lesser-known, but equally quality teams like men’s tennis, track and field, and crew. So, if you do have the time this weekend, go celebrate your Columbia pride with them at a home match.

I can’t imagine a better week to be a sports fan than this one. So let’s celebrate the best week of the year and the realization that spring is finally here.