The best in the world go back to college

How often do you see an Olympic national team face off against college teams?

Well, starting today, the U.S. softball team will start its “Bound 4 Beijing” tour, where they will play games around the country, including games against several college teams. Tonight’s game is against Arizona, the two-time defending NCAA champions.

Obviously, the national team is probably going to win almost all of these games, if not all of them. But it has to be a big thrill for these college teams to face off against the best in the world, and if any of the college teams do pull off a win, it will be a huge upset they’ll always remember.

Jennie Finch, an Arizona alum, is scheduled to start for team USA today, and UA alum Alicia Hollowell will also pitch for the U.S. in relief, according to the Arizona Daily Star.

A schedule of all of the college opponents the national team will face on this tour, after the jump:

Don’t panic about Frankie leaving — yet

It was apparently big news yesterday when Francisco Rodriguez said that this might be his last season as an Angel. From the LA Times:

Upon arriving for his first spring-training workout Sunday, Rodriguez was asked whether he’s going into this season thinking it will be his last with the Angels.

“Yeah, probably,” he said. “If they wanted me here, they would have done something a long time ago. In the meantime, I have to put that out of my head and do my job.”

Rodriguez is quick to answer when asked whether he feels the Angels don’t want him here.

“No, no, that’s not what I’m saying, I don’t want that in the paper,” Rodriguez said. “It’s just something I can’t control.”

Why hasn’t he signed a long-term deal by now? “You’re asking the wrong person,” Rodriguez said, putting the onus on the team.

I wouldn’t panic just yet. A lot can happen in one year. Frankie is asking for a lot of money, but it’s not like the Angels are afraid of spending big. (Torii Hunter, anyone?)

A lot of things can happen in one season. Maybe the Angels change their mind by November and give him a big contract. Maybe Frankie has a bad season or gets hurt, lowering his value. Maybe he has a change of heart and caves in to the Angels’ offer.

I wouldn’t say good-bye yet. There are plenty of examples of when it looked like players would leave, only they didn’t (most recently, Alex Rodriguez).

For better or worse, the deal Mariano Rivera got (3 years, $45 million) set the market for top closers. The Angels might give it to him, you never know. They reportedly offered 3 years, $34 million. A lot can change in one year. Let’s enjoy it.

41 days ’til Opening Day: John Lackey

There are 41 days left until that best day of the year, MLB Opening Day.

41 is also the jersey number for John Lackey, the great starting pitcher for the Angels who also started Game 7 of the 2002 World Series.

Back in 2002, Lackey was just a rookie, starting only 18 games for the Angels during the regular season. He gave the Angels exactly what they needed in Game 7, pitching five innings and allowing only one run.

In his first two full seasons, Lackey was up and down and inconsistent, mixing in brilliance with frustration. Since then he’s been great though, leading the AL in ERA last season.

Here’s hoping he has a great season for the Angels this year. Only 41 days away until we get to see Lackey pitch (I’m guessing he’ll be the Opening Day starter.)