Sports fans catch triple play of events

We have just witnessed the greatest week in sports. It may not have come with all the hype of a Super Bowl or the hoopla of a BCS title game, but hopefully it did not sneak past unnoticed.There is nothing better than a week encompassed by Final Four basketball, baseball's opening day and the Masters to cap it all off.

Some may like the return to football season or NASCAR's opening week, but there is just never so much going on as there has been in the past week.

There is something for everyone. Even the casual fan is drawn in by the beauty of Augusta National Golf Club and the tradition of college basketball's national championship.

This year it was April 5 through April 12.

The Braves and Phillies kicked off the Major League Baseball Season in Philadelphia, when the defending national champions raised the banner and walked through the stands.

Monday was baseball's true opening day. There is no better reminder that spring is here and summer is approaching than seeing the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Then Monday night Michigan State was clobbered in a virtual home game by a North Carolina basketball team that may go down as one of the best of all time.

Tyler Hansbrough and company won each of their six tournament games by more than ten points and the title game was never in question. Sure it was not the best game of all time, but what else are you going to do on a Monday night? I would say enjoying Hansbrough, Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington in their final college game was a pretty solid option.

Tuesday gave us was more baseball, but the Connecticut women's basketball team was the real highlight. They one-upped UNC by completing the 2008-09 season 39-0, with every single one of those 39 wins coming by more than ten points. The Huskies dispatched Louisville for the anticlimactic finale.

Wednesday was the day to take a breath. Watch a little baseball and pregame for Tiger's return to the Masters.

The crowds were electric and the golf course was in its most pristine condition.

Thursday was a day to soak in all the first major of the year had to offer.

Friday through Sunday provided plenty of storylines. The group of teenagers Anthony Kim, Ryo Ishikawa and Rory McIlroy provided plenty of flair and a few exciting shots.

Gary Player concluded his Masters career in 2009. But these days golf is really all about Tiger and Phil.

The two were paired together Sunday and battled through one of the greatest opening nine holes in Masters history. Both came within one shot of the lead, but it was not to be for either of the golfing giants.

So the focus shifted to Kenny Perry.

The 48-year old was trying to become the oldest Masters winner of all-time, and despite flailing through the final two holes, he reached a three-way playoff.

History was not made there either, though. Argentina's Angel Cabrera won his second major with two playoff hole pars, and he walked away with a new green jacket.

So it may not have been the most dramatic week of this year in sports, but there was plenty of action and quite a few opportunities to put off homework and sit in front of the television. Who would have thought the second week in April had this much to offer.