Pretty In Pink
Posted April 12, 2010, 1:21 PM ET

The Masters did it again.....and so did Phil Mickelson.

In what turned out to be one of the most entertaining sporting events on TV that I've witnessed in quite some time, the left-hander won his third green jacket in convincing style.

After a ridiculous build-up of hype and anticipation, Tiger Woods' return to the game was upstaged by an amazing collection of shots by the world's best players. There's not a better cathedral in sports than Augusta National...it never seems to disappoint in beauty and drama. In some respects, it's the perfect layout in both departments, too.

While the world watched Tiger to see how he would respond after a tumultuous lay-off, it turned out that the tournament would be highlighted by a guy who has become the ultimate "family man", the past year.

Given the news surrounding Mickelson's wife and mother who were diagnosed with breast cancer last year, the story at Augusta on Sunday looked more like something that was being conjured up in a Hollywood script.

I'm personally not a big fan of Mickelson, but I know a whole lot of folks that love him and follow his every move. You couldn't help but feel for him and his family, when they finally gathered for a big "Victory Hug" behind the 18th green on Sunday.

Mickelson's final round 67 was spectacular.....great shots, clutch putts, and, of course, a couple of wayward recoveries, too. The win gives him three titles at the Masters and it was his fourth major victory of his glorious career.

But it was probably Amy Mickelson's presence on 18 that stole the show.....remember: it's family, first. Somehow, this one looked real and less scripted than some of Mickelson's previous victorious family functions after other tournament wins.

The Masters was fabulous, and I'm sure the final TV numbers on CBS will prove the point.

As for Woods, it's back to the drawing board. He'll be the first one to tell you that he has work to do, both on and off the golf course.

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The first week of the Major League Baseball season is underway, and if we've learned one thing, it's that the Houston Astros have earned a right to be on my Packman 9 list.

Last week, I unveiled my annual list of teams that have absolutely no chance in the world of reaching the post-season. You can check the list on the archived pages.

The season is so long, that it is virtually impossible to get too excited or too down about how your team is doing. Even my SF Giants are off to a great start - going 5-1 in the first week - but they have issues, like everyone else.

Wake me up in late August, and we'll see how everyone is doing....even by that late date, the Astros should be officially eliminated from the post-season.

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The UNC-Charlotte basketball team has a new man in charge, and it's Alan Major.

I have no idea who the guy is, but I do know he's coming to the Queen City via The Ohio State Buckeyes.

He seems like a jovial guy that certainly has basketball in his blood. Given his track record as an assistant in Columbus and his years at Xavier, he will and should understand what he's up against in the Atlantic 10.

I'm not sure the Niners got a whole lot of "wow" in the hiring of Major, but the most important thing is that he prove he can put a staff together, recruit, and eventually win in the underrated A-10.

I don't expect Major to match the passion and love that former coach Bobby Lutz had for his alma mater, but he will bring a sense of change that many Niner followers have been craving.

I say on the air that every coach deserves five years to put his/her program in place.....and the same holds true for Major. I look forward to interviewing him on the show, and hopefully he has a successful run with Charlotte.

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The Charlotte Bobcats are in the playoffs, and it appears that they are destined to finish 7th and hook-up with the Orlando Magic in the first round of the NBA postseason.

I have been pleasantly surprised by how many fans have emailed and called into the show, talking about the upcoming playoff appearance for the Bobcats.....it's a good sign.

Granted, it doesn't guarantee a first round upset, but it does show that if you win and put a decent product on the floor, then fans will find you. It doesn't hurt that the team is also reducing ticket prices during a stretch run, allowing fans to sample a winning product.

Can you imagine if Jerry Richardson and the Panthers ever took that approach?

I didn't think so, either.

It will be fun to see the team and the city respond to the playoffs....

Can you tell it's April?