The best time of year in sports

In case you haven't noticed, the weather is getting warmer, the birds are starting to chirp, and this is the greatest time of year for sports.

Why? Let's start with the NHL and NBA playoffs. Teams are jockying for position, the first round is soon to begin and every game is important (unless you play for the Edmonton Oilers or the New Jersey Nets).

Not only that, but opening day of Major League Baseball is here. For Toronto Blue Jays fans, that means one legitimate month of playoff hopes remaining.

Not enough? How about the Final Four in NCAA basketball and the Frozen Four in NCAA hockey.

Sitll not enough. How about the Masters in PGA golf. I'm not going to mention the slime ball golfer everyone has been talking about. The Masters would and will be great (perhaps better) without him.

This spree of outstanding sports action comes at just the right time. Most people are still feeling a slight Olympic hangover, and this exciting time of the year is just the thing to revitalize sports fans. So get your seat ready, put on your favorite jersey, and let the games begin.

Mixed reviews on Tiger Woods return

There are mixed messages coming from the PGA Tour about Tiger Woods' potential return to the game of golf. Really, I would rather see Tiger stay away from golf. It's time his torch is passed to someone who still has an ounce of credibility to their name.

Phil Mickelson has publicly stated that, "The game of golf needs him to come back."

I wouldn't go that far Phil. You're doing fine on the tour. The PGA still has Sergio Garcia, Vijay Singh, Jim Furyk, Ernie Els, and Padraig Harrington. That's enough star power for me.

I don't need a womanizer, sex fiend to entertain me while I watch professional golf.

Others on the PGA Tour share my sentiments, or at least are hesitant about Tiger's return. Tom Watson, one of the games classiest and long time stars, stated that Tiger Woods needs to "clean up his act." Watson made public statements calling out Woods' actions and downplaying Tiger's place among golf greats such as Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, and Arnold Palmer.

I have to agree with Watson on the "class" of these individuals, but disagree when it comes to golf ability. Tiger is one of the greatest to ever play the games. Tiger is also one of the most embarrasing men to ever play the game professionally. What he lacks in class and moral standing, he makes up in skill.

I think Tiger Woods will definitely return in time for the Masters, and likely for a warm up round leading into the tournament. How the crowd reacts, will definitely be interesting. Myself, I wouldn't stand and applaud a man like Tiger Woods. I appreciate his ability and skill, but he is not the type of person our society needs to celebrate.

Geoff Ogilvy called out Tiger Woods, stating that out of respect for the sport, Tiger needs to answer to his critics and discuss the situation before returning to the game of golf.

Out of respect for the sport? Sorry Mr. Ogilvy, you're asking a man to show respect to a game, who struggles to show respect to his fellow human beings. While many can't wait for the return of Tiger Woods, I'll happily watch the rest of the PGA Tour compete. And if Tiger does return for the Masters, I'll be cheering for Team Mickelson.

Let the games begin.