My loyal readers know that I had the University of Richmond pegged as a stone cold, lead pipe lock for the NCAA tournament. The Spiders took their fate out of the hands of the NCAA tournament committee when 

they won their conference tournament. 

On the other hand, when last year's "last team out" Virginia Tech beat then #1 ranked Duke, ESPN announcer Dick Vitale congratulated Hokie coach Seth Greenberg on securing their spot in the Big Dance. Tech, forgetting that the regular season wasn't over and that Dickie V wasn't on the selection committee, lost their next 2 games and gave the Selection Committee a reason to make them a "last team out" for the second straight year.

Dick Vitale went on TV and was apopleptic in denouncing the inclusion of Virginia Commonwealth University as 1 of the 68 teams. Well, VCU went out and won 3 games to join Richmond in the Sweet 16. 

Everyone loves to see the underdog upsetting the top seeds in the tournament. That is, of course, everyone except for fans of the top seeds, CBS TV execs and those who bet "chalk" on their NCAA pool picks. The problem is that the unimaginative sports commentators drag out the Cinderella cliches to describe the upset winners. Bill Murray, as Carl Spackler in "Caddyshack," had the hilarious mock broadcast: "Cinderella story. Outta nowhere. A former greenskeeper, now, about to become the Masters champion. It looks like a mirac... It's in the hole! It's in the hole! It's in the hole!" Caddyshack was made 30 years ago. Let's give it a rest, boys. Nope, not happening this year. This week I have heard that Richmond is "Cinderella City" and, after VCU beat Florida State last night, the front cover headline of today's Richmond Times-Dispatch: "Slipper still fits for VCU." Ughhh, and my boys are wondering why dad started his Saturday with a Bloody Mary! (I'm kidding...there wasn't any tomato juice in my drink. Hey, a little lubrication seemed to work for Hunter Thompson and Dylan Thomas when they were writing!)

However, I have to give credit to Elevation Advertising which created a 30 foot by 20 foot banner (pictured above) that they unveiled at a community pep rally for VCU and Richmond this week showing Dick Vitale with a plate with a crow on it in front of him that says "Eat Crow, Baby!" Very funny- please make it into a t-shirt and I'll trade you a Bob-L Head for a t-shirt.

Comic kudos should also go to George Mason. Ever since GMU went to the Final Four in 2006, the sportscasters have wondered "Who will be this year's George Mason." This year, George Mason wore t-shirts that said "We ARE this year's George Mason!" Funny, but turns out, they weren't.

Props to the Richmond Spiders who lost to a better team last night- Kansas. Loyal newsletter reader and former Spider sharpshooter Mike Skrocki got plenty of publicity this week because everyone was hoping for a repeat of the 2004 upset win that Richmond had over Kansas when Skrocki had 23 points. The Spiders could have used all 23 points yesterday as they lost by 20!

For those who remember the first Bob Battle newsletter ever, we profiled folk singer Ellis Paul.

Ellis actually took his Bob-L Head onstage for an entire show at the Ashland Coffee & Tea House. The latest Farrelly Brothers comedy movie "Hall Pass"features portions of 9 Ellis Paul songs. The Farrelly Brothers have used Ellis' music in previous movies. 

Paul's song "The World Ain't Slowin' Down" figured prominently in the Farrellys' "Me, Myself & Irene," and his "Sweet Mistakes" was heard in "Shallow Hal."

"We think of Ellis anytime we have a new film," said Tom Wolfe, the Farrelly brothers' music -supervisor.

Ellis is pictured above with super fans Emmett and Conor Battle at a special kids show in Ashland. When asked whether he felt their was any connection between the good fortune and showing proper love for Bob-L, Ellis said, "Uhh, sure, Bob, you're not driving are you?" I rest my case!

 

But wait there's more. The recipient of the very first Bob-L Head, comedian Jeff Caldwell, returned for a second killer set on the Late Show with David Letterman. When asked whether being in possession of the first Bob-L Head was a factor in getting booked again on Letterman, Jeff responded, "No absolutely not. Bob, you're not driving are you?" At the end of Letterman spot, Letterman announces Jeff's next gig- in Peoria, Illinois! Do not diss the Bob-L. I rest my case.