Are we back already? It doesn’t seem that long ago that we were all cramming for finals in classes that we hadn’t gone to in weeks, but alas, here we are again.

Although the State Hornet goes on hiatus during the break, thankfully the world of sports does not.

For sports fans like myself, sports actually become our very own winter session. We give more attention to the sport of our choice because the stress and anxiety of classes are non-existent.

But the undivided attention that we fans have given to sports the past six weeks has ended (God, I can’t wait until Spring Break).

However, that doesn’t mean that we can’t take a look back at a busy, exciting, and surprising winter break…

Major League Baseball and its fans were “shocked” to find out that Pete Rose bet on baseball. Come on Pete, saying that you had never bet on baseball for all these years and then “courageously” finding the intestinal fortitude to come clean means only one thing: you’re a money-driven liar and a cheater.

Coming clean at the same time your new book came out just shows me why you should never be allowed into the hall of fame, hits record or not.

In another “shocker,” the Oakland A’s lost their second MVP winner in three off-seasons when shortstop Miguel Tejada signed with the Baltimore Orioles.

But A’s fans, fear not. Just as Jason Giambi’s void in the lineup was filled by catcher-turned-first baseman Scott Hatteberg, the A’s were able to lock up one of their infielders to ease the pain of losing Tejada. I give you, Frank Menechino. Crap.

Hey Giants fans, do you honestly think that adding Michael Tucker and having him platoon with Jeffrey Hammonds in right field was a good enough reason not to pursue anybody this winter?

Barry Bonds, the greatest player I have ever seen (and I’m an A’s fan), will hit two home runs this year and walk 1,000 times because there is no one in the Giants lineup that opposing pitchers will think twice about facing.

As for an actual surprise, the Anaheim Angels quietly added two of the premiere free agents this off-season.

By adding pitcher Bartolo Colon and five-tool stud Vladimir Guerrero, one would think that they may be back in the World Series hunt. Not I. The last big-time free agent to go to Anaheim fell down the bullpen stairs chasing after a foul ball. Poor Mo Vaughn.

In football, both bay area teams are a mess.

The 49ers have a decision to make whether to keep star wide receiver Terrell Owens or some of their other free agents. How about getting rid of that lush that starts at quarterback.

Owens may be trouble on the field, but he is a model citizen off it. All he’s needs is someone to throw him the ball and I question if Jeff Garcia can do it while being three-times over California’s legal limit of alcohol.

As for the Raiders, I don’t think I was given enough space this week to tackle this one. If, after all this time, the coach that was chosen to lead the next era of Raider football is Norv Turner, then the Raider Nation should feel slighted for not being interviewed as well.

Norv Turner is not the answer. They needed to hire a big name coach (Jimmy Johnson?) that players would respect and they need a good draft (Larry Fitzgerald) in order to right that sinking ship in the east bay.

As for teams that actually made the playoffs…

The Panthers are the real deal and if the Patriots take these guys lightly, they will be dominated, especially by the Panther’s defense.

In the playoffs we saw a double-overtime game between the Panthers and St. Louis Rams, a perfect game by Peyton Manning versus the Denver Broncos, and the Philadelphia Eagles becoming the first team in NFL history to host two consecutive conference championship games and lose them both. If the 49ers don’t keep T.O., look for him to fly with the Eagles next season.

The NBA is getting more interesting by the minute.

Wait. No it’s not.

The only exciting thing that happened during the break was the emergence of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Pau Gasol is a blossoming superstar and Jason Williams is playing controlled basketball and is maturing as a player.

A playoff series between the Kings and Grizz could take Kings fans back to 1999 when the then-upstart Kings battled the established Utah Jazz. That would be fun.

Study hard kids, put school first and lay off sports for a while.

Oh, by the way, pitchers and catchers report to spring training in 16 days.

Contact Danny Pinto at [email protected]