Is it baseball season already? Oops, did I forget (misremember) to write spring training on my calendar? How did I allow America’s Pastime to creep up on me so quickly?

My first RotoHog experience: Thanks a lot, RotoHog. There I was, minding my own business, watching the Lakers struggle to survive without Pau, and Bynum, and Ariza, AND Mihm! (Actually, Chris Mihm, take your time and rest up). Sure, I had read a few baseball articles online and listened to some interviews from Joe Torre and John Smoltz on the radio. I gathered the courage to engage in a water cooler discussion over Lance Berkman (who?) and chin music (which is NOT a player spitting chew in someone’s face as my tormenters would have my naïve self believe). That was last week. Then, it happened. The Trading Floor went live on Monday. You got me RotoHog. I’m hooked and I don’t even know what I’m doing! In a game of skill where you buy and sell players to build your team value, ignorance and addiction is a pretty dangerous combination.

About a week ago, I was driving down to Hermosa Beach to visit some friends when I saw something I haven’t seen in years. It was white, yellow, and purple and flapping furiously in the wind in front me. Could it…? Nah. But wait, maybe…? Yes! It is! My heart leapt into my chest as I realized what my eyes were seeing… A Los Angeles Laker flag! Riding proudly atop the vehicle of a true Laker Bandwag – er – fan. We’re back, baby!

I haven’t worn green in two weeks. I haven’t been to espn.com or listened to sports radio during my commutes. According to John Buckley, I have apparently developed a drinking problem. I’m still “not ready” to talk about it. I have completely sworn off Bill Simmons and even gone so far as to write him an angry letter. I am working feverishly to get F*&@ing VladRad deported (and his name legally changed to F*&@ing VladRad). I am in a no-basketball/Celtics-don’t-exist bubble. So I’m doing what any true, good Laker fan would do. I’m pretending it never happened.