April brings more than showers in Memphis.  It means it’s time to enjoy warm evenings with friends and family; ice cold drinks and some delectable BBQ nachos, peanuts, burgers, or whatever concession you crave  (I’m getting hungry just thinking about it); the crack of a towering homerun and the cheers of the crowd.   Yes, April means the start of baseball, and in Memphis, that means it’s time to head downtown to beautiful AutoZone Park to catch some Redbirds action.  

The team put together a solid season in 2008, finishing second in the Pacific Coast League American North division with a 75-67 record.  The team returns a number of outstanding prospects, as they will look to take the division title this year and earn a spot in the playoffs.  Among the returning starters are outfielder Jon Jay, who hit .345 when he was called up last year, slick-fielding shortstop Tyler Greene, and top prospect, outfielder Colby Rasmus, who was hindered last season by a knee injury but is expected to have a big year in 2009.  Leading the way on the mound will be 2008 Baseball America Triple-A All Star Mitchell Boggs and hot prospect Jess Todd.  

We’re only 13 days away from Opening Day when the Redbirds kick off the season against the Oklahoma City Redhawks on April 9 at AutoZone Park.  The game is the first of an eight-game homestand to kick off the year, with a four-game series against the Redhawks and another versus the New Orleans Zephyrs.

But you don’t have to wait until the 9th to catch the Redbirds.  On April 3 and 4, they’ll take on their big league brothers, the St. Louis Cardinals, in exhibition games at AutoZone Park.  The game will mark the return of former Redbird great Rick Ankiel to AZP.  You can purchase single-game tickets for the exhibition games as well as regular season games at the Redbird’s website: http://memphis.redbirds.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t235.  You can also take advantage of a “Vacation Package” (spring or summer).  For only $79, you’ll get a ticket to one of the exhibition games plus five regular-season games.  Don’t miss a chance to enjoy some terrific Triple-A action at an affordable price.       

After notching their fourth consecutive Conference USA tournament title, the Memphis Tigers, riding a 25-game winning streak, roar into NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament as the 2 seed in the West Region. The Tigers’ opening-round tussle tips off today at 11:25 in Kansas City against the Cal State Northridge Matadors, the 15 seed. The underdog Matadors, who snagged a tournament bid by taking the Big West tournament title, enter the contest with a 17-13 record. Having reached at least the Elite 8 the past three seasons, including a run to the title game last year, Memphis knows what it takes for a deep run in the tourney. And it’s not just die-hard Memphis fans who like the Tigers’ chances this year. Of the seven ESPN analysts to post picks on espn.com, four have picked the Tigers to reach the Final Four. Even President Obama has picked them to reach the Final Four!

Psyched about today’s game but bummed it’s in the middle of the day? Here are a few ways to still catch the game, though some may not sit well with your boss.

- Use a personal day.
- Leave work "sick."
- Take an extended lunch break and head to a sports bar or restaurant like Dan McGuiness or Buffalo Wild Wings.
- Watch the game on your computer at www.cbs.com
- If you have TiVo or a DVR, just record the game.

Although the Tigers won’t be returning to the FedEx Forum during the tournament, you can still catch some March Madness action in person when the South Regional (Sweet 16 and Elite 8) comes to town March 27 and 29. With a tournament known for twists and upsets, there’s no way of guaranteeing which teams will vie for a spot in the Final Four, but the South Region features ACC regular-season champs and perennial powerhouse UNC Tarheels (1), the Oklahoma Sooners (2), led by Player of the Year Blake Griffin, the Syracuse Orange (3) who just a week ago won an astounding six-overtime game against UConn in the Big East tourney, and the Gonzaga Bulldogs (4), once an annual Cinderella team, now a regular bracket favorite. Although tickets are officially sold-out, you can still find plenty of tickets at StubHub (http://www.stubhub.com/ncaa-tournament-south-regional-tickets) and other fan ticket-selling sites.

Jason Middlekauff

Think you’ve seen everything to see at Graceland? Think again. Three new exhibits debut this month at the home of the King, giving visitors more glimpses into the life and career of the timeless rock ‘n roll icon.

Elvis in Hollywood Exhibit – Legendary movie producer Hal Wallis once said, "An Elvis Presley picture is the only sure thing in Hollywood." Starring in 31 films, including King Creole and Jailhouse Rock, Presley epitomized cross-over appeal. In fact, some of Presley’s biggest hits—"Return to Sender," "Can’t Help Falling in Love," "Viva Las Vegas"—appeared on soundtracks to his films. The new exhibit, located in Sincerely Elvis, offers visitors a look at Presley’s film wardrobe from the likes of Viva Las Vegas, Charro, and Jailhouse Rock, scripts with his handwritten notes, rare photos, and more.

New Editions to the Car Museum – As if the car museum hadn’t been impressive enough before, Elvis’s two Rolls Royce sedans and his 6-door Mercedes Benz limo have been added to the collection. The 33-vehicle exhibit also includes favorites like Elvis’s pink Cadillac, a 1956 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible, and the red MG from his film Blue Hawaii.

Elvis Lives: The King and Pop Culture Exhibit – Through a combination of videos, photos, displays, and listening stations featuring some of the King’s classics, visitors follow a timeline of Elvis’s career to learn more about not only his indelible impact on the music world but also on the world. The exhibit also features a collection of memorabilia from the 50s to now and a performance area where you can try your hand at an Elvis song and "sing like a King."

Elvis image(s) used by permission, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.

Elvis By the Numbers

Speaking of trivia, here are some facts and figures that give just a little glimpse at the reach of Elvis’s popularity.

600,000 – The average annual number of visitors to Graceland

75,000 – The most visitors to Memphis ever during Elvis Week (2008)

140 – The number of singles to make the Top 40 on Billboard’s pop chart

30 – The number of #1 hits on the U.S. and U.K. pop charts combined (18 in the U.S.)

147 – The number of albums and singles certified gold, platinum, or multi-platinum by the RIAA

625 – The number of active official Elvis Presley fan clubs worldwide (including 45 foreign countries)

500 million – The number of commemorative Elvis stamps printed in 1992 by the U.S. Postal Service (It’s the top-selling commemorative stamp ever)

31 – The number of films Elvis starred in

$52 million – revenue earned by Presley’s estate in 2007, more than Justin Timberlake or Madonna

Over one billion – estimated total of record units sold worldwide, more than anyone in history

With snow still on the ground from this past weekend, Memphis events synonymous with warm spring days—the start of the Redbirds’ season, Memphis in May, even picnics at Shelby Farms—feel a long ways off. But before we bid adieu to cool temperatures for good, there’s still plenty going on in March in Memphis.

For college basketball fans March means one thing—March Madness. The surging Memphis Tigers, led by seniors Antonio Anderson and Robert Dozier and stand-out freshman Tyreke Evans, will look to make another run deep into the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers have made it at least to the Elite 8 the past three seasons, coming up just short of winning the national title last year against Kansas. Before the team vies for a spot at this year’s Final Four in Detroit, they’ll look to win their fourth straight Conference USA Tournament, which runs March 11-14. Including post-season games, Memphis is riding an incredible 56-game C-USA winning streak. To watch the Tigers try to extend that streak and take home another conference tournament title, order your tickets now at www.fedexforum.com or by calling 1-888-867-UofM.

If you’re looking for some roundball action with lots of razzle-dazzle, the Harlem Globetrotters will make at stop on their 2009 World Tour at the FedEx Forum on March 15. The Globetrotters have wowed spectators with their unique blend of skill, athleticism, and comedy for nine decades. For a look at their current roster, go to www.harlemglobetrotters.com.

Put on something green and head down to Beale Street on March 14 for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Don’t limit your day to just downing some green beer and parade-gazing, though. Stop by one of the city’s Irish pubs to enjoy the day’s festivities by feasting on some traditional Irish cuisine—and maybe having another pint of green beer. I recommend Celtic Crossing. The cozy pub located at 903 South Cooper offers a host of tasty lunch and dinner dishes as well as a nice selection of Irish beers, whiskeys, and liquors. If the weather is nice, be sure to ask for a seat on their patio. Other pubs include Murphy’s, Dan McGuiness, and Silky O’Sullivan’s, home of the "diver," a gallon-sized bucket of beer.