That's the mysterious and all-powerful Crocs Cup, in case you were wondering...

The most consistently discussed topic on my blog in recent memory: WHO Stein Metzger is going to play with in 2009? And sorry, the precursor: IS Stein Metzger going to play the game of beach volleyball at all in 2009? I’d hate to get those out of order. Especially when one or the other headlines almost everything written - by me - about the sport today.

Why is Stein’s decision to play, or not play, and if he does play, who he will play with, so interesting to me and readers across the globe? — Okay, just me. — Because he’s really good. And he’s still got it. And he’s hanging it up because he refuses to play with somebody that can only get him to the cross-over. And he’s an Olympian. And he’s won like, I don’t know, 16 tournaments? — I do know. He’s won exactly 16 tournaments. — And because he’s the only real wildcard left in the Top 32 without a partner or a solidified plan outside the protective confines of the sport.

Take other retirees for instance…

Fred Souza is out for life. His first knee surgery went horribly wrong and now he’s looking at speculative results of a 2nd surgery, and at least another 6-9 months before he can even begin to research the word rehab on the internet. Mike Lambert is M.I.A. Literally. He’s off the grid; in, like, Italy, drinking water with bubbles as he washes down his Veal Parmigiana. Oh, and cashing in on that socialized medicine I adore so much in a last ditch attempt to fix that broken knee of his. Dax Holdren sold out before Stein did and got a J.O.B., so really, Stein’s actions aren’t even original. Yet, like I said, we still care. At least, Canyon Ceman needed an entire testicle to explode before he hung it up. Follow that last sentence one more time, but start at his last name. And Albert Hanneman will never retire. Ever.

So, whose call was worthy enough to peel Stein’s toes off the deck of his 24 foot schooner and place them back in the sands of Hermosa Beach? Yes folks, the moment we’ve all been waiting for! Wait for it… Wait for it…

MATT FUERBRINGER!

Yup. You read that correctly. Casey Jennings might be out? He might be hurt? (Good chance of this considering Lindsey Lou saw him wearing a medical boot on his foot at 31 Flavors Saturday night) I don’t know. What I do know is that Fuerbs and Stein are practicing tomorrow and they are talking about not only playing Panama City Beach, FL, but also a few more. Who knows after that? I’m only as good as my intel, and frankly, this intel is good, just not all that extensive with the details.

So, what did I say? Yes, that’s right; bet the house. Stein is just not one of those guys who can go quietly…