Chopped down by my own tomahawk

Today brings mixed emotions as my favorite team has told me that they have given up on the season and are looking to the future. 7.5 games out and Tim Hudson and slugger Chipper Jones being put on the disabled list. The Atlanta Braves have traded away slugger and excellent fielder Mark Teixeira. They did get a good player in return and a prospect pitcher that will help the bullpen in the future. It was a good deal as there was no way they would be able to re-sign him and got a cheaper option at 1st base for a few years. As a fan I have mixed emotions, on one hand I respect that they are looking to get better for the future and do so in a fiscally responsible way on the other hand you have different fingers, just kidding of course. On the other hand it is always a difficult thing to admit that you had a good run but now is time to re-tool and look toward the future especially when it is only late July. Maybe this is more of a sting for me as I was spoiled throughout the 90's and early 2000's when the Braves were on their run of 14 consecutive Division Championships and World Series win and it was a given that you would see them in October, even if it was only briefly (we are all well aware of some of the playoff struggles in some years, but at least they were there).

Here is to next year and hopefully a revival to the good old days.

Brickyard Baby

Johnson wins “Tiring” Race at Indy

In a race that was marred by bad tires and tire ware that forced competition cautions. A race that was one of the worst races to watch even for the most die hard of fan. One that prevented pole sitter Jimmie Johnson from driving away from everyone, in the end justice prevailed.
Jimmie Johnson won the Allstate Brickyard 400 in the NASCAR series on Sunday. The 2 time defending NASCAR champion won his 2nd race at Indianapolis and looks for that to set him up, like it did in 2006 for the championship. Can he go for 3 in a row? The odds are stacked against him, especially the way Kyle Busch has run this year but this is a good start to get the second half on track.

As for the race itself it was difficult to watch on TV, from the pits and probably from behind the wheel. There will need to be a lot of changes to prevent tires from ruining another race at the most well known track in the USA. F1 had issues during the United States Grand Prix a few years back because of tires as well. 7 teams were forced to pull out and on 3 teams that were running Bridgestone tires started the race, making the event look like a farce.
How bad was it? Teams spent an estimated $34,000 on Goodyear rubber.
It is not good for the sport of racing nor for the allure of Indy and the legacy it carries. Hopefully Goodyear can get this righted and soon or they may loose their right to supply tires to the most popular North American series.

Around The Horn

Having the AVP (Association of Volleyball Professionals) being televised over the past few weeks with teh AVP on NBC in anticipation of the Olympics has been a real treat for me. I may be one of the few that truely enjoy beach volleyball for the volleyball. I will watch both the men’s and woman’s matches both with near equal interest.
That being said here is some truths: 1) HD was made for woman’s beach volleyball 2) I think I am in love with Misty May and Kerri Walsh 3) With the fans in the stands being as hot or hotter then those on the court, how does it not get more time on tv and pull in huge ratings?

Roger Federer was ousted in the first round of the Rogers Cup in Toronto in his first match after his epic match with Rafael Nadal.
Well that eliminates the potential for me going to Torono to watch Tennis and makes for a disappointing end to those who have tickets. Just like the Leafs, Toronto has disappointed their fans...again.

Iraq has been barred from the Beijing games.
Apparently politics does play a role in the Olympics, I am shocked. It begs the question how did Beijing get the games in the first place.

Michelle Wie is to play yet another men’s event at the PGA Tour’s Legends Reno-Tahoe Open.
Not only has she never made a men's cut but she doesn’t even know the rules on the LPGA. "Wie" are tired of this song.

Mats Sundin is to make his decision on August 1 on if and where he will play next season.
I guess Campbell Chunky Soup is perishable and it expires within the next week ( Mats, your soup is ready!!)

Steve Bartman, That Cubs "fan" who rightly or wrongly has been blamed for ruining the Cubs chances win the World Series has turned down $25,000 to come out of hiding and sign 1 autograph.
Wisely he has declined and has averted what was sure to have been either a set up or a trap, either way there would be no good to come from that. 25 Ger is a lot of coin but you gotta stay down in teh basement if you are that dude.

Fight Club- Lady Style

It has been quite a week of aggressive behaviour, but this time it has been from the women of sports. There have been 2 incidents in the last 3 days. Most recently it was the Malice in the Palace 2 WNBA style. During the Sparks-Shock game a brew-ha-ha broke out that was by all accounts a pushing match but by WNBA standards it was an all out brawl. There will be fines suspensions and controversy with Rick Mahorn making contact with Lisa Leslie. It was incidental contact in a peacekeeping role so that shouldn’t become much an issue.
The other was in the IRL between Danica Patrick and Milka Duno after Danica got run on the track and went down to the rivals pits to have a “discussion”. That turned into a bit of a catfight and ended in a towel being thrown. Danica has a history of being a bit of a hothead but this is the first time her target was a woman and offered the opportunity for some physical violence. Unfortunately it didn’t go down like that and cooler heads prevailed and we the fans were robbed of a potential girl-girl fight. Maybe they will cross paths in the future...we can only hope.

2 incidents of Girls Being Boys but 2 different views:
The WNBA incident is a black eye for the “sport” and a bad reflection on the league. Sadly this is the only way that they any exposure at all that the league actually exists. Before this I bet the average person didn’t know the WNBA season was even on.As for Danica it is just good pub and lets face it 2 cute girls yelling at each other is not the most un-watchable thing in the world and i am sure that if you pole any men they would agree.
So Boo WNBA and YEAH Cat Fight!

The Espy's

After watching the ESPY’s on Sunday I have sadly come to the conclusion that Justin Timberlake is actually pretty funny and actually does have some talent. (See the opening to the Show Here, it is actually worth looking at) . It pains me to say but he actually did do a good job overall as the host of this awards show. For those who don’t know the Espy’s are the sports equivalent to the Academy Awards but on by ESPN and brings in the top athletes and some entertainment personalities for their 2 hour show.

For a list of winners click HERE

Sure there were some awkward moments as they did show Brett Farve plenty and cracked some jokes then would pan between him and would be replacement Aaron Rogers. Also it appeared that Beck’s (David Beckham) wife Posh is either very bitter and was utterly displeased to be there or she is just a very snobby lady. I think perhaps it is a little from column A and a little from Column B.
One of the funniest skits was when a video of an angry Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State University football coach, during a news conference that showed Justin Timberlake as the reporter and the classic line "I'M A MAN, I'M 40!" (see it here).

This is an award show that gets it right, they show only a handful of categories on TV, actually has entertaining skits and in this case songs and give a list of the other awards that were won but didn’t need to show the acceptance and the un-drama (thats right-UN-drama!).

It had a bit of everything...the highlights, the lowlights, the memorials of the people lost over the past year and the things that go beyond sports and society and go straight to the heart. Exactly what sports is supposed to do.

Around The Horn

Greg Norman (53, and one of the coolest autographs one will find) is an early leader at the Open Championship.
I didn’t know that there were Sharks in England, good to know

March Madness will have a new voice next year as CBS has parted ways with Billy Packard and replaced him with Clark Kellogg. Packard had that "voice you grew up with" after calling 34 straight Final Fours. Though he was also known to be a little gruff and was forced to make 2 apologies in recent years 1 after being asked to identify himself by two female students checking credentials before a game at Duke."You need to get a life. Since when do we let women control who gets into a men’s basketball game? Why don’t you go find a women’s game to let people into?" and referring to Allen Iverson as a "tough little monkey."
Maybe not as good as Don Imus but not bad. Packard will be missed Calling the Final 4 games and it is unlikely that Corn Flake (Kellogg) will bring the same edge.

Beijing has come out with its list of banned items and restricted items as well as its code of conduct. No spitting, stand in line, and be polite to other nationalities. Banned items include guns, ammunition, crossbows, daggers, fireworks, flammable materials, corrosive chemicals and radioactive materials.
I was going to go and take in the Olympic experience and maybe catch Field hockey or Fencing.
You may not bring in your dagger or crossbow but apparently a walloping mallet/stick or Swords and Foils are ok.

Reggie Jackson was walking down the street in New York with his 17 year old daughter and commented to a photographer to identify the young lady as his daughter. Jackson commented "That’s my daughter, that’s not my girlfriend! I’m not A-Rod here!"
Good line but would have been more fitting if he would have said the he was not Roger Clemens at least A-Rod’s are legal, while we aren’t so sure about Ms. McCready... Allegedly.

The Leafs are going to give away tickets to an added Pre-season game.
Good for them to make an effort to do something for their fans, and ticket giveaway is a fitting thing as they are used to giving things like wins away easier then $5 hooker.

Kirk Radomski found a receipt for HGH he claims is linked to Roger Clemens under his TV.
What happened to the days that we could hide our incriminating evidence under our mattresses? Just another example of how electronics have taken over our lives.

More drug infractions in the Tour de Farce
I guess that it counts for something that they are at least catching people. After like 9 years of multiple expulsions wouldn’t you think to either go in clean or just shut the whole thing down? Steve Howe didn’t even get this many chances

NASCAR Silly Season Indeed

Apparently NASCAR has decided to follow in the path made throughout the years by Hollywood and the WWE...the power couple or in this case alliances. Maybe that is where Survivor and The Apprentice got the idea from. With the most recent addition to Hendrick Motorsports, Mark Martin, giving the team 4 of the premier drivers in the series. Is it any wonder that Ryan Newman is leaving Penske Racing? Funny how that decision was made after Tony Stewart asked and was released from his contract next year to not only join but be part owner of the now Stewart/Hass Racing Team. That will have one car filled by Tony but who could be in line to drive the second car, is there anyone without a ride for next year? (Ryan Newman I am looking in your direction). With the money that is needed to run and actually be able to compete there is little chance for small teams to compete let alone qualify half the time.
Being a Jimmie Johnson fan it doesn’t bother me as much as some others because he is the back to back reigning Champion and that ain’t not bad.

All Star Reflection

They always say that at a baseball game that there is the potential that you’ll see something that you have never seen before, so why should an All Star Game be any different? 15 innings and near chaos...sure why not. As I had mentioned in an earlier posting having too many people go into the game isn’t like to good ol’ days but it can leave you high and dry in a big hurry. Pitchers and managers alike were at near breaking points. NL Manager Clint Hurdle said to 3rd baseman David Wright... "I told David, ‘You were the last pick, I went and got you. Have you ever pitched in an All-Star game?" Francona apparently asked an MLB official if he could pitch...i am guessing the official wasn’t Bud Selig.
Ken Rosenthal’s idea of having 4 extra ranked pitchers on reserve for those pitcher that may have pitched on the previous Sunday is a great alternative. That would give a little more flexibility to the managers while not endangering million dollar arms.
The pre game was great to see with the parade on the red carpet and all the old time hero's and Hall of Famers. It was a sight that any fan would get chills from. It was great to see the current players interacting with the vets. Mr. Cub Earnie Banks and Kosuke Fukudome was cool to see. A personal highlight was to see my favorite player Chipper Jones with his parents and his Smokin' hot wife in the parade and getting some facetime on Fox.
Other then the length of the game it was a fitting way to close out Yankee Stadium...it was like the ghosts didn’t want to let the place go and kept the game hanging in the balance until the bitter end.
Canadian Justin Morneau had a great game and a great break all around. After becoming the Home Run Champion that no one will remember after Josh Hamilton stole the show Morneau went 2-4 with 2 runs including the game winning run.

On a side note all tours of Yankee Stadium are sold out and the usual $20 ticket is available on Stub Hub ranging from $79-$200. That may have just solidified my not going to see it. Guess I will have to put my focus on Wriggly and Fenway.

My Josh - Bombing in the Bronx

What Josh Hamilton has just done is nothing short of amazing! In the usually mundane and uneventful “batting practice” known as the Home Run Derby, Hamilton has done something never done before. Not only did he hit 28 Home Runs in the first round, many of them were absolute bombs. I don’t even care what he does from here on out, whether he winds up the champ or not, just the fact that he displayed that kind of power for that amount of time was simply awesome. It is well documented about his past after being drafted 1st overall in 1999 and his struggles about his drug use and spending his $3.96 million signing bonus on crack and alcohol. For him to not only be a potential triple crown candidate All Star and potentially a Home Run Derby champ but to even be alive is one of the greatest stories in sport. I was in awe with probably everybody else in Yankee Stadium. In a park that already has all sorts of history it is just fitting in the last All Star Game in New York having Hamilton make even more history. Way to go Josh, keep this unbelievable season going.

The Stars Come Out

We have hit the "midway" point of the baseball season and it is All Star time. Of all the major sports except for maybe NASCAR the MLB All Star game is the only game that can be played close to what the game is actually like. Any of the contact games are just too risky for players to go all out for little or no reason and risk injury.
Unfortunately over time, baseball’s game has turned from a passionate game too more of a spectacle in recent years. Long are the days of the old timers who would play a full game not just 2 or 3 innings, the desperation to win that was once there just isn’t there anymore and the pride of the league in free agent era does not exist and with the recent inter-league play that has come in there is less of a mystery between the 2 leagues. Lets just say the is little chance that you will see Manny Ramirez take out Giovanni Soto at home...actually you probably wouldn’t see that anyway, but you get the jist. Despite Bud Selig trying to make the game "count" by awarding home field for the World Series to the winning league, it is very transparent of his attempt to make the game draw a few more people and up the tv ratings. Lets just enjoy the game for what it is and that is a celebration of the game for the fans to enjoy and a chance to say goodbye to one of the most historic parks in baseball history, Yankee Stadium.
I would have loved to gone there one to take it in for myself but I guess it just wasn’t meant to be.
For those who are fans of the game I guess it doesn’t really matter. If you are going to get up for a Pardes-vs-Giants game then this will be light years ahead of that. Actually the All Star Game is actually more meaningful then a Pardes-vs-Giants game....both those teams are Not Good.

Around The Horn

Should injured Canadian Hurdler Perdita Felicien be allowed to make the Canadian team without qualifying?
No, if the alleged worlds fastest man Tyson Gay doesn’t get to run the 200 because he cramped up at the US Trials then she shouldn’t get to run either. I guess it doesn't matter either way with the stigma of 'roids especially in track does it even matter. If a syringe is pushed and no one sees it does it indeed boost performance?

Was there anything funnier then when Felicien hit the hurdle at the 2004 Olympics and went down taking out a rival?
No, No there was not

Michael Vick Filed Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection while in federal prison
How bad with money can you be to have such a huge signing bonus and salary and blow it all in such little time?
The Falcons bet on the wrong dog in that race...What? Too Soon??

Gary Bettman has tried to put an end to Burke/Lowe feud after Lowe fired back at Burke this week after a year of animosity.
It may have taken a year for Lowe to come up with a comeback but when he did he did so with gusto.
I am just glad that Craig McTavish talked him out of ‘Jerk Store, I am going with Jerk Store... Jerk Store’ though "Your cranium called. It’s got some space to rent.", "The zoo called. You’re due back by six." and "Oh yeah? Well I had sex with your wife!" could also have worked

KC Chiefs Tight End Tony Gonzalez recently saved a choking man in a restaurant after he began choking on a piece of meat
This marks the first time in recent memory that an NFL Player saved a life instead of took one, good work Tony!

Is there anything more insignificant then the Tour De France right now?
No Armstrong, no testosterone laced Landis, no interest...at least from this side of the lake. France can keep their cyclist...err bike riders not steroid cycles.

Mark Martin signs on with Hendrick Motorsports for a full ride next season.
What, does he think he is a boxer? He comes out of retirement more then Leave it to Beaver....re-runs!

Justin Gimelstob fired a rant about his dislike Anna Kournikova with whom he once trained with. I will let his words tell it best.
"I’m going to serve it right at the body, about 128 [mph], right into her midriff," he said. "If she’s not crying by the time she comes off court then I did not do my job."
Asked if that meant he hated the Russian, with whom he trained as a youth player, he replied: "Hate is a very strong word. I just despise her to the maximum level just below hate." He added that he would not like to sleep with Kournikova, "because she’s such a douche". Instead, "I wouldn’t mind my brother, who is kind of a stud, nail her and then reap the benefits."

MATCH FOR THE AGES

Sunday morning I got up and did my regular routine, ESPN The Reporters with Canadian John Saunders who is right in his element as host of that panel discussion. Another solid line-up with author of one of my favorite books of all time; FAB FIVE - from the Detroit Free Press, Mitch Albom, Times writer Mike Lupica and Boston Globe’s Bob Ryan. I then followed it up with the Canadian knock off and hit or miss version The Sports Reporters hosted by Dave Hodge. When that was over i switched to the the ongoing tennis match on NBC.Little did I know then that I was going to, over the next 7 or so hours and a few rain showers be treated to one of, if not the greatest tennis match's of all time.

I am not a huge tennis fan and will usually only watch for a few minutes here or there during a finals but this was different...to a degree. Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond my control I was unable to watch the match in its entirety from beginning to end. The fact that the running time was nearly 5 hours and there were two rain delays also played a significant factor. That was the beauty of this particular match between Worlds #1 and #2 Roger Federer and Rafel Nadal, I will get to see it again no doubt as it will surely be played often on ESPN Classics or you can go to http://www.wimbledon.org/ and stream or download the match. Maybe not ESPN Classic Canada as there will no doubt be a CFL game from 1977. The rivalry, the shot making, the drama and the fact that it was at Wimbledon made it the most epic battles of all time.

A five set epic that Nadal wound up winning in near darkness ( 6-4, 6-4,6-7 (5-7), 6-7 (8-10),9-7)at the all England Club ending a run for Federer at Wimbledon. In typical form, both were humble in victory and in defeat.

Even if you are not a tennis fan you can’t help but be drawn in by this match.

The Wimbledon Men’s Final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal took a hefty Nielsen preliminary 4.6 household rating/12 share, some 44% higher than last year’s 3.2/9. It was the best-rated final in eight years, since a 5.0/14 for Pete Sampras-Patrick Rafter match.

-Around The Horn-
A quick view of the week in sports

ARod is again involved in controversy, not for on field antics but in his personal life. The triangle has now been extended into a square. ARod’s wife Cynthia has been linked to rocker Lenny Kravitz in London and now Arod himself has seemed to have left his stripper in Toronto and has been linked to the Material girl herself Madonna. This is why Yankee fan doesn’t get with ARod...Jeeter is seen with untouchable models, DJ is the golden boy and knows how to do things right, ARod is allegedly hitting a 50 yr old mother. That is just bad for business. Alex needs to follow the lead from his captain. He is sure to be able to afford it...until the settlement.

The NBA is so embarrassed by referee Tim Donaghy that it wants him to reimburse the league for the cost of his basketball shoes. The NBA said in a court filing it spent $750 over three seasons to buy sneakers. This is not about money just to further humiliate him. Most of the time Leagues take the high road it is nice to see for once a little pettiness.

This may be a bit removed, but a classically insensitive remark by golf commentator Johnny Miller about recent US Open runner up Rocco Mediate caught my ear figured that it would fit well with the Around the Horn feature. Miller said Mediate “looks like the guy who cleans Tiger’s swimming pool.” He also said, “Guys with the name ‘Rocco’ don’t get on the trophy, do they?”. He later apologised but it was classically funny none the less.

I won’t even comment on Jason Giambi’s new ‘Stache except to say that i think even John Holmes is jealous of this one. For a great ‘Stache list visit Page 2 by clicking the hyperlink.





Mats Sundin is doing one heck of an impression of Brett Farve, and Farve is doing a great impression of an early episode of Friends with the will they or won’t they Ross and Rachel storyline. Just make a decision in a decent amount of time and stick with it. Stop being selfish and hold up half of a league worth of teams and make a decision one way or the other. Like burying a beloved pet cat in the back yard we just want closure.

In honor of our friends to the south today i say Happy 4th of July and a day that is going to be like the Super Bowl... you betcha the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. Joey Chestnut will defend his title in this the Kentucky Derby of binge eating. Nothing says Independence like inhaling some wieners. If we can keep these down we’ll be sitting pretty!

All England boots out Russian

Sadley Wimbledon has come to an end for me as Alla Kudryavtseva defeated Maria Sharapova on Thursday. No sly remarks this time, no backhanded compliments just a homage to Maria and her less then traditional outfit at this years tournament. I now will look forward to the US Open I suppose. Stay classy tennis champion.

-Around The Horn-

A quick view of the week in sports

The ongoing feud between Kobe and Shaq re-surfaced and took an unexpected twist this week with the video release on TMZ.com where Shaq ripped into his former teammate not only criticizing Kobe for not being able to win a championship without him, how he rode his coattails and ran him out of town. Then things got personal and Shaq blamed Kobe for ratting him out causing his divorce and then just got profane asking: "Kobe (expletive), tell me how my a** tastes". Sure rap music is notorious for the feuds and guys taking shots at each other through rhyme, but Shaq is really not a rapper (see - Shaq Diesel, Shaq-Fu: Da Return, You Can’t Stop the Reign, Respect, Shaquille O’Neal Presents His Superfriends, Vol. 1). Kobe can’t help but be aggravated by this assault and will no doubt get pretty angry, like an old man trying to send soup back at a deli.
What is probably the best thing about this story is that a Sheriff has revoked the honorary badge given to Shaq after the Kobe blast.

Is it any wonder why the Argo’s have taken a chance on troubled wide receiver David Boston. Boston has had many an issue in the past including a traffic incident this winter while with Tampa Bay that has led to his defection to the CFL. While driving Boston was found to have GHB in his system also known as the date rape drug. This is called that because it leaves a person groggy and powerless. It looks like there may be a pattern for Boston as it is thought that an Argo’s uniform will produce the same result. Apparently when putting on a Jay’s uniform a person will suffer that same affliction.

Melrose Place is alive and well in Tampa. They just got junior stud Steven Stamkos in the NHL Draft, a new owner in Oren Koules and a new Head Coach. Barry Melrose is now at the helm and has brought in Rick Tocchet as an assistant. Clearly the FOG (friend of Gretzky) has moved into Tampa. I wonder if Melrose will take young Stamkos under his wing and have him grow that bright blond hair of his into a shapely mullet?

Andrew Raycroft and Kyle Wellwood have been waived possibly for the purpose of a buyout. Wellwood is now a Canuck and if a buyout goes through my guess is that Raycroft will end up in L.A. with the Kings. He is only 1 year removed from winning some 38 or so games, one wold think LA would take that in a heartbeat. Knowing the Leafs luck he will go there thrive and turn into the #1 man that they thought they were getting when they gave up Tukka Rask.

When did Shawn Chacon change his name to Latrelle Spreewell? Chacon was suspended for insubordination after he grabbed General Manager Ed Wade by the neck and threw him to the ground. I guess if it isn’t a full out choke then it isn’t really that bad. No word on if Chacon mentioned anything like "I’ve got a family to feed."
~ Chacon has since been released by Houston.

OH NOAH!!!!

On the day of the NBA Draft i find it only fitting to profile Joakim Noah from his draft day when he went 9th overall to the Bulls. With one of the ugliest suits that there have ever been, Noah has a "Style" all to himself.
I will also take this time to mention Noahs recent legal troubles when an officer spotted him on a sidewalk holding a plastic cup containing an amber drink, a violation of city law. During a search at the station, officers found marijuana in his pocket. Shocking.
I think that he forgot that he plays for the Bulls not the Cincinnati Bengals.

NEW KID IN TOWN?

It appears that the Toronto Raptors have acquired Jermaine O'Neal from Indiana for T.J. Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, and 17th pick in the upcoming NBA draft. Toronto would have to include one other player for salary cap purposes. In doing so the Rap's have added some much needed size and re4bounding help, provided O'Neal stays healthy. With the play of Jose Calderon Ford and his poor attitude toward coming off the bench has become expendable. This appears to be a good deal for the Raptors, but it may hurt a little more that it cost the 17th pick and still need help at the 3 spot. Another good looking move for the chosen one, GM Bryan Colangelo.

Also if nothing else it does increase the NBA tattoo quota for the team, and really isn't that the most important thing?

Draft Day Vol. 2

5:10 rolls around and it is time to head out back to Scotiabank Place to get in line for the autograph signing. When we arrive there is a decent line, not huge but still a little imposing. We go to the back and begin the waiting game, and wait we did as the top prospects that were to be part of the session were caught in traffic. Since they were only to be there between 5 and 6 and then they would have to be shuffled inside to change for their big day time was a factor and the clock began to work agents us. Mummers from Sens staff went from guarantee autograph to if there is time, we are behind because of the traffic, we may not be able to guarantee. It was at this point that i began to feel that everything was a little too easy at this point and we were due for disappointment. Maybe no autographs and were we somehow going to be denied access due to some kind of oversell. Not too long after that the boys showed up and finally the line began to move and we began to make good progress! we managed to get to the table in near record time and had I not been an idiot and forgot my camera i could have got some good shots. I was forced to settle for my call phone camera to take some quick shots (that actually turned out better then i thought). Great success as we managed to get Doughty, Schenn & Bogosian. Draft Day is underway and things are looking up!

Next up was to get in the building and into a seat, this was my other concern as priority went to season ticket holders. We got through the first line of defence on the stairs as they scanned us in...phase 1 complete. We grabbed out free pom-pom and draft flyer, checked the Upper Deck Vendors setup, grabbed a pint and headed toward the stairs in hopes of a good seat, or at least a seat. 6:30 came and in went the season ticket people, so we worked our way around until we saw a line that was moving right in so we followed the herd and in we went... Phase 2 complete! We managed to get some pretty decent seats in the 300 level with a good angle to the stage. We had a good view of the NHL officials table which allowed us to see any movement from the teams. When there was a group of people at that table you knew that a trade was imminent. Despite the length of the first round it was still a great experience. We got to see Stamkos drafted #1 and got to know 40 of his closest friends as he hugged every one of them, What felt like forever he worked his way through every aunt and 3rd cousin. Sure it was his day but it was a little drawn out.After that it was pretty much a hurry up and wait. Hear a name clap and wait for the next one. Sure there was the series of boo’s every time the screen showed Cliff Fletcher to break things up and unluckily Luke Schenn being boo’d like any Leaf should be.

Despite the record number of trades and the excitement of the draft experience it was testing for any fan. Without the tv coverage and their video and breakdowns it made for a lot of downtime between picks.All in all it was a great experience, it is something that i always wanted to do and with it being so close i figured that it needed to be done. Sure it didn’t have the flair of a live high paced event but it was compelling for other reasons and it was fun to see...even if it did take 4 hours for the round plus the time we put in before it officially began.I may not rush out next year to Montreal to see it, it may have been a 1 time thing but after the beginning bumps and some unnecessary anxiety it turned into a great time.This concludes my draft day experience!

July 1 is closing in and it will soon be Free Agent time!

Draft Day- One mans journey

The NHL entry draft was surely a trying time for many a young man. This is where young players from all over the world find out how their career will begin professionally and where they fit into the mix. No doubt there is a ton of anxiety. This is not restricted to the players, no-no. I too felt those similar feelings, but for a different reason. 2 weeks ago i went to the box office at Scotiabank place to get the free tickets that would gain me entry into the draft “sorry we are all out for the first round, i can give you tickets to the second through seventh round”. I took these tickets grudgingly just so i didn’t go away empty handed, but clearly i was displeased by my lack of success. The is not much happenings to see on day 2 live. There are little or no players, no tv coverage, very little fan fair and for me very little interest.
From there i tried to get tickets from various sources, co-workers, friends, friends of friends - nothing but the same response - nope nothing. There was some outside chance that i may be able to get one, but there were no guarantee's.
Draft day rolls around and still no access, i hear that there will be an autograph session on with 2 groups of the top 6 prospects to the first 400 people in line beginning at 3:30pm, so i figure get in on that and at least get something and maybe try the box office one last time. So a co-worker and i make the tour over to to “The Bank” at 3:30 for a late lunch as i anticipate there will be a fast run on the guaranteed wristbands. First we go to the box office and ask if they have any tickets for the evening festivities - Nope.
Then as we begin to walk away we hear from a small line that they may be releasing some tickets at 4pm, why the box office person didn’t tell us that i don’t know. We run outside to make the difficult decision which group do we try for 1 (Stamkos, Myers, Pietrangelo or 2 Doughty, Schenn, Bogosian). I opt for group 2 as i already had auto’s from Stamkos and Pietrangelo and Myers wasn’t as high on my list. Back to the box office we go and at 5 min to 4 they open up the tickets, we stroll up and get the duckets...just that easy. no problem nothing to worry about. All that anxiety wiped away. So back to the office we go to finish off the day, proudly with our wristband and our entry tickets to that nights draft. So in a mear 35 minutes - 2 weeks of anxiety and frustration are gone, the draft is now becoming a reality now just 1 hour back at the office and then it is back for some well deserved autographs...this is the end of phase 1 of my draft day experience, stay tuned for phase 2 to come!

-Around the Horn-

A quick view of the week in sports

• ~With Petty Enterprises selling to Massachusetts-based private equity firm Boston Ventures it marks not only a change in ownership but shows further change in NASCAR. The one time Ol’ Boys Southern Race’n sport has now moved North and into a more Eastern high finance business. Times they are a changing, people are now more conscious about money and health then anything - we can’t have people on TV reporting on how the Miller Genuine Draft or Skoal Car did in the Winston Cup. Now we need to know that the 24 Nicorette car is in the top 10 and that it is best that we ask or doctors if Viagra is right for us. Lets just hope the day doesn’t come that the 48 Lowes car has to be taken off the track because some wall street yuppie fell off a ladder trying to put up his diploma with a hammer he bought from Lowes.
  
  
• ~ Tough game to call recently for Darren Fletcher on Rogers Sportsnet when the Jays met the Brewers. On back to back hitters he made and was so far off he could have been back on. He was commenting on how great a contact hitter was and he promptly struck out. Then the next batter he said was light hitting and had NO POWER and he in turn hit a home run. To Jamie Campbells credit he didn’t call him on it.
  
  
• ~Paul Pierce got in a good shot during a Finals press conference when asked about similarities between himself and Carmello Anthony: "Well, I never have gotten a DUI," said with a smile but still a pretty funny shot
  
  
• Willie Randolph- Gone
  John McLaren - Gone
  John Gibbons - As good as gone.
  It is too bad because this actually probably isn’t his fault. A case could be made for him being fired anytime in the last few years, but this year he has tried everything , made the right calls, they just haven’t worked. He just wasn’t given the horses to do the job and he will wind up paying for his GM’s mistakes with his job.
  
  
• ~ Tiger is on the Shelf for the year, bye-bye PGA Tour TV ratings. No Tiger, even less interest in the Fed/Ex Cup "playoff" by both the players and fans.
  
  
• ~ Like him or not J.P. Riccardi will speak his mind but true or not some things just shouldn’t be said. J.P. learned that the hard way this week. In a post game call in show on Fan 590 Riccardi publicly ripped Red’s outfielder Adam Dunn saying "Maybe we have more information and know the player a little more than the average fan." "He’s a lifetime .230-.240 hitter that strikes out a ton and hits home runs. Did you know the guy doesn’t really like baseball that much? Did you know the guy doesn’t have a passion to play the game that much? I don’t think you’d be very happy if we brought Adam Dunn here...We’ve done our homework on guys like Adam Dunn and there’s a reason why we don’t want Adam Dunn."
  Dunn in response said "I know nothing about this clown. I have no idea who he is,"
  Riccardi has since called the Reds to apologies
  
  
• ~ The NHL is threatening to kick the NY Rangers owners out of the League after the Rangers sued the NHL in September, saying it violated antitrust laws by monopolizing control of team promotions. It will be interesting to see how this plays out, but you can bet that NBA Commissioner David Stern wishes he could do the same after what they have done to disgrace the once storied NY Knicks -See the Dolans and Isah Thomas.