NHL: Why does everyone hate Eric Lindros so much? The guy was nearly as good as Lemieux for about a decade, scored at will and launched many opponents into the third row with murderous body checks. Of course saying no to Quebec as a cocky kid who couldn't speak French (and wanted a bigger market) made this first overall pick the Enemy Of The State for defying tradition. He should get in based soley on his soft curly hair.
The point is, Lindros was passed over in the recent Hall of Fame Inductee process, and I have a feeling that he'll be squirming for years and teetering on the fringe of some subjective decisions of his "qualifications." I was thrilled to see Mark Howe get in having met his father a few times. I'm sure Gordie is smiling somewhere.
A flurry of free agents signings have folks like Dany Heatley looking for a new house in Minneapolis.
Brad Richards got a nine-year deal to suit up for the Rangers and before the contract expires he'll need help tying his skates. Jaraomir Jagr is making a comeback and giving me serious thoughts about getting my goalie gear back out. You must recall my column of a year ago when I explained that I was the greatest net minder in the history of the sport as judged by my peers in the Highway 48 Beer and Sausage League. Stopping frozen rubber is hard enough without having peach daiquiris in your water bottle.
My Habs inked Eric Cole where he will fall on his face like every other free agent we sign. I score more on Internet dating sites then Scott Gomez does in Montreal on the ice.
He should be giving most of his pay cheque back.
CFL: "Paranoia strikes deep. Into your life it will creep. Starts when you're always afraid step out of line, the man come and take you away." Steve Stills regarding Darian Durant. Three interceptions and five over throws and I'm already chewing my toe nails. It's this new yoga program that allows for such flexibility.
Let's flex the roster and find someone who can cover a receiver. Our defensive backfield was so porous it reminded me of when fishnet halter tops were in vogue.
A quarterback controversy in Hamilton? Not for long folks. Porter is a good athlete, but not a CFL quarterback. Glenn guided the Ti-Cats to a humbling defeat at the hands of the one and only Buck Pierce who went 12 for 26 and threw a pick. Winnipeg fans plug their ears every time he gets tackled expecting the sound of broken femurs. He's held together with sheet metal screws and duct tape-like my Accord.
Calvillo was firing on all cylinders and has a bevy of new TV commercials since his noble battle against cancer. He also has a fine looking set of receivers and a running back that looks like the second coming of Silas McKinnie. The Als took down the B.C. Lions but you can pin the loss on Wally Buono, who coached a far too conservative game to topple Montreal.
Toronto needed a late field goal to upset smiling Hank Burris and his crop of Calgary superstars. Cleo Lemon squeezed just enough juice out of the offense while putting up miserable stats. I raved about Jyles being their only hope, but he's been moved to the nine-game injured list.
CFL broadcaster Matt Dunigan has been frothing at the mouth over Travis Lulay so much that I think he is more smitten with this oaf than I am with a new gal I've been chatting with. Once the restraining orders are rescinded perhaps we'll even meet.
Lulay threw for nearly 400 yards, but when you throw 46 passes the numbers usually add up.
MLB: A recent poll suggests the three best teams in the MLB are - in no particular order - Philadelphia, Boston and, of course, my Yankees.
With that said, the Toronto Blue Jays recently beat the stuffing out of Cliff Lee and then mugged Josh Beckett in Bean Town while New York had their hands full with the Mets and Cleveland.
The all-star game is upon us, which brings me back to fan voting.
Derek Jeter was voted in despite another season where he looks like he's running uphill and swinging a telephone pole.
I have been to many a MLB ballpark and we are approaching the dog days of summer. A few days ago, while in St. Louis, I had to fashion a homemade IV for my Budweiser beer just to stay hydrated. On that note Albert Pujols is coming off the DL about a month before expected. Anyway, how they play in that heat is amazing. If it gets over 30 C I have to type in the nude. Several editors have dared me to change my photo over my column but I haven't stooped to writing for Playgirl, yet. The players seem to manage with Gatorade. I prefer the cold suds.
It wasn't the first game I had seen "live" and still had to read the score in the paper the next day.
Stay thirsty my friends.
