The Park Panel

'Twas a quiet night round ye ol' park the other night. A few Sunday stragglers but nothing too out of the ordinary. So naturally the best thing to do was to stock the wood with our own numbers and weigh in on the Canucks and the upcoming NHL season.

The cast:

Justin. A compadre and fellow fish slinger. Well versed in the ways of hockey, sat perched at the bar with Honey Rickards in tow, revelling in his off night. An avid golfer as well, could hold his own on the back nine at Furry Creek vs Fuzzy Zoeller.

Mark Ryan. Who, this season, made the jump from the wood to the floor in the Fish front office. Also, resident hockey pool commish, and attendee of the 2002 Gold Medal Game. From a luxury box. Bastard.

Surprise Guest. Gagne. In town on biz from Kamloops, and of course showing up at the right place at the right time to say the right thing. Is anything else to be expected at this point?

In spirit. Ronnie Bigtime. [pours out some Crown]

The entire conversation had many points tabled and debated and so I will just some up some of the highlights and conclusions.

1. The Preseason Punch Has Been Mixed. And I hate to say it, even I'm starting to drink the Kool Aid. Still bitter from the second round collapse, I had written the Canucks off for the next 5 years, especially with the resignings of the Sedins and Bob.

However, a solid looking squad so far, bolstered with some smart bolts are making me think that the machine is indeed salvageable. Mikael Samuelsson and that Russian are looking like the right cogs. In Gillis we trust. Moreover:

2. Even Kyle Wellwood showed up to camp in shape. Encouraging. Making us deduce:

3. That the Canucks are fucking pissed about last year. And I should hope so.They know they really shit the United Center last May, and the consensus is that they are going to be hot out of the GM gates. Will we have enough to beat Calgary though in the long run?

4. Yes. With a Flames defence looking like Bush's proposed missile shield, (Phaneuf, Regehr, Bouwmeester), fortified with forwards Oli Jokinen and Rene Bourque, on paper they should slap us around the North West all winter. However we are the Yankees to the their Red Sox (pre 04). And in the end, they'll shit the saddle.

5. But you still have to love that Jarome Iginila. Sure do. And of course was the unanimous choice of our Park Panel to don the "C" for Canada.

6. Where we all predicted Olympic Gold. Like this is a surprise. Ask any Canadian male over the age of a day, and see what kind of response you'll get. However, that US squad looks like it could do shock the continent and if those Russians get it together, we could be drinking the proverbial borscht with bronze medals around our necks.

7. Speaking of Russians. The Canucks need one more gun. One more offensive threat to really seal the deal. After batting around potential characteristics that this player should have, it was decided on that he should be the most peacockish, prima donna Russian, who has the speed of Pavel Bure and theridiculous moves of Malkin.

We want a guy that's got some trophy wife back in Obninsk with ridiculous double E implants, a slew of groupies at the Roxy. We demand that he have questionable associations as well as implications into shady doings regarding smuggled Kalashnikovs. We want him to never speak English to the media although he's fully fluent. We want him to make Alexie Kovalev look like the Dali Lama.

Ok yay. The 09/10 season is here. May the best teams who call GM Place home ice win.

The Maniwaki Remote

Holy fuck. What next? What I wouldn't give for a time machine with a "fast forward" or a"skip to next chapter" button. I'd go right to the final pitch on Sunday at Camden. At 16 X.

Oh look. Jose Batista just crushed the third Jays jack at Fenway tonight. 9 -3 thus far to us. Pat Tabby just chimed in saying it was the 36th bomb this month for the Jays. First in the AL even. Swell.

Can someone pass me a fantasy hockey rag or something?

Week 3. The Ozz Man Speaketh.

Holy smokes, even if I wanted to turn on the the NFL today, I wouldn't. Not after last night's late season dropped call of a game at US Cellular Field.

And I definitely know who else won't be tuning into Week 3 today. Anyone in the Chi Sox club house. Hell, maybe Ozzie even successfully got a full NFL blackout in Chicago after this latest lambasting.

How About A Fucking Ticker...

...because it's late and it's time to talk about some shit...

...We're still going all the way...Mayson Raymond scored a stellar shoot out goal in the Canucks/Flames pre season duel. Hell it was the only shoot out goal so it had to be stellar...

....Had the Jays game on and for some reason actually gave a shit...apparently Ichiro did as well as he got tossed for the first time in his pro career by arguing balls and strikes...by drawing his bat like a fucking katana and marking his the horsehide's trajectory in the sand...Christ I half expected the ump to pull out his own blade and the two battled at home plate as Wu Tang played over the Skydome loudspeakers...

...Tigers learn how to catch a ball...And even hit as they kept their slim ass lead by blasting Ozzy and Co. 12-5...Will Leyland's Lads make the playoffs?...I really hope not...As much as another Minnesota rally has already lent itself to a very status quo September, October is looking to be even moreso...At least if Minny makes'er maybe Morneau can get a ring...and right about now Can Con is really the only reason to remotely give a shit...

...Hold please...you know it's been a bad season when the biggest reason to get jacked up comes from a fucking tweet....

This Better Not Be The Last Of Doc...

Wow. A complete game shut out. In what is "possibly his last home start." I fucking hope not. I really fucking hope not. Because even in the post game interview he had nothing but admiration for the fans and so smoothly and professionally stated that he "didn't even want to think about" moving in the off season.

Contrast with this idiot yesterday :

"Let me make this clear: It doesn't matter if J.P. Ricciardi is the GM, or Joe Blow is the GM. Two years from now, five years from now, seven years from now, the reality that we face in Toronto is the division is not going to change. The Red Sox and Yankees are not going away. If the Yankees want to, they can take their payroll to $300 million."

And this idiot today.

The reality is this.

The Jays can compete in the division. Even win it. That's right. But we need smart people in the front office. People that can put a winning team behind Roy. Not people that throw half their budgets away on grossly underperforming players. Not idiots.

Gimme A U! Gimme A Dub! Gimmie An O!!

I know I rarely post the obligatory hot chick pic set in this most serious of sports forums, but I have decided to make an exception in this case. Why? Well as I was perusing through the SI.com, this "Cheerleader Of The Week" they've got going was caught on the Maniwaki radar. And would you look at that! She dons the poms poms for The University Of Western Ontario Mustangs, my old uni. I didn't even realize that Sports Illustrated even knew that there was college football in Canada.

Anyways, here's the set. Be true to your school.

I Pity The Fool

Went into the great BC backwoods yesterday, hence the no post. Apologies. But even a mobile e-scrawl was impossible as there was no reception. Anyways more on the shenanigans later.

For now let's just say that I'm amped up as right before I hit the no fly zone, I found out that I'm going to be a military Joe in The A Team filming here in Vantown. But that's not the full reason that I'm jacked. Because I was doing my back to civilization sports surf, I came across this interesting tidbit.

Cut the jibber-jabber.

Switching Sweaters

Well, it is with great regret that the Maniwaki Mauler must announce that one of it's respected colleagues, and sources of sporting insight and debate, has departed to another squad via free agency.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Ronnie Bigtime has played his last shift in the Park. That's right. A confidant in all things sport, RBT had provided many an analysis over the years, which was often times surprisingly accurate. Calls ranging from the rise of the Sabres a few years ago, to Luongo donning the "C", to the picking of half the Flyers roster last year and the ensuing domination of last year's hockey pool, Ronnie often provided an incredibly animated and accurate analysis on the Great Canadian Game.

But, as in pro sport, when one is consistently putting up big numbers, it is only a matter of time before a big market team comes along and offers a contract you can't refuse. Hence, our compadre had no choice but leave all things fish to the park, and accept a new contract with Cypress Mountain. Just in time for the Olympics. As much as the Mauler will miss his nightly antics, we of course understand the right career choice, as it really is the smart move.

So before he exited, I made sure that we have an impromptu NHL preseason pow wow. And once again, true to form, I was left in utter disbelief at the seeming insanity of what I was hearing. But hey, his track record speaks for itself. So to all you fantasy puck head out there, may I present the last official prediction from the Park from Ronnie Big Time:

1. First overall fantasy draft pick for 09/10. Malkin.

2. If you draft in the middle of the pack. Kovalchuk. (I know, I think a late first rounder at best.)

3. The solid choice. Jeff Carter and Mike Richards. (From RBT: "Get them early. They'll win you the pool.")

4. The sleeper tandem. Mikko Koivu and Havlat. (I know, I know...Havlat for fuck's sakes...but he ended up playing 81 games last year and put up 77 points. And I think we was RBT's 18th round pick or something crazy like that.)

5. The contender. Edmonton. Will make a compelling case this year.

6. The Cup Hoisters. Are you ready for this? I can't even believe I'm about to type it. But I gotta give the man his due. Ready? Ottawa.

Now let's hoist one for Bigtime. To a solid career to date and to passing on puck knowledge from the peaks of Mount Cypress in the future.

Yup.

Week 2. Holding Out Hope.

Mid September, at least seven ball games being played, and n'ary a one on the Sportsnet or the TSN. Boooooo.

(Oh wait I just found one!! The digi-guide says WGN has MLB baseball! Awesome!!! [click].....oh. Mets/Nationals....never mind.)

At least seven MLB games on right now and n'ary a one on the telly. Boo, Shaw Cable. Boo.

So why do I find myself drifting over to Green Bay/Cincinnati? Actually mildly intrigued that Carson Palmer has just scored a TD for the underdog Bengals? Could there finally be a team in pro sport to break the status quo, a team that comes out of nowhere and wins it all for the first time? Some squad...any squad that can get me amped up on pro sport? Some story that can give me hope for the every man? A squad that inspires a Hollywood film ala Hoosiers? A squad, in a spectacle of limitless cash and corruptions, stand toe to toe and boldly announce like Rocky Balboa, "I am!!???"

Oh wait there's a challenge flag, contesting the TD.

[click]

We're Going All The Way

Man this preseason stuff is just hilarious.

Wild West

Man...like this is a real shocker. I could've told you two years ago, when West and the Sonics rolled into GM Place to take on Nash and the Suns that he was the real mccoy. Oh wait a minute. I did. (scroll down to #2)

Anyways, extra points to West for being as armed as Blade walking into a slew of vampires when he got pinched. If you're going to get busted, might as well get busted.

Looking Up In Leaf Land

So while we're duking it out right now with Anaheim (1-0 thus far) let's join the rest of the slew of obsessed media types by jumping headfirst into the Bud blogosphere. Hey look at that! So far so good.

A very spirited 4-0 romp of one of the new Broad St. Bullies in my old college pit stop of London, Ontario. A goal from the first round draft pick, Nazem Kadri. Four tilts including a thrashing of tough guy Danny Carcillo by the Toast Of T.O. himself, Luke Schenn. And off the ice, a very real looking deal for Phil Kessel.

I'm sure they're planning the parade down Yonge St. already.

ESpecially. Prejudiced. Narrative.

Would you just look at this shit. A bunch of ESPN Yanks apologists actually defending Posada and the Yanks. Even saying that he was defending himself with the elbow as Carlson was blocking his path to the dugout?

I have not heard anything so abso-fucking-lutely inane in my life. Come on Kruk, you're better than that. You even admitted that Carlson threw intentionally, but did it the right way. And who the fuck is Chris Singleton? How this guy can go on television in front of the millions Joe Americas out there watching, and actually purport this goose shit is beyond me.

Don't know how much more clear I can put this except:

THE YANKS HAVE BEEN DRILLING OUR PLAYERS LIKE THE ALBERTA OIL SANDS.

I wonder what old Chris would say if the opposite scenario were to occur. Let's just say for instance that:

1. In the series prior to this game we nail September call up, Francisco Cervelli. In the face. To the point where there's blood gushing out on home plate. That wouldn't be so great now would it?

2. Also in said series, we continue to plunk the pinstripes like we're shooting moving ducks at the fair. And Scarlett Johanson is our date. And she really wants that stuffed Jay. So we bag as many Yankee ducks as we can, bagging at least four more.

3. We win the big prize, (cue fireworks) and roll into this series in hopes of impressing Scarlett again. (Not to mention our friends.) So maybe we're a little excited. Maybe we're not. Maybe our aim is a little off kilter. Regardless, we proceed to;

4. Bean Jerry Hairston Jr in the leg. And follow up by;

5. Pasting Mark Teixeira right between the shoulder blades. In a game that we're losing 10-2.

What do you think the reaction would be from the Yanks?

Do you think they would just shrug their shoulders and send Matsui into the on deck circle to get gunned down next? Or do you think that they'd put Joba on in relief in the next inning and start firing away like it's a John Woo film?

I'm going for option number two. And I'm also betting that Chris Singleton would be standing and applauding the Yanks' "grit and determination" for standing up for themselves. And I'll also put down a saw buck that says Kruk would chime in stating the Bombers are playing the "right way."

Of course leave it to Gammons to try to be the voice of reason. Too bad he was drowned out by these two dolts.

Let's just look at the replay for ourselves. Extra points awarded to Cito for trying to yank that Yank off who was pulling at Barajas' catcher's gear. Man I'm going to be going on about this for a week.

What's this? Posada's suspension just got cut down to three games from four??!!! Plenty more to follow. Here's the footy:

Big Blue Bronx Brawl

A tilt!! That's right! An honest to goodness dust up in the Bronx! And this was not your regular half ass shoving match at home plate. No way, we're talking actual punches being thrown between the Jays and Yanks tonight.

And about time we starting playing with some god damn heart. At least if this season is a bust, we're not going to out like the biggest bitches of the East. From the looks of thing, the shit started by the pin stripes plunking our guys left and right, I'm assuming in response to us bashing the shit out of every ball that their crappy starter tried to toss. So, like a bunch of Bronx bitches, they beaned Edwin Encarnacion. And even nailed Aaron Hill right between the shoulder blades.

Not good.

You start plunking our best player and you'd better expect an answer. And sure enough there was as Carlson threw behind Posada which kicked off the obligatory bench purge. Even the calvary came trotting out from the bullpen. But no action. Yet. Then as Posada rounds third to score, he bumps Carlson on the base path, and as they say on The Real Football factories, "it kicked off."

Now I know that I've been bemoaning the Jays as of late, but none of that tonight. Nope. Tonight the Mauler stands by the squad with pride as they done right by the game of ball. That was a scrap worth fighting. Way to stand up for yourselves lads.

[bangs stick against the boards.]

Week 1. Season Over.

I even gave the NFL another chance. Went to work last night and actually chose the Bears/Packers game to watch over the Phills/Mets. (The fact that it was the Mets also had something to do with it.) But whatever Week 1 NFL got the nod. And what happened?

One of the only players I actually like dislocated his wrist and is gone for the season. Hey, if Urlacher's gone, so am I.

Favre And I. The New Beginning?

So seeing as it's week 1, I figured that I'd give the NFL regular season yet another spin. Maybe this time would be different. Maybe this time I'd get into it. Maybe this time I'd be converted into one of the many Sunday worshippers that plant themselves on their couch and soak and revel ritualistically in the full day of pro sport.

I mean, in theory, it's like the the first round of the MLB playoffs. Every week. And to add to that, what better way to shake a Sunday hangover than by taking in the exploits of practically every single team in the league as they fight for their inch towards greatness or goatness? And to boot, the season runs all rainy winter. On paper, there is really no reason as to why I not a full fledged tailgating, touchdown dancing, true believer.

So I grabbed a cup of keepsk and flicked on the tube. And oh look! Brett Favre was in Minnesota purple, making his third comeback from retirement. A story that I'm familiar with via sports page osmosis, I figured that this would be the best jump off point.

And oh look! Favre got sacked! Maybe he'd be out for the season/ever! Maybe I could get into this! Maybe. Then again maybe not. Because even on the next play, I began tuning out. And when Clevland got the ball and even had a TD taken away, (one that would've tied the game) I was ready to check the Shaw Digital sked.

And found myself being more enthralled by Baffleck and Colin Farrel's fifth rate comic book battle in "Daredevil." Really. At least Jennifer Garner was prancing around in some spandex that I could get behind. I don't know. The NFL, I suppose, will always be at best on my outer sporting periphery.

It's not that I don't understand the game (I do prefer the NFL rules to CFL). It's not that I haven't enjoyed watching football. ('89 Grey Cup win for the Riders on the final kick, David Tyree's physics defying catch). I've given it the old college try, but I just can't invested in this game.

As a baseball fan, I'm often met with this critique of the Grand Old Game, "Baseball is so boring. It's sooo slow."

And more times than not this comes from football fans! Sure baseball maybe slow, but at least it has pace. At least it has a groove. Football is more jerky and erratic than a 1982 Lada. The amount of challenges alone in the Vikings game I was watching was Maddoning.(sorry) It seemed like both squads flew all of their flags in the first half. And then there was the time between plays. The commercials. The endless, pointless commentary. Just throw the fucking ball and run down the field. Or shoot someone or make out with a stripper or both.

So as much as I hate to say it. I will not be tuning in every given Sunday as I will be more content to follow the off field exploits and incarcerations of the NFL participants. Sure if a compelling story develops (which I'll learn via osmosis), I'll tune back in in December. Maybe to see if the Lions can keep their unbeaten streak alive. Or to see if Favre will be reinstated after the shootout in the Houston night club. And to see if Jessica Simpson will stand by him through it all.

For now, Elektra is on Space, and I think she's just about to hurl some sai at some ninjas. See you at the Superbowl.

Mid September Ticker

Some mighty historic a'happenings a'happening as of late. Let's look further:

1. D-Jeets stands alone. Yup. I flicked on the Yankes/O's game last night at work. There was Jeter standing on first, surrounded by a flurry of closed captioning. My buddy Mike asked, "Did he do it?"
To which I replied, "looks like it." Congratulations to the guy who got the most hits while wearing the pinstripes. Ever. Wow. That is a mighty, mighty, record to hold in all of sport. Good show.

2. MJ Makes His Mark Again. Speaking of spectacular sporting records and greatness beyond greatness, Michael Jordan entered the Hoops Hall Of Fame yesterday. Apparently very humbled, he gave a gracious speech thanking his family, former coaches and teammates. It harkened back all the way to his days as a lad before basketball, through uni in North Carlolina and up to his mind blowing run with the Bulls. Whilst many are still trying to knock Jordan out of the air, actually trying to say that his speech. was unsportsmanlike, the Mauler stands by Mike. He was himself. He showed his competitiveness. It was vintage. I loved it.

Whilst there is a lot written about Jordan, all I can really say about him is this. I'm no big basketball fan. But I tuned in during the '90's playoffs and what I saw, year in year out was some of the most intense, exciting sport that I have ever seen in my life. I am a huge hockey fan. I've been huge Wayne Gretzky fan since I was in Grade 3. But over the years when asked the question as to who's the greatest athlete of all time, I always take Jordan. Six rings. Multiple MVPS. Christ he even dunked on Foghorn leghorn. In space.

MJ's competitiveness, mixed with his skill and his willingness to adapt his game made him a true force of nature. You saw him turn it on at will. He could go toe to toe with a hurricane and still walk away with the two points. The way he rolled through Utah and Houston and routinely dominated the likes of Mailman, Stockton and Barkley was inhuman. While there are many, many recollections circulating around the inter-web lauding Jordan's legendary exploits, I will regale one that might really only be told in this neck of the woods. Maybe not, but here it is anyway:

When the Bulls came to town to play the Grizzlies in '95, you would've thought that the Beatles were coming. The buzz in Vantown was unbelievable. While I didn't see the game, we were actually up on the Bulls in the fourth quarter with six minutes to go and some young Grizz strutted past the Bulls bench, clutched his neck and made the "choke" sign to them.

Then Jordan walked on the court. And single handedly dismantled us. Observe. And a congratulations to MJ for making not only the game of basketball better, but for making sport itself better. Ok, roll clip now:

Pennant Chases Of Days Past

All I have to say is that at the beginning of the season I looked at the sked and hoped that these mid September games against Detroit would indeed be meaningful. For us and them. The late season pennant chases of '80's days gone by were true classics. But seeing as the glory days are long gone (as well as the old league alignments) perhaps an aught nine Wild Card position would've been up for grabs.

But nay. Not this year.

However, we did win the game. But in mid Sep, the Tigers are pretty much a lock to win the Central and we...well...let's just say that we could use George Bell and Damaso Garcia in the lineup right about now.

And Dave Fucking Steib.

What A Mess

This Coyotes thing has gotten out of control, as the judge said that he might not award the team to anyone.

Eeep.

What would that mean? That Moyes would be stuck with them? Yet according to the NHL, he doesn't control the team, they do. Yet Bettman is trying his damndest to secure ownership for a team that he says he already controls.

Look. We all know that Jimmy's offer is more than fair, and Gary is just being stubborn as an Arizona pack mule. And we all know that season tickets to the Hamilton Coyotes would sell out until 2028 were they to move tomorrow. And yes it would force the Leafs to actually become competitive. And Balisillie and Burke in the same neighbourhood would be better than any UFC event.

But to cut the tomfoolery for a second, let's put this entire thing into perspective.

As much as we all want Jim Rim to bring us another squad to the great white tundra, the implications would be devastating across the sporting spectrum. Team ownership and relocation decisions could be taken out of league hands, and effectively put on the open market to who ever has enough bucks to want a team. Ultimately Balsillie's intentions are true. But there's a ton of cats out there who are not just trying to "serve an unserved market."

Could you imagine how much worse the NBA and MLB landscape would be if the only real requirement needed for relocation was to file Chaper 11? Could you imagine the damage that Stern and Selig could inflict on North America if they could circumvent their respective league rules by encouraging unwanted franchise owners to claim bankruptcy?

Also could you imagine the million other Mark Cubans who are out there, who haven't been kept out of the boys club, who would run absolutely rampant trying to put hoops teams in Bangor, Billings and where ever else?

I know we all want Balsillie to win but if he does, we will be paving the way to for an NFL team to legally relocate to Girls Gone Wild Island.

Not good for baseball.

Start Making Room In Monument Park

So good old Jeter tied Lou Gehrig with a single out to right tonight at The Stadium. And now it's just him and the Iron Man who sit at 2,721 hits, the most for any Yank. Now I'm no Yankee fan. But I respect the game of baseball. And one guy who definitely gets truckloads of Maniwaki respect is Derek Jeter.

Here's a guy that has done nothing but play the game the right way since he entered the league. On one of the toughest franchises in pro sport to play for, in one of the toughest cities to play in. At-bat after at-bat, year in and year out, he always carries himself in and out of The Stadium with a poise and demeanor that enunciates class. Jeter's a true throw back, with a presence ofan old movie star. A guy who commands your attention like Jimmy Stewart or Carey Grant.

Amidst the syringified, steroid tainted new "era" that baseball is starting to hopefully come out of, Jeter has managed to stay free of the controversy, yet has stood by his many Yankee teammates who haven't. There are few players in all of baseball that I can say that I can say steadfast that I believe that they have never taken steroids. Derek Jeter is definitely one of them.

As the Yanks went on to win the game against Tampa tonight, it was Joe Maddon who summed up the magnitude of the event the best:

"I'm very happy for him. He carries himself in a manner that's worthy of passing Gehrig."

What more is there to say except a very reinforcing and resounding, yup.

We know you'll graciously pass Lou in style as well.

Mt. Burkenstein Is About To Erupt

Looks like the Leafs boss was under the gun today and had a few things items to go off on.

1. Did he present an offer sheet to Phil Kessel? Because if so, wouldn't old Burke look like a hyp.o.crite after verbally dropping the mitts in one of the longest and most tired feuds in the league. Never mind the Coyotes fiasco, if I have to hear Burke gripe about Kevin Lowe one more time, I'm going to petition the NHL to make it mandatory that all rookies entering the league must change their legal name to Dustin Penner.


2. Speaking of the Coyotes, what does he think? Apparently something, but has been told by the league to shut his trap about it. Ok, you know he's just waiting to go off on Balsillie, which makes me want the Make It Seven campaign to actually get this shit done before the puck drop on the season. Christ I'd even crack down pay per view dough to see a Balsillie/Burke tilt for 09/10.

Good.

So the Canadian women's hockey team lost the Gold Medal game in whatever lame four team tourney they were playing here in town. AND they lost to the States. To which I can only say one word:

HA!

There are only a few squads on this planet that can provoke a reaction out of me that is so vehement and ferocious. A response that makes me rue the very existence of the team itself and wishes its immediate vapourization in order to cleanse the sporting spectacle of its inherent nonsense.

The Marlins, the Nationals...The Canadian Women's hockey team.

These women routinely walk all over the opposition, run up the score humiliating other nations on their home turf...do it on the international Olympic stage,then defend their poor sportmanship in the media, and then still have time to bitch about the officiating when they do lose a game.

Unbelievable. I've seen more poise in keg fuelled, varsity, frat/flop house Playstation tourneys. These women have been blundering through the international scene for years and I am petitioning the Hockey Gods with all of my Maniwaki might for Olympic retribution on home ice. Like I'm talking an 18-0 loss to Kazakhstan Day 1 would be a great way to kick things off.

Another Knock On The Noggin

A route. Jays 15. Yanks 8. A crazy fifth inning resulting in a combined 12 runs between the two squads. As well as a damn near Clint Malarchuk moment, where one of our hottest hitters, Randy Ruiz, got smoked in the face by an ex Jay Josh Towers wild pitch. Scary. Blood gushing on home plate is not good for baseball.

This coming a week after Scutaro gets plunked in the head. Which was courtesy of the Red Sox. I say the next Jay to get plunked by a divisional rival, should get all Octagon on the mound and at least finish this season off sending the proverbial "message" for next year. A line brawl at the Blue line might at least provide some "emotion" for next year.

Sliding Into October

Jays 4. Yanks 6. I'm betting a carbon copy score for tomorrow.

So I was watching the Dodgers/Padres at work tonight and I have to stay I'm sticking to my guns.

"I cant believe what I just saw."

Dodgers to The Series. Russell Martin has been having a rough season, but tonight he did it all. Every time I tuned in, he was up to something. Got a hit. Slid into home face first. Even swiped a bag. Sure he's only got 4 bombs on the season (which has absolutely killed Team Maniwaki.) but I'm guessing he's saving a big one for later. And when it happens I will believe what I will have just seen.

An Unintentional Maniwaki Jinx

Ok, how bad does this season suck?

Let me tell you. True story.

I just walk through the doors of HQ, flip on the Sportsnet to see that we're up 3-0 to the Yanks in the fifth. What a nice surprise. Halladay's on the hill and looks really intense. Locked in. Thinking to myself, "Look's like Roy's got something cooking. I wonder could it be a no-no? Nahhhh...couldn't be. I always think that if I tune into a whatever to nothing score."

Next pitch.

Jamie Campbell: And that's high for ball four, and he walks Posada. Halladay is perfect no more.

First pitch I witness. Doc shanks a perfect game. First pitch.

That's how bad this season sucks.

***Addendum*** And if you think I'm being cynical as Doc still had a no-no going, just simmer down. Ramiro Pena a just hit a double, two batters later. Which I knew was coming. Not long after the walk. The day Halladay gets in the record books it won't be for pitching a no hitter. Doc doesn't pitch no hitters. He'll have gunned down the perfect game.

The 12 Year Tenure

So far. Jays 3. Yanks 5. Much more to come from the pin stripes I'm sure.

So Bob got the big deal, signing one of these front end loader 12 year cap stabilizers. Now. How does the Maniwaki camp feel about this?

Mixed. Conflicted. Torn.

For years, I would watch the NHL ticker as Luongo lost game after game in Florida, yet put up a ridiculous amounts of saves during each contest. Every time the Panthers recap flashed passed the screen, I would plead with the hockey Gods to please find a way to bring this machine to Vancity.

Then one day my prayers were answered as we unloaded Bertuzzi and picked up Bob. So happy I was that when my friend Justin told me the news we both danced a jig for a solid minute.

But since then I haven't been dancing that much. As we got bounced by the Ducks in 07, missed the playoffs in 08 and got thoroughly dismantled by an upstart Blackhawk squad last season. After having a ton of legitimate hype behind us and after leading said series 2-1.

And let's talk about Game 6 of that series. 7 goals let in by Bob. 7. In an elimination game. And it's not like we weren't scoring. We put up 5. Mats was finally on fire. The Twins were doing their part. Burrows was playing with a broken hand. We were up. We were down. We were up again. We were down again.

Then we were down.

Again.

And it is for this reason that I can't back this 12 year deal to the Captain, as I really don't know if he's the guy that can finally bring Cup hoistage to the lower mainland. I want to be wrong. To quote Agent Mulder, "I want to believe." I want him to be able to do it. But when you shit the bed that bad, there are going to be a ton of questions and speculation all season as to Luongo's playoff performance.

To be fair. The stats I read today in the Province are that he's 11-11 all time in the playoffs with a goals against of 2.09 and a save percentage of .928. Not bad. Not bad at all. But enough to bring us The Cup?

He can win 80 games this year, collect the Vezina, and it won't mean anything if we get bounced by the Blue Jackets in the second round again. And then things will really get bad as Bob will enter Marty Turco land and will have the playoff albatross around his neck for good.

Or at least the next 11 years.

Gobbled By Ghosts

Well. That was fast. Maybe they read yesterday's post.

Oh yeah. Jays 4. Rangers 6. If you care.

From The Pen To The Peg

Texas 5. Toronto 2. Texas 5. Toronto 2. Not a typo. Double header. Typical result.

Ok, I'm really starting to like how the CFL is turning into the NFL penal league, as the latest delinquent to make the jump to the land of three downs is Pac Man Jones. Signed by the Bombers after getting the axe from the Cowboys, those thinking that Jones is going to tone it down and get his game back are going to be sorrily mistaken.

Always hearing this cat's name on the Sports Centre, but never really paying attention, I figured I'd google his rap sheet and see what's what.

And holy smokes. Extra points for diversity of charges. But wow. What a degenerate. Ricky Williams smoking a joint is nowhere near the realm of this guy repeatedly punching strippers in the face.

I'm just waiting for the inevitable reality show that throws Pac Man in a house with Mike Tyson, Elijah Dukes and Tim Donaghy so we can watch their ensuing devious, felonious antics unfold.