Hazel's Short List

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in - from those of you who have been here before and know what Mondays are all about here, to those of you checking in for the first time. On Mondays, we recognize notable performances in the world of sports from the past week or so - we honour the winners with awards we like to call "The Hazies"; we'd like to think that Hazel would agree and hand out the hardware. I couldn't start an entry without passing along a special "Hey" to Hazel Mae.

MLB STOPS TO MOURN THE LOSS OF KIRBY
Stunning news from Minneapolis - former Twins CF Kirby Puckett died in Arizona today, one day after suffering a stroke at his home. Puckett, a Hall of Famer, will always be remembered as a spark plug for the Twins teams of the 90's.

What most might not remember about Puckett - he was also the first player in the Majors to earn $3 million per year.


HAZEL'S HEROES

NHL
Carolina Hurricanes' young gun, Eric Staal was named the NHL's Offensive Player of the Week. Staal had 3 goals and 4 assists in leading the Cane's to three wins this week. Canadians are asking themselves (and Gretzky) how this guy wasn't on the Olympic team...not me mind you, but many are still upset about the Olympics.

Cristobal Huet of the Habs won the NHL's Defensive Player of the Week. Being a Hab...Huet is lucky he even gets a mention here. Hazel doesn't have to give him a Hazie...after all, she is still part of Leaf Nation.

I can't speak for Hazel on this one...so not sure if the would hand out a Hazie to him - but they were my awards, I'd give Donald Brashear a "Pogie". Yes, THAT Donald Brashear. While many condemned his attack on Darius Kasparitis of the Rangers as cowardly and reminiscent of the Bertuzzi incident - Kasparitis deserved he...he has long deserved to have his face pummelled. Kasparitis is, without a doubt, one of the dirtiest players in the NHL and deserves more than what he got from Brashear. Did anyone notice that no one came out and condemned Brashear? It is because Kasparitis is loathed by everyone in the NHL, including some of his own teammates.

NFL
If you have read this page before, you know that Shaun Alexander was a regular recipient of the weekly Hazies...Alexander makes it again today for being awarded the richest contract ever offered to a running back. Alexander's contract calls for him to receive $62 million over 8 years - with $15.1 million guaranteed. He might not collect the full amount of the contract...but good for him for picking up the contract.


THE NOT SO HEROIC

NFL
James Shortt, an alternative medicine physician, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids and human growth hormone. Shortt faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Shortt wrote perscriptions for members of the Carolina Panthers. To his credit, he ackowledged his mistake by saying he "knows now it was federally wrong". NOW he knows...

MLB
Curt Schilling - apologies in advance to Hazel - if you have been a regular reader here...you know how I feel about Curt. Well, this one really takes the cake - Schilling pitched four scoreless innings against Boston College last week. Schilling really mowed those college punks down - he went out there with no mercy...Red Sox Nation will be happy to know that Curt feels great this year. Kudos to Steve Silva of Boston Dirt Dogs who summed things up by calling Schilling the "Big Man on Campus" haha.

David Wells - who talked about how Boston fans act like they have never seen a ball player before. Wells recently rescinded in request for a trade, saying that he wants to stay and win a World Series with the Sox... I'd trade his can.

I have to wrap this up tonight...there were others how deserved honourable mention...maybe tomorrow night. Have a great one peeps.

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world...things are picking up on yahoo site - you should check it out, or have someone scope it for you.

Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps - for David Wells' relationship with Red Sox Nation

Should I Stay or Should I Go? - The Clash

Peesth Out!