Monday's Musings

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

For those of you who haven't been here before, Monday entries take a look back at the last week or so in the world of sports and highlight some of the more notable performances - the lucky winners are awarded a Hazie and holds the title as of one Hazel's Heroes. The decisions are made by yours truly, though I'd like to think that Hazel would agree with the choices and hand out the hardware to the lucky winners. On the flip side, we also highlight some of the "not-so-heroic" but no less notable performances.

SOCCER
Yes, I'm starting out with soccer - it was a great week for Portuguese soccer fans.

As I mentioned this morning, Miguel Pedro Mendes scored two goals to lead Portsmouth to a 2 - 1 victory over Manchester City. Mendes, who started the season with Tottenham, scored the winner in injury time. Pedro's performance might not be enough to save Portsmouth from relegation - but he deserves some recognition.

Last Wednesday, Benfica of Lisbon beat European giant Liverpool 2 - 0 at Anfield; thus ending the Reds hope of repeating as European Champions. Benfica was given little, if any, chance of beating Liverpool - even after beating Manchester United in the group stage. Once again, the mighty English fall to a team from Portugal - you gotta like that. I think Hazel would appreciate the underdog pulling one out.

NOT-SO-HEROIC
In keeping with a Reds theme - Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard handed Arsenal a victory on Sunday by passing the ball back to Thierry Henry, who walked in alone and scored the game winner with less than 6 minutes of playing time. Way to go Steven...say goodbye to an automatic berth in next year's champions league group stage.

NHL
The Offensive Player of the Week was Olli Jokinen of the Florida Panthers (take that SenaTards...thinking you were going to get him for next to nothing), Olli had five goals and four assists in four games last week. Get a load of Olli - a guy who performs AFTER signing a big time contract...you have to give him credit for that.

The Defensive Player of the Week was Rick DiPietro of the New York Islanders. Now since one of the performances that earned him the weekly honour came against the Maple Leafs - we won't delve into specifics. Thanks for nothing Rick...Hazel is giving you the dented trophy - the one that fell off the truck.

Mats Sundin of the Maple Leafs gets some credit here. Sundin who had been at the center of trade rumours in Toronto last week, reaffirmed his commitment to the Leafs and responded by leading Toronto to a 5 - 1 victory over Tampa on Saturday. Sundin has had many critics - especially this year - but the man has heart.

NOT-SO-HEROIC
Dwayne Roloson of the Edmonton Oilers. Kevin Lowe traded a 1st round pick to Minnesota for Roloson - Dwayne rewarded Lowe's faith in him by posting three straight losses.

I'm putting Sidney Crosby and the stinking Penguins in here...for costing me two sports lottery tickets. I hate them.

MLB
Too earlier to be naming heroes in baseball - unless you want to go to the WBC...and it seems that no one really wants to. Interesting to see how pumped up the players are - especially the Dominican.

Should the Japanese team get a collective award for showing restraint after getting ripped off at the WBC yesterday? What about Manager Oh?

If I had to name a "Not-So-Heroic" it would be Curt Schilling, surprise surprise. Schilling is on a mission this spring - to no-hit any college team he faces...and to show everyone that he is not afraid of pitching inside this summer - even it if means hitting someone in the head. Schilling is a jerk at the best of times...this nonsense takes the cake. Spring training and he's buzzing guys high and tight - saying the guy should have gotten out of the way. What a jerk Schilling is.

Oh well the hell - at yesterday's poker tournament I kept riding pocket jacks...so in keeping with that theme - a pair of Jackasses; Curt Schilling and David Wells. David Wells for shooting his mouth off about everything baseball - from Red Sox fans who bug him, to Bud Selig who bugs him, to Barry Bonds whose pursuit of Ruth's HR totals bugs him. David - shut up and pitch.

Speaking of Barry Bonds...do we have to?

NFL
Some very curious signings - many of them I would qualify under the heading of "What the @$%#%^#%^#?"

But that is an entry for another night - once all the analysis has been done.

That just about wraps it up for tonight. Have a great one peeps.

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world...I hope you enjoy Ft. Myers when you make it down there.

Song of the Night on Hazelspeeps - for the NFL GMs...especially the doofs that are signing all these average players to big money deals

Sign Your Name - Terrence Trent D'Arby

Peesth Out!