The All-Star Hazies

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

Monday night means that its time to hand out this week's Hazie awards. For those of you who haven't been here before, the Hazies are awarded to those who have put in notable performances over the last week or so; to those lucky few, they get a Hazie and have the title of Hazel's Hero bestowed upon them. While Hazel hasn't approved the list of nominees - we'd like to think that she would give her trademark smile and thumbs up to this week's winners.

This past week was all about the 2006 World Cup with the all-star squad being named on Friday - we'll take it with a grain of salt as the picks were made by the FIFA Cartel's "Technical Committee". Major League Baseball's All-Star Game goes tomorrow night; so this week's winner are pretty much a given.

HAZEL'S WORLD CUP HEROES

Goalkeepers
Gianluigi Buffon (Italy) - 2 goals against in seven games (one was scored by his own teammate). Definitely one of the two top keepers in the world...the other being Peter Cech of the Czech Republic.

Jens Lehmann (Germany) - he didn't have an outstanding tournament - but he came up big against Argentina. A host country pick if you ask me.

Ricardo (Portugal) - came into the tournament as Portugal's weak link, three penalty shot saves against England made him a shoe-in. He was solid until the last game against Germany.


Defenders
Roberto Ayala (Argentina) - he had a solid tournament, scoring a goal in the quarter-final game against Germany. I think part of the reason was that he had great hair.

John Terry (England) - one of the best defenders in the world, but in this tournament he was ordinary at best. Definitely a pick to placate the English FA and the British press.

Lilian Thuram (France) - an opening round against the likes of the Swiss, South Korea and Togo is bound to make you look good. I guess I'm ok with it.

Phillip Lahm (Germany) - he was solid and scored a beauty in the opening game of the tournament; good work ethic too.

Fabio Cannavaro (Italy) - a rock on defence for Italy, thought by many to be the best player of the tournament. Seven games - no cards...impressive indeed. How long before Jose Mourinho and Chelsea come calling?

Gianluca Zambrotta (Italy) - see explanation for Cannavaro and Buffon. He was the beneficiary of playing with two of the greats.

Ricardo Carvalho (Portugal) - solified himself as one of the world's best (even if Henry flopped on him) and took a boot to the unmentionables for his troubles. Never flashy - but always solid.


Midfielders
Ze Roberto (Brazil) - one of the lone Brazilians to show up at the tournament. Ronaldinho's weak performance meant that he looked like a bright light out there.

Patrick Vieira (France) - played well at both ends of the field, with the added distraction of being Captain for a day. Oh yeah, have I mentioned that Vieira is a Portuguese last name?

Michael Ballack (Germany) - came into the tournament trying to play down expectations. He had a decent tournament, but he sure did misfire a lot. Another host country pick I think.

Andrea Pirlo (Italy) - rock solid in the holding midfielder's role. A sweet right foot on those free kicks - he too (like Ayala) had great hair throughout the tournament.

Gennaro Gattuso (Italy) - a pitbull on the field. He is the heart and soul of that rock solid Italian defence. I think the technical committee were afraid Gennaro would beat them up if he wasn't picked.

Maniche (Portugal) - he always plays big in that maroon jersey. Always seems to score a goal or make a play when Portugal needs a lift - pretty good for a guy who has been riding the pines in league play.

Luis Figo (Portugal) - the old guy came to play and showed the world he still a dangerous man on the field. A class act - need I say more about one of the game's great players? (you know I will in posts to come).

Marseilles' Mad Minator (France) - see yesterday's entry. They named the team on Friday...though I think this pick was on past history. He had two forgettable games to open the tournament and he sat out another game. He played one good game against Brazil...and took one penalty vs. Portugal.


Strikers
Hernan Crespo (Argentina) - always dangerous, always on the verge of scoring. A game breaker.

Miroslav Klose (Germany) - winner of the Golden Boot with 5 goals.

Francesco Totti (Italy) - another pick based on reputation and past performance. Most Italians thought he had a bad tournament - he took one big penalty (controversial) against Australia.

Luca Toni (Italy) - he had a good tournament, but he could have done better.

Thierry Henry (France) - not sure about this one, his tournament was indifferent. Funny, he's a bull outside the box, but Greg Louganis when inside the box. His post-game comments after the final took him down a few notches. He is rarely a factor at the international level.


HAZEL'S BASEBALL HEROES
Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies won the All-Star Home Run Derby - you know what they say, "Chicks dig the long ball" - they be diggin' Ryan tonight.

David "Big Papi" Ortiz had a great week for the Sox; eight HRs in eight games. The best clutch hitter in baseball - period.


HAZEL GETS SWEPT OFF HER FEET
A special shout out goes to the dude or dudette who walked into a store called Shaw's and swiped the Coors Light promotional display for "Win A Day With Hazel Mae". Dude you are my damn hero - I love it. Now, if we could have a word with you about turning in the display to us here at hazelspeeps (in care of yours truly) - where we would proudly feature it in the soon to be built Hazel Mae Hall of Fame. Actually, we'd love to have it for the first place winner in our Hazelspeeps Fantasy Baseball Pool (Renee's idea - I wonder if one of the peeps did it. DJames claims it wasn't him).

Since I can't see you doing that...how about swiping one for me? Dude, again - you are my hero!


Speaking of the Hazelspeeps Fantasy Baseball Pool - time for the standings as of July 9th. Not a lot of movement in the league this week, unless you count Hubie's name changes. No change at the top of the league or the bottom for that matter.

78.5 - The Bronx Zoo - owned by Sparky, who continues to feud with Hubie - this week its about Hubie changing his team's name on what seems to be a daily basis.

70.5 - Shuggysux - owned by Pogue (the other Pogue) who actually got a shout out from Hubie for putting together a pretty good team.

64.0 - Tom Sawyer - owned by Hubie who seems to have settled on Tom Sawyer as his team's name.

61.5 - Hazel Mae's Hackers - owned by El Presidente (me) who is still in mourning over an unsatisfactory ending to the World Cup - but I'll be back.

60.0 - Tina's Team - owned by Tina who seems to be liking her spot on top of Renee.

52.0 - Naughty Girls - owned by Renee who back in New England and looking to move up - back under me.

51.5 - GB Steam Boys - owned by George who is still missing - but moving up in points.

44.5 - Banana Peels - owned by the Golden Banana who is STILL thinking about the trade Hazel Mae's Hackers proposed last week.

38.5 - Fighting Bobcats - owned by Commish Drisc who has been strangely quiet this week - and has yet to volunteer to be the Commish for the NHL and NFL pools.

29.0 - Leprachauns - owned by Irish, who should have accepted the trade proposed by Hazel Mae's Hackers.

So there you have it - we are still looking for a prize for the league winner (how about that Coors Light display?), and still searching for a Commish for our upcoming pools...any volunteers? Why not join the yahoo site and play along?

Have a great night peeps.

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world - if you are at the All-Star Game, they must be.

Song of the Night on Hazelspeeps - what Marseilles' Mad Minator should be humming.

Safe European Home - The Clash

Peesth Out...Buh Bye!