The Hazies - The Champs & The Chumps

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

For those of you who haven't been here before, we start each week off by taking a look back on the week that was in the world of sports and highlighting some of the more notable performances - to those who have risen above the others, they have the title of "Hazel's Hero" bestowed upon them and are awarded an honourary "Hazie". To those that have distinguished themselves for all the wrong reasons...keep reading. While Hazel hasn't officially approved this week's list, we'd like to think she give a thumbs up.

HAZEL'S HEROES - THE CHAMPS
NHL
The NHL Awards ceremony took place in Toronto last week - no surprises, but a couple of the winners do deserve some special recognition.

Pittsburgh Penguins C Sidney Crosby was the big winner taking home three awards. Crosby won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league's MVP as voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association, the Lester B Pearson Award as the league's MVP as voted on by the NHL Players Association, and the Art Ross Trophy for being the league's leading scorer. Crosby became the youngest player in North American sports history to lead a professional league in scoring. We've been on him for whining and diving a little too much...but we tip our hat to the kid tonight.

Boston Bruins Rookie Phil Kessel was awarded the Bill Masterton Trophy for demonstrating perserverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. I'm sure everyone here knows Kessel's story - he was diagnosed with testicular cancer in December of last year, overcoming it and returning to the lineup having missed only 12 games. Kessel is a champ.

The complete list of winners can be found here - ironic thing is the page has a story about Mike Keenan being hired as the Flames coach; before you ask, Mike IS NOT a champ; but we fully expect him to make our other list on a number of times during the 2007/08 season.

MLB
Detroit Tigers P Justin Verlander was named the American League Player of the Week; no surprise there considering he threw a no-hitter and struck out twelve against the Brewers. Verlander finished the week 1-0 with an ERA of 1.80 and 18 strikeouts in 15 innings of work (the Tigers won his second start of the week).

Cincinnati Reds LF Adam Dunn was named the National League Player of the Week after posting a batting average of .500 with 4 home runs and 8 runs batted in. Dunn also posted an on-base percentage of .538 and a ridiculous slugging percentage of 1.042.

Atlanta Braves 3B Larry "Chipper" Jones recorded his 2,000th career hit against the Indians yesterday - there was a time when it was thought he would eventually reach 3,000, but injuries have really held him back over the last few years. 2,000 hits is still a pretty impressive number for a squinter like Jones.

Toronto Blue Jays DH Frank Thomas set a record yesteday for most home runs by a DH. Thomas hit is 469th home run as a DH to pass former Seattle Mariner Edgar Martinez for number one on the all-time list. I wonder if that home run has left J.P. Ricciardi feeling vindicating for overpaying...sorry, I mean "signing"...the Big Hurt.

As mentioned this morning, Columbus Clippers OF Brandon Watson set an International League record yesterday by extending his hit streak to 43 games...it isn't the MLB, but who of us here have managed to put together 43 game hit streak...even in Little League? Nice record for Watson.

Before we get to this week's Chumps, we want to award a "Hazie" to Chip O'Brien for submitting this week's artwork (shown above). If you are a Red Sox fan, you have undoubtedly seen Chip's artwork on the Remy Report - we here were big fans of Chip's work before he did this one for us. They don't archive his work over there, which is a big mistake because he has done some excellent (and very clever) artwork for the site, so be sure to visit the site often and show some support for Chip by emailing the site's administrator about his work. I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Chip is trying to stimulate/generate interest in his artwork - he is available for hire (in his own words) to

- Entertain and draw caricatures of guests at Private/Corporate/College/Lounge events. Bust peoples balls while I draw them.

- Caricatures From Photos.

- Art for Businesses (logos-posters-websites etc)

Chip can be contacted directly to discuss services and fees at chipobrien@verizon.net - don't be spamming him about us posting his artwork here...he gave us express written consent, and we are thankful for it.


HAZEL'S ZEROES - THE CHUMPS
NHL
Pittsburgh Penguins C Evgeni Malkin was awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's top rookie...nothing wrong with that right? Well no, except Malkin decided to skip the ceremony and didn't bother to tell anyone that he wasn't going and the reason for his absence - not cool Geno...

Ottawa SenaTards Presiden Roy Mlakar skated through today's press conference to announce John Muckler's firing - Mlakar, who hired Muckler and was one of his biggest supporters, took two steps away from the issue of Muckler's firing and stated his desire to fulfill his contractual obligations to the Tards. The term weasel comes to mind - the clock is ticking Roy...better ask your boy Jim Rome for a permanent spot on his radio show.

MLB
Toronto Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi makes our list again...surprise, surprise. Ricciardi announced today that the Jays had given Tomo Ohka his unconditional release today after clearing waivers. Ohka's time in Toronto was nothing short of disappointing, so his release was expected. However (I wanted to say BUTT), J.P. explained the move today by saying that the Jays believe that Josh Towers gave them a better chance of winning - funny thing is that Towers' numbers are comparable to Ohka's. As a matter of fact, Josh Towers was awful last year too. How Ricciardi says this stuff with a straight face is beyond me. Remember the rule here...bet against Towers every time out.

San Diego Padres P Chris Young was suspended for five games for an on field fight with Cubs 1B Derrek Lee (Lee also got five games). Now we aren't against a good fight - quite the contrary - but when you throw at the Maeple Leafs 1B...we've got a problem. So thanks for nothing Young...you got our boy suspended for five games.

NFL
Tennessee Titans CB Adam "Pacman" Jones is doing his best to make Ron Mexico look like a champ. A shooting outside a strip club...way to go Pacman.

EUROPEAN FOOTBALL
Have we mentioned we hate the freaky deaky Dutch? We wish nothing but the worst for Holland in their next game of the UEFA Under-21 Championship - rolling over against Belgium wasn't cool kids...we'll remember that and beat your asses the next time we play you, and if we get the chance, you can bet we'll return the favour.

That's it for tonight gang - thanks for taking the time to check in. Have a great one peeps.

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world.

I'm Out.