Tuesday's 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 take 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

MLB
St. Louis Cardinals 1B Albert Pujols was named the National League Player of the Week, finishing the abbreviated week with a .429 batting average, four home runs and five runs driven in. Tony LaRussa may not have thought much of Pujols last week - he sure as hell should this week.

Detroit Tigers OF Curtis Granderson was named the American League Player of the Week after going 8 for 16, with two doubles, a triple, a home run and two runs batted in. We would have picked Yankees RF Bobby Abreu - but that would have been sure to raise the ire of Red Sox Nation.

Cincinnati Reds RF Ken Griffey Jr. continues to move up the all-time home run list - on Monday he hit his 587th to move into sixth place on the all-time list and recorded his 2500th hit this afternoon in Atlanta. What this guy's numbers would have been had he not gone to the Reds and remained injury free...staggering we would hazard to guess.

Houston Astros 2B Craig Biggio has always been considered a good team guy - Astros Manager Phil Garner will tell you he is the ultimate team guy. Just a few weeks after getting his 3,000th hit, Garner sat Biggio down to tell him that he planned to give 2B Chris Burke more playing time to see if he is ready to take over for Biggio. Most athletes would have bitched and complained - Biggio took it in stride and made things easier for Garner by accepting it...for the good of the TEAM. Now that is a champ.


FOOTBALL (SOCCER)
Argentina Forward Sergio Aguero has distinguished himself at the FIFA Under-20 World Championships here. Aguero has provided a couple of highlight reel goals, incredible ball handling skills, and HE DOESN'T DIVE. The tournament wasn't one of the better ones - but this kid is worth the price of admission.


NHL
Edmonton Oilers GM Kevin Lowe has distinguished himself during the NHL's Free Agent frenzy - while we think the Sheldon Souray signing was kind of dumb, Lowe decided that he was going to be a player in the market...one way or another. Lowe chose "another" and he gets our respect for it. For those of you who haven't kept up on the goings on in the NHL since July 1 - Lowe, who has had trouble attracting free agents, offered Sabres LW Thomas Vanek a seven year/$49 million contract to leave the Sabres as a restricted free agent. The offer sent Sabres management through the roof - forcing them to overpay for a guy they expected would come much cheaper. As members of Leaf Nation - WE LOVE IT!


HAZEL'S ZEROES - THE CHUMPS

MLB
The New York Yankees organization just gave everyone another reason to despise them. Seems as though the Yankees revoked Japanese reporter, Hiroki Homma's press credentials after he asked Roger Clemens to autograph a picture. Read the story - what a bunch of jackasses; think they have it in for the Japanese after missing out on Dice-K and getting stuck with Key Igawa?


NHL
Minnesota Wild Enforcer/Winger Derek Boogaard is running a hockey camp for kids in Minnesota - one might think that is a good thing, except Boogaard is charging kids $40 bucks to watch some of his more memorable fights and learn "to protect themselves on the ice." Word is there is bonus footage of Boogaard wiping out Todd Fedoruk.

Former Phoenix Coyotes C (and league loudmouth) Jeremy Roenick recently sent a text message to a reporter from the Philadelphia Inquirer that read "I'm retiring: Is that news." We would have responded "NO - we thought you retired two years ago." But Roenick has let it be known, through his agent (much to everyone's surprise) that he has not officially retired, but is contemplating it. In other words, Roenick wants to wait and see if there is anyone as dumb enough to offer him a contract - unfortunately for Roenick, Peter Chiarelli of the SenaTards South is capped out, or he'd have an offer sheet in hand. Roenick's last couple of years in the NHL saw him go from a serviceable, yet colossal pain in the ass, NHLer to a clown who makes an ass of himself every time he opens his big mouth. To J.R. from hockey fans across Canada - "you can kiss our big white asses now."

Boston Bruins (aka SenaTards South) GM Peter Chiarelli is officially Ottawa's bitch after making a trade for Tards LW Peter Schaefer. Chiarelli is proving he doesn't know much about the NHL because he seems to keep looking for SenaTards castoffs to play for the B's. More on that tomorrow...we have OUR opinion of the trade and you can bet we aren't drinking his kool-aid on this one.


NFL
Atlanta Falcons (for how long) Michael Vick was indicted on charges related to dog fighting - way to go Ron Mexico. And the NFL thinks Pacman Jones is a bad guy.

Former Miami Dolphins QB Daunte Culpepper was released by the Miami Dolphins - about friggin time if you ask us. Culpepper is without a doubt the most overrated player in the NFL - Tilt keeps saying he is going to wind up in Dallas...if that happens, I'm going to shoot Tilt first, then turn the gun on myself.

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.

We're Out.