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 are new to the page - we like to start each week by taking a look back at some of the more notable newmakers from the week that was in the world of sports. To those who have risen above the rest, we salute them by honouring them as one of Hazel's Heroes and awarding them a "Hazie". On the flip side, we look at those who have distinguished themselves for less than stellar performances - The Chumps.


While Hazel hasn't officially approved this week's list of winners and "runners-up", we'd like to think she would give her trademark smile and thumbs up.



HAZEL'S HEROES - THE CHAMPS


HOCKEY
The Canadian Junior Team swept the first four games of the 2007 "Super Series". While we aren't particularly excited about this whole thing, we have to give our boys credit for winning all four games in Russia - especially considering the officiating in two of the games was so biased towards the host Russians that it was an embarassment. In case you were wondering - yeah, our boy John Tavares is on the Canadian team.




BASEBALL
Boston Red Sox P Clay Buchholz pitched a no-hitter in his second major league start; we mentioned it on Sunday, but it is worth repeating - Buchholz became the third pitcher in the last 100 years to pitch a no-hitter in his first or second career start. This young man is going to be be special; and where better to be a "special" ball player than Boston?


St. Louis Cardinals RF Rick Ankiel continues to show that he belongs. Ankiel hit a grand slam over the weekend and has been a big reason for the Cards resurgence over the last few weeks. In nineteen games, Ankiel has six home runs, nineteen runs batted in, and a batting avg of .353. One of the very good stories this year, especially since he had that meltdown on the mound.


New York Mets P Pedro Martinez made his first start of the season yesterday and picked up the win. Pedro makes the cut this week after recording his 3,000th career strikeout. We'll forever remember Pedro as the kid the Dodgers were dumb enough to trade to the Expos for Delino DeShields.




FOOTBALL
New England Patriots S Rodney Harrison addressed the media last week to announce that the NFL had informed him that he was going to be suspended for violating the league's substance abuse policy. While we aren't down with Harrison using banned substances - we have to give him credit for owning up to it and taking responsibility for his actions. This probably won't be a popular pick - but we're sticking by it...we've got Harrison's back on this one.

THE ZEROES - THE CHUMPS

BASEBALL
We were starting to wonder what happened to the Chickenhawk, given that he has been relatively quiet of late. J.P. Ricciardi broke his silence last week to explain to fans and media members in attendance that the less than impressive numbers put up by Jays CF Vernon Wells is due to the fact that Wells has been playing hurt all season. The Hawk was reiterated throughout the interview that he wasn't making excuses for Wells - but that Wells was indeed hurt. We can't be the only ones that see the humour and irony in this - Ricciardi talking about a player's injury. We aren't Jays fans (well, Tilt is, but that is besides the point) but we still remember Ricciardi lying about the extent of BJ Ryan's injury - and his reaction/explanation when asked by the media why he lied. This guy is something else - he should just stick to talking about how the Jays are not out of it yet...maybe he really believes they can win 20 of their last 25 games.


Chicago Cubs P Carlos Zambrano went into this season griping and moaning that the Cubs hadn't showed him the respect they showed Alfonso Soriano in singing him to a big money deal. Zambrano got his wish a couple of weeks back, signing a five year extension worth $91.5M; since signing the extension the "Big Z" has posted an ERA of 9.56, and hasn't won since the end of July. After getting roughed up for eight runs in 4.1 innings - Zambrano told the media that he couldn't understand why he was being booed. You can read Zambrano's remarks here - this guy really doesn't get it.




FOOTBALL
New York Giants DE Michael Strahan decided against "retiring" (read - realized that $4M to play this season wasn't such a bad deal) and returned to the team after missing all of training camp and all four pre-season games. We're still waiting to hear Strahan say that the holdout wasn't about the money.




MONDAY'S THREE STARS
Seattle Mariners P Felix Hernandez gave up one run on five hits and four walks while striking out five over seven innings in Seattle's 7-1 win over the Yankees in New York yesterday. Didn't we tell you he's win? Honourable mention goes to Ichiro who three hits, including a home run, and two runs batted in.


Boston Red Sox 3B Mike Lowell had three hits, including a three run home run, and drove in four runs to lead the Sox to a 13-10 win over the Jays. Lowell reached the 100 RBI mark for the season.


Cleveland Indians P C.C. Sabathia pitched eight shutout innings, giving up six hits and a wak while striking out six in a 5-0 win over Johan Santana and the Twins.




TUESDAY THREE PLAY
Well, a second consecutive Monday where we get off a to great start - we went 5-1 yesterday, and the total for the week is + $440. As we approach the year mark of our three play - we started the week at - $1,700 (ugly...ugly). Today's suggestions:

New York over Seattle - the Yankees respond tonight after losing last night to Felix Hernandez. Horacio Ramirez goes for Seattle tonight, and while he has pitched well vs NY, we think the Yankees get it done against the team chasing them for the wild card spot.

San Diego over Arizona - things are starting to unravel for the the DBacks and its only going to get tougher tonight against Chris Young. We like Young to dominate the inexperienced DBacks who are finally starting to realize that they are in over their heads. Lay $100 on the Padres - $125.

Texas over Kansas City - an ugly game, but like we keep saying - you have to look for value. Kevin Millwood gets the nod over Billy Buckner. Lay $100 on the Rangers - $150.

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

Hazel, we hope things are groovy in your world.

We're Out!