We've Got A Series Now

My good friend Tom "Mongo" Pura in Grande Prairie, Alberta says overtime is like sex. You never know how long its going to take, but its always an exciting climax. Can't argue with that! The Flyers needed a win to make a series out of it and they got it in overtime beating Chicago 4-3. Claude Giroux getting the winner six minutes into the 4th period in what was another thoroughly entertaining contest. A Chicago win and this thing likely ends in four, but now it would not surprise me one bit to see this series go back to the Windy City even at two. By the way, when it comes to what Mongo said, all I have to say is I'm not as quick as Brian Skrudland, but I'm no Pat Lafontaine either.
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Remember the "Simpsons" episode where Monty Burns is running for governor and he hires a group to improve his image so he doesn't look like a monster. It all explodes when Lisa tells him to take a bite of Blinky the three eyed fish. I bring that episode up becaus the NHL needs to hire some people to improve the image and character of Commissioner Bettman. I don't know why this man has to be so argumentative and I don't know why he has to come off like such a buffoon. Once again, Bettman got into it with Ron McLean on Hockey Night in Canada and at one point tried to belittle McLean. I give Ron all the credit in the world for not just looking at Bettman and telling him what to do and how to get there. He would have made headlines across North America if he would have told Bettman to f off. Some believe McLean was in the wrong, but not me. McLean asked the questions that Canadian hockey fans want answers to, but as he always does, Bettman tried to turn it into something else.
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Rider rookie camp is underway. It sounds like defensive end Brent Hawkins was as impressive as advertised. Shomari Williams also sounds as if he made a good first impression on Coach Miller. I heard John Lynch suggest Todd Reesing was not that good on day 1 and might be released before training camp. Was he that bad? It was only one practice and his first one on Canadian soil. I wasn't there so I didn't see it, but I can't see him being the odd man out after just one practice. I can't wait to check them out for day 1 of main camp Sunday.
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I also can't wait to get a good look at the Regina Red Sox Friday night. They have started off 2-0 after a 3-2 win in Moose Jaw. They will be home to Yorkton Friday starting at 7 in the first of a three home games in three days stretch.
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Major league umpire Jim Joyce admits he made a mistake. Did he ever! Detroit's Armando Galarraga(is he any relation to Andres) had a perfect game going through 8 2/3 innings. The 27th batter of the night hit a grounder to first. The first baseman threw to Galarraga for what appeared to be the perfect game only to have Joyce, who is considered as one of the best in the game, signal the runner was safe. What?!



One of Galarraga's teammates saying after the game that he wanted his pitcher to sign a ball because he was part of baseball history on this night---baseball history that will never be recognized.
With Joyce admitting his error, many are now calling on Major League Baseball commish Bud Selig to give Galarraga credit for history. Can he do that? There's nothing saying he can't, but isn't the refs/ump decision the final one even if it is the wrong call? Sadly, I don't think Selig can do anything. However, good for Selig if he does. It also begs the question if expanded instant replay is needed in baseball. In this case, it wouldn't have hurt! I've been one to say that instant replay will just further slow down a sport that is already slow, but I'm starting to think after seeing this that its needed. This is a story that isn't going away soon, and as some have said, its a night that might change baseball forever.
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Ken Griffey Junior is retiring at the age of 40. I don't know about you, but if he had stayed healthy, he would be baseball's home run king right now and not Barry Bonds. Junior did his thing while staying clean in an era where not many others did their thing naturally. He is a sure-fire first ballot hall of famer. His swing from the left side may be the best one I've ever seen.
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The city says its budget to fight mosquitoes has been cut in half. It means we are likely going to see many of the little bloodsuckers this year. Perhaps the city might want to re-think this decision after the wet weather we have had. If you're not going to clean all of our streets in the winter-time, you can do what you can to prevent our summer nights from being ruined my mosquitoes.
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The NBA finals start tonight with the Lakers taking on the Celtics. I'm no longer enthused.
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John Mayer has a duet out with Taylor Swift. After John's comments about Jessica Simpson earlier this year and his boasting about his sexual prowess, one has to wonder how he behaved with the young country cutie. Then again, I'm sure she found out how to deal with rockers with more than music on their mind when she shared the stage with Def Leppard. I loved that Crossover show!
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How exactly do "Keep off the grass" signs get there?