The Ugly Ducklings

There is so much that I resent about the Anaheim Ducks. First of all, they were named after a Disney movie, what the heck is that about? Second, they seem to have a knack for squashing any hopes the Wild have of drinking with Lord Stanley and his cup each year, the fastest way to a man's hatred. Third, and most frustrating of all, who plays hockey in California!? I may be slightly idealistic but shouldn't the Stanley Cup be held somewhere where they have ice at some point during the year?
Despite never having played organized hockey myself, largely due to a complete lack of athletic ability,I would still proudly consider myself a citizen of the State of Hockey. With easily the highest percentage of youth playing hockey in the country, the biggest state tournament that I know of, and winter nine months out of the year, wouldn't it make more sense for a winning NHL squad to come out of Minnesota than, I don't know, California or Texas?

It just frustrates me, that's all.


I understand that it is largely a question of market size, there are more people who are willing to spend more money to see hockey in those places than in Minnesota so the team has more money to spend on Blue Chip type players, giving them the obvious advantage. I guess it makes sense, it's just that all of it just doesn't seem quite right to me.

So for now, since my driver's licence doesn't say Doug Risebrough, all I can do is to keep cheering, if not for the Wild, for teams like Ottawa, where the kids have actually seen snow.

See you on the ice,
NAG

Just Lucky Enough?

With the seventh overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves select...

Tuesday's NBA Draft Lottery went hardly to plan. The three worst teams in the 2006 season (Memphis, Boston, and Milwaukee) were leap-frogged for the first three picks in the '07 draft and a chance at Oden/Durant by Portland, Seattle, and Atlanta respectively and were dropped, in that order, in the substantially less valuable 4, 5, and 6 spots.

But why not the Wolves?

Doesn't it just seem fitting that the team that ended the '06 season with the same record as the Wolves would win a coin flip for an extra ping pong ball and end up with the number one overall pick? Why do things like this always seem to happen to the Wolves? They draft Brandon Roy, trade him for Randy Foye, then watch Roy win the Rookie of the Year honors. They are given the third overall pick behind the picks that got Shaquille O'Neal and Alonzo Mourning. Joe Smith costs the Wolves a hand-full of first round picks for a bunch of worthless seasons out of Joe Smith.

So, in the end, is McHale to blame or just years of bad luck?

I don't know. Are you feeling lucky?

See you on the court,
NAG

We Want a Pitcher

After designating pitcher Sidney Ponson for assignment the Twins pitching staff is looking for a boost. Possible pitchers that could be brought up from triple A are Matt Garza who has a major league fastball but needs to get more command on his other pitches, Scott Baker a righty who has shown he could be reliable pitcher for the Twins. Even more problematic, Jessie Crain has been placed on the 15 day DL. Now there is even more urgency for someone to step up and save the struggling fourth place Twins.

In my opinion, Garza should be the one to be called up to fill the hole. I don't necessarily think he should be put into the starting rotation immediately but brought up to help stop the bleeding. Glen Perkins could step into the rotation now while Garza comes out of the pen like Liriano did last season until he is ready to start.

It is hard to say who Terry Ryan will call on but something needs to be done and quickly. We are in the most competitive and deep division in baseball and cannot afford another slow start. So we call down to the minors for some help and hope they can provide us with an answer.

Going, going, gone
DeLa

Holy Torii!

Apparently, last night was a prime opportunity for our beloved Torii Hunter to prove to fans that he wants to play in Minnesota next year. Two home runs and seven RBIs later, Torii has done just that.

So far this season, no one can deny that Torii Hunter has been the backbone of the Twins' lineup. Hitting .324 with 29 RBI and 8 home runs and plenty of hustle in the outfield, fans are seeing plenty of reasons this year to think about shelling out upwards of $12 million to keep Torii in the Dome.

Is he worth it? That depends.

If Mr. Hunter can keep up stats like these all season long, I don't see any reason why he wouldn't be completely worth the money, but if he does cool off (its a long season) or shoots off his mouth in the dugout, those $12 million dollars might be better served going toward keeping the Twins' biggest asset, Johan Santana.

Only time will tell, I suppose. I'll keep you posted.

See you on the field,
NAG

Turn on the Dome Fans!

Having lost 7 of their last 10 games, it is clear that something is amiss with our hometown team. Is it the pitching? Surprisingly, no. Going into this season, experts the Twins' anticipated downfall would be their lack of solid pitching. It was assumed that run support would not be an issue but they may be giving up 6 runs each game. Much to the pleasure of fans everywhere, the pitching in the Dome has been relatively reliable. Silva has stepped up his game, Ramon Ortiz has been a very pleasant surprise , and Johan has been as fabulous as he has ever been at the beginning of a season, but why are the Twins sitting at .500?

A disappointing lack of hitting.

One would think that with the reigning AL MVP starting nightly at first base and a $12 million center fielder slugging away runs would not be a problem. In truth, these two have produced to their ability and are carrying the line-up to this point. It is the lack of production from the rest of the line-up that is aching.

With a vast majority of runs coming from Morneau and Hunter each game, it is no wonder that the Twins are losing if all of their runs are coming from two players. Perhaps once Mauer comes back things will improve. I suppose we'll find out.

See you on the field,
NAG

Oh, Canada!

Last night in game two of the second round of the NBA play-offs the Suns drew even with Spurs to tie the series at 1 to 1. The two time reigning MVP Steve Nash led the Suns with 20 points and 16 assists. All of this with a large bandage on his nose. Steve Nash is clearly the best player left in the NBA play-offs.

If I had to start an NBA team I would take Nash first over anyone else. In the NBA the point guard is becoming increasingly more important to quarterback the team and Nash is the best there is. He plays with as much intensity as anyone else. His vision and ability to find the open man is unparalleled to any other point guard in the league. He slashes to the lane with convection and preciseness, he decides to shoot or pass in a split second. And Nash's leadership makes everyone around him better.

The run and gun offense that the Suns play takes team work and discipline. Nash is the general and the glue that holds the offense together. I seriously doubt that without Nash this team would be anywhere near it is now. If the Suns are able to beat the Spurs in this series, (which I believe they will in 7 games) they will have no problem getting past either the Jazz or Warriors to get to the Finals, and finally the best thing to come out of Canada since, Dudley Dooright, will have his shot at the title.

Going, going, gone
DeLa

Rocket Cleared for Lift-off

Roger Clemens is back! Yesterday, in the middle of a game in the Bronx, Clemens appeared in Steinbrunner's suite and announced his return to the pinstripes, to thunderous applause.

The return of Clemens could not come at a better time for the Yanks. They have started nine different pitchers since the beginning of the season and if there is a weak part of their team it is differently pitching.

I was a little sad to see him go to a team that I cannot cheer for because I do like Clemens, but this is a perfect marriage for the two sides. Roger is going to give Torre 6 to 7 strong innings of work. Which is great for the struggling and sometimes pathetic bullpen. The plus for Clemens is he will get plenty of run support from the line-up that seems like it should be displayed at an all-star game. The lack of offense for the Astros and Brad Lidge's inability to close down games last year led to many no decisions and losses for Clemens.

I think that this pairing will be very happy and last...until the end of the season that is, when Roger Clemens will be back on the carousel of retirement once again.

Going, going, gone
DeLa