"The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year"

In my first ever blog on this site, I want to discuss my favorite time of the year (sports-wise that is). It is this time of the year in which Baseball is kicking into the push for the playoffs, college and pro football are both getting into the swing of things with a few weeks under their belts. Conference and divisional games begin making each game more important. Basketball is gearing up for the pre-season and trainning camps. But most important of all, hockey pre-season games have begun. And the regular season begins Oct. 4th! How can you beat that?

How about the two divisional races in baseball? That's right, only two division's in baseball are realistically still up for grabs. And were it not for a monumental fall from grace by the Mo-town Tigers, we'd only be talking about the Dodgers and Padres beating on eachother for the rights to claim top spot in the NL West. But you have to give it up to the Twins from the Twin Cities. They loose their #2 guy and rookie of the year candidate not once, but twice and still managed to not only hang in the AL Central, but to make a run which see's them 1/2 game out of the top spot and comfortably ahead of the defending champs.. I still see Detroit winning that race, but Minny gets the Wildcard and a matchup that no one wants. Other than that, congratulations are in order for the Mets, who clinched their division for the first time since 1988 and for ending the Braves reign of terror in the NL East. Also, to the (shudder) evil Cards and Yanks who both have quite the strangle hold on their respective divisions. And the A's out in Oakland, who despite losing several key players over the last few years, remain in post season contention. Now it reamins to be seen if they have their, now almost automatic, post season first round exit.

Switching to football, HOW BOUT THEM VIKES!!!!!! 2-0 after beating Washington and Carolina, both of whom are supposed to be playoffs teams in the NFC this year. And the Utes of Utah look to have rebounded from a disapointing first game loss to a better than expected UCLA team two post convincing wins over two teams that they should have. I am prediciting a tight race in the NFC North with the Bears edging the Vikes but both teams making the post-season. And the Utes will win the MWC championship for the second time in three years after knocking of the other two championship threats TCU and BYU in SLC. You heared it hear first. And while I am on the topic anyone see that game between Oregon and Oklahoma last saturday? What a freaking joke! After watching that game, I think I'll go front as an official for the Pac-10. All you have to do is manage through the first three quarters and then, swing calls in favor of the home team if it's a close game and you're set. On the other hand, the requests made by Oklahoma's AD for the game to be expunged from the record books is ludacris as well. The schmucks who vote on the AP and Harris polls just need to keep the screw up's of that game in mind when voting in the rankings. For me, this is just another log on the fire of the argument in favor of a playoff in college football. That way, even if the official is a bone head during the regular season, the best team will win the title.

Finally, hockey (God's great gift from the frozen North) has arrived again and this season looks to be better than ever. All sorts of teams have renued hope for the upcoming season, and the perrenial favorites have reloaded for another run at the most historic trophy in North American sports history. Although, my beloved Avalanche look like they could be in for a struggle this year. They're going to be relying on a lot of youth this year and how they handle the pressure and heat of full time NHL duties will determine how far my Avs go this year.

And finally I want to turn your attention to a story about Tiger Woods posted on fox sports today. Apparently, some Irish tabloids published topless pics and said that they were of tiger's wife under the headline "US Filth". The article supposedly talks about how American women (even though Tiger's wife isn't American) can't keep their clothes on and have no morals, and then goes on to bad mouth almost each of the wives of the American golfers there for the Rider Cup Tournament. First of all, when you think about women going topless on beaches and having less than stellar morals, outside of maybe Las Vegas, the first place that comes to most minds is somewhere in Europe. And secondly, why would anyopne want to light an extra fire under Tiger Woods. He's already the most dominant athlete the sport ever has , and probably ever will have. And he already wins several events on his reputation and namesake alone. Now you've given him even more of a reason to take his frustration out on the golf course. Good call by the editor of that paper. You can hear that conversation now. Editor to writer: Tiger Wodds will be playing against our guys in this tourney on our turf. How can we give him some motivation to play well in this tourney that he doesn't seem to care much for? I know, let's run a smear story about his wife! Writer to editor: Yah, that'll get him going. Both laugh for a few minutes and then head to the local pub to watch the soccer match.

So there you have it. My first post on this site. Let me know what you think and I'll get another post up in a few weeks. Until later, I'm outta here. See ya on the ice!