Utah Jazz Hand The Toronto Raptors Their Fifth Straight Loss

World Baseball Classic

By Jamie Visser…

Three years ago, Canada barely missed reaching the second round of the inaugural World Baseball Classic. This year they’ll be looking to reach the next level, and they’ll have the opportunity to do so on home soil.

Canada won two of thee pool games in 2006, including a stunning win over the all-star laden Americans, but missed reaching Round 2 after finishing in a three-way tie for first place with Mexico and USA. This time around won’t be any easier – Canada is again pooled with the States, along with Venezuela and Italy. All six Pool B games will be played at Rogers Centre from March 7-11.

Canada definitely packs some offensive punch in 2009, led by 2006 American League Most Valuable Player Justin Morneau. Morneau hit .300 with 23 home runs and 129 runs batted in with Minnesota last season. Also in the mix offensively are Jason Bay (.286/31/101 with Pittsburgh and Boston in 2008), Joey Votto (.297/24/84 with Cincinnati), Russell Martin (.280/13/69 with Los Angeles) and Matt Stairs (.252/13/49 with Toronto and Philadelphia). Stairs, of course, was a fan favourite in Toronto before being traded last August.

Canada may, however, run into problems on the mound. Rich Harden, Erik Bedard, Jeff Francis and Ryan Dempster – the country’s four top starting pitchers – have all opted out of the Classic to prepare for the upcoming season. As a result, Blue Jays right-hander Scott Richmond is likely to step into the top slot in the rotation, while the bullpen should be headlined by fellow big leaguer Jesse Crain.

Canada isn’t the only country that has seen its top arms bow out of the competition – the Americans will be without Jays’ ace Roy Halladay, as well as C.C. Sabathia, John Lackey and A.J. Burnett, all of whom have opted to skip the Classic. Venezuela is also likely to be without ace Johan Santana. Here’s a look at some of the players Canada is expected to go head-to-head with in pool action:

USA: The Americans will again be loaded with major league all-stars, with Jake Peavy and Roy Oswalt heading the starting rotation and a handful of closers, most notably Joe Nathan, anchoring the bullpen. The offense is expected to be led by Derek Jeter, Ryan Braun, Jimmy Rollins, Dustin Pedroia and Evan Longoria.

Venezuela: Even without Santana, the Venezuelans have a handful of talented pitchers, including Carlos Zambrano, Felix Hernandez and Francisco Rodriguez, whose major league record 62 saves earned him a lucrative deal with the Mets this off-season. The high-powered offense includes the likes of Miguel Cabrera, Magglio Ordonez, Bobby Abreu and Melvin Mora.

Italy: The Italians, who won one of three pool games in 2006, aren’t likely to make much noise in this talented group. Italy will, however, field a team that has some major league experience – Jason Grilli, Nick Punto, Mike Difelice, Mike Napoli and former-Jay Frank Catalanotto headline the roster.

CONTRACT BUYOUTS, BASEBALLS HALL OF FAME AND FOURSOMES: YEP, IT’S ANOTHER T.O. SPORTS MAILBAG

By English Paul…

Lot’s to talk about, but not much time, so let’s get started.

Q.  I’m sick and tired of guys like Sam Cassell, Chris Webber, Antonio McDyess, et al getting their asses bought out and going to a contender.  Should the NBA revamp the buyout/free agent rules?

- Kyle, Toronto

EP.  Yes, but it’s not going to happen.  Professional sports have changed so much from the days where players were stuck with the team that drafted/signed them.  Now it’s gone too far the other way, but any attempts to take some of the power back from the players could result in a strike.

In any event, just because a player signs for a contender, there’s no guarantee it will get them that elusive ring.  Look at the Lakers.  Here’s a team, which won three titles in a row.  Next thing you know, the likes of Karl Malone and Gary Payton have signed in the hope of winning a championship.  However, they came up short, losing in the finals to the Detroit Pistons.

And for anyone saying Payton eventually won a title with Miami, it doesn’t count in my book.  Much like Sam Cassell with Boston last year, they were there, but didn’t really contribute much.  Except for they’re bitching and moaning.  Pretty much like that Australian girl Claire in Lost.

Q.  Baseballs Hall of Fame actually has the ability to accept no one in any given year.  Some worthy candidates never get in, or must wait 15 years like Jim Rice.  Should Baseball rethink this?

- Mike, Mississauga

EP.  I like the fact that the Hall of Fame can potentially have no inductees, if no one is considered worthy of entry that particular year.  However, just like my comment, the problem with the selection process, is that it’s all about opinion.

Jim Rice is a perfect example of this.  For everyone that thinks he’s worthy of the Hall of Fame, he had to wait 15 years because not enough people on the voting committee thought he should be there.

So what changed?  Maybe new voters came into the mix or perhaps there was some sentiment attached, given how long Rice had waited.

Whatever the reason, whether an athlete is considered a lock for the Hall of Fame or not, it will always come down to the voters’ personal judgement.

(Translation:  I have absolutely no bloody idea whatsoever what changes to make to improve the system.)

Q.  That was quite possibly the most over-hyped, disappointing slam-dunk contest I’ve seen at an NBA All-Star game.  Is it time to get rid of the event?

- Danielle, Brampton

EP:  I found it a bit of a letdown myself.  Actually, much like Kobe and Shaq being voted co-MVPs of the All-Star game, I reckon it was fixed. (Didn’t we just talk about making unsubstantiated accusations? – Editor.)

However, there’s still hope for the competition.  Lebron James’s already committed to the 2010 event.  I’m assuming Dwight Howard will be returning to reclaim the title he was (pretending to be) aggrieved about losing.

Now all you need to do is convince Kobe Bryant and Dywane Wade to make up the numbers.  Threats, bribery, dig something up from their past.  Do whatever it takes.  (Something tells me it’ll be easier to persuade Kobe.)

Suddenly you’ve got the best foursome available.  Well, apart from Jessica Alba, Eve Longoria, Elisha Cuthbert and Megan Fox.

At this point, I’ll leave you with that thought.  Until next time.

Paul Taylor can be contacted at [email protected]

Steve Sullivan: Making Beautiful Music Once Again

By Bryan Thiel…

So often we see so many good people cut down in their prime.
Whether they’re unable to perform what made them so special anymore, overshadowed by the competition, or they’ve lost their drive, a career cut down when it’s rounding into form is a terrible thing, on or off the sports field.

But as anyone who’s ever been exposed to the game will tell you, injuries are a part of it.
For his entire career, Steve Sullivan, 5’8 had to claw his way to where he wanted to be. At a time where larger forwards and defensemen dominated a clutch-and-grab game, many didn’t think those of smaller stature such as Sullivan and Tampa Bay’s Martin St. Louis could survive.

Three years after being drafted in the now non-existent ninth round by the New Jersey Devils, Sullivan was packaged along with Jason Smith and Alyn McCauley to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Sullivan had spent two full years in Albany collecting 156 points in 128 games, so he looked like a solid pickup for the woeful Buds.

What’s more, Sullivan was also showing he could produce at the NHL level with New Jersey, picking up 31 points in 49 NHL games.
After the trade to Toronto, Sullivan started to find his way.

But that wasn’t enough for the Leafs. Following a slow-start in 1999/2000 which saw him put up just one point in seven games, Sullivan was deemed expendable and placed on waivers where he was claimed by the Chicago Blackhawks.

All Sullivan did was put up 303 points in the Windy City over parts of five seasons, a painful memory for Leafs’ fans.

Sullivan suffered his first bought with back spasms early in October, missing three games in the season’s first month. Following a December groin injury, Sullivan’s back took a turn for the worst.
On February 24th, Sullivan sat out for, what turned out to be, the remained of the season, and Nashville’s first-round loss at the hands of the San Jose Sharks—their third-straight first round lost and second consecutive at the hands of the Sharks.

As the offseason progressed, many wondered on the condition of Steve Sullivan, but there was a simple answer: It wasn’t getting any better.

It was painful to hear about: After setting a franchise record with 31 goals in 2005/06, Sullivan may never take the ice again let alone in the foreseeable future.

But Sullivan didn’t give up on his dream of returning. He continued to rehab and work hard, with whispers every so often arising of when he would return: Some thought halfway through the 2007/08 season, while others thought that he’d be ready in time for the playoffs. Some said the start of the 2008/09 season.

While they were all wrong about the date, Sullivan proved every person pulling for him to make a comeback right on January 10th, 2009 when he returned against the last team to trade him, the Chicago Blackhawks.

At that point, the two teams had switched roles: the Blackhawks are now the second-best team in the Central while the Predators are lurking just outside the playoff picture, but Steve Sullivan is back, and determined to get his team to the dance once again.
Four points out or not, nothing is impossible.

But as his comeback rolled along, Sullivan’s tour of duty brought him through some old stomping grounds: His next game was against the Leafs at the ACC where Sullivan—like all former Leafs—bit them in the butt, assisting on the game-winner.
Six days later, the Predators hosted the New Jersey Devils, rounding out number twenty-six’s reunion tour.

As Sullivan keeps working to get his legs back though, he’s got to be concerned with the here-and-now and not look too far ahead—something he’s done well in doing with eight points in 18 games since his return to the NHL.

Breaking It Down - The March Madness Begins

by Mike Henderson…

WHAT TO LOOK FOR
UConn was dealt a huge blow when Jerome Dyson went down with a knee injury. Craig Austrie and freshman Kemba Walker are good but not Dyson good. Their inside game is enough to stop anyone but they’ll need to score as they get deeper into the tournament. Notre Dame has to finish well or they won’t even get the invite. They were inexplicably bad for almost two months before crushing Louisville in a game they absolutely had to win. North Carolina looks awesome but no longer invincible, while Duke has been exposed in the frontcourt once again and have faded of late. Michigan State is starting to put it together but have to show more consistency from game to game. UCLA was rolling before back-to-back losses to Arizona State and Arizona, but rebounded against Washington. Pitt Panthers, in a workmanlike way have become as good as anyone. Dayton Flyers were grounded when starting point guard Rob Lowery was lost for the season. Gonzaga looks as if they’re headed for another one and done. Purdue needs Robbie Hummel to have any chance of making a run.  The Mountain West looks to put four teams into the mix. The hottest and most consistent team to date? Oklahoma. They have lost once (at this time) and have the best player in college hoops, Blake Griffin. If the supporting cast plays soundly (as they have), the Sooners may be the team to beat. And, taking a breath, Kansas might be one year removed from another big run.

BEWARE!!
Earlier, I had suggested that UCLA, Davidson and Syracuse were teams to avoid when thinking about teams that will go deep into the NCCA tourney. Nothing much has changed and although UCLA is a solid team, they have struggled against top competition. They will get a high seeding, as much to do with reputation than anything else. Davidson has not beaten anyone of note, other than an early season win against West Virginia. Syracuse can score but not enough to offset their porous defense.

Others to be wary of include Tennessee, Marquette, Kentucky and Texas, although any of  these is certainly capable of  making a splash. Inconsistency has plagued Tennessee and Texas and though Marquette got off to a great Big East start, it was against the lower echelon of the league. Kentucky has great talent at all spots except point guard (see below).

LIKE THE TEAMS THAT…
Have strong leadership at the point. It is simply the most important spot in the college game. Back to the Davidson example again. As good as Stephen Curry is, the Wildcats sorely miss Jason Richards at the point. He was poised, controlled the game and set the offense in motion to use Curry’s abilities. Some to keep an eye on include Ty Lawson (NC), Tyreke Evans (Memphis), Levance Fields (Pitt), and Nick Calathes (Florida). Anyway, happy hunting in March. There will be just as many bargains as busts.

IN THE END
North Carolina wins. Not a bold prediction, I know, but a sound one. They have as much skill and more depth than any other team. They have experience and they are hungry. Only exceptionally bad defense should keep them out of the Final Four. And once there, they won’t be denied. As much as I like the way Oklahoma and Pitt have been playing, I don’t know that they can match up.

2010 Vancouver Olympics - Mike Yanyk

by Desmond D’Souza… Here we are, less than a year away from the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Much of the talk in this country has been about Canada’s Mens hockey team. But there are a many more amateur athletes who only make a name for themselves once every four years. Canadian alpine skiier Mike Janyk fits that description as one of Canada’s amateur medal hopeful’s next year.

Of course the majority of Canadians watch the Winter Olympics for the hockey. Either that, or the events where a Canadian is expected to medal. Janyk will be the hometown boy in Whistler and is definitely a favourite to at least medal. He is coming off a bronze medal in the Slalom event at the 2009 Alpine Skiing World Championships, one of the two medals Canada won (John Kucera won the downhill event).

Why doesn’t he get more attention? Because skiing is a “world sport.” What I mean is that Canada doesn’t care about these athletes unless they do something amazing. Take for example Daniel Nestor, Canadian tennis player. When is the only time you hear his name? When he wins a doubles title at Wimbleton. Of course from time to time, some skiing events will be squeezed in to the final minutes of a sports program. Or maybe even a little note at the bottom of a sports show’s ticker. But as 2010 nears, I think more time should be spent focusing on the athletes that will participate at the games.

On the flip side, maybe it’s due to injury that people haven’t really heard of Janyk. He spent most of last year sidelined due to a back injury and is just starting to feel at 100 per cent. In his latest bronze medal finish, he said he took more risks on the course to even have a chance to be on the podium. Injuries do have something to do with it, just ask Jan Hudec. A couple of years ago, Hudec was actually pretty big in Canada.  He was finishing high in his races, but then suffered a knee injury which he hasn’t fully recovered from yet. So now that Janyk is healthy, expect to hear more from the slalom specialist.

Being a year away from the big event, skiing will probably not be in the limelight anytime soon. Janyk would have to win a few races for people to really take notice. But since he hasn’t won a world cup event yet, expect his first one to be covered in the same way Hudec’s was. As I recall, TSN led Sportscentre with Hudec’s win just a couple of years ago. So if you haven’t heard of Mike Janyk yet, expect to see him at the top of a podium well before the main stage in 2010.

Bring em on up!

By Louis “The King of Roncesvalles” Pisano…

The press box, dressing rooms and snack bars of the Ricoh Coliseum have become my main stomping grounds for the last month while covering the Toronto Marlies. Seeing the likes of Brian Burke, Joe Nieuwendyk and more recently a plethora of scouts there, it’s elementary my dear Watson, “the game is a foot!”

Moves are being made, and new faces are going to be coming over the boards for the Toronto Maple Leafs, thankfully. The Leafs will be dumping some of the baggage left over from the John Ferguson J.R. debacle, and whether the new faces come from down on the farm or from trades and draft picks, all of Leafs Nation will, I am sure be happy for the change.

There are a few players in my mind that definitely deserve a shot up with the big boys, some have been there and some should, get their first taste of the NHL.

Forwards: Yuri Tlusty, Andre Deveaux, Daryl Boyce and more so than anyone Tim Stapleton deserve their shots.

Yuri Tlusty’s youth and speed along with a more honed scoring touch due to the amount of ice time he’s seen, has added some confidence to his game that he lacked while up with the Leafs previously, making him a definite candidate.

Andre Deveaux is a big guy (6’4 217lbs) whose toughness is proven, but what is not known about him, is, that he has some skill with the puck and has shown it as of late, making his bid for another call up.

A couple of the major problems that the Leafs have faced all year have been defensive zone responsibility, and penalty killing (ranked last in the NHL). Whether it’s been falling behind early, blowing late leads, or giving up power play goals in bunches, they lack a good shut down guy.

Daryl Boyce with his great speed and persistent fore-checking style, along with his defensive zone accountability, grittiness and penalty killing skills could fill this void for the Leafs. He also brings some other positives and intangibles, in practice with his work ethic, and in the dressing room with his great attitude and likability.

It’s not the size of the dog in the fight it’s the size of the fight in the Stapleton. Tim Stapleton may be short in stature (5’9 180lbs) but he possesses a great hockey intelligence and tenacious style of play which he brings to the rink night in and night out. He’s the only player on either club averaging more than a point a game, he also plays the point on the power play which ranks in the top five in the AHL, he can’t be overlooked any longer and should get a shot!

Defence: Anton Stralman and Phil Oreskovic have caught my eye.

Anton Stralman has improved his game immensely, and if Pavel Kubina, or Tomas Kaberle, or both are moved, Stralman could plug a gap.

6’3 217lbs 22 year old Brampton native Phil Oreskovic leads the Marlies in the plus minus category, and has shown a good level of maturity mixed with good hockey sense and toughness. He deserves a chance to prove himself at the top level.

Having gotten to know these guys over the last month through interviews and being around them in the dressing room, I am cheering for each of them to make the next jump. The Marlies product down at the Ricoh Coliseum is a great one, they are in the midst of a playoff run and could use your support, so get down and catch some of the future stars, tickets start as low as 10 bucks!

Bad Trades- Who made the biggest blunder in NHL history???

by Mark Ritter… The list is longer than you think, for the purpose of fitting this article into this publication I have created a short list of horrific trades.

Pavol Demitra gets traded from the Ottawa Senators to the St. Louis Blues for Christer Olsson. Well, we all know who Demitra is, who the heck is Olsson? Demitra has over 700 points in his NHL career, Olsson played 25 games for the Sens, scoring 2 goals and adding 3 assists for a total of 5 points, OUCH! Pass the vaseline, that trade hurt!

The Los Angeles Kings Trade Wayne Gretzky to the St. Louis Blues for Craig Johnson, Roman Vopat, Patrice Tardif, a first and a 5th rounder. In case you didn’t remember, Gretzky played a total of 18 games for the Blues, the players who went to L.A. hit the beach more than they did the ice. This trade was a dud for both teams.
The Detroit Red Wings trade Adam Oates to St. Louis for Bernie Federko. Can you imagine if the Red Wings kept Oates? The Wings would have had Steve Yzerman, Sergei Fedorov and Oates skating down the middle for over a decade. Federko scored 57 points for the Red Wings that year (89-90), then promptly retired. Oates scored 102 points the year he went to St. Louis (89-90), then went on to score 1420 points in his career, clearly this was one bad trade for the Wings.
The Toronto Maple Leafs trade their 3rd overall Draft pick to the New Jersey Devils for defenseman Tom Kurvers. Kurvers had 55 points in 89 games with the Leafs, not bad. That 3rd overall pick? Yeah, that turned out to be Scott Neidermayer, one of the games top ten D-Men of all time. This trade absolutely killed the Leafs…just imagine???
The New York Islanders trade Roberto Luongo and Olli Jokinen for Mark Parrish and Oleg Kvasha. Luongo and Jokinen are perennial All-Stars, Parrish and Kvasha…are not! Ahhhh, if only Mike Milbury had called the Leafs…..  The Chicago Blackhawks trade Dominik Hasek to the Buffalo Sabres for Stephane Beauregard and a 5th round draft choice. Dominik Hasek went on to become one of the best Goalies of All-Time, earning the nickname the “Dominator”; Beauregard never played a game for the Hawks. That trade is uglier than Rick James in the morning!
In 1986, the Vancouver Canucks traded Cam Neely and a first round draft pick (Glen Wesley- Defenseman), to the Boston Bruins for Barry Pederson. Wesley for Pederson may have been a steal, Neely was a legend while he played, quite possibly the best Power Forward ever? The Canucks got Shagged Baby!
- The Montreal Canadians traded Patrick Roy and Mike Keane to the Colorado Avalanche for Andrei Kovalenko, Jocelyn Thibault and Martin Rucinsky. Roy and Keane were the final pieces in Colorado’s Stanley Cup Championship, Kovalenko, Thibault and Rucinsky did next to nothing for the Habs. See, even the great teams screw up once and a while.
The Calgary Flames trade Doug Gilmour, Jaime Macoun, Rick Walmsley, Ric Natress and Kent Manderville to Toronto for Michel Petit, Gary Leeman, Jeff Reese, Alexander Godynyuk and Craig Berube. Fletcher pulled a fast one on the young and innocent, then Calgary GM Doug Riesborough. Gilmour went on to become a legend in Toronto and damn near willed the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Stanley Cup. Damn you Gretzky!

ONLY IN THE WNBA

By Michelle C. Williams…

So Candace Parker, the younger and more talented sister of Toronto Raptor Anthony Parker, is a superstar in the WBNA.   She plays for the Los Angeles Sparks and just got hitched to NBA baller Sheldon Williams, who is also more talented than Anthony Parker.  She was MVP her first year in the league and promises to bring the heat this season.  There is just one thing: she’s due to give birth to her first child this spring.

Michael Jordan has played games while suffering from food poisoning and Paul Pierce was stabbed several times in September 2000 and, after lung repairing surgery, he still managed to start in every game that season.  With the Pierce example it seems plausible for Parker to get back to playing form after pushing out a baby.

Parker has had the best debut in WNBA history; she is like Lebron James who lived up to all the hype.  And Hype there was for the female ball player who won the Slam Dunk contest at the McDonald’s High School All-American competition, beating, now professional players and NBA All-Star Weekend Slam Dunk contestants, JR Smith and Josh Smith.  She was also the first female to dunk twice in a college game and the second to dunk in a WNBA game.  She’s got game.

Who else has been able to win both Rookie of the Year and League MVP?  Wilt Chamberlin. But I wonder if the great Big Dipper could even pull of what Parker is attempting to pull off.

While the elopement and baby may sound like shocking news for fans, Parker and Williams have been together for a while.  They became an item in 2006.  While they may not look like a likely couple, don’t under estimate the power of the love of basketball.  Both were exceptional college ball players, Williams even having his #23 jersey retired at Duke upon his graduation.  Now of course the transition from college star to professional ball player has been more difficult for Williams, having not yet made a mark like his wife, but never the less he has potential and a couple of trades early on in his career shouldn’t keep him down for much longer.

The Minnesota Timberwolves player, however, does not have to explain his upcoming role of fatherhood.  Their child is due during the NBA play-off season but no one is asking what does this mean for the franchise like they are asking the Sparks regarding Parker’s pregnancy.

Parker is due in May and the Sparks first game is on June 6.  The prognosis?  If there are no complications she could potentially do it.

Although having a baby is a momentous and joyous occasion for a woman, for a superstar athlete like Parker it represents a burden.  Even when Lisa Leslie, also a Spark, took off the 2007 season to become a mother at the age of 35, some were disappointed.  By that point Leslie had given 10 years of her life, and her best child producing years, to the league.  But still there were those who felt let down.

One can’t help but to feel the same way knowing that the 22 year old Parker may not be suiting up in the beginning of the season or at all for that matter.  Even if she brings herself back to playing form, her body will still be, let’s say, adjusting motherhood (You Got Milk?).

Just so we’re clear, I am in no way a “fan” of the WNBA but I am a fan of great players and Parker is one who proves to be just as good as male players and it would be a shame if she couldn’t at least come close to duplicating her previous year’s MVP performance this season.

Big East Tournament: First Round Breakdown