Chris Henry 1983-2009

The NFL has lost one of it’s more conflicted stars.


Cincinnati Bengals troubled wide-reciever, Chris Henry died yesterday, a day after falling out of the back of a pick-up truck and hitting his head.

He was 26.

Henry’s brief time in the NFL is the prime example of how things can go horribly wrong for someone with so much promise and praise.

He was one of the best players in the history of the West Virginia football program and was drafted by the Bengals in the third-round in 2005 and came to the team with much fanfare – and baggage.

In his rookie year he caught 31 passes for 422 yards and 6 touchdowns and the following year dodged the sophmore slump by making 36 catches for 605 yards and 9 touchdowns.

But as good as Henry was at escaping defenders – he could never run away from the law.

Henry’s wrap-sheet includes drunk-driving offense, gun charges, marijuana possession, assault and criminal damaging.

From 2006-2008, he was suspended for 14 games total for violating a number of NFL conduct policies and had been deemed, along with “Pacman” Jones, to be the biggest troublemaker in the league.

He was released by the Bengals in April of 2008 while serving 7 months house arrest for throwing a beer bottle through the window of a man’s car who he believed owed him money...but it was the wrong guy.

He was re-signed not long after that by Cincinnati because of a number of injuries to their wide reciever core, and because of a promise that Henry had cleaned up his act...and he had.

He was a father to three kids and wanted to get his life back on track and continue his life in football.

But it was short-lived.

In November of this year he was placed on injured reserve because of a broken forearm – and never played again.

In a weird twist of irony, it was nothing to do with his criminal record that got him killed, it was an injury he incurred on the football field, while trying to prove to doubters around the NFL that he was a changed man.

If he was not injured that day, he would have been in Cincinnati, practicing with his team and preparing for a game against San Diego – a game in which, if they won, they would be crowned division champs.

Instead he was in Charlotte, North Carolina where it appears he got into an argument with his fiancee who got into a pickup truck and drove away...Henry chased after her, jumped into the back of the truck, but fell and never recovered.

Was Chris Henry a bad guy? I don’t know. Was he someone I would want on my football team? Probably not. Am I mad when I see athletes with all the talent in the world, flush it all away for whatever reason? Definately. If I had half his talent, I’d have a pretty good NFL career under my belt when it was all said and done.

But watching the reaction of players around the Cincinnati locker room, you can’t help but feel bad for the guy.

Chris Henry was 26 and still had probably a half-decade left in the NFL before his death.

But instead it’s just a sad ending to a life that suffered more hits off the field than on it.

Dec 3

There are a lot of people who have won and lost in the Tiger Woods scandal…so for those of you scoring at home…here is how I see the fallout…and how everyone is affected.


Losers:

1 – Elin Woods…of course, finding out that her husband is an alleged cheater and for having the spotlight shone on her private life for nothing of her own doing. Ask 20 women if they found out their husband was cheating if they would chase him down with a golf club and 18 of them would say yes…the other two would use something with a sharper edge. She now has to either decide to be a forgiving wife or reach for the pockets of her famous husband and hold on tight. Either way her world has been rocked, she’s been embarrassed and her ego has been shot.

2 – Tiger Woods…and I don’t mean the 50 million dollars a year he will probably end up losing…I mean the fact that he will never be able to go to his sanctuary of golf to work or relax. The course is the only thing he has known in his life and from now on he will not be questioned about the 67 he shot at Pebble Beach…it’ll be about the cart-girls waiting in the clubhouse.

3 – Yapster Parnevik…excuse me Jesper…who the hell are you...you want to know the sad, pathetic thing about your live Jesper – the most famous thing you’ve ever done is introduce Tiger to Elin…and I don’t think ol’ Jesper tapping Tiger on the shoulder and saying “hey best buddy, I know a great girl you’ve got to meet”…more like him sheepishly wandering up to Tiger…correcting Woods when Tiger orders Jesper to get him another box of tees and saying “that girl over there likes you”…guess how many PGA Tour wins he has – 5…the best showing he’s had in a Major…tied for 2nd in 1994 and 1997…maybe you should keep your mouth shut spend more time in the driving range than looking for your 5 minutes of fame, reminding people that you still exist…you’ve chastised the most powerful man in your sport…smart move…don’t wait by the mailbox for all your Tour invitations…not to mention the obvious Man-Code violations…you can make an argument that out of this whole dilemma – HE looks the worst.

4 – General Public…we have hung on the edge of our seat for a week now, wondering what will happen next …and don’t lie…hoping it gets worse…again another sad example of how our lives are so dull and boring that we get a rise in our pants when someone we’ve never met…who could literally buy us…goes through drama…we sit back, laugh, pop a bag of popcorn and hope the carnage never ends…cause there’s nothing in our own lives to look forward to.

And now the winners:

1 – The PGA…you can’t buy this kind of press…yes it’s negative and yes it’s about your star player…but tell me there’s a person in the world who will stop playing golf because Tiger cheated on his wife…this is one of the few quiet times in the PGA Tour…but it’s been the biggest topic of conversation for a week…there’s drama in the PGA now…it’s not your grandfather’s league anymore…the biggest name in your league is no better than Michael Jordan or Babe Ruth…the squeaky clean/boring image of the PGA is gone…and it’s the best thing that could happen to the sport.

2 – Phil Mickelson…what does Phil have to do with this...well, arguably the most hated golfer on the Tour now looks like a saint…Phil has dropped out of tournaments recently to support his wife Amy who has been very sick…he’s been by her side and bypassed a few paychecks to do so…he was immediately punished with the rivalry tag when him and Tiger became 1 and 2…thus making him the bad guy…now the bad guy doesn’t look so bad…Phil has replaced Tiger by being the gentleman of a gentlemen’s game…by being everything Tiger hasn’t been at home.

3 – Tiger’s Girls… they get their 20 minutes of fame and they can always walk around their tables at the MGM Grand or in Times Square and say “I’m the girl that ruined Tiger Woods marriage”…and who knows…maybe they will get a cameo or Playboy spread here and there…and let’s be honest…these women weren’t looking for love anyways…they wanted money, attention and to be in the headlines…and they got their wish.

4 – Tiger Woods… I know, you’re thinking …how is Tiger Woods coming out of this…well…the one thing he’s now shaken from his persona is his image…he is no longer the Golden Boy who has returned to Earth 3 days after he was crucified…he’s a human…he makes mistakes…and not just misreading a putt…he will no longer be looked at as the person every male on the planet should emulate…he’s just another athlete who’s cheated on his wife…and Tiger is undoubtedly thrilled that label is a thing of the past.

The Tiger Woods saga will never end, if Tiger spoke up or not. But life will move on for Tiger…and when he’s 85…he will still be filthy rich and remembered as the greatest golfer of our time…even if he won’t be winning Husband of the Year anytime soon.

Nov 26

Happy Turkey Day!

-3 games on the schedule today...my winners...

Green Bay
Dallas
New York Giants

Random Predictions
-Roy Halladay will be traded to the Boston Red Sox before December 15
-The Tigers will not trade Cabrera or Granderson
-The Detroit Pistons will not make the playoffs
-The Detroit Red Wings will finish 6th in the Western Conference and lose in Round 1
-The Lions will finish with 3 wins
-The Indianapolis Colts will stay perfect longer than New Orleans
-The Saints will not make the Super Bowl...neither will Indy

I will add on as they come to me

Enjoy your Thanksgiving my American friends!

Nov 20

Only one more week of this moustache!

-I don't believe I've mentioned before that I can growing a 'stache for Mo-vember to raise money for men's health issues, especially prostate cancer.  That's a scary thing to have to deal with and Craig and I are more than happy to take part in any fundraising efforts we can.  But I gotta tell you...as Keith Hernandez says in the Just For Men commercials "This Stache is Trash"...it's been 19 days since I shaved and I'm happy to announce it is now fairly noticeable. While a few people in our office have had to trim theirs, or lost theirs completely, I have merely been fighting for a little colour and growth.  You are always wondering if you should change your look or if you are looking a little too plain lately...but I know one thing I can cross off my list for good - the 'stache.  I look like I should not be allowed near your children, or a park, or anywhere in public, really.  I was hoping to look like Tom Selleck by the end of this, but I probably look more like his mom. Only 8 more days and it comes off...I probably won't even use a razor. I'll rip it off myself.  Thankfully it's for charity.  So donate a Abar's in Windsor or online at canadasrock.ca and help me raise some money for growing a stache...and looking like a jackass...

-I meant to write this a couple days ago and am just getting to it now...the busy life of naps that I lead.  The Tigers have been coming up a lot recently in the news and for all the wrong reasons.  A sudden rush to cut salary has forced the Tigers to dangle names like Edwin Jackson, Curtis Granderson and even Miguel Cabrera on the trade market.  This is an absolute insult to Tigers fans and these players.  It is not their fault that they have such large contracts - you offered them, they signed them. Now you want a mulligan on deals you gave only one or two years ago.  Your payroll is not high because of Grandy and Cabby...your payroll is high because you stupidly have tossed money at Magglio Ordonez, Nate Robertson and Dontrelle Willis, to name a few.  The money you are spending on Cabby is a STEAL.  On Granderson, well deserved. But you put those contracts next to Dontrelle or Maggs and it's laughable.  Now you think the only way to rebound is to trade your stars so you can accommodate the payroll of your idiots.

-There is not a package I would agree to trade Cabrera for.  The deal would have to be so obviously lopsided, it is criticized as the worst trade in baseball history.  I'm talking about Beckett, Lowry, Ellsbury, Papelbon and a prospect.  That's a deal I would trade Cabby for.  Aside from that - go away.  Cabby is a Top 3 player in the AL and the only offensive reason this team stood a chance last year...and how do you thank him?  Put his name out there in trade offers.  Brilliant.  Granderson I would hate to trade, but would if the deal was right.  But the deal MUST include a speedy, leadoff outfielder. Not the fake speed, .250 average leadoff outfielder that Granderson represents.

-The Tigers are getting 60 million dollars taken off the table after this season because of their horrible contract decisions.  If they really can't hold out for one more season, then as Cabby and Grandy goes - Dave Dombrowski should follow.  It is his fault we have had to cut salary and I put having to trade a man who will be one of the greatest Tigers ever when he's done on Dombrowski's shoulders.  He has failed to produce a consistant winner in Detroit and I think it is time he takes a walk.  Don't make your obstructed view of Nate Robertson's value cost Tiger fans a true superstar.  Suck it up and keep those two, and spend your extra 60 million next year WISELY!  Until then, good luck finding a cheap shortstop, second baseman, 3rd starter, three bullpen pitchers and a utility man or two.

-Red Wings/Panthers tonight...guarenteed win night??

Nov 18

-Back to normal

-Football picks are a funny thing...for hours and hours a man can delve into such a large pool of stats that he drowns. He knows that Kansas City's defensive line is struggling. He knows New England's passing game is as good as any. He knows Baltimore hasn't won in Chicago in 14 tries...but frankly...it's all bullshit. The perfect example of this was this past weekend with my girlfriend, Kim. I don't consider myself an NFL wiz-kid by any means...I know who's good, I know who's bad and I know who should win games...or so I think. I finished my picks this week 8-5...which is the best I've done in the three weeks I've kept track (moving my record to 22-17 after 3 wks)...my girlfriend also picked the games with me, for fun. She went 9-4...yes, I got beat. Now looking at the matchups this week, I knew Washington was as bad as teams come these days in the NFL, I know Dallas has been red-hot of late and I know the Eagles are in tough against San Diego. My girlfriend, the sports ificianto that she is, wasn't sure of some of the team names...yet in the game of "Who Will Win", I got schooled...another example of the old saying, "no matter how much you know, you don't know shit!"

-Another great example of this I've experienced was at my old radio station in Owen Sound...we had a football pool every year, very simple - pick the winner. The first year I was there, I found out quickly that the competition was stiff and I'd have to be on my game. Manny, JD, Jim and even my buddy John were impressive in their art of picks...but so was our friend Jamie (yes, female)...long story short...Jamie won the pool and when asked how she picked the teams...it wasn't because New Orleans rushing numbers in domes during 4:05pm starts is off the scale...it's because she picked which city she'd rather go to. "No matter how much you know, you don't know shit!"

-I do know the writers got it RIGHT by selecting Zach Grenkie as the AL Cy Young Award winner. Justin Verlander, the personal favourite, finished 3rd behing Felix Hernandez of Seattle. I disagree with that, thinking it should have been Grenkie, Verlander and Hernandez - but a small disgression. Grenkie was a killer this year. A 2.16 ERA is unheard of and 16 wins for a Royals starter is unheard of. He had such incredible stuff that if he got a 3 or 4 run lead and you knew the game was over. I dont think you got that feeling from another pitcher this year. Add in the personal issues he's gone through and the fact that he plays every day in the VERY small market/small results city of Kansas City, he deserved it more than anyone. It also gave me some satisfaction to see CC Sabathia not in the Top 3. Yes, he had 19 wins, but in comparison, he had a 3.30+ ERA and he played for a team that would consider scoring 6 runs a "slow day at the office". Good on ya Zack!

-Tomorrow I will explore what Dave Dombrowski is thinking about doing to the Tigers...and what the Tigers SHOULD end up doing with him.

Go see Paranormal Activity...and have a good sleep!

NFL Picks - Week 10

-How can a man enjoy a Sunday afternoon when I only get the Lions/Vikings game at 1p!?

Tennessee
New Orleans
Miami
Minnesota
Jacksonville
Pittsburgh
Denver
Atlanta
Kansas City
Dallas
Arizona
Philadelphia
New England
Baltimore

1...2...3...BREAK!

Nov 13

Weekend Wonders...

Why is it that some things that are supposed to be good for you and good for our planet cost more money?

If you want an energy efficient fridge or washer and dryer, it’s sometimes double the price of a normal appliance, but in 4 or 5 years you will make up the difference.

I even ran into that a couple days ago when I was at a hardware store buying lightbulbs.

There are “energy efficient” ones that will last for 1200 hours without being changed, but they are 6 bucks each…I bought a two pack of regular bulbs for 3! I’m not going to make the extra effort to save some energy when it’s costing me double…maybe if I thinking of “down-the-road”…but not for lightbulbs!
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Here’s a number that must be insulting to all the Veterans we honoured on Wednesday: 59.1%.

That is the voter turnout in Canada from 2008 – the lowest in history.

In 2004, it was 61%, which was the lowest at the time.

We don’t need to be reminded that these brave men and women have given the ultimate sacrifice for us to enjoy certain advantages – it’s just too bad we don’t take advantage of them!

Sure politics is crooked and most people don’t trust a politician as far as they can throw them, but maybe next time a vote comes up, instead of thinking “your vote doesn’t matter”, think “people have died so I am able to walk up to this booth and check off a box and not be afraid of being shot or attacked when doing so.

Maybe we should go to a country like Cuba or North Korea and ask them if they would like to vote and not have to look over their shoulder while they do it.

I would guess they would have more than 59 percent of people show up.

Thousands of people have died so we can vote…and an appearance at the polls is acknowledging their service for us…treat elections like that – and not like a waste of your time.
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And with the Windsor International Film Festival underway in Windsor the talk of the city becoming a hub for movies has spark up again.

There seems to be some people who think this would be a bad idea for the city, but how could that be?

This city is struggling to keep businesses open and keep residents employed and ANY idea is a good idea right now.

Movies are becoming more and more expensive to make in places like Hollywood or New York or Toronto and Windsor is obviously as close as you can get to the US border and you can probably get a cheaper deal on everything by doing work here.

So I say go for it! Good for the Film Festival, good for Windsor trying to be the new Hollywood North and hey…maybe if some big movies get made in this town I’ll finally get to meet Kiefer Sutherland…umm…I mean Jessica Alba.

Ahhh Friday...in about 10 hours...EVERYONE will be good looking :)

Nov 11

Let's see how we've done...

-Catching up on some predictions today...much like Week 8...my Week 9 predictions were just above average...so it followed in line with my performance at many different things...another 7-6 week for me...making me 14-12 through two weeks...not exactly Cy Young material...

-Speaking of MLB awards...let's see how I did predicting the Gold Gloves, by fielding alone.  Of course I was bias with the catcher's position and I was right...Laird got screwed because he can't hit and lost a DEFENSIVE award!

-Of the 9 positions I guessed in the AL:  I got 4 right...of the 9 in the NL...I got 4 right...below average I guess...still don't know how Kevin Kouzmanoff didn't get a Gold Glove after making THREE errors at 3rd base all year!  Washington's Ryan Zimmerman got the award...PS...he made 17 errors...Gold Glove?  Really?

-There's a lot of talk about what the Tigers will do in the offseason, considering their financial issues...already rumours swirl that Edwin Jackson is on the trade block, particularily going to the Dodgers for George Sherrill...that somewhat solves our closer problem...but leaves a wide open hole in a wid open rotation...now you are down to Verlander and Porcello as starters - and no one even close to follow up...the worst part is Jackson and Sherrill make about the same, though Jackson is arbitration eligible.  The Tigers need to take it simple this year...re-sign Polanco, try to trade Maggs in the offseason by throwing him in a deal, get Lyon back as your full-time closer, groom Perry as the set-up man and lay low with free agent signings...put the same team you had on the field last year out there again...take your hits...and then in 2011, when the economy will be back to normal and you'll have at least 50 million off the books - start spending...2010 will not be a good year for the Tigers...probably back in that popular 3rd place spot in the worst division in baseball...but expect huge things in 2011...at least spending wise.

-Take some time today and think of the fallen soldiers who have lost their lives to allow us to do the simple things in life, vote, write on blogs and not have to live in fear every time we leave our homes...thousands of men and women have died for our freedoms and the battle continues in Afghanistan and around the world.  Do not forget these brave men and women today - or any day for that matter...and give a moment of reflective silence and thanks to them today...it takes a special person to be a soldier...they are the true heroes in our society.

Never forget...

Nov 9

Never picking the Lions again...

-Hoping to break the 8 win mark with a Pittburgh win tonight on the road...go steel city!

-The LaSalle Vipers hockey team has been able to get the H1N1 flu shot before some at-risk patients. They are following the same road as the NBA's Toronto Raptors or the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames.  Honestly, I don't have a huge problem with the NHL teams weaselling their way to the front of the line and getting the shot. I know it is because they are so close and in such confined space together almost 24/7 that if one gets it, they could all get it. Athletes have had a fair advantage over every day citizens in all kinds of medical situations.  If a player gets hurt on the ice or on the field and is taken to hospital, they get an MRI before the game is done so the announcers are able to update viewers or listeners.  Try walking into a hospital this week and saying to the nurse "I may have broke my wrist, can I get an MRI." and back away slowly as she laughs hysterically in your face.  Anyways, I have no problem with the NHLers getting the shot, considering there are millions of dollars at stake...but a Junior B hockey team from LaSalle!?!  These kids aren't 20 years old yet and should be in pretty good condition considering their "profession".  You would think they might be the last people that would need the shot.  And the Vipers aren't spending days on end on the road with each other or travelling in hotels together, they travel to Leamington and back the same night for games.  I have no plans on getting the H1N1 flu shot and I don't think swine flu is going to end society as we know it...but I don't think "healthy" 17 hockey players should be getting it before pregnant women, seniors and children.

Ummm...it doesn't FEEL like a high of 19 outside today!

NFL Picks - Week 9

Hoping to improve on my 7-6 record...

Altanta
Arizona
Baltimore
Indy
Jacksonville
New England
Green Bay
New Orleans
DETROIT
New York Giants
San Francisco
Dallas
Pittsburgh

Here's hopin!

Nov 5

Getting back to 100%...

-Was anyone else cold just watching the fans sitting in the new Yankee Stadium last night?

-The New York Yankees are World Series Champions for the first time since 2000 and the 27th time in franchise history.  Congrats and enjoy.  For Derek Jeter and a few others, it's #5...for A-Rod, Teixeria and a few others, it's #1.  The baseball world's Lex Luthor or Darth Vader has the trophy for another year.  The hate-on for the Yankees is obvious, frustrating and motivated - but it's also unjustified.  The only word I come up with when I concern myself with the Yankees is jealousy.  People say New York tries to buy a World Series every year...and they do...but there is nothing stopping them.  Baseball needs a salary cap as much as it needs a diamond to play on.  It is still the only professional league without one and this is what happens when one is not in place.  The Yankees spend 201 million dollars this year on payroll...a number that actually went DOWN from 2008 (their payroll was 209 million)...and why not...no one is telling them they can't.

-If you are given 500 dollars to buy a suit, and someone else is given 100 dollars to buy a suit...who will get the nicer suit?  You, of course, cause you can afford it.  Well...the Yankees can afford a closet full of $500 dollar suits...so why the hate on?

-If you look at the list of MLB teams owners you will see guys who own 18 hotel and resort properties around the world (Oakland's Lewis Wolff) or the former President and CEO of WAL-MART (Kansas City's David Glass) and you'll see men with MILLIONS to spend on their baseball product - but don't. George Steinbrenner isn't the richest owner in baseball...not by a long shot...but he spends all his money on the team.

-You're telling me the guy who ran Wal-Mart from 1984-2000 doesn't have the money to put a decent team on the field?  KCs payroll this year was 70 million (21st in MLB) by the way.

-And paying for Championships doesnt always work.  Look at the Top 10 in the MLB payroll this year:

-Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Red Sox, Tigers, Angels, Phillies, Astros, Dodgers, Mariners.

-Five of those teams made the playoffs...one of them choked their way out of it...and the other four were disasters!

-The Twins were a 65 million dollar team that won the Central this year...last year, the Rays were a 43 million dollar team that went to the World Series.

-But baseball is the only league on the planet which has five or six teams you can write-off once the year begins...because they just can't afford the talent to compete (Pittsburgh, Washington are great examples).

-I don't hate on the Yankees for "buying" a World Series...I hate Major League Baseball...and I've said it a thousand times and I will say it a thousand more:

-Baseball's biggest problem is NOT steroids...it's biggest problem is not having a payroll.

At least my hair is real Andre!!

Nov 4

My computer and I have something in common...we both have some kind of virus...

-Sometimes people look too deep into stats to justify giving a big-name star an award...MVPs, Silver Sluggers, Rookie of the Years and alike are offensive awards...you've never heard of an MVP that won the award because of his defense.  The only award for defense is the Gold Glove.  And offense should have NOTHING to do with it.

-Case and point - American League Catcher...Gerald Laird is the Gold Glove Award winner for catchers in the AL.  This season, he had a .997 fielding percentage (1st in the AL), played 135 games (1st in the AL), BY FAR caught the most runners trying to steal (42...next highest - Posada 31...PS - Mauer 19), made only 3 errors (tied for 1st with Mauer...but played 26 more games) and had 78 assists (1st in AL - Mauer 31).  Mauer will win the AL Gold Glove for catchers - because of the love-in he gets from sports writers across the country, bigger star power and the fact that he will win the AL MVP as well.  But with the glove, the award is not Joe's...it's Gerald's...and it's obvious when you look at these numbers.

Here's the way the list of winners SHOULD read out - from stats alone:

AL

C - Gerald Laird, Detroit
1B - Paul Konerko, White Sox
2B - Placido Polanco, Detroit
3B - Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay
SS - Derek Jeter, New York
OF - Jason Bay, Boston...David DeJesus, Kansas City...Torii Hunter, Anaheim
P - Brett Anderson, Oakland

NL

C - Yadier Molina, St. Louis
1B - Adam LaRoche, Atlanta
2B - David Eckstein, San Diego
3B - Kevin Kouzmanoff, San Diego
SS - Jimmy Rollins, Philadelphia
OF - Jeff Francoeur, New York Mets...Shane Victorino, Philadelphia...Matt Kemp, Los Angeles
P - Matt Cain, San Francisco

Keepin Vitamin C in business!

Nov 3

I'm fightin a cold...and I'm winning!

-Something SHOULD happen this year that hasnt happened since 1960.  Bobby Richardson won World Series MVP even though his Yankees lost to the Pirates in seven games.  This year, the award SHOULD be given to Chase Utley - no matter what.  The Yankees will win the World Series tomorrow night and deservingly so - they have been the best team in this series.  But Chase Utley has been the best player - and that's what the MVP is.  This argument has gone on for a long time...how can a player who's team doesn't win, get the MVP.  Because to his team - Utley was the most valuable player.  On the Yankees there are two names that come to mind...Rivera and Damon.  Both have had key moments and led their teams to victory. So has Utley...and he's done it in historic fashion with 5 HRs in 5 games.  Howard, Victorino, Ibanez and Werth are struggling to different extents in this series but Utley has been like a rock and has been the main reason his team won both the games they did.  Baseball writers, or whoever votes, will chicken out and give a Yankee the MVP when they win the series...but in the history books, it will be Chase Utley's performance that will be remembered...and should be remembered with a trophy of his own.

-One question though...what's up with Utley's HAIR??  The sliiiicked Pat Riley look has to go...although if he hits like that - maybe the entire Tigers team should invest in some gel....

-First time around with NFL picks...7-6...off to a slow start I guess...but hey...there's a few teams that wouldn't mind a 7-6 record after Week 16.

-Tomorrow:  Why the Gold Glove award should NOT be given to Joe Mauer.  I can only handle one rant a day...

Mmmm Nyquil!

Nov 2

Fighting a stuffed nose...that's not swing flu right?

-Streaks are a funny thing...the good ones are never remembered, but the bad ones are more well-kept than the baseball cards in my closet. Alex Rodriguez is the definition of a streak - especially because of the money he makes every year...A-Rod did not have a hit in the World Series until a couple days ago...he was already being branded as a "choke artist", "back to his old self" or "showing his true colours".  He went 0-8 in the first two games of the series before he was hit by Cole Hamels and then drove a pitch off a camera lense in his next at-bat.  Streak over.  He then got a key double yesterday to drive in the winning run and put the Yankees up 3-1.  If a team loses 3 in a row...they are in a horrible slump.  If a team wins 3 in a row...it's a nice weekend.  Streaks are a part of baseball...as they are every sport.  And none of them mean anything.

-How did the Lions lose to ST. LOUIS!!!  At one point I saw the ticker on the bottom of the screen showed a 3-2 Rams lead...or was that the Cardinals?  No matter how many good games there are in the NFL...there's always one bad one...and it doesn't get much worse than a 17-10 sleeper between the two worst teams in the league.  The Lions are trying to take a step forward with their franchise...but a loss to a team worse than them...with or without their star WR (and only pro player right now on offense)...is a massive step back.

Back to the couch

Nov 1

Happy November...

-There was no champagne, no fanfare, no parade route planned...but last night the New York Yankees won the World Series.  Not only did they weather the storm in Philly (literally and figuratively) they were patient and chipped away at Cole Hamels...they didn't panic when it was 3-0 early for the Phillies and got some timely hitting and pitching as the game went along (both by Andy Pettitte).  The Yankees now lead 2-1 and unless they win the next two games (which obviously would make them champs), they have guarenteed themselves another game at Yankee Stadium...they also have CC Sabathia pitching Game 4 tonight and IF NECESSARY in Game 7.  Even if New York heads home down 3-2...you have to expect some Yankee magic at The House That George Built...I picked Yankees in 7...it may not take them that long...

-I called the Owen Sound Attack vs Plymouth Whalers game on Saturday on 560 CFOS in Owen Sound and got a real treat - even before Halloween.  Not only did I get to call a game again with my good friend Fred Wallace, I got to watch the Attack with a surprisingly dominant performance for the second night in a row...and even most enjoyable...I got to watch Tyler Seguin for the first time this year...Seguin is a Brampton native who is in his 2nd year with the Whalers.  He draws deserving comparison to Taylor Hall.  He leads the OHL in goals and does everying at top speed...and MIGHT be the fastest player in the O...I'd have to watch both of them a little closer, but in seeing each of them play one game this year...Seguin has a chance to be as good, if not better, than Hall...On November 12th, the Whalers come to the WFCU Centre to play the Spits...I would recommend you get a seat to see this showdown...and make sure you don't blink...you'll miss something special...

Boo-yah!!

NFL Picks - Week 8

Let's see how this goes...


Houston
Chicago
Dallas
Detroit
Indianapolis
New York Jets
New York Giants
Baltimore
Jacksonville
San Diego
Green Bay
Arizona
New Orleans

More to come today...

Shut Your Mouths!

There’s a new group of humans that I can’t take anymore.

Well, there’s a few…but these people have become more and more evident.

There’s the people at sporting events, sitting in the top row of the upper deck that yell perceptive comments like “Catch it!” or “Run!” to the players below, but they make me laugh.

The people that don’t use their turn signal or just don’t pay attention to signs while driving have always been near the top of that list.

But this group has taken over the top spot of annoyance in the Matt Dumouchelle Top 10 People Who Infuriate Me.

The people who talk during movies.

I don’t mean the people who casually lean over to their companion and ask “why would they do that?”

I mean the people that sit in the back row and bark out their unnecessary comments throughout the show believing they are either helping everyone understand the movie, that they are being funny, or worst of all, they do it just to annoy people.

I went to see “The Stepfather” on Tuesday, and thanks to a young group of about 6 kids who were two rows behind me, not only was I informed that one girl in the movie shouldn’t be going in that room and that the Stepfather was a killer, I also heard about Tina’s upcoming date; whoever Tina is.

Then there’s the guy in the row with us who shouts out “That better not be the way it ends!”…when there was about 20 minutes left. A little heads up for all you movie-goers. The movie ends when the credits start rolling, not when the screen goes dark.

Why do so many people on our planet believe everyone needs to hear, or cares to hear, what they think or what they have to say.

We are such self-involved society sometimes that I know they genuinely think it would enhance our movie experience by shouting out something they thought was funny and disturbing about 30 people – then laughing about it.

I would have been perfectly content to sit through that movie in peace, and not know the guy behind us thought the girl in the movie had a nice rack.

It’s those people that are what’s wrong with the world today.

There should be a theatre employee stationed inside every theatre and those people should be tossed out like old popcorn. I don’t care if they spend 9 dollars for a ticket. So did everyone else. And we didn’t spend pay an extra charge to hear what some 17 year old punk thinks about it.

Again, if you want to ask the person you are next to “where do I know that actor from?” that’s no problem.

But if you think the theatre needs to know that you believe “the neighbour is gonna die next”, then you need to be thrown out.

Oct 29

Sleepy but standing...

-What a great start to what will be a great World Series. Cliff Lee was on fire yesterday, with a pitching performance we haven't seen in years on such a big stage. 10 strikeouts...ZERO walks!  In YANKEE STADIUM!!  Against the YANKEES!  This guy was in Cleveland at the end of July thinking he'd be sinking with the ship because Roy Halladay was supposed to be going to Philly.  Funny how the world works.

-Tonight will be equally exciting with Pedro on the mound.  Though now, maybe this move backfires. You are not only going to play an angry, frustrated Yankee team in their biggest must-win game of the season, but you are also putting a known nemises on the hill to face them.  Trust me, the Yankees remember Pedro. They will be out with their hunting goggles on and I think, will do quite a bit of damage to even this series.

-Unfortunately, I'm not going to see much of the game tonight because I will be at the WFCU Centre to broadcast the Windsor Spitfires vs Owen Sound Attack game for my old friends on 560 CFOS.  It's always a blast for me to call those games with one of my favourite people in the world, Fred Wallace, and get behind the mic and announce hockey.  I love the OHL and I like it more than the NHL sometimes. And how can you not in Windsor.

-Taylor Hall, Ryan Ellis, Greg Nemisz and Cam Fowler are possibly the best four-some in the OHL and all have been, or will be, high NHL picks come draft day.  So if you live in the Ontario Hockey League city, check your calender for when the Spits come rolling into town.  It may be your last chance to see talent like Hall and Ellis without paying $50 a ticket.

-Any suggestions of fun things I could to do for my birthday in December?

Don't hate the player!

Oct 27

Uh oh...I'm slippin already!

-The World Series starts tomorrow and, on paper, it looks like it will be one for the history books. Both teams have their strong pluses, both teams have their worry-some minuses. But the pitching matchups alone will be outstanding.  I'm so glad I'm not an Indians fan for Game 1 - CC vs Lee.  Two guys who, at one point, were #1 starters for the Mistake by the Lake.  Talk about mistakes...they are now facing each other in the WORLD SERIES.  And where are the Indians?  Hiring MANNY ACTA to be their manager!!

-What kind of dirt (or what kind of snacks) did Manny Acta bring to the table to get the job in Cleveland?  Sure they didn't have many options, and it appeared at one point they would even consider bringing Bobby Valentine back from the dead (Japana) to manage their team.  But how do you look your fans and the media in the eye if you're Mark Shapiro and explain that a man who lead his team to back-to-back 100 loss seasons is "the man" to take your team to another level??  Good luck!  Indians finish last in the Central in 2010.

-Speaking of hires...I have no problem bringing Mark McGwire back to baseball...there are a number of reasons why his name should be cleared - but drugs are drugs...he took suppliments - which arent steroids...and those particular suppliments may not have even been on baseball's banned list when he took them. So leave the guy alone.  He is now the poster-boy for what Hall of Fame voters will do to you if you are busted for performance enhancing drugs.  My concern is...does a guy with a .260 career battling average, a wack of home runs and hundreds of intentional walks know how to teach young players how to hit?  What will he do for Colby Rasmus or Brendan Ryan?  I have no problem with the hire on a professional level...but I really question his ability to perform in that position.

-Back to the World Series.  CC vs Lee in Game 1...Pedro at the new Yankee Stadium for Game 2...what a great start...it's one of those series I hope goes seven games so we can see these teams go back and forth for another week.  Baseball has saved the best for last and really does have it's two best teams left when the dust settles.  But who wins?  By home-field advantage alone (which will be HUGE in this series)...I give the crown to the New York Yankees in 7.

-The NBA season begins tonight...some highlights to look forward to?  LeBron + Shaq = entertainment with a capital E...the "new look" Detroit Pistons...can the Hornets and the Magic take their game to the next level...and can Kobe and the Lakers really do it again?...

-And finally (a long one today to make up for lost time)...the Toronto Maple Leafs have won their first game of the year.  They are on pace to win 10.2 games (which they won't - no one could), but Leaf Nation is already setting up the lawnchairs on Bay Street for the parade...RELAX...this team is going to get worse before it gets better...but no one wants to see one of the most historic franchises in sports play that poorly...not even me...

Word.

Oct 23

Heading into the weekend!

-Another great MLB playoff game last night...I don't remember a year that had so many intense, down to the last out games like this year.  Craig and I were staying in Leamington last night because we had to do the show in Kingsville today and we ended up in the bar at the Seacliffe Inn watching a good portion of the game.  By the time we looked up from our wings it was 4-0...then without warning (and 2 outs) New York looks like they steal the game and series away.  Angels come back and here is the definition of how tired I was last night...bases loaded, two outs, one run game, Yankees win and they go to the series...AND I FELL ASLEEP! haha...didn't find out what happened until this morning.  I will not be missing Game 6 (which should go New York's way).

-I don't get into Halloween.  I just never really have.  Tomorrow is my attempt to enjoy the "holiday" season and it really should be a good time.  I'm taking the girlfriend, Kim, to Michigan (scary enough) to see Saw VI (that's for me) and go to a Haunted House (that's for her)...that's about all I do for Halloween...and it will be a lot of fun.

-I've decided that every Saturday I will post my picks in the NFL and keep track, just to see if my predictions go along with my alleged knowledge.  So look for Saturday NFL picks...and true results from my predictions.

Oct 22

A little work promo to start off today.

-Rock Mornings with Craig and Matt will be in Kingsville tomorrow to Rock The Block of Jeff Kartye...should be another good time...if you live in Windsor-Essex or Chatham-Kent and want to be entered into Rock The Block...email rock@canadasrock.ca.

Now, on to the good stuff.

-Congrats to the Phillies for winning the NLCS.  You have to figure the Yankees will win the AL side and those two teams really do matchup well against each other...I picked the Yankees to win at the beginning so I have to stick with that...but you can never count out the Champs.

-Only issue I have is this...Game 1 of the World Series is next Wednesday in New York or L-A...That's October 28th...if the Yankees win tonight...there will be a 5 day layoff between the end of the LCS and the beginning of the World Series...it's a terrible scheduling move and you wonder why people lose interest.  Teams won't know what to do with five days off before the biggest 4-7 games of their year...PLUS it lines up to have a World Series game in NOVEMBER if things go the distance...the next round should begin the day after everything is settled...If the Yanks win today - Game 1 should be Saturday...it moves things along, keeps the interest at a high level and cuts down the drawnout length of the playoffs. Win-Win.

-What a tough year for Oklahoma QB, Sam Bradford.  I enjoy watching the college game more than the NFL, but with all the teams and conferences, it's impossible to follow some times.  I do know this though.  Bradford had a chance to come out of University last year and enter the NFL Draft...he chose not to and has now been dealt two arm injuries and will be shut down early for the rest of the year...his draft status is lower now than it was last year and he still has the option of one more year at OU or going to the pros.  It's wrong to say and parents around the world will hate me for this...but when you get the chance to score millions of dollars in advertising and guarenteed contracts...DROP SCHOOL!!!  It could be your one chance to tell "show me the money!" and take care of everyone you've ever met - including yourself..because you never know what can happen! Guys get signed for 15 million dollar signing bonuses before they even step on the field...and that kind of bling would put Bradford's kids' kids through college.  Now Bradford wears caution tape around his right arm and the payout won't be nearly as big.  When you're retired from the NFL and you're a multi-millionaire...and more importantly...when your only 40 years old...then finish up school...but when you have the chance to "cash in"...you MUST hit the draft room floor and wait on the classroom.

Oct 21

Let's keep it going!

-MLB needs instant replay.  Did you see the absolutely rediculous non-call last night in the Angels/Yankees game when Robinson Cano and Jorge Posada were tagged out at 3rd - but only one was called out...both were off the bag by a step or two when they were tagged.  A Forest Glade level umpire knows how to make that call!  How about the ball that dropped three feet fair that was called foul and screwed the Twins over in the ALDS?!  Another plain-as-day call missed. Each team should get two replays a game (just like in the NFL).  It should not be allowed to be used in balls and strikes...but plays in the field - yes.

-And for those who believe it will slow down a slow game even more.  Why doesn't baseball use the 20 second rule more.  It's in the books that a pitcher has 20 seconds from the time he gets the ball back to the catcher to when he throws it.  If they don't, a ball is called. Justin Verlander can do it, Roy Halladay can do it...everyone should. These men are being paid millions of dollars...LEARN TO ADJUST.

-NHL Stanley Cup Prediction:  Philadelphia Flyers over Vancouver Canucks...there...it's on paper (or on screen)...no taking it back now...Toronto finishes 11th in the Eastern Conference...Detroit finishes 5th and loses in the semi-finals...MVP - Mike Richards.

-Phil Kessel scores 22 goals and 37 assists...59 points this year...Leafs #7 overall pick goes to Boston in the trade...worth it?

October 20

I've promised myself I will start updating this website daily...even if it's just with random thoughts...so here marks Day 1 of the rest of my life...

-Great playoffs so far in Major League Baseball...the Tigers should be there and would have put up much more of a fight against the Yankees than Minnesota did...I guess they just ran out of steam.

-I'm sticking by my pick of Yankees vs Dodgers in the World Series...but the Phillies really do have a good squad...up and down they can just plain rake and the starters have been fantastic. What did they give up for Cliff Lee again?? And you wonder why the Indians are in a state of "rebuilding".

-Speaking of the Tribe, I love the idea of Travis Fryman managing in Cleveland. He is my all-time favourite Tiger and one of the reasons I loved the guy was he was just a smart player...Smart players make great managers...no surprise, not a lot of pitchers are managers. I would become a closer Indians fan the day Travis is introduced to the media.

-Can Toronto Maple Leafs fans please relax! When you start "rebuilding" a team...that means it's going to suck...save your money for three years when the Leafs are competitive in the East...wow...can you imagine how much ticket prices will be when they are actually MEANINGFUL games.

-NFL teams I'm buying - AFC - New England, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh...NFC - the Giants, Minnesota, New Orleans, Atlanta.

-NFL teams I'm not buying - AFC - Cincinnati, DENVER...NFC - Dallas, Philadelphia, San Francisco.

Later knuckleheads...

Weird Laws

Craig and I, and apparently the majority of our poll respondents, believe the law which does not allow a truck driver to smoke in his vehicle is ridiculous.

Again, it is a 305 dollar fine if you are ticketed under that law, but it’s a 250 dollar fine to smoke in a car with a minor present.

It does present me with an opportunity to go into the achieves and revive the unexplainable, absurd and always humorous bizarre laws of Canada.

Did you know that in Fort Qu‘Appelle, Quebec it is illegal for a teen to walk downtown main street with his shoes untied?

It is illegal anywhere in Canada to pay for a 26 cent item in all pennies. The limit is 25 cents. If you are paying for your item in nickels, then it’s illegal to pay for it in nickels if it’s over $5. It’s also illegal to pay for something over $10 dollars in all dimes.

In London, it is against the city by-law to allow your grass in your front yard to grow any taller then an inch and a half. If you do, the city will come by and cut it for you then give you a fine for $200.

Quebec law states that all business signs must be in French. If the owner wants English on the sign then the French print has to be twice as large as the English print.

In Nova Scotia a person is not allowed to water their grass when it's raining. Not like someone would do this, but it's against the law in Nova Scotia!

In Cobourg, if you have a water trough in your front yard, it must be filled by 5:00am!

In Guelph, the city is classified as a no pee zone!

In Toronto, Ontario, where I lived, it's illegal to drag a dead horse down Younge St on a Sunday!

In Ottawa, you are not allowed to eat ice cream on Bank St on a Sunday!

In Beaconsfield, it's considered an offense to have more than two colours on your house.

In Oshawa, it's illegal to climb trees!

It is illegal for a man to drink with a woman in an Edmonton beer parlor in Alberta.

It is unlawful to throw snowballs or set off firecrackers within the city of Calgary, without the authorization of the mayor or City Council.

All bicycle riders in Edmonton must signal with the arm before making a turn, and a bicycle rider must keep both hands on the handlebars at all times.

You are not allowed to play a musical instrument in a park in Windsor.

It is against the law to go naked in your own home if you leave the blinds up in Winnipeg.

I’ve never been so glad to be an Ontarian.

Lazy Ass People

Man, we are a lazy society some times.

This week may be a bit more than normal, but I have seen some people do some of the laziest things you can imagine.

So I had to share a few…email me: matt@canadasrock.ca and tell me what you think is the most lazy things that people do and I will include them in a future World According To.

On Wednesday I was taking the elevator down to the laundry machine on the 7th floor – keep in mind I am on the 20th. A young guy, probably 25 or under got on the elevator on the 12th floor.

He then proceeded to get off the elevator on the 11th floor.

Now to make this even a little more comical for myself, I noticed he wasn’t carrying a big screen TV or one end of a couch or anything like that, oh no, he was carrying, a bag of McDonalds in one hand and a pop in the other. I didn’t expect to see him on a treadmill next to me any time soon.

I also drove past a Tim Horton’s during the middle of the day on Tuesday and had to weave into the other lane because the cars were lined up almost to the street.

Lucky for my wandering eyes, and the red light, I was able to peer through the glass windows at the front of the store and see…NO ONE IN LINE…Enjoy your 20 minute wait!

I also went grocery shopping on Thursday and stood in line with a cart filled to the brim with about 80 dollars worth of food inside.

I was the 7th person in line – and it was the shortest line – so I scooched over to my favourite section of the grocery store and any other department store…the self-checkout. I don’t know if it’s out of laziness or what, but it was completely empty. It couldn’t be possible that we’ve gotten to the point where sliding a barcode across a scanner is too much for us right? I probably pushed through 30 items without breaking a sweat.

And looking back at the line I was in – 2 people had moved forward since.

A few more annoyances I may not have seen this week – but drive me nuts.

Full service gas stations – can we not get out of our cars and pump gas ourselves? Is it now so much easier to have someone come to the window and hold up a credit card and say “fill ‘er up”. I’ve seen people with cars no special than mine in the full service gas bar while self service is wide open. Come on people!

There’s leaving the empty roll of toilet paper on the holder when you’re done, leaving half a drop of milk in the carton so they don’t have to go out and get a new one and the king of all laziness – leaving the TV on whatever station because you can’t find the remote.

Yes we all do lazy things. Who am I to say that I haven’t driven 3 minutes to the convience store, but it is always to buy something – like milk or bread - that I don’t want to carry 10 blocks back to my apartment.

I will share with you the best line I’ve ever heard to describe laziness: Stand straight up and look down. If you can’t see your feet, it might be time to go for a walk.

Stallworth Doesnt Get A Second Chance

Since when was drinking and driving shrugged off?

The NFL announced yesterday that wide receiver, Donte Stallworth would be suspended – without pay – for one year after he plead guilty to killing a man who he hit with his car while drunk driving.

Stallworth pleaded guilty June 16 to DUI manslaughter, a second-degree felony.

59-year old Mario Reyes, the main breadwinner of his family, was run down by Stallworth – ending his life and changing the lives of his family and friends forever.

Stallworth got a 30 day jail sentence and will now miss a season in the NFL because of his actions.

Is there anyone in the world that can convince me that this is completely unfair?

The night before Stallworth drove drunk, he signed a 4.5 million dollar signing bonus in a seven year, 35 million dollar contract.

The two sides agreed to a financial settlement and the Reyes family said multiple times they wanted the case to be resolved as quick and painless as possible.

It’s interesting the suspension comes down so close to the return of Michael Vick to the same league.

And this is where the legal system and the NFL rulings make no sense to me.
Vick served 18 months in prison for running a dogfighting ring.

Stallworth got behind the wheel of his car drunk, hit a pedestrian, killed him, and serves 30 days in jail.

Are we saying that having two animals attack each other is more heinous than ending a man’s life?

Drunk driving is the stupidest, most preventable crime on the books, yet we continue to be lenient with people as it becomes more common.

Donte Stallworth should never be allowed to play an NFL game again.

The minute he steps on a field again, the NFL is saying to the public – this man is now even with society after he killed someone.

One year without pay for Donte, might be in comparison to working one hour without pay for most people…we would feel it as much as a feather landing in our hand.

He took a man’s life, accident or not, and because he is rich, or athletically talented, or sorry, he is able to walk away from this in no time.

It’s not fair to the Reyes family or the sport of football that this man be allowed back in the league.

Donte Stallworth shouldn’t be wearing a Browns jersey anymore – he should be wearing an orange jumpsuit.

Enjoy our SIX teams

Do you need any more proof that there will NEVER be another NHL team in Canada?

During his campaign to "better" the National Hockey League and rescue one of it's most fleeting franchises, Jim Balsillie has had more stones thrown at him than Saint Stephen. (look him up)

With the latest news that Jerry Reinsdorf's camp has a deal in principle with the Coyotes' biggest creditor, Balsillie's shining amour is dented and his white horse is heading to the glue factory.

Is it possible to despise a person more than the NHL feels for poor Jimmy?

I tell you, if I was going bankrupt and was going to lose my house, and someone came in and not only overpaid for it, but even promised to move it out of the neighbourhood - I'd be helping him grab an end to lift onto the truck.

The NHL has done everything it can in Canada...expanding back in the Great White North is not expanding the game or growing it as they want...it's admitting a loss.

Canadians love their hockey more than their morning Timmies, so it's not proving anything by moving a team there and watching it be successful.

The NHL cannot earn extra TV dollars in Canada and it is certainly not going to be showing any Calgary vs Hamilton games on NBC on Sunday afternoons.

Plus, by letting one franchise move to Canada - and watching it succeed - the lineup of current NHL owners who would want to follow suit would seem longer than a triple-overtime 1-0 loss.

"Hey, if it worked for Team A, why can't Team B move up there?"

Before you know it, there are five American teams wanting to move to Canada and the popularity of the NHL will rock bottom and be deemed a massive failure.

Bye bye, advertising dollars.

The NHL has been offered 212.5 million dollars for a team that will never make money by a man who owns a reputable, growing company and who's lifelong dream has been to own an NHL team...and they have a smile on their faces when barrier after barrier goes up in front of him.

Enjoy your SIX NHL teams Canada...you will never see a SEVENTH.

Welcome Blogheads

Allow me to bother you for a mere moment as I introduce myself to the blogosphere.

My name is Matt Dumouchelle, I live in Windsor, Ontario.

In the interest of full disclosure - I am a Detroit sports fan - the Tigers, Red Wings, Pistons and sometimes the Lions (or whatever team Jay Cutler plays for this week). But I'm a realistic fan...and a demanding one.

I'm currently the co-host of Rock Mornings with Craig and Matt on 95.1 and 100.7 The Rock, so evidently I have a gift for gab...now it's time to test my gift for the typed medium.

Aside from family, there has always been one constant in my life, that I know will always welcome me every morning and put me to sleep every night...and that is the World of Sports.

I read about it, think about it, talk about it, empty my bank account to it and now I write about it.

So join me, let's dive into why everyone hates the Yankees (and why they shouldn't), the ongoing battle between good and evil (Detroit and Toronto) in the NHL and why the Dallas Cowboys will win the Super Bowl this year...

Let's go!!