This week in the Gazette our friend Red Fisher is listing the greatest trades the Canadiens have made over the years which got me to thinking about the worst. And without a doubt the worst was Patrick Roy to the Colorado Avalance. Next to the Flyers trading for Eric Lindros it was probably the worst trade in NHL history. The Canadiens at the time had the perfect management storm; a president Ron Corey; a general manager - Rejean Houle and a coach- Mario Tremblay none of whom had a clue. Houle had been general manager only 5 weeks at the time.
So it became Patrick along with team captain Mike Keane to the Avalanche for Jocelyn Thibault, Martin Rucinsky and Andre Kovalenko. Looking down from the Forum Pressbox the next home game my first thought was ---for the first time in my memory there was not one potential Hall-of-Famer on the Canadiens. That was the major damage. The heart was taken right out of the organization.
Twelve years, six coaches and two general managers later the team is still trying to regain it's stature. They finally seem to be on the right track but, for all of those great trades over the years, the Canadiens were stung badly one time and it turned out to be a franchise breaker.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
October 6 2007
Gambling and sports have long been uncomfortably wedded. For worse more than better. The possibility of easy money led to the Black Sox scandal in 1919; the college basektball point-shaving scandals of 1951 and 1978; Pete Rose in the 80's. The NHL had Don Gallinger and Billy Taylor in 1948 and Rick Tocchet last year.
Until recently the incidents were isolated but there have been six major betting scandals in the last seven years including Italian and German soccer, South African cricket and, of course the NBA's Tim Donaghy to name a some.
And now, tennis.
The Russian mafia reportedly offered Noval Djokovich two-hundred and fifty thousand dollars to throw a match in Moscow this year. The watch was put on Nikolai Davydenko after strange betting patterns before one of his matches in Poland.
Where the money's big the crooks will flock. It's unavoidable. The
sports talk stations feature dozens of commercials for on-line gambling.
The Quebec government flogs ttheir lotteries with a whispered and insincere "you have to be eighteen to gamble" at the end. And every day we become a little more cynical. And we have to ask ourselves "are the athletes doing their best or, are gamblers ensuring that they aren't."
Until recently the incidents were isolated but there have been six major betting scandals in the last seven years including Italian and German soccer, South African cricket and, of course the NBA's Tim Donaghy to name a some.
And now, tennis.
The Russian mafia reportedly offered Noval Djokovich two-hundred and fifty thousand dollars to throw a match in Moscow this year. The watch was put on Nikolai Davydenko after strange betting patterns before one of his matches in Poland.
Where the money's big the crooks will flock. It's unavoidable. The
sports talk stations feature dozens of commercials for on-line gambling.
The Quebec government flogs ttheir lotteries with a whispered and insincere "you have to be eighteen to gamble" at the end. And every day we become a little more cynical. And we have to ask ourselves "are the athletes doing their best or, are gamblers ensuring that they aren't."
Monday, September 24, 2007
September 22 2007
This week on Bryant Gumble's HBO show "Real Sports" Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb stated that black quarterbacks are criticized differently by the media and talk shows than their white bretheren. The mostly white media accused McNabb of "whining" because of his 0-2 start to the season despite the fact that the interview was taped during training camp in August.
Once again we don't allow "context" to interfere with a controversial story.
Talk shows and newspapers, mostly manned by whites, almost unanimously said McNabb didn't know what he was talking about. Their defense was the media attacks over the years on Peyton Manning and John Elway to name two.
But, McNabb says there's no categorizing Manning as a "white" quarterback while the subject of colour is constantly brought up when McNabb is being censured.
RFacial times have changed since, fifty years ago, a white Texan named John Griffin changes his skin colour so that he could find first hand the daily hostility and humiliation blacks in American undergo on a daily basis. The result was the best-selling book "Black Like Me".
Most people of colour will tell you that racisims has simply gone underground on this continent. Is McNabb right or wrong? I'm not sure it's wise to make judgement until, like John Griffin, I'm able to walk a mile in his shoes.
[FOR MCNABB'S ANSWER TOTHE RECENT CRITICISM LOG ON TO www.yardbird.com]
Once again we don't allow "context" to interfere with a controversial story.
Talk shows and newspapers, mostly manned by whites, almost unanimously said McNabb didn't know what he was talking about. Their defense was the media attacks over the years on Peyton Manning and John Elway to name two.
But, McNabb says there's no categorizing Manning as a "white" quarterback while the subject of colour is constantly brought up when McNabb is being censured.
RFacial times have changed since, fifty years ago, a white Texan named John Griffin changes his skin colour so that he could find first hand the daily hostility and humiliation blacks in American undergo on a daily basis. The result was the best-selling book "Black Like Me".
Most people of colour will tell you that racisims has simply gone underground on this continent. Is McNabb right or wrong? I'm not sure it's wise to make judgement until, like John Griffin, I'm able to walk a mile in his shoes.
[FOR MCNABB'S ANSWER TOTHE RECENT CRITICISM LOG ON TO www.yardbird.com]
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
September 15, 2007
The definition of "sportsmanship" has taken a terrible beating this summer.
Whatever happened to moraility and ethics in sports? Barry Bonds breaking Henry Aaron's home run record while loaded with steroids.
Eight NASCAR crews have been suspended this year for cheating in separate incidents.
In Formula-One, McLaren is fined 100 million dollars for receiving stolen technical documents.
The leader of the Tour de France removed from the race for ducking doping tests.
And of course, Bill Belichick.
What is troubling is the absolute lack of remorse on the part of the guilty and the defenses thrown up by fans of their sports.
I grew up with the idea that sports was about the rulebook and sportsmanship. Somewhere in that mix was "gamesmanship". But the line between gamesmanship and cheating has been erased.
there was a time when cheating was a rare occurance. Now it's an everyday part of sporting life.
And sadly, the word "ethical" is becoming an anachronism. In today's society the sin is getting caught. Winning is the only important thing even if the winning comes illegally.
Whatever happened to moraility and ethics in sports? Barry Bonds breaking Henry Aaron's home run record while loaded with steroids.
Eight NASCAR crews have been suspended this year for cheating in separate incidents.
In Formula-One, McLaren is fined 100 million dollars for receiving stolen technical documents.
The leader of the Tour de France removed from the race for ducking doping tests.
And of course, Bill Belichick.
What is troubling is the absolute lack of remorse on the part of the guilty and the defenses thrown up by fans of their sports.
I grew up with the idea that sports was about the rulebook and sportsmanship. Somewhere in that mix was "gamesmanship". But the line between gamesmanship and cheating has been erased.
there was a time when cheating was a rare occurance. Now it's an everyday part of sporting life.
And sadly, the word "ethical" is becoming an anachronism. In today's society the sin is getting caught. Winning is the only important thing even if the winning comes illegally.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
June 16 2007
SPORTSNIGHT 360 TAKES IT'S ANNUAL SUMMER BREAK . IT DOESN'T MEANS SPORTS CEASES TO EXIST. LET ME WARN YOU OF THINGS TO COME IN THIS SUMMER OF 2007. TRUST ME NOW.
BARRY BONDS WILL HIT HIS 756TH HOME RUN. HE'LL DO IT AT WRIGLEY FIELD
IN CHICAGO. THE CUBS FANS WILL HONOUR BONDS FOR PASSING HENRY AARON'S
ALL TIME RECORD AND THEN THEY'LL THROW THE HOME RUN BALL BACK ON THE
FIELD.
WITHOUT A DOUBT, OUR NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM, WILL BEAT A TEAM FROM
SOMEPLACE LIKE THE TURKS AND CAICOS IN ONE OF THOSE ENDLESS RUNUP
TOURNAMENTS TO THE NEXT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE
VICTORY OVER THIS CARIBEAN OUTPOST, SOCCER CANADA IN TORONTO WILL
DECLARE THAT CANADA IS READY TO GO TO THE WORLD CUP FINAL.
COUNT ON THE NEW YORK YANKEES CLOSING TO A SINGLE GAME OF THE RED SOX BY
SEPTEMBER. IN THE SHOWDOWN SERIES AT FENWAY PARK ALEX CORA WILL HIT HIS
2ND HOME RUN OF THE SEASON AND ERASE FOREVER MIKE TORREZ AND BUCKY DENT
AND THE RED SOX GO TO THE PLAYOFFS.
THERE WAS THE BORING MASTERS, THE IMPOSSIBLE U.S. OPEN. IN AN EFFORT TO
MAKE GOLF AS BORING AS POSSIBLE BY TRICKING-UP COURSES FOR MAJOR EVENTS
THE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP WILL BE WON AT 12 OVER PAR AND GOLF'S TELEVISION
RATINGS FALL BELOW THOSE OF THE NHL.
IN THE WORLD OF SPORTS BOOKS, THE SEQUEL TO THE TELL-ALL BOOK WRITTEN BY
KOBE BRYANT'S BODYGUARD WILL BE RELEASED. BRYANT'S PLUMBER WILL REVEAL
THE DIRTY SECRET BEHIND KOBE'S PIPES AND HIS EFFORTS TO KEEP THEM FREE OF
CONTAMINANTS.
FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS ROGER FEDERER HAS BEEN CALLED, SEEMINGLY WITHOUT
QUESTION, THE GREATEST PLAYER EVER TO PLAY MEN'S TENNIS. DEPEND ON IT;
RAFAEL NADAL WILL BEAT FEDERER ON A HARD COURT SOMETIME THIS SUMMER AND
NADAL WILL THEN BE THE GREATEST THERE EVER WAS.
AND ON JULY 4TH AT CONEY ISLAND NEW YORK THE SPORTS WORLD WILL BE SHAKEN
TO IT'S CORE BY CALIFORNIA'S JOEY CHESTNUT. CHESTNUT, IN FRONT OF A
CROWD OF 30,000 WILL BRING THE WORLD HOT DOG EATING CHAMPIONSHIP BACK TO
THE LAND OF THE FREE AFTER A 6 YEAR DOMINATION BY JAPAN'S TAKERU
KOBAYASHI. CHESTNUT WILL CONSUME A WORLD RECORD 60 HOT DOGS AND THEIR
BUNS IN A 12 MINUTE PERIOD. ESPN WILL TELEVISE THE EVENT AGAIN THIS
YEAR. LAST YEAR 1.5 MILLION WATCHED ACROSS THE U.S. THIS YEAR THAT FIGURE WILL BE 2 MILLION.
IT MAKES ME PROUD TO BE PART OF A WORLD THAT INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL
EVENTS OF THIS MAGNITUDE.
TRUST ME, IT'S ALL GOING TO HAPPEN IN THIS SUMMER OF 2007. GO TO THE
BANK WITH IT.
BARRY BONDS WILL HIT HIS 756TH HOME RUN. HE'LL DO IT AT WRIGLEY FIELD
IN CHICAGO. THE CUBS FANS WILL HONOUR BONDS FOR PASSING HENRY AARON'S
ALL TIME RECORD AND THEN THEY'LL THROW THE HOME RUN BALL BACK ON THE
FIELD.
WITHOUT A DOUBT, OUR NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM, WILL BEAT A TEAM FROM
SOMEPLACE LIKE THE TURKS AND CAICOS IN ONE OF THOSE ENDLESS RUNUP
TOURNAMENTS TO THE NEXT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE
VICTORY OVER THIS CARIBEAN OUTPOST, SOCCER CANADA IN TORONTO WILL
DECLARE THAT CANADA IS READY TO GO TO THE WORLD CUP FINAL.
COUNT ON THE NEW YORK YANKEES CLOSING TO A SINGLE GAME OF THE RED SOX BY
SEPTEMBER. IN THE SHOWDOWN SERIES AT FENWAY PARK ALEX CORA WILL HIT HIS
2ND HOME RUN OF THE SEASON AND ERASE FOREVER MIKE TORREZ AND BUCKY DENT
AND THE RED SOX GO TO THE PLAYOFFS.
THERE WAS THE BORING MASTERS, THE IMPOSSIBLE U.S. OPEN. IN AN EFFORT TO
MAKE GOLF AS BORING AS POSSIBLE BY TRICKING-UP COURSES FOR MAJOR EVENTS
THE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP WILL BE WON AT 12 OVER PAR AND GOLF'S TELEVISION
RATINGS FALL BELOW THOSE OF THE NHL.
IN THE WORLD OF SPORTS BOOKS, THE SEQUEL TO THE TELL-ALL BOOK WRITTEN BY
KOBE BRYANT'S BODYGUARD WILL BE RELEASED. BRYANT'S PLUMBER WILL REVEAL
THE DIRTY SECRET BEHIND KOBE'S PIPES AND HIS EFFORTS TO KEEP THEM FREE OF
CONTAMINANTS.
FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS ROGER FEDERER HAS BEEN CALLED, SEEMINGLY WITHOUT
QUESTION, THE GREATEST PLAYER EVER TO PLAY MEN'S TENNIS. DEPEND ON IT;
RAFAEL NADAL WILL BEAT FEDERER ON A HARD COURT SOMETIME THIS SUMMER AND
NADAL WILL THEN BE THE GREATEST THERE EVER WAS.
AND ON JULY 4TH AT CONEY ISLAND NEW YORK THE SPORTS WORLD WILL BE SHAKEN
TO IT'S CORE BY CALIFORNIA'S JOEY CHESTNUT. CHESTNUT, IN FRONT OF A
CROWD OF 30,000 WILL BRING THE WORLD HOT DOG EATING CHAMPIONSHIP BACK TO
THE LAND OF THE FREE AFTER A 6 YEAR DOMINATION BY JAPAN'S TAKERU
KOBAYASHI. CHESTNUT WILL CONSUME A WORLD RECORD 60 HOT DOGS AND THEIR
BUNS IN A 12 MINUTE PERIOD. ESPN WILL TELEVISE THE EVENT AGAIN THIS
YEAR. LAST YEAR 1.5 MILLION WATCHED ACROSS THE U.S. THIS YEAR THAT FIGURE WILL BE 2 MILLION.
IT MAKES ME PROUD TO BE PART OF A WORLD THAT INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL
EVENTS OF THIS MAGNITUDE.
TRUST ME, IT'S ALL GOING TO HAPPEN IN THIS SUMMER OF 2007. GO TO THE
BANK WITH IT.
June 9 2007
THE SUCCESS AND/OR FAILURE OF ANY PROFESSIONAL SPORT HAS INVARIABLY
HINGED ON IT'S LEADERSHIP. THE BEST EXAMPLES OF THAT AT OPPOSITE ENDS
OF THE SPECTRUM ARE THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE AND THE NHL. BUT ALL
SPORTS EXECUTIVES PALE BESIDE BILL FRANCE JUNIOR.
"BILL WHO?" YOU ASK. WELL, BILL FRANCE JUNIOR ORCHESTRATED THE
MONSTROUS GROWTH OF NASCAR OVER THE LAST THREE DECADES. . WHEN JUNIOR TOOK
OVER NASCAR FROM HIS FATHER IN 1972 IT WAS A SERIES LIMITED TO THE SOUTHERN
UNITED STATES WITH A DAMAGING IMAGE OF CONFEDERATE FLAGS, BEER,
EX-RUM-RUNNERS AND GOOD 'OL BOYS. FRANCE IMMEDIATELY SET OUT TO
BROADEN THE FAN BASE. HE MOVED RACES TO NEW SPEEDWAYS IN LARGER
CENTRES. CHICAGO AND KANSAS CITY, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, LAS VEGAS AND
DALLAS. IN 1972 MOST OF THE DRIVERS WERE FROM CAROLINA, VIRGINIA AND
ALABAMA. WHEN FRANCE RETIRED THE MAJORITY CAME FROM THE WEST COAST,
MIDWEST AND NORTH EAST. HE NOT ONLY BUILT THE WINSTON CUP..NOW CALLED
THE NEXTEL CUP, HE ALSO ESTABLISHED THE POPULAR BUSCH SERIES WHICH WILL
MAKE A STOP HERE IN MONTREAL LATER THIS SUMMER AND THE CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES. THE FRANCE FAMILY OWNS NASCAR OUTRIGHT AND NASCAR OWNS 13 OF THE MAJOR CIRCUITS. IT NOW HAS A BILLION DOLLAR TELEVISION CONTRACT. ONLY THE NFL GETS BETTER TELEVISION RATINGS
THAN NASCAR. AS A CORPORATE ENTITY, TODAY NASCAR IS IN THE SAME
BALLPARK AS DISNEY AND AT&T. WHEN YOU THINK OF THE HISTORIC LEADERS IN NORTH
AMERICAN SPORTS, IMMEDIATLY PETE ROZELLE COMES TO MIND. BUT THE REST--BETTMAN,
STERN, SELIG, THEY'RE MIDGETS COMPARED TO BILL FRANCE JUNIOR.
HINGED ON IT'S LEADERSHIP. THE BEST EXAMPLES OF THAT AT OPPOSITE ENDS
OF THE SPECTRUM ARE THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE AND THE NHL. BUT ALL
SPORTS EXECUTIVES PALE BESIDE BILL FRANCE JUNIOR.
"BILL WHO?" YOU ASK. WELL, BILL FRANCE JUNIOR ORCHESTRATED THE
MONSTROUS GROWTH OF NASCAR OVER THE LAST THREE DECADES. . WHEN JUNIOR TOOK
OVER NASCAR FROM HIS FATHER IN 1972 IT WAS A SERIES LIMITED TO THE SOUTHERN
UNITED STATES WITH A DAMAGING IMAGE OF CONFEDERATE FLAGS, BEER,
EX-RUM-RUNNERS AND GOOD 'OL BOYS. FRANCE IMMEDIATELY SET OUT TO
BROADEN THE FAN BASE. HE MOVED RACES TO NEW SPEEDWAYS IN LARGER
CENTRES. CHICAGO AND KANSAS CITY, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, LAS VEGAS AND
DALLAS. IN 1972 MOST OF THE DRIVERS WERE FROM CAROLINA, VIRGINIA AND
ALABAMA. WHEN FRANCE RETIRED THE MAJORITY CAME FROM THE WEST COAST,
MIDWEST AND NORTH EAST. HE NOT ONLY BUILT THE WINSTON CUP..NOW CALLED
THE NEXTEL CUP, HE ALSO ESTABLISHED THE POPULAR BUSCH SERIES WHICH WILL
MAKE A STOP HERE IN MONTREAL LATER THIS SUMMER AND THE CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES. THE FRANCE FAMILY OWNS NASCAR OUTRIGHT AND NASCAR OWNS 13 OF THE MAJOR CIRCUITS. IT NOW HAS A BILLION DOLLAR TELEVISION CONTRACT. ONLY THE NFL GETS BETTER TELEVISION RATINGS
THAN NASCAR. AS A CORPORATE ENTITY, TODAY NASCAR IS IN THE SAME
BALLPARK AS DISNEY AND AT&T. WHEN YOU THINK OF THE HISTORIC LEADERS IN NORTH
AMERICAN SPORTS, IMMEDIATLY PETE ROZELLE COMES TO MIND. BUT THE REST--BETTMAN,
STERN, SELIG, THEY'RE MIDGETS COMPARED TO BILL FRANCE JUNIOR.
Monday, June 4, 2007
June 7
THE LAST TIME BOB GAINEY SOUGHT MY ADVICE ON ANYTHING WAS THE 1975 PRIX D'ETE HARNESS RACE. HE WAS LOOKING FOR A BETTING WINNER. I GAVE HIM FULL BENEFIT OF MY HANDICAPPING EXPERTISE AND THEN THE HORSE FINISHED SOMEWHERE SOUITH OF PLATTSBURGH. FOR SOME REASON BOB HAS TURNED AND RUN THE OTHER WAY EVERY TIME I'VE TRIED TO OFFER ADVICE.
STILL UNDAUNTED, I PRESENT SOME IDEAS FOR THE FREE AGENT SIGNING PERIOD STARTING JULY 1ST. IT'S EASY TO BRING UP THOSE TWO BUFFALO CENTREMEN BUT THEY ARE GOING TO BE FAR TOO EXPENSIVE.
IF THE CANADIENS NEED A BIG CENTREMAN...AND IT'S CLEAR THEY DO...THEY MIGHT TAKE A HARD LOOK AT TORONTO'S NIK ANTROPOV...ALL 6'6" AND 230 POUNDS. I KNOW HE'S HAD THOSE INJURIES INCLUDING 2 MAJOR KNEE RECONSTRUCTIONS..BUT IF HE'S SOUND HE COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE. SO COULD ROBERT LANG OF THE RED WINGS. 7 YEARS AGO LANG CENTRED KOVALEV AND STRAKA FOR WHAT WAS CALLED THE BEST SECOND LINE IN THE NHL, WE'VE GOT TO FIND SOME WAY TO MAKE ALEXEI KOVALEV HAPPY, THIS MIGHT BE IT. THERE ARE OTHERS OUT THERE LIKE 6'5" MICHAL HANDZUS...A RIGHT WINGER. A KNEE INJURY KEPT HIM OUT OF ALL-BUT 8 GAMES LAST YEAR IN CHICAGO. WHEN SHELDON SOURAY SIGNS WITH LOS ANGELES OR SAN JOSE OR WHEREVER, THE CANADIENS WILL NEED DEFENSIVE HELP. BOB, HOW ABOUT DEFENSEMEN ANDY SUTTON IN ATLANTA, BRAD STUART FROM CALGARY AND DANNY MARKOV WHO WAS PLUS 25 IN DETROIT LAST SEASON. JUST SOME SUGGESTIONS BOB.
AND REMEMBER BOB...I HAVE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF ADVICE TO OFFER. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CALL. AND THE ADVICE IS FREE. AND WORTH ABOUT THAT MUCH.
STILL UNDAUNTED, I PRESENT SOME IDEAS FOR THE FREE AGENT SIGNING PERIOD STARTING JULY 1ST. IT'S EASY TO BRING UP THOSE TWO BUFFALO CENTREMEN BUT THEY ARE GOING TO BE FAR TOO EXPENSIVE.
IF THE CANADIENS NEED A BIG CENTREMAN...AND IT'S CLEAR THEY DO...THEY MIGHT TAKE A HARD LOOK AT TORONTO'S NIK ANTROPOV...ALL 6'6" AND 230 POUNDS. I KNOW HE'S HAD THOSE INJURIES INCLUDING 2 MAJOR KNEE RECONSTRUCTIONS..BUT IF HE'S SOUND HE COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE. SO COULD ROBERT LANG OF THE RED WINGS. 7 YEARS AGO LANG CENTRED KOVALEV AND STRAKA FOR WHAT WAS CALLED THE BEST SECOND LINE IN THE NHL, WE'VE GOT TO FIND SOME WAY TO MAKE ALEXEI KOVALEV HAPPY, THIS MIGHT BE IT. THERE ARE OTHERS OUT THERE LIKE 6'5" MICHAL HANDZUS...A RIGHT WINGER. A KNEE INJURY KEPT HIM OUT OF ALL-BUT 8 GAMES LAST YEAR IN CHICAGO. WHEN SHELDON SOURAY SIGNS WITH LOS ANGELES OR SAN JOSE OR WHEREVER, THE CANADIENS WILL NEED DEFENSIVE HELP. BOB, HOW ABOUT DEFENSEMEN ANDY SUTTON IN ATLANTA, BRAD STUART FROM CALGARY AND DANNY MARKOV WHO WAS PLUS 25 IN DETROIT LAST SEASON. JUST SOME SUGGESTIONS BOB.
AND REMEMBER BOB...I HAVE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF ADVICE TO OFFER. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CALL. AND THE ADVICE IS FREE. AND WORTH ABOUT THAT MUCH.
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