Soaking up the Rogers Cup

So there I am the other day, minding my own business, flipping through the channels, when I come across a rain delay in the Rogers Cup tennis tourney in Toronto.

Normally, a rain delay in tennis is about as exciting as watching fingernails grow, but something caught my eye. No it wasn't legendary TSN broadcaster Vic Rauter singing "Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head."

Actually, Vic Rauter deserves his own BrockTalk article...who else has the mad skills to cover curling, soccer, ice fishing and sheep shearing? I'll get that one written...one day. But until then...



Back to tennis, the maintenance crew was working hard to dry up the courts so they could get the matches back underway.

Gripping, I know.

Now normally, they'd be using squeegees and towels to prep the courts, but on this particular day, they were all using a very unique yellow fabric. I was intrigued...so I watched on.

Yes, I was THAT bored.

As the camera zoomed in, it was revealed that the object of choice used to dry the courts were...ShamWows!

Hilarious! Who knew people actually bought these things? Let alone a national tennis championship was using dozens of them to dry the courts??

Maybe it's time for Vince to add "...this is for the house, the car, THE TENNIS COURT..." to his sales pitch?




BrockTalk

Believe the Hype?

This morning Brett Favre ended his (9th?) retirement and signed with the Minnesota Vikings. I just can't stomach talking about his situation again (I already correctly predicted he'd be back in an earlier BrockTalk column)...so we move on to baseball.

Apparently, Stephen Strasburg, is Nolan Ryan, Cy Young, Walter Johnson and Roger Clemens (minus the 'roids) all rolled into one.

At least, that is what the hype machine is telling us.

In case you are unaware, pitcher Stephen Strasburg was the number one pick of the Washington Nationals in the last MLB amateur draft.

He has been called a phenom. An ace in waiting. A can't miss super-star. And he's a young man who yesterday signed the richest contract ever for an amateur player, more than $15 million for four years.

In the end, Strasburg may end up being absolutely lights out and a phenomenal pitcher (the Nats and their fans, me included, and banking on it). But really, who knows?

All it takes is one awkward twist of the arm while delivering a 100 mph fastball and it could be "So Long Strasburg!" Careers for pitchers can be like fine china, delicate.

It's not easy living up to the hype of being "the next great player." Just ask athletes like Tim Couch, Alexandre Daigle and Michael Olowokandi. They were all first overall picks and were all first class busts.

Will Strasburg be more like Nolan Ryan, or Brien Taylor?

For his own sake, maybe it's best just let Strasburg do his thing, and until then, don't believe the hype.



BrockTalk

Y.E. Yang? Y-E-S!

How could I NOT do a little BrockTalking about the victory yesterday by little known Y.E. Yang, over, let's call him relatively well known, Tiger Woods at the 91st PGA Championship?

What a story!

Y.E. Yang, the guy ranked 110th in the world, the guy who didn't start playing golf until he was 19, the guy who once did a tour of duty with the South Korea military, is now the man who beat the dude who is money in the bank (or credit union) with the lead.

Tiger had NEVER lost a major championship when leading after 56 holes before yesterday.

The funny thing is, that Tiger played some great golf. For the most part he hit the ball long and straight, but fell victim to a problem that every golfer can attest to...a lousy flat stick.

Watch the highlights, it's all you'll see. Tiger missing putt after putt after putt.

Sure, Yang had an amazing hybrid shot to within 10 feet of the pin on 18 to all but clinch the tourney, but the saying "drive for show, put for dough" never rang as true as it did on Sunday.

In the end, Tiger's fans (including CBS) can continue to fly Eldrick's flag saying "well, he's only lost a major when leading after 56 once!"

So today, let Y.E. Yang have his moment in the sun. He deserves it.

On another note, maybe Tiger just needs to pick up a few tips from Chevy Chase:



BrockTalk

Welcome to Loserville

Back in 1976-77, when the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers were in the midst of their putrid 26 game losing streak (all 14 games in '76, and the first 12 games of '77), when asked by a reporter about his team's execution, coach John McKay replied:

"I'm all for it."

McKay was legendary when it came to one liners regarding his team's awful play.

While they are not suffering through the same run of futility, the Toronto Argonauts are definitely having some significant problems with their own execution.

Last night, the Argos were leading the BC Lions 25-14 heading into the 4th quarter. They were having a great night from their new quarterback Cody Pickett. Their kicker was on his way to tying a team record, by kicking 7 field goals in one game.

But, it all unravelled and the Boatmen ended up losing 36-28.

That loss...is their 9th STRAIGHT at home. A new team record. That, is dreadful.

In the CFL, each team gets 9 home games. So right now, the Arrrrrgoooooooooos have basically gone an entire season at Rogers Centre without a win.

It's somewhat understandable if a team can't get things done on the road. You're in a hostile environemnt, living in hotels, time change etc. But losing 9 in a row at home is just pathetic and completely unacceptable.

Being a western Canadian, as much as it pains me to say it, Toronto is a very valuable franchise in the CFL. They play in the biggest market, with the most corporate money, and with the most media exposure. For the long term success of the league, the good ship Argo better get it together, and fast.

In the mean time, the Argos and their fans are singing this song today:

What's in a Name?

The results are in, and after an online poll by TSN, it was announced yesterday that the best name in the CFL is...Winnipeg Blue Bomber Siddeeq Shabazz.

I can't argue with that (though I do like the name Patrick Kabongo too.)

So it got me thinking about some of the other memorable names in sports. Of course, with literally millions of past and present athletes to choose from, I can't possibly recall all the cool names.

But some that do come to mind are:

Zarley Zalapski
Homer Bailey
Fred Funk
D'Brickashaw Ferguson
Stubby Clapp
Milton Bradley (I guess being relentlessly teased about your name, turns you into a hot-headed ball player)

And my personal favourite...

Dick Trickle

I know there are MANY other great names out there...tell me about your faves!

Leave a comment. You won't win a prize, but you will put your sports knowledge on display for all to see!


BrockTalk

Archie! Archie! Archie!

Heading into the 2009/2010 season, the Washington Capitals have a very talented, but very raw, Semyon Varlamov as their number one goaltending prospect.


Varlamov showed flashes of brilliance in the 2009 playoffs:



...but he's obviously still a work in progress who needs to be coached and nurtured properly to bring out his full potential.

So, to help with the growth and development of their number one prospect, the Caps have opened up the wallet and brought in a man who has racked up 218 wins, posted 33 shutouts and given multiple heart-attacks to coaches, GM's and fans a like with his stickhandling, um, "skills."

The Washington Capitals new goaltending coach is, Arturs "Archie" Irbe.

Say whaaaaaaaaaaaat?

Arturs Irbe??? Was Jim "The Net Detective" Carey not available? Certainly Mike Liut could step down as an agent for a few seasons! Did the Caps even try to get in touch with Pat Riggin?

Okay, Archie did have his moments in the sun and had a career GAA of 2.83, but if you asked any hockey fan which goalie they would want to have mentor a young goaltending prospect...the name "Arturs Irbe" likely wouldn't be the first, or 500th, out of their mouth.

Regardless, Archie was loved by fans and teammates wherever he played. Maybe it had something to do with his short, pudgy look, his competitiveness, his ugly stickhandling and even uglier helmet.

For Caps fans, they're just hoping that Archie doesn't end up turning Varlamov into Jughead.


BrockTalk

Lame-o Brawl in Beantown

August 11 was shaping up to be just another long, summer night on the baseball schedule. But then the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox decided to liven things up with their attempt at base-brawlin'.

Now, I'm not a violent person, but I do love a good ole brawl. Whether it's hockey, baseball, basketball (snicker) or some other sport, just the sight of all that mayhem is mezmerizing to me.

When the Throwdown in Beantown got going, it sure looked like it was going to be a Grade A brawl.

It all started in the top of the first inning, when Sox pitcher Junichi Tazawa hit Tiger Miguel Cabrera. Then, in the bottom half of the inning, Tigers pitcher Rick Porcello threw inside to Victor Martinez, then hit Kevin Youkilis prompting Youk to charge the mound.

In a rare occurence, Youkilis ACTUALLY got to the pitcher. But like many baseball brawls, there was a whole lot of hugging and glares and "why I oughtta"s...but not much actual fighting. Before you knew it, the whole thing was over.

Click here to see it unfold.

The guys I feel sorry for in all of this? Those relief pitchers who sprint all the way in from the outfield.

They see Youkilis charge the mound and go "Fiiiiiiight! Lets get in there...and kick some ass!" But by the time they get there, it's over.

Mind you, they are relief pitchers, they could use a good jog now and then.

Anyhow, the whole thing, from when Youkilis charged the mound, to everything settling down, lasted a lame :20.

It all looked so promising! But in the end, the brawl gets a D+...barely!

Better luck next time boys.


BrockTalk