(Get) A Sporting Life

Oh those poor, poor picked upon Detroit Red Wings fan.... they have it so fucking tough . In the aftermath of losing a game in OT while two players were forced it sit because they violated NHL rules for lying about "injuries" that would magically keep them from skating in the ice dancing exhibition that is the NHL All Star game but would allow them to play for real the moment the season started back up, we are all treated with this whine: Even if the Red Wings won 8-0 instead of losing 3-2 in OT, the dislike and possibly out-and-out hatred pointed in Gary Bettman's direction would have reached firestorm status. Given that the Wings lost the services of Henrik Zetterberg and were able to eke out a point without their top two forwards, top defenceman, their rock-steady second-pair defenceman (Brad Stuart), but lost thanks to a series of bizarre bounces and some penalty calls that will spout new conspiracy theories, given all the "hugging" that was going on...This...

Saw this over at Game Time . And I'm not even a Hullie hater. Its funny 'cause its true.

Word is tennis pro Nicole Vaidasova is having some emotional difficulties that are affecting her game. I just wanted to let her know, if she needs me, I'm here for her.

Jeezus H. Christ. What exactly does it take to write for Slate ? Charles Pierce (who is NOT, I repeat NOT to be confused with Charles P ei rce) single handed proves it doesn't take a whole hell of a lot. The Cardinals' presence in the Super Bowl is fluky and disgraceful. [W]e are going to be inundated with mendacious swill over the next two weeks on the subject of what a great story the Arizona Cardinals are.... We're going to hear about how they magically transformed themselves at the end of the season. We're going to hear about the remarkable comeback of Kurt Warner. We're going to hear about how marvelous it is for the National Football League that a Super Bowl championship is within the grasp of a team so thickly dripping with obvious mediocrity that it's a wonder Charlie Sheen isn't playing left guard. We are going to hear all of this because the NFL and its broadcast partners operate on the very simple premise that everybody who reports—or follows—thei...

...for example, the world may be coming to an end (see the Arizona Cardinals in the Super Bowl last August? Neither did the good Lord above I'm betting.) The Blues are still the Blues, which means lots of injuries. (The Blues lose players the way I lose stool....in large batches.) Even with all that, the development of the team continues on pace. Berglund looks the probable rookie of the year to me, and Oshie seems to have the make-up of a star if he can stay healthy. Add those rookies with the marked improvement of Backes and Perron, and it really looks like the Blues are going places....just not this season. The St. Louis Cardinals? Well, they re-signed Duncan and Wellemeyer. If he stays healthy, I don't see how Duncan survives the season without being traded, unless Colby Rasmus turns out to be the bust of all busts. It is good to see that Albert wants to start beating the crap out of some baseballs already. We shall see.

So, let's see. Our big rivals from the Windy City follow-up their division title with an off-season that sees them sign a fan favorite away from the Cardinals, dump Jason Marquis off on an unsuspecting Rockies organization, and sign a player who put up better numbers than the AL MVP. Oh, and they will still make another run at getting Jake Peavey. As for the Cardinals....umm...let's see....do we talk up the shortstop who hit under .230 for about $6 million? Maybe the reliever with the ERA on the upside of 8.00? And how about taking a run at Jake Peavey ourselves? No, sorry, too rich for our blood, but rumor has it there is a left hander in an Venezuelan beer league we have an eye on. Keep those fingers crossed! Oh, and of course we get near daily reminders from the Card's front office informing us all that it is WE who are the jerks for believing they aren't doing a bang up job. Boy, don't *I* feel chastened.

Hey, I'll be the first to admit that sometimes I'm full of shit. This story in the PD seems to indicate that "sometimes" includes now. Before Saturday's 5-2 victory over Columbus, Alex Steen was perhaps best known by Blues fans for his highlight-reel assist on one of B.J. Crombeen's three goals on Dec. 8. Most of what Steen does as a third-line, checking-line winger goes unnoticed, but he showed again with two assists Saturday that he possesses uncanny vision. He scored a 5-on-3 power-play goal late in Saturday's game, but his pinpoint passes with the game still on the line defined his performance against the Blue Jackets. Steen set up the Blues' first goal with a backhanded pass to Brad Boyes, who moved the puck quickly to Brad Winchester for a power-play goal. In the third period, Steen sent a cross-ice feed to T.J. Oshie in the slot and Oshie rifled a shot for another power-play goal.... Colaiacovo, meanwhile, had earned the reputation of being inj...