I swear, something possessed Sergio Garcia to win the first major of his illustrious 18 year PGA career. Before Sunday, Garcias best efforts were a quartet of second place finishes at the PGA and Open Championships. Even as a moderate golf fan it was satisfying to watch he and his beautiful fiancee embracing after the, now infamous, final birdie putt. Congrats Sergio!
James Hinchcliffe. Who is that? We don't hear much about Canada's best IndyCar driver and that's a shame. I get a boost in National pride when Hinch' does something great. He did just that on Sunday winning his fifth Verizon IndyCar Series championship at the Long Beach Grand Prix in California. So why aren't more Canadians talking about 'Hinch? Who knows! He's a pretty good dancer too folks!
The boys of summer are back! The Toronto Bluejays have had a less than flattering start, but optimism still wins the day for me. This team isn't so dramatically different than the 2015-'16 versions of the blue birds when they subsequently earned an AL East pennant and a wildcard spot in the MLB playoffs. They play 162 games before October and I believe the Jays are built to win about 100 of those in 2017 and make the playoffs again. Okay (okay) Bluejays (Bluejays)!
On the topic of Toronto, the Raptors have had a tough run of games with some injuries and have struggled meshing as a team post trade deadline. Head coach Dwayne Casey's hard-working group is coming around though and should push so-called superior teams like the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs should they meet. I'm very excited to write an article or two on Canada's only and favourite NBA team. Coming soon!
Who knows what to make of the dismissal of CFL GM Ed Hervey about a month before the draft and mini-camp. We all heard what Edmonton Eskimos President/CEO Len Rhodes said and the sum of it doesn't really justify the actions that were taken IMO. There's something more to this and I'd sure love to find out if it's coming from the top! That's what's been suggested by some of my sources on the inside. Stay tuned! This year the Eskimos will steal much of the controversy that plagued the Saskatchewan Roughriders in consecutive years.
Speaking of the greatest team there is, was, and ever will be — the Riders have buried their heads in preparations for their April 25th-27th mini-camp at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, FL.. I hope good-guys Rod Pedersen, Dan Plaster, and Luc Mullinder will be down there again to give us their perspective on what's happening with the potential Riders and some vets. One recruit in particular, QB Vince Young, should attract a lot of eyes!
The Regina Pats and Swift Current Broncos resume their best-of-seven (currently tied 1-1) WHL playoff series tonight in "Speedy Creek". Most WHL experts would agree that the Credit Union iPlex is the hardest place to play a road game in the league. I don't doubt it either! Bronco's fans are very similar to Rider fans in knowing that their cheering is more than a contribution to a good night out for all. They'll do it all again on Tuesday night before the series shifts back to Regina for game five on Good Friday. Happy Easter everyone!
The Pats/Broncos series itself has been some pretty intense hockey. A lot of players on both sides were really gripping their sticks in game one, and a few too many Broncos played a bit loose in game two. Seems, so far, that the club that makes the most mistakes and commits the most penalties has lost. The Pats should get it done from here. Maybe one more win for the Broncos before the Pats ultimately move on to face the winner of the Medicine Hat Tigers and Lethbridge Hurricanes series. It's also knotted at one game each. This might shock some but I've got the 'Canes taking out the heavily-favoured Tigers. Just call it a 'Hinch... err... hunch!
As usual on Monday and Wednesday's, I'll be on the Candid Frank Live: CFL Show podcast tonight starting at 10PM ET. Join us at the link I provide in the FB group @kellysblogspot or on Twitter @kbaleblog. Podcasts are a great way to relax, listening in as you do whatever it is you do after the last meal of the day or on a longish drive. Cheers!
TODAYS SHOUTOUT: Goes to the group, WHL Talk, on Facebook. There you'll find all kinds of smart, dedicated WHL fans from Victoria to Brandon and down through the United States. I love how few people there take things past fun and into the personal realm. I just wanna talk hockey!!! Thanks for having me ladies and gents!
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