Team Canada is off to their best ever start at the 23rd Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea as we, at the time of this writing (four days) have already won 10 medals, (and probably many more by the time you read this), including three gold. After winning gold in the team figure skating event and men's moguls, Kaitlyn Lawes and John Morris added to the Canuck collection (say that three times) when they defeated Switzerland in the mixed doubles curling event. They were easily the class of the field, getting stronger as the competition went on and all of this from a "team" that was hastily put together back home.
There are many more medals out there for the taking and there is no doubt Canada should/will capture their fair share, or let's hope so. We have excellent chances to strike gold in ice hockey and curling (by both men and women), figure skating (singles and doubles), ice dance, short track skating and snowboarding. We still hold the record for the most gold medals won at a single Games, trivia time, how many and which Games?
How's this for political correctness? The IOC was considering asking the goalies for the American hockey teams to remove the "Statue of Liberty" symbol from their masks as it may be deemed too political and may go against the Olympic code which prohibits any political symbol from being used on uniforms or equipment. After much discussion and veiled threats, cooler heads finally prevailed, along with a little common sense, and it was decided "all is good" and that the symbols could stay on.
NFL
The 49ers must have a hell of a lot of confidence in Jimmy Garoppolo as the former backup QB to Tom Brady just signed a record breaking contract with San Francisco worth an average of $27.5 million per season over six years, the highest in NFL history, with $77 mil in bonuses. What's crazier is that he has started only seven regular season games in his entire career. (Brady, being a team player wanting to spread the "gravy" around, took home only $14 million this season). How do you justify such an enormous payout to an unproven, untested pivot? It just doesn't make sense and for the 49ers’ sake, let's hope it doesn't blow up in their face.
MLB
After losing ace pitcher Jake Arrieta, the Chicago Cubs didn't waste any time finding his replacement as they have signed Yu Darvish away from the Texas Rangers in a mega six-year, $126 million deal. What's equaling amazing, or even more so, is that all of the money is guaranteed, something you rarely see, meaning no matter what happens to Darvish, including injuries, poor performance or being released, he gets paid out fully until the end of his contract.
By the way, the NFL is the only professional sports league that doesn't give out guaranteed contracts, which is why so many players receive such huge signing bonuses.
In a very classy, not to mention deserving decision, the Toronto Blue Jays will honour their former star pitcher, Roy "Doc" Halliday, when they retire his jersey at home on Opening Day come Spring. The two-time Cy Young award winner was killed when his plane, which he was piloting, crashed while he was doing maneuvers off the Florida coast.
Trivia time #2, for Blue Jays' fans, what was his number?
Oil Caps
With only six games left on their schedule and already assured of a playoff spot, the Oil Caps are looking to solidify their hold on second place this weekend when they host the Winkler Flyers and the Selkirk Steelers Friday and Saturday, respectfully. With the Portage Terriers breathing down their necks, only one point behind, this is definitely not a good time to become complacent. Pedal to the metal comes to mind.
Trivia answer, #1) 14 gold in the XXI Olympiad held in Vancouver in 2010. #2) Doc wore #32. (He wore #34 with the Phillies).
Until next time...
