SWBL
With little more than a week left in the SWBL regular season, the Virden Oilers and the Reston Rockets are fighting tooth and nail for that last playoff spot in the North Division.
The Oilers will host the division-leading Hamiota Red Sox Friday night and a win would certainly go a long way in advancing that cause. The Oilers last home game is next Friday (July 6 vs Oak River).
In the South Division, the Boissevain Centenniels, with Zane Sawyer leading the way with his all-star season, have already clinched first place with their 10-1 record. Strange as it seems, no other team in the South has a winning record.
Talk about an offensive-minded league, you really do have to feel for the "shell shocked" pitchers on the hill as there are no less than 48 players batting over .300, 22 of them are hitting over .400 and believe it or not nine are above an unheard-of .600.
The Oilers have two players hitting over .400 - Jordan Cullum and Justin Holder.
Blue Jays
The Blue "Jokes" received some bad but not unexpected news when MLB told them that their closer Roberto Osuna would be unavailable for duty (aka a suspension) for 75 games for domestic sexual abuse.
Unfortunately, his days in the Big Smoke are over, so look for the Jays to trade him and his magical arm and with him being so young (23), there will be plenty of takers. What is strange in this case is Osuna is not fighting or appealing the suspension but in provincial court, has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Hmmm?
Remember Josh Donaldson who use to play for Toronto and is banking on a multi-million-dollar long term payday next season? Update... not happening.
On a rehabilitation assignment in the minors, he re-aggravated his calf muscle and will be sidelined for another three or four weeks. At this rate, even the Oilers may be in the running for his services next year.
Senior Nationals
The Oak River Dodgers along with their 10 pick ups will be going to the AAA Senior National Championships next summer thanks to their big win over the Elmwood Giants.
The exciting best of five series went the distance and thanks to "rubber arm" pitcher Anthony Friesen, who amazingly pitched 13 of the 14 innings on Sunday, they were able to book their tickets to the national event. The man never gets old!
NHL Signings
Stanley Cup winning coach Barry Trotz knew there was greener grass out there somewhere after leading the Washington Capitals to their first ever championship. For legal contractual reasons, the wily veteran had to resign his current gig before signing on with another team, this time with the New York Islanders for five years worth $20 million, not a bad payday for the Dauphin native.
With new GM Lou Lamorillo at the helm, doesn't the Islanders' future look much brighter. (I know, a truly insane rhetorical question).
There sure is a big benefit to winning a Stanley Cup, just ask Washington's "D-man" John Carlson as he recently inked an eight-year $64 million contract that'll see him end his playing career in the American capital. By winning the Stanley Cup, he took advantage of the timing and situation in front of him and was pretty well able to write his own ticket, so he did.
Hockey Hall of Fame
The 2018 inductees into the HHOF are all worthy recipients whose talents and accomplishments make them unmistakably excellent choices.
Jayna Hefford won four Olympic gold medals as part of the Women's National team.
Big Alexander Yakushev, 71 now but still playing rec hockey, starred for the Russian Bear during the '72 Summit Series while also capturing two Olympic gold medals.
Willie O'Ree, the first Black player to play in the NHL (1958).
Undrafted 5'8" Martin St. Louis who played for 17 seasons with the Lightning and Rangers after the Flames told him he was too small to play in the "Show".
What can you say about Martin Brodeur; three Stanley Cups, four Vezina Trophies, the winningest goalie of all time (691) with the most shutouts (125) in league history. Definition of "automatic".
And lastly, Commissioner Gary Bettman, the man who fans hate the most. I'm not against him entering the hallowed halls as he's been the top man for 25 years but he should not go in until he's retired, just like everyone else.
Until next time....
