Hit for the cycle
ROMER BAUTISTA STAFF
As the weather outside has already implied, the summer is now over. In the world of sports, however, that means things are just getting started. Playoff races in baseball and the CFL are starting to get interesting, the NFL season has kicked off, and we are just weeks away from both a new NHL and NBA season. It’s a very exciting time right now, so let’s hit for the cycle, as we take a look back on the month that was in sports.
SINGLE: Dream team continues to live a nightmare
The U.S. men’s basketball program thought they had it all figured out. They overhauled their entire team, and brought in some of the NBA’s youngest and brightest stars. They changed coaches, bringing in the best college coach available, Mike Kryzewski. They were determined to improve on their 2004 Olympic bronze medal. Instead, team USA was reminded, once again, that the international game is much different from that of the NBA. During the 2006 World Championships, held in Japan, the U.S. team was defeated by Greece in the semi-finals. Greece exposed the American team for their lack of perimeter shooting and team defence, both of which they promised to improve after the last Olympics. Team USA will now have to go through a qualifying tournament to earn a spot in the 2008 Olympics.
DOUBLE: The Yankees run away from both the Blue Jays and the Red Sox
Sure, it’s easy to blame the Yankees’ dominance in the AL East on owner George Steinbrenner’s deep pockets. But you have to give credit where credit is due. The Yankees made the player-personnel move of the year when they acquired slugger Bobby Abreu in a trade at the deadline. Since that trade the Bronx Bombers have gone from second place in the standings, battling to survive in the wild card, to the best record in the American League, 9.5 games ahead of the Boston Red Sox, and 11 games ahead of the Toronto Blue Jays. The Yankees are now a near lock to make it to the playoffs for the 12th straight year, and many are considering them the oddson favorite to win the World Series.
TRIPLE: Bombers fizzle, but remain in the hunt
Bomber fans knew that the injuries to Milt Stegall and Kevin Glenn would hurt the team; they just didn’t expect it to cause the team to lose four straight contests. Luckily, the Bombers’ recent slide coincided with the Montreal Alouettes going on a losing streak of their own. That, along with the Argonauts picking up steam has left the East division as a tight three-team race. With Stegall and Glenn back in the fold, the Bombers will have to make a strong push in their final five games of the season if they hope to earn a bye into the East division finals. The Bombers also have to find a way to get past those pesky Alouettes, who seem to have had Winnipeg’s number all year. The Bombers get their chance to do just that on Sunday, Sept. 24.
HOME RUN: The return of the NFL season
The Canadian game is fun and good, but for the serious sports fans out there, there is no bigger news then the start of the NFL season. Two weeks are in the books, and while things are still very unclear, there are a few things that we can consider safe bets.
Peyton Manning is still the best Manning in the NFL. In week one, Peyton showed his younger brother Eli that he has a way to go to supplant Peyton as the best quarterback in the league.
If Rex Grossman stays healthy, the Bears are winning the NFC North. The Bears finally have their franchise quarterback healthy, and the team is actually putting up points. With their strong defence keeping opposing offences off the board, the Bears will be tough to beat.
The Raiders and Titans will be battling for the first pick in the 2007 draft. Both teams have had no positive signs all. The Titans failed to beat a weak New York Jets team at home, while the Raiders were embarrassed on Monday Night Football, getting shut out by the San Diego Chargers.
STRUCK OUT: Backup punter charged with stabbing of starting punter
University of Colorado punter Mitch Cozad took trying to make the roster to a whole new level. Cozad allegedly attacked Colorado’s starting punter, Rafael Mendoza, and stabbed him in his right thigh. For his trouble, Cozad was charged with seconddegree assault, suspended from the team and university, and evicted from his dorm room. Mendoza was treated and released from hospital, and is expected to miss at least one game.
