Down Time..... - 6/30/11

The NHL and NBA Playoffs have officially been history for a few weeks now. Beantown is still all smiles after their B's brought home their first Stanley Cup since 1972. The entire basketball population outside of Miami is still reveling in Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks defeating the mighty Heat for the NBA Title. Vancouver and Miami are still feeling the aftershocks. The NHL Hot Stove season officially begins on July 1st. However, many prime UFAs have already either re-signed with their current teams or had their rights traded away. Plus, the NHL is notorious for having a flurry of activity on the 1st and then having its Hot Stove season fade away.

Now, while I'm very excited for the NHL Hot Stove season, I still feel a large sporting void at the moment. There are some interesting developments on the MLB landscape. The Mets are scoring runs at a franchise-record rate and are two games above .500. The Pirates are still relevant as we head towards the All-Star Break. Cliff Lee had a June to remember (5-0, 0.21 ERA). Jim Leyland went on an unbelievable tirade. The Dodgers are an absolute embarrassment. But these things just aren't holding the interest of many (myself included) right now. The NBA had an abysmal draft and is now charging full-speed ahead towards a lockout. The NHL will have its free-agent flurry and then take a breather until September. The NFL is still in full lockout mode (over 100 days now) although there have been several secret negotiations recently.

So what to do with all this down time? Here are a few ideas.

Idea #1: Watch the FIFA Women's World Cup.

The US Women's Team is looking to add a third title to its resume (and a third star to its jersey) but is considered the underdog as two-time defending champion (and host country) Germany is widely considered the favorite. Brazil, with superstar Marta, is also among the favorites as the South Americans seek their first World Cup on the women's side. The US started the festivities with a solid 2-0 victory over North Korea, the same squad against which they opened the 2007 World Cup. The US women play an aggressive, athletic brand of soccer that is fun to watch. Also, there are some very good-looking ladies patrolling the pitch out there. Hope Solo, Alex Morgan, and Lauren Cheney immediately come to mind. Big props to Jersey Girls Heather O'Reilly and Carli Lloyd. Extremely talented, widely respected, and quite gorgeous.

Idea #2: Watch what's left of Wimbledon.

Roger Federer may be history and Maria Sharapova may be the one name left on the women's side but it's still Wimbledon. The fortnight at the All-England Club is still the seminal event in tennis. It is also one of the few places in sport that is still pure and not running rampant with corporate signage.

Idea #3: Watch the British Open.

Tiger Woods may still be on the shelf with an injury but the rise of Rory McIlroy and his emphatic US Open triumph has officially kicked off a new era in the PGA. Golfers seem genuinely happy for his success and at just 22 years of age, McIlroy is poised for a good, long run atop the game of golf.

Idea #4: Catch a minor league baseball game.

Whether you go watch an affiliate or an independent club, the cheap ticket price and fan-friendly atmosphere is sure to brighten even the dimmest of spirits.

Idea #5: Count the hours and pray.

Now, I will probably do all of the aforementioned ideas but this one is the idea I will be pressing the most. Count the hours until fall practices begin and the college football season gets closer to its majestic kickoff. Then, while thoroughly enjoying all that college football has to offer, pray that Roger Goodell and DeMaurice Smith can come to an agreement and allow the NFL to resume its normal business practices.

Some other quick notes:

1. The highlight of the NBA Draft was without a doubt the ridiculous makeout session put on by Jan Vesely and his hot girlfriend. After being picked sixth by the Washington Wizards, the Czech forward got up to walk to the podium and was pulled back in for some face-sucking time by his girl. You really can't fault either one of them. They both just became millionaires. And hey, if I had a girl that hot, I would take advantage of every opportunity I had to makeout with her.

2. Congrats to the South Carolina Gamecocks on repeating as College World Series champions. The championship series was a good old-fashioned SEC tilt between SC and Florida. Very entertaining baseball on all fronts. The new TD Ameritrade Park looked great and changed the dynamic of the CWS...for the forseeable future.

3. Still in shock over all the wheeling and dealing done by the Philadelphia Flyers this offseason. Jeff Carter and Mike Richards out the door. Ilya Bryzgalov brought in with a 9-year deal to solve their goaltending woes. Rampant rumors that they will send an offer sheet to Tampa Bay scorer Steven Stamkos. Considering this team won the Atlantic Division this past season and went to the Stanley Cup Finals the year before, you really have to wonder what the locker room chemistry was like. You don't just trade away your captain on a whim. Columbus (to get Carter) and Los Angeles (to get Richards) both gave up a lot but you have to say it's a win for both of those clubs. Columbus needed to make a move to show their fan base they're serious about winning as they've only made one postseason appearance in franchise history. Los Angeles got the center they so desperately craved for the last several seasons. Admittedly, I enjoy LA and if I had to pick a Western Conference team to root for, they would be it. So I'm pumped to see Richards head to LA and even more excited that it weakens the Flyers. I hate Philly! Let's go Devils!

4. Beyond excited that hockey is back in Winnipeg and that True North Sports and Entertainment got it right in naming the team the Jets. There will be many whiteouts to be certain at the MTS Centre this season.

5. As free agency begins, Zach Parise, Andy Greene, & Johan Hedberg are still unsigned and Jersey's Team is still sorely in need of a veteran, puck-moving defenceman. Here's hoping the UFA period is kind to my Devils and that first-round draft pick Adam Larsson delivers.

Until next time.

- Meech