Virginia Tech Massacre

With at least 33 dead and 20 others injured after a brutal shooting spree at Virginia Tech, it is the deadliest shooting incident in North American history and there is no way that anyone can make a joke out of it. While the event is despicable, this is front page news and needs to be discussed. Furthermore, this is sports blog so this seems like an appropriate forum to discuss this massacre’s effect on the sporting world. It wouldn’t be out of question that memorial tributes and moments of silences will be held in remembrance at sporting events, but how will this whole situation have an impact on recruiting for V. Tech? One can surmise that while this won’t likely happen again (god forbid it does) but would you, assuming you’re a high potential high school prospect, want to sign up for a school that just suffered a blow like this? Also to be taken into consideration is the prior students of the school don’t have the best reputation, namely Marcus and Michael Vick. Virginia Tech has suffered a lot and this will more than likely have a lasting effect of suffering.

The Black and Blue Jays

It looks like the Toronto Blue Jays are going to have to look towards their bench to fill in for some big names over the next while. With starting 3B Troy Glaus, LF Reed Johnson and closer B.J. Ryan all going on the disabled list over the course of two days, the Jays might be in some trouble. While Jason Frasor could be adequate as a replacement closer, there’s a reason they went out and got Ryan after Frasor’s performance two seasons ago. Filling in for Glaus will be utility man John McDonald and Jason Smith. As for Johnson, Adam Lind will be filling in for him. The word on Lind is that he’s offensively gifted and has the potential to steal Johnson’s job in left with a solid performance now. The real scenario I see playing out - if Lind shows up that is - with Johnson getting a recent contract extension, it’s unlikely he’ll be dealt meaning a shift to right could happen with Alexis Rios being shipped out. Rumours have swirled around Rios before and Lind could force him out of the city inadvertently now. One thing is for certain though and that is this stretch of the season could be the make or break point for the Jays.

The Intern on: Questionable Reffing

Sunday was quite a peculiar day in the NBA. First off you have Tim Duncan accumulating 2 technical fouls while sitting on the bench and secondly you have Eddy Curry going a whole 43 minutes without committing a single foul. As I am sitting here typing this I am still having a hard time believing The Big Fundamental managed to get ejected while sitting on the bench. I could and picture ‘Sheed and Nate Robinson accomplishing that feat but not Duncan. Apparently what initiated the confrontation was Joe Crawford hearing Duncan murmur “The Ball never lies” after a questionable call. The second T came less then 2 minutes later when Duncan was laughing on the bench. What really irks me is that there is no way Crawford could know what Duncan was laughing at because he was at the other end of the court. Seriously Crawford, lay off the boozing before work. This is definitely unconfirmed but Isaiah must have promised the team of refs for the Raps game all the stripers and yayo. One can imagine because there is no way Curry can go a whole 43 minutes without perpetrating at least one foul.

Jackie Robinson Day

Mother Nature apparently didn’t like the fact that players were being allowed to sport the universally retired number 42 in a tribute Jackie Robinson yesterday. Six games were postponed due to rain in the northeastern US to put a damper on the ceremonies. Some entire teams were planning to don the number to honor the day which marked the 60th anniversary of Robinson’s major-league debut which shattered the colour barrier. Other teams only had one or two players wear the number but two of them stuck out to me.

Barry Bonds: Having the most hated player in the league plan to wear the number 42 isn’t exactly the smartest P.R. move in my opinion; maybe this is why their was a massive storm in the northeast where Barry’s team just so happened to be scheduled for a doubleheader.

Rich Harden: I just don’t get why a white boy pitcher from Canada would be wearing the number. The whites broke the colour barrier decades for the African-americans.