It's the Baseball All-Star Break - Let's Talk About Hockey!

Tonight I am off to the movies (Get Smart), taking full advantage of the MIL Babysitting Service (as are the OSGs) but I thought I would make a few comments about a sport that will bring to mind cooler weather as DC heads into some more hot weather.

The Mid-Summer classic was played last night and as is right and fitting, the American League emerged victorious, although I never saw it as I fell asleep in the 13th inning. At least it didn't end in a tie as they did in 2002. Because, remember this time it counts! So the AL will have home field advantage in the World Series this year. I have been to a few games this season so far (all Nationals games, including Opening Night). I was even at the Nationals game and was transported to the game on a bus that was later involved in this gruesome accident.

So hockey. My good friend, ADR, addressed the subject of hockey during the off season by discussing the moves made by the Washington Capitals in the NHL draft and the free agent moves. The team that I prefer did not do a great deal in either the draft or free agent signing period. They were making headlines in other areas.

First and foremost, the owners of the New York Rangers, Madison Square Garden are facing the possibility of having their team taken away from them. It would seem that the Rangers owners are in violation of their franchise rights, prompting the NHL to sue the team. MSG has countersued the NHL. I don't profess to understand all of the ins and outs of this case, suffice to say that it is but one reason that New York sports teams get a bad rap. If you would like to read more about it (I think I will) you can click here for a good synopsis, including links to the case files.

Secondly, the Rangers have parted ways with the Czech dreck, Jaromir Jagr. Jagr, who came to the Rangers from the Washington Capitals (who paid his salary all the time he was a Ranger), never belonged in a blue shirt. It pained me to see him wear the "C" on his jersey, But there is hope. On July 3, Rangers GM Glenn Sather announced that the Rangers were moving on without Jagr. Jagr, in typical pretty-boy, whiner fashion, took his marbles and left for Russia, signing a contract with a Russian team that he had played with during the NHL Lockout. Good riddance to bad rubbish is my take.

How long until training camp?