"The Most Ambitious Single Media Project In History"

From today's Globe and Mail:

The ambition of this year's Olympic Games coverage - and the reason why I admire Bob Costas.

Time To Play Catch-Up...

It's been a while, mainly because summer turns the sports fan's mind to thoughts of things that aren't athletic, since the middle of the baseball season and the beginning of the CFL season aren't exactly huge draws. But, these last few weeks have seen some great and awful things in the sporting world, so it's time to play catch-up...

- This week, Toronto is the centre of the sporting world, and still no one seems to care. Fed and Rafa, Canadian Open with a real shot of a Canadian winning it, MLS All-star game with soccer's biggest star, David Beckham, and the Jays host Seattle and Asia's most famous baseball star, Ichiro. But yet, there is no buzz, no talk, no nothing here in the GTA. But if the Leafs were playing, watch out!

- Speaking of the Leafs, (former) captain Mats Sundin reportedly said that he will make his decision regarding his playing future on August 1. Funny, I thought it would take longer, but I just hope he sticks to it so we don't have to hear about this anymore.

- Hey, possible retirements! While we're on the subject, what of Mr. Brett Favre? The latest news is that NFL Commissioner Gordon - oops Goodell - (sorry, Dark Knight hangover) wants the Pack to deal him. In any other league would the Commissioner openly tell a team what to do regarding one of their players? While I agree with Goodell, it's not his place to say, and it speaks to the arrogance of the league and its leader. Here's hoping, though, that the Packers trade the old man quickly to an AFC team that will fail to make a mark this season, if only to shut Favre up once and for all.

- The Jays, meanwhile, are 14-12 under Cito Gaston since his return. Good? Yes. But not great, and this team needs great if there's any hope for 2008. They need to win these next two in Baltimore and take the series against Seattle to gain some confidence, because after that, the Rays come to T.O., and Tampa Bay has dominated Toronto this year. Ah, who are we kidding? There's always next year.

Wow, do I hate the summer. Only 6 weeks until the baseball season gets interesting and real football begins. Until then, I'll be watching tennis and golf on the off chance something interesting happens. If not, the Jays will be on, and I'll continue to be disappointed.

Thought Of The Day

http://egan.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/02/save-the-press/

Something every budding journalist, and everyone concerned about the state of the world, should read.

I Don't Know If I'd Call It A Frenzy...

So, Happy Canada Day and all that. Canada's lone baseball team is playing a series on the other side of the continent in another country. Remember when Canada Day weekend meant the Jays played the Expos every year? Ah, memories.

But of course, July 1 is the first day for unrestricted free agents to sign with new teams in the NHL. There were plenty of signings to satisfy the cravings of hockey fans who cannot wait the 3 months in between the draft and training camp, so let's break them down.

First, Brian Campbell signed the biggest deal of the day, going to Chicago for 8 years. Nice to see him mention the classy nature of the Sharks organization twice to James Duthie on TSN. Good luck, Brian. Your playing elsewhere next year helps me forget that you were in the penalty box for the elimination goal against Dallas. But, he's a great player and Chicago is looking dangerous in the years ahead - the next Pittsburgh. And apparently he owes Duthie dinner...

Speaking of Chicago, they also picked up Cristobel Huet today to (presumably) back up Nik Khabibulin. But, as was pointed out by Gord Miller, the B-Hawks are over the cap right now, and with two quality goalies, does this mean the end of the Bulin Wall in Chicago? Seriously, name the last team with two starting goalies that won the Cup. Exactly. One of these two will fail and either be traded or released by this time next year. Mark my words, it'll be Nik.

Meanwhile, Huet's former team, Washington, let him and his competition last year, Oleg Kolzig, go. So, to make up for it, they signed - say it with me now - former Hart Trophy winner Jose Theodore for 2 years. You know, Jon Stewart said it best about Sly Stallone, and it's oddly appropriate in this case: Once you win an Oscar, they can't take it away from you for any reason. So why would a team with 2 quality starting tenders let them both go to sign Theodore? Between Chicago, Tampa Bay (Kolzig's new home) and Washington, there will be failure in 2009.
And of course, it wouldn't be a free agent discussion with Mats Sundin, who was offered $20 million over 2 years to play in Vancouver. And of course, we won't hear his decision until, what? Thanksgiving?

All in all, not a bad day for these players. Once Marian Hossa and Jaromir Jagr sign, though, the frenzy will be over.

Oh.

The Jays are wearing red-coloured logos on their hats. That makes up for it.