By JIMMY D / Sabathia, Burnett in pinstripes, who's next? | Jimmy's archive
They say gambling is recession-proof, that people will still want to try their luck at the casino and might even spend more of their scarce dollars in lotto tickets hoping to strike it rich.
Don’t tell that to the hotel mucky-mucks in Vegas and Atlantic City who are crumbling under huge drops in traffic and watching thousands of jobs go down the drain.
Baseball executives better hope their sport is recession-proof, after the fantastic contracts signed by CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett last week. To nobody’s surprise, the Yankees inked both gluttonous deals.
Sabathia got $161 million. The expectation is that free agent 1B Mark Teixeira will get more than that to stay in Anaheim (or Los Angeles or California or whatever the Angels call home these days).
Wish list items
Reality pills for Craig Anderson. The Florida ‘backup’ is on fire, leading the Panthers to within striking distance of the Capitals in the Southeast. He got wacked for five goals by the Canucks Sunday, but he leads the league in save percentage and was .935 last year as well in Florida. If he’s available on your waiver list, he should be on your wish list too.
A slump for Evgeni Malkin. Jimmy’s continued predictions of Malkin’s pending demise continue to look stupid as he leads the league in scoring. Jimmy still believes. Beware the ides of December, or January or February (we can’t wait til the Ides of March a la Julius Caesar because that will be too late for a slump).
Some attitude-enhancing drugs for Stephon Marbury. Forget performance enhancers, this dude needs some serious counseling. Seldom has narcissism, disrespect and greed been so sickly embodied in a single person. The Knicks cut the former all-star and will pay ‘Starbury’ $21 million this year to stay away from the team.
Some of the same drugs for Sean Avery. No explanation required.
A home regulation loss for the San Jose Sharks. Anyone with Sharks on their rosters have been doing swimmingly lately. Patrick Marleau continues to shine and continues to generate trade inquiries from Jimmy D’s keeper-league buddies. Throw in Ryane Clowe’s seven PP goals and the sparkling start of Devin Setoguchi and Sharks are biting Jimmy’s opponents hard. So why wish for a home loss? The Sharks have been regular-season studs and playoff duds. Too much focus on regular-season goals and exploits will ruin their Cup objectives.
Explanation from Phil Kessel on what he meant about Zdeno Chara. After Chara got an instigator and misconduct on the weekend for beating up Atlanta’s Boris Valabik, who had the temerity to wack 15-game-point-streak hotty Kessel, Chara was referred to as ‘the father of us all.’ Is that some type of paternal, protector comment or a Christmas misnomer that Chara is really a religious savior?
Happy Sundin solution. Mats should sign with Toronto for one year and a prorated $7 million to give his longtime team an asset instead of a free agency goose egg. Trade Sundin to Philly for Daniel Briere. Briere does not fit the Flyers and his contract was front-loaded so he’s more affordable for the Leafs for three more years. Leafs get a body, Flyers get a veteran, Sundin gets richer and goes to a contender.
Floor mats for my 1975 Gremlin and a buyer for one or both of my 1960 Impalas. You know a vehicle is big when you use the term ‘dock’ instead of ‘park’ when you go to the mall. Yes, they are both land yachts.
Next week, tune in for Jimmy’s annual Twas the Night Before Christmas fantasy sports-style ramble.
In the meantime, stay busy and stay lucky.
Jimmy D
jpoole@herald.ca |
