This week I was asked to help settle a bet that involved some ice, cold beer. I just want everyone to know that I am more than happy to help settle any and all disputes.
I only ask that if you ever win any money because of one of my answers, that you please donate a portion to the Canadian Cancer Society. It's a charity that is near and dear to my heart.
Now on to this week's questions.
From: Craig in Edmonton
Comment: Hey Jim, a friend and I are arguing about who pays for NHL players' hockey equipment, mainly their hockey sticks. My friend thinks that the players are made to pay for their own equipment and I'm almost positive that the owners or sponsors pay for the equipment. Can you please answer this for me? Beers for Saturday night hockey depend on this answer.
Lang: Hi Craig, enjoy the beer and tell your friend to step up and buy you some of the premium stuff. I spoke to a friend of mine who is an equipment rep for Easton Canada. I also spoke with a former long-time NHL general manager. I also spoke with a current high-ranking executive with an NHL team. To top it off, I also spoke with a highly-respected, long-time NHL trainer. All of them agreed with you. Teams pay 100 per cent for all equipment used by the players.
From: Nick
Comment: Langer, easy question: you are on a deserted island and can only bring three people with you. One has to be a politician, the other an athlete and the third a supermodel. Who do you bring?
Lang: Hi Nick, I love this question. There's only one politician I would ever want to hang with on a deserted island, the man that saved the world from Hitler in the Second World War, Sir Winston Churchill. The former British Prime Minister could brew world class scotch out of coconut husks and regale me with stories about the planning for the Normandy invasion and how he dealt with Stalin during the Tehran conference. If I'm picking an athlete, I will have to pick someone who can take care of themselves. So I will have to go with the man generally regarded as the dirtiest player in the NHL, Anaheim Ducks defenceman Chris Pronger. To pick only one supermodel is really tough. Since my grandfather came to Canada from Germany in the 1920s, I will have to go with a German. That means Heidi Klum gets the call.
From: Scott
Comment: Hey Jim, in baseball, what's the difference between a two-seam and a four-seam fastball?
Lang: Hi Scott. A two-seam fastball is often called a sinker. The pitchers' fingers run along the two seams of the ball. Derek Lowe has a dynamite sinking fastball that hitters end up pounding into the ground. The four-seam fastball is also known as "high heat." The pitcher grips the ball with his fingers touching all four seams. Most top fire-balling strikeout pitchers use the four-seam fastball as their bread and butter pitch. Think about guys like the Ryan Express, Nolan Ryan.
From: Patrick
Comment: You rock the house! Are you a fan of the Trailer Park Boys? They are big where I am here in Nova Scotia.
Lang: Patrick, I am a bona fide Trailer Park Boys fanatic. I have watched every episode ever made and I own a number of the seasons on DVD. I have watched the "Alex Lifeson" episode and the "Conky" episode so many times that I have lost count. I went to West Kings District high school in the Annapolis Valley in the 1980s and I swear half the kids in that school are living the same life of Julian, Ricky and Bubbles. For my money, the Trailer Park Boys is the funniest show in the history of Canadian television.
From: Randy in New Brunswick
Comment: You say you love AC/DC. They are coming to Moncton, NB this August. I'm only a ½ hour drive and can't wait to see them! Do you want to come? We can chat about baseball, hockey, and CFL before and after.
Lang: Hi Randy, that's an interesting offer. I do love Moncton in the summer. I am a massive AC/DC fan. I tell you what. If I can ever find a way to finish my loving wife's never ending "honey-do" list, I will make the road trip to Moncton. Randy, don't be offended if I don't make it. When Angus Young and the lads rip into Shoot to Thrill, think of me stuck in my basement putting up drywall. Don't ask.
From: Shane
Comment: Jim, with the softball season just around the corner, which member of the Sportsnet cast do you expect to have a breakout year?
Lang: Hi Shane, thanks for the easy question. Hands down, the player to watch this year is Pat Tabler. When he's not teaming up with Jamie Campbell on our Jays broadcasts, Tabler is a softball terror. What else would you expect from a guy who was a career .489 hitter with the bases loaded over the course of his big league career? Martine Gaillard doesn't have great speed, but she has amazing home run power. Sean McCormick is the only guy I have seen who can send text messages while playing softball. The real ace of the Sportsnet staff is Evanka Osmak. When she's on the mound, she's scary good.
Thanks again and keep the questions rolling in.
