In the words of Johnny Rotten, Bollocks, I can't believe summer is over.
While people in British Columbia were baking in the heat, those of us stuck in Southern Ontario shivered in one of the wettest and coldest summers on record.
Just for that, "transition time" just got a little longer for all those over-worked married men in the regions of Canada who didn't have any good weather this summer. And now, on to this weeks questions.
From: Dale B.
Comments: Hi Jim, I'm curious. Are Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster John Madden and Dave Madden (Reuben Kincaid of Partridge Family fame) brothers?
Answer: Hi Dale, what an interesting and complex question. Dave Madden is actually a Canadian. The man who made Rueben Kincaid a household name during his stint with the Partridge Family is from Sarnia, Ontario. Sad to say, he is NOT related to John Madden. However, there are a number of Internet conspiracy theories out there that swear John Madden is related to the former leader of the Soviet Union, Leonid Brezhnev. If you don't believe me, just check out the eyebrows on the two men. They are definitely related.
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From: Stan
Comments: Jim, great answers every week, especially when you found out the one thing that was bugging me about the lines on the ice from your contacts in Buffalo. Anyhow, one question I want to ask is what do you think Theo Fleury's chances are of making it back to the big show? As an avid Calgary Flames Fan, I remember Fleury in his heyday and how he, even being so small, was a wonder to watch on the ice. His work ethic was second to none, and even with his problems, which hopefully are under control, he was worth buying a ticket to see.
Kudos to Calgary for offering him a tryout.
Answer: Hi Stan. I honestly can not understand how anyone wouldn't be pulling for Fleury in his tryout with the Flames. After all the man has been through in his personal life the past 10 years, he deserves to have some good karma. But, even if he doesn't make it, the fact that Fleury is clean and sober and has his life in order is far more important than making the Flames. Making the team is a bonus. Making it through life with peace of mind and your life in order is way more important.
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Dave from the Trailer
Comments: Hi Jim,
As a minor hockey coach and a mediocre one at that, I'm not above ripping off some movie or TV dialogue for a pre-game speech to get the boys and girls motivated for a big game. With that in mind, which is the best one in your opinion? I'm partial to Al Pacino's speech on "inches" from Any Given Sunday and Billy Bob Thorton's speech on being "perfect" in Friday Night Lights.
Stay thirsty my friend.
Answer: Hi Dave, stay thirsty indeed. There are some good ones. I love Rudy so I have always loved the scene where the guy playing Dan Devine gives the speech to Rudy and the rest of the Fighting Irish about defending their home turf. In my mind, my all-time favourite Olympic moment took place at Lake Placid in 1980 when a team of completely unknown college kids from the United States upset the mighty Soviet juggernaut. Kurt Russell did a magnificent job of portraying Herb Brooks in the movie Miracle. Here is his excellent pre-game speech just before the Americans took to the ice against the Soviets.
Feel free to use some of the best lines from the speech to fire up your team.
P.S. I will never get tired of hearing Al Michaels iconic call at the end of the game: "Do you believe in miracles? Yes!"
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From: Damien
Comments: Is it true that you and Fauldsy (Rob Faulds) were the worst two hockey players during Sportsnet Wednesday afternoon hockey? Did you ever score on (Daren) Mallard (Millard) and were there ever any fights?
Cheers
DH
Answer: Hi Damien. While I have never pretended to be great, I don't know if I can say that I was the worst. I am definitely not good enough to comment on anyone else's play, let alone a good man like Rob Faulds. I believe I did score one goal on Daren Millard. It was a great play. Mike Toth took a blistering slap shot that was expertly tipped by RJ Broadhead, the puck bounced off the back of my helmet, off my butt and into the net. Millard was laughing so hard he never saw the puck. I don't remember seeing any fights. However, that doesn't mean they never happened. The sanctity of "the code" prohibits me from revealing any names and dates.
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From: Jeff
Comments: What's your best guess for where the Leafs and Bills will finish this season?
Answer: Hi Jeff, are sure you don't have me confused with well known psychic JoJo Savard? Last year did anyone think that the Arizona Cardinals would be in the Super Bowl? When the Penguins fired Michel(call me Mike) Therrien, did anyone think they would win the Stanley Cup? I am not a clairvoyant Jeff, so I couldn't even hazard to guess where the Bills and the Leafs will end up. Do I think the Bills will be in the Super Bowl? No. Do I think the Leafs will win the Stanley Cup this year? No. Other than that, no one can honestly say where either team will end up. So just sit back and enjoy the ride.
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From: Pat
Comments: Hey Jim, I like this blog of yours, short, quick and you turn to the experts when you need to. On American TV best play ever lists you will see the 1988 Kirk Gibson home run being touted as better than the Joe Carter 1993 World Series homer. On a recent Canadian TV "list" show the Joe Carter hit was listed as better. I agreed with that one, Joe's "touch em all" was the stuff that kids in the park fantasize about, it ended the series and it ended the season. What's your thought on this?
Answer: Hi Pat, I love the question. Here's my list of the best World Series home runs of all time.
1 - Joe Carter in Game 6 of the 1993 World Series. Especially since it was the bottom of the 9th inning and the Jays won the World Series in their own ballpark. It has to be No. 1 of all-time, bar none. Tom Cheek's call of the home run was brilliant.
2 - Carlton Fisk's game-winning home run in Game 6 of the 1975 World Series. This is the one highlight that is burned in the memories of anyone who witnessed what many people think was the great World Series of all time.
3 - Long before Joe Carter, my favourite home run in the Fall Classic took place in game 7 of the 1979 World Series when Willie "Pops" Stargell belted one out off of Scott McGregor in the 6th inning to give the Pirates the lead over the Orioles. We are family baby.
4 - Kirby Puckett in the 11th inning of the 6th game of the 1991 World Series.
5- Kirk Gibson - bad leg and all - belting that game-winner off of Dennis Eckersley.
6 - Reggie Jackson in Game 6 of the 1977 World Series when he hit his third home run of the game.
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That's it for this week. I would like to personally thank the Tennessee Titans defence for royally screwing me over in my NFL suicide pool. That was really nice giving up 34 points to the Texans in your home opener. And to think I was going to give my money to charity. I hope that Titans coach Jeff Fisher runs you into the ground at practice this week.
