With a shout out to my man “Showdown Joe”, UFC 100 in Las Vegas was quite a spectacle. I still can’t get over Brock Lesnar’s post fight rant with Joe Rogan. That is one unstable looking dude. Nice to see GSP win again. I swear his body fat hovers around five per cent. And now, on to this week’s questions.
From: Reggie
Comments:
Jim, do you have any good Joe Sakic stories or memories?
Answer:
Hi Reggie, what a great way to kick off this week’s mail bag. My favourite Sakic memory was the moment he handed a stunned Ray Bourque the Stanley Cup after the Avs beat the Devils in the 2001 Cup Final. A couple of years ago I was in Boston covering a Leafs–Bruins game. After the game day skate I asked Bourque about what happened that night. If you remember, the Avs were down three games to two in the series but won game 6 in New Jersey. So on the flight home to Denver, Sakic came up to Bourque and told him he was thinking of doing something special if the Avs won Game 7. Bourque said he couldn’t believe how confident Sakic was on the plane ride home for the 7th and deciding game. Bourque said he couldn’t believe how confident Sakic was on the plane ride home for the 7th and deciding game. At that point, he really didn’t believe what Joe was going to do. Of course, Sakic instantly grabs the Cup from Gary Bettman and hands it off to Bourque. Mission 16W was complete. That has to rank as one of the classiest moves ever in the history of the Stanley Cup final. I can honestly say I have never heard a negative word about Sakic either on or off the record from any fellow member of the media or anyone involved in hockey. He was to the NHL what Pinball Clemons was to the CFL; a Hall of Fame talent both on and off the ice. Sakic also possessed one the great wrist shots in the history of the league.
You have to check out this classic YouTube video of Joe Sakic scoring a goal as a rookie with the Nordiques. Check it out to see what number he was wearing at the time.
From: Paul
Comments:
Hi Jim, hope you can answer a question that I have tried to get answered for quite a while now and no one seems to know. Why do Detroit Red Wings captains and alternates have their letters on the opposite side compared to every other NHL team?
Answer:
Thanks, Paul. When it come to hockey questions like this, I turn to Mike Brophy. He’s like that wise old man that lives on top of the mountain and everyone seeks him out for the true answers to life. According to Broph, it’s because their crest, the winged-wheel rises to the left shoulder where the ‘C’ is normally worn. The Wings received special permission from the NHL to allow their players to wear the letters on the opposite side of the jersey. After all these years, the winged wheel is still one of the best logos in pro sports.
From: David in North Bay
Comments:
Clubber, just wanted to say I love reading your page. Man I was so impressed with your comment when ‘Darren in the Foothills’ suggested you should have your own show. When you mentioned Timmins I was shocked that you even knew about the ‘city with the heart of gold’. I’m from Timmins (born and raised), now living in North Bay. Just curious if you know how many hockey players (without calling any of your NHL big wig buddies) you know that came out of Timmins/Porcupine? If you ever did get a show I would hope you would even go up to Timmins to do a couple of shows. I know you could use my parent’s back yard!
Answer:
Hi David, thank you so much the kind words. If ‘Jim Lang’s Sports Shack’ ever ends up in Timmins, I would love to hang in your parent’s back yard. Maybe we could get some the lads from the Timmins Majors to work security at the front door. Timmins isn’t the biggest town in Canada, but it sure has produced some dynamite hockey players. Of the top of my head, I know there’s Frank and Pete Mahovlich, Eric Vail, Allan Stanley, Dave Poulin, Steve Sullivan and the man that was the inspiration for the Tragically Hip’s ’50 Mission Cap’; Bashing Bill Barilko. Of course, if ‘Jim Lang’s Sports Shack’ ends up Timmins, I would have to have Shania Twain on hand to entertain the audience. Assuming your folks are cool with that.
From: Karl
Comments:
Hi Jim, I’m just wondering what the origins of the term “Ace” is in baseball?
Answer:
Hi Karl, cool question. The term “Ace” was first used in baseball terms way back in 1902. It was a reference to the Ace in a deck of cards. Or the most valuable card in a deck. The use of the term really took off after World War One in reference to “flying aces”; or the best pilots in a squadron. Like an “Ace” in the Air Force, an “Ace” on a pitching staff is the best of the best.
From: Frank
Comments:
Jim, if you went bald, would you ever consider hair plugs? Or is it better to just be bald?
Answer:
Well Frank, I hope that day never happens. But if it does, I would go bald and grow a wicked goatee. There’s nothing worse than a bad set of hair plugs…
Final thought:
I know Mike Toth has talked about this before and he is bang on. The CFL is really dropping the ball by not scheduling a game on the Wednesday after the MLB All-Star game. Hopefully Mark Cohon can flex a little muscle and make it happen next year.
Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter, SportsnetJim.