Deep Thoughts
A few thoughts for another Olympic Saturday morning that’ll hopefully be covered in gold ...
CAN I HEAR IT IN A SENTENCE?
When the Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed Lirim Hajrullahu this week, fans may have been excited. Less excited were writers who will be working on deadline and the guy who has to sew names on the back of the team’s jerseys.
The other day I asked my colleague Steve Milton — he of the football Hall of Fame credentials — to take a crack at spelling it cold.
“H-R-A-J-H-U-L-L-A-H,” he said, haltingly.
Long pause.
“No, it can’t be an H at the end,” he said, quickly correcting himself before pausing to reconsider again. Then giving up.
“I couldn’t tell you. I can’t even say it half the time.”
That part is easy. Hiram Hirah-law-who. But spelling it? Good luck, Steve. Good luck, Drew.
And good luck, editors.
AWKWARD
Hope you’ve had a chance to see the North Korean cheerleading team by now, though if you have, you will undoubtedly be creeped out a bit by the overly enthusiastic Stepford Wives of Pyeongchang.
The synchronized swaying, the group singalongs and the fact that they keep at it long after the events have ended and everyone else has left the building is more than a little disconcerting.
Lest you think it’s cute in some weird way, numerous reports have pointed out they must always travel with both a South Korean and North Korean escort, must go to the washroom in groups and are not permitted to speak. In other words, it’s not funny, it’s sad.
NO POLITICS, WE’RE OLYMPIANS
Early this week, the International Olympic Committee backed off from its demand that the goalies for the U.S. women’s hockey team remove images of the Statue of Liberty from their masks. The problem? It apparently violated the IOC’s policy against political symbols.
Wait, the IOC is against political symbols? What about flags and anthems and showing Kim
Jong Un’s sister with South Korean delegates every 12 seconds on TV?
On my radio show this week, Michael Heine — the guy who runs the International Centre for Olympic Studies at Western University — burst out laughing at the suggestion that the Olympics are somehow apolitical.
“That’s exactly the paradox of the whole thing. In principle, the IOC insists on this rule, claims it is valuable and keeps the interference of political interests out of the Games ... and then they hoist the flag.”
IT’S COMING
The new location of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame was supposed to be in its new site at the north end of Tim Hortons Field by last year. Obviously, that deadline was missed. But hall executive director Mark DeNobile says it hasn’t been forgotten or abandoned. To the contrary, it’s getting close.
“Hopefully we’ll have something by June 1,” he says.
Also expected to be done by Opening Day is the relocation of the metal statue that stood in front of the hall for years — Touchdown Tin Man — to somewhere near Gate 3 on Melrose.
YOU REALLY WANT THIS?
“Back in Texas where it all started,” Johnny Manziel tweeted this week. “I’ll be joining @TheSpringLeague in Austin to get #ComoebackSZN started! Can’t wait to get back on the field and show NFL scouts what I can do! #cantwaitforspring” Wait, NFL scouts? Not just scouts? Not NFL and CFL scouts? Not football people?
Yup, Johnny Football really is deeply committed to the CFL and the Ticats.
BOARD, NOT BORED
Nearly halfway through the Olympics the United States had just four gold medals. All were in snowboarding. Remove that discipline from the Games and the U.S. would’ve be tied in topspot-on-the-podium finishes with Lebanon, Thailand, Tonga and Kenya.
At least until their skiing team finally broke through on Thursday.
THAT’S A LONG TIME
So much was said this week about the length of Jerry Howarth’s career after the longtime Blue Jays’ radio broadcaster announced his retirement. All warranted. The 71-year-old hung up his microphone after 36 years.
Consider this, though. For all his longevity, Howarth was five when Vin Scully began calling Dodgers’ games. He only retired last year.
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE
Sports Illustrated has a video on its website about the making of its swimsuit issue. Which raises the question: Is anyone actually confused about this? A woman in a bikini (or less). A camera. A beach. Voila, swimsuit edition.
What’s that? This wasn’t really supposed to be an educational video? Oh. Gotcha.
TWO LOVE
Eugenie Bouchard is in the swimsuit edition again this season. Unconfirmed reports say she scheduled all her photo shoots for the days second-round matches would be played.
THAT NEVER HAPPENS
It appears both the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings will miss the playoffs this year. The last time both were on the outside looking in during a Stanley Cup tournament was 1968-69.
Montreal also appears to be out of the mix. The last time Detroit, Chicago and Montreal all missed the playoffs was ... never.
THEY’RE IN
With their win over the Soo Greyhounds on the weekend, the Hamilton Bulldogs clinched a playoff spot. If you’re thinking it’s awfully early to have done that, well, you’re right. It is. Hamilton is the only Eastern Conference team to reach that point this season.
Part of the reason for that? The Bulldogs are, by far, the best road team in the conference having won 16 games away from home and lost just nine (including three in overtime).
TROY OF GLASS
The Toronto Blue Jays open training camp on Tuesday. In a related story, Troy Tulowitzki is already hurt. Apparently he has a bone spur in his heel.
Sounds about right.