Random Thoughts From Motown Mitch: Aug. 13

Mitch Kasprick is the “Motown Curmudgeon” aka “Motown Mitch”

Odds and Ends, Thoughts and Questions, from this past week in sports –

Just so there’s no confusion when I’m spewing my bias, I am a fan of the Winnipeg Jets, Arizona Coyotes, Manitoba Moose, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, Arizona Diamondbacks, Winnipeg Goldeyes, Toronto Raptors, all curlers from Manitoba, and all Canadian athletes competing on the international stage.

I am NOT a fan of Gary Bettman or as call him, Count Chocula. I am a big believer in the 7Ps. You’ve been warned.

Mitch Kasprick is the “Motown Curmudgeon” aka “Motown Mitch”

Odds and Ends, Thoughts and Questions, from this past week in sports –

I am NOT a fan of Gary Bettman or as I call him, Count Chocula. I am a big believer in the 7Ps. You’ve been warned.

1. Jets: Heard coming from the offices of TNSE >>>>

2. CFL: Winnipeg Blue Bombers 29 – Hamilton Tiger-Cats – 23 … The Winnipeg Blue Bombers improved their record to 5-3 which was nice but it was the way they won this game that was encouraging. In a game where QB, Matt Nichols and OC, Paul LaPolice were a little off their games, Richie Hall’s much maligned defence didn’t completely fold their tents and actually held the fort.

3. Hlinka-Gretzky Cup: Canada won a game vs the USA in the semi-finals that should have never happened and the explanation for the decision was what had people shaking their heads. This game was played in Edmonton where they had video replay and video review at their disposal BUT because the other semi-final in Red Deer didn’t they decided to play both games under the same conditions. I don’t know but for me getting it right is the bottom line and if you have the resources THEY SHOULD BE USED. Could you imagine the hullabaloo if this game was played in Minneapolis and Canada lost?

4. Blue Jays: I’m done with Joe Biagini.

5. PGA: With a score of -16 (264), Brooks Koepka won the final major of the year at Bellerive CC in St. Louis. Koepka was solid all week but it was Tiger Woods’ final round 64 that had the golf course in an uproar. Tiger ended up finishing in second place and with a little better play on the 17th hole on the weekend he would have been right there at the end. Brooks Koepka was good all week but his second round 63 paved the way for his victory and his second major of the year. Terrific golf this weekend.

6. CFL: In a game where Trevor Harris went 44 for 54 and passed for 487 yards, the TSN football panel spent most of their post-game gab-fest talking about Johnny Manziel! Their obsession with Manziel is now bordering on sickening.

7. PGA: Phil Mickelson looked like a tired old man last week at the PGA.

8. Hlinka-Gretzky Cup: After getting a gift in the semi-finals, Canada got it done in the Gold Medal game beating Sweden 6-2. Canada scored six straight after getting behind 2-0 early in the game.

9. MLB: There is too much disparity between the haves and have-nots.

10. Blue Bombers: Matt Nichols hasn’t been very good this year but he hasn’t been awful either and that was basically all Blue Bomber fans asked for during the past 15 years.

11. PGA: Some people might disagree with me but I think the PGA Tour has never been in better shape. There are a dozen or more players that could win in any given week. The competition and level of play is at an all-time high.

12. Blue Jays: The hype on Blue Jays prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is so big now that Sportsnet has resorted to showing us grainy SD highlights from his AAA games in Buffalo. WOW!

13. Blue Jays: I’m done with Russell Martin too. (see #4)

14. Jets: Question for Kevin Cheveldayoff: You haven’t forgotten about Josh have you?

15. Blue Bombers: I thought defensive end Tristan Okpalaugo was awful on Friday night. He looked, lazy, tired, and slow. Maybe it was because of the heat?

16. NHL: Alexis Lafrenière who is coming off an 80 point (42G & 38A) rookie season (60 games) in the QMJHL had a pretty good showing at the Hlinka-Gretzky gathering in Alberta this past week. Because of his late birthday (Oct.11), he won’t be eligible for the NHL Entry Draft until 2020. He might put up video game numbers in the Q in his draft year. He should be fun to watch

17. CFL: I wonder if CFL officials get paid by the flag?

18. Blue Jays: I wasn’t impressed with Gibby’s thoughts on the Blue Jays getting younger and rebuilding. He said he really wasn’t interested in having a young team. Gibby likes older players that you just wind up and play. Younger players might require him and his coaching staff to get off their asses and actually teach. It wouldn’t break my heart to see John Gibbons, Brook Jacoby, Pete Walker, and DeMarlo Hale all hit the bricks. Good Riddance. To be honest, I’m not all that impressed with Mark Shapiro or Ross Atkins either.

19. Blue Bombers: Twenty-two year old rookie receiver, Daniel Petermann, looks like a kid to keep an eye on. He only had two catches but on his second catch he showed real good speed and picked up a key first down.

20: Key dates:

July 1: NHL Free Agency Period: Free agency is now officially open and should make for an interesting summer.
Aug. 17: CFL Week 11, Friday night in Winnipeg – Winnipeg Blue Bombers (5-3) vs Ottawa Redblacks (5-3).

If you like our new format, let us know in the comment section or hit me on twitter at WpgSportsTalk or WpgHockTalk

If you are interested in writing for Winnipeg Sports Talk or if you know somebody interested, please contact us at:

[email protected]

We are looking for writers to cover the Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba Moose, Manitoba Bisons, Winnipeg AAA, MJHL, MMJHL, KIJHL and Winnipeg High School or any sports team in town.

If you have any thoughts on any of these comments or questions, please let me know. We would love to hear your opinions.

Thanks, Mitch