While Steve Nash made history in the NBA this season by becoming the first player from north of the border to win the MVP award, this is also the year of the Canadian in another sport.
There are 15 Canadians in Major League Baseball this season and most of them are closer to all-star than also-ran status.
In fact, if Canada gets to use all these guys in the World Baseball Classic slated for next spring, you really have to like this country's chances. Seriously.
The outfield alone could include one former MVP in Larry Walker and two future ones in 2004 NL rookie of the year Jason Bay (.281, 10 HR 23 RBI), and Minnesota Twins stud Justin Morneau (.319, 7 HR, 29 RBI).
Infielders include Anola's Corey Koskie (.248, 7 HR, 16 RBI before getting hurt), Atlanta Braves utility man Pete Orr and veteran slugger Matt Stairs.
The pitching staff should be outstanding, led by Baltimore lefty Erik Bedard (5-1, 2.08 ERA), Colorado's Jeff Francis (4-2, 4.88 ... not bad for Coors Field) and Oakland's Rich Harden (2-3, 2.80).
Rounding out the squad will be an outstanding relief corps, led by former Cy Young winner and save king Eric Gagne of the Dodgers, part-time closers Ryan Dempster of the Cubs and Chris Reitsma of the Braves and quality set-up men Rheal Cormier of the Phillies, Jesse Crain of the Twins and Paul Quantrill of the Yankees.
If they can bring all those players together for the world tournament, it could be a very pleasant March for Canadian baseball fans.
If the first two months of this season are any indication, it should be a fine summer as well.
FANDEMONIUM: The Winnipeg Blue Bombers open training camp today and expectations are, well, moderate to negligible. Many pundits are picking the Bombers to hit rock bottom this year following a steady decline since their 2001 Grey Cup appearance. The CFL team is using the slogan "Free the Fan" this year, which we can only hope means they will free said fan of mediocre football. It's got to be better than last year's slogan, "We all Live and Breathe Football." The Bombers lived it, the fans breathed it and it didn't smell so good.
THIS IS THE YEAR: Great news for long-suffering Toronto Maple Leafs fans. The Buds are on the verge of winning the Stanley Cup in the Canadian Press fantasy NHL season produced by EA Sports. The Leafs look like good bets to beat the Calgary Flames in the league final and to be sure EA sports will produce a virtual parade to follow, complete with burning cars on the streets of the Big Smoke. Say, while we're at this completely unrealistic fantasy stuff, is there any chance of meeting Angelina Jolie? ... After avoiding a nasty tumble and then going on to win the Preakness in a runaway, shouldn't Afleet Alex's next job be as personal trainer for Perdita Felicien? ... Rumour has it the Blue Bombers have had some interesting names on their player neg list in the past, like sprinter Donovan Bailey, Deion Sanders and wrassler Brock Lesnar. Why not go for Afleet Alex? He runs well, is tough to bring down and is a real horse.
WHAT'S IN A NAME: After his recent embarrassment, getting caught with a phallic device to avoid drug tests and all, we're sure glad that Vikings running back is named Onterrio Smith instead of Manitobbah ... The NHL now wants to test a rule that radically changes the way offside is called, eliminating all neutral-ice lines. Just how messed up does your game have to be considering a complete overhaul of rules that produced exciting hockey for 90-odd pre-Bettman years?
