April 23, 2009
Hasek has a goal for the aged
By GARY LOEWEN, SUN MEDIA

Never mind that Dominik Hasek is oft-injured and ancient.

The goaltender is planning to come out of retirement and join a team in the Czech Republic next season.

Further -- now hear this, Curtis Joseph -- Hasek hopes to lead his country to a gold medal at the 2010 Olympics, when he'll be a mere 45 years old.

On the other hand, Hasek has never been hesitant to strain our credibility ... or his groin.

Ticket talk I

Major League Baseball's attendance through the first two weeks was down 6.9% from last season.

Now, forget that stat, let's have the games ending 6.9% faster.

Consider last Sunday when the Blue Jays beat the Oakland A's 1-0 in a pitching duel. Only 10 hits and five walks, yet it still took two hours 19 minutes to play.

Same day, the San Francisco Giants threw a one-hitter against the Diamondbacks and defeated Arizona 2-0. In two hours 38 minutes.

So, did you hear the one about the guy who went to a ball game and a round of golf broke out?

Ticket talk II

There are myriad reasons the Blue Jays attendance has been a few thousand off last year's pace.

Their average attendance through seven home games was 22,056, down from 27,881 a year ago.

The Jays averaged 29,627 in 2008 but that was inflated by ticket giveaways to businesses.

This year's numbers are more accurate because the Jays have ceased with the freebies.

There are other reasons, too:

a) Expectations for the team are low.

b) Weather has been too rotten, or too good, take your pick.

c) The economy.

d) No-beer night.

e) The team just isn't the same without Curtis Thigpen.

Bored of trade

Imagine if Bryan Colangelo had taken the year off.

Imagine if the Raptors general manager hadn't traded with the Indiana Pacers for Jermaine O'Neal, and, by extension, hadn't made the deal with the Miami Heat for Shawn Marion.

Here are a few of the players the Raptors would have today:

a) Point guard T.J. Ford.

b) Centre Rasho Nesterovic.

c) Forward Jamario Moon.

d) Forward Maceo Baston.

e) Centre Roy Hibbert, a promising 7-foot-2, 275-pound rookie.

f) A first-round draft pick that has been promised to the Heat.

Here is what the Raptors have to show for in exchange for the above:

a) Forward Shawn Marion.

b) Forward Nathan Jawai.

c) Guard Marcus Banks.

Curious how, now, the Raptors are short an experienced point guard, as well as depth and size. Wonder how that happened?

Winnin' Schuster

A Florida high school senior has pitched four consecutive no-hitters.

Patrick Schuster, a polished left-hander with command of four pitches, is now 7-0.

You'd think Schuster might be a candidate for the Blue Jays rotation ... except he has too much experience.

Blades of gory

CBC is planning to pair hockey players with figure skaters in a reality show on skates.

The odd couplings will hook up in pairs figure skating.

Our suggested matchup: Sean Avery and Tonya Harding.


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