I Just Can't Count on the Riders

Being a Bomber fan its a good thing that they beat Montreal last week. By doing so they put their playoff lives in their own hands. Going into last week, I did some figuring. I figured that Hamilton would beat the Argos last week. I didn't count on the Bombers winning either game against the Montreal. As long as the Riders beat Hamilton this week, and at that point the the Tiger-Cats were not playing so well, the Bombers just had to beat Hamilton in the last game of the season and they would finish second and host the East Semi-Final.

Fortunately the Bombers hammered Montreal last week and I no longer have to rely on the Riders. Once again when the rubber meets the road the Riders crumble. They did not look very good today. They could not move the ball and missed multiple field goal attempts. They were fraught with turnovers. They did nothing to win and as such, didn't.

So this is were we are right now. Whoever wins in the Bomber, Ti-Cat game next week finishes second and hosts the East semi-final. Depending on what happens with Edmonton next week and in the Bomber, Als game tomorrow, the other team may not be in the playoffs. It's all coming down to the end. It's exciting. It's why they play and we watch.

In about eight days we will know how it all shakes out, until then we will definitely be talking about it, a lot.

Fall Classic Time

Well its is set. The New York Yankees will take on the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series. It should be exciting. A-Rod has finally showed up in the post-season. The Phillies looked pretty unstoppable in the playoffs, just like the Yankees. I don't know who is going to win. I am not going to prognosticate on this series.

I am going to talk about the effects of having both teams home parks within 90 miles of each other.

It isn't good for baseball.

I'm not saying that the teams deserve to be there, I'm saying that teams need to be geographically spread out to ensure more people can be engaged by baseball.

Playoff baseball is compelling. It is exciting. Every pitch matters. Unfortunately so many teams are out of the race so soon that people just quit watching by the time the playoffs roll around.

This series is going to be interesting. I will watch some of it. I hope anyone who likes baseball, even just a little bit, watches it. There will be drama.

With the parks only about 90 miles apart, I don't know how many people will really be watching.

Bombers Win...Really

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers defeated the Montreal Allouettes 41-24 yesterday. This was a huge win for the Big Blue as it sets up an interesting scenario. Irregardless of what happens next week, the Bombers will finish 2nd in the East Division and host a playoff game if they beat the Tiger-Cats on the last game of the year.

Here's how.

Winnipeg and Hamilton are currently tied in the standings and their season series is tied. So if Hamilton beats the Riders next week and the Bombers lose to Montreal the Bombers will be two points behind Hamilton going into the final game against the Tiger-Cats. If the Bombers win that game, they will finish tied with Hamilton but will win the season series 2-1 and therefore be placed second.

So the Bombers control their destiny and do not need help from anyone to finish 2nd. However, if they do not beat Hamilton in 2 weeks, they may not even make the playoffs. Edmonton is tied with Winnipeg and Hamilton and if they win their next 2 will get a crossover position as they will have a better record than the loser of the Winnipeg - Hamilton game.

So there it is, after a bizarre and crazy season in Bomberland they control their playoff destiny and do not need help from anyone to finish 2nd and host a playoff game.

The Bet

I made a bet last winter. I think it was a safe bet. I think I will eventually win. I don't know I will win, but there are several indicators that I have a reasonable chance to win. Of course if you have met me you may not be on my side.

I bet my friend Brad (who does amazing card tricks) that I will be married before the Toronto Maple Leafs win the Stanley Cup.

I know what you are thinking, Brent is an amazing human being, how could he lose.

This is more a commentary on the Maple Leafs. This is not a comment on their failure on their spelling. This is a failure on their organization.

Here's the scoop. The Toronto Maple Leafs charge more for tickets than any other team in the league. I understand, they are part of one of the biggest hockey markets in the world and can charge the money they get. The seats are full for the start of every game.

The New York Yankees charge more than any team in Major League Baseball. I understand, they are part of one of the biggest markets in baseball markets in the world and can charge the money they get.

The difference is the Yankees win. A lot.

I do not have an intimate knowledge of either organization's business, but I believe that eventually you must have a winning team to keep the ball rolling.

The Leafs have not won a championship since expansion. This is whey I made The Bet.

A New Undertaking

This is the latest addition to the Flying Cookie empire. Ok, empire may be a bit of an overstatement however, this is another area that I enjoy to discuss and debate.

I have been a sports fan as long as I can remember. Sports are real. We do not know the outcome. We enjoy the human drama inside and beyond the game. Here I will discuss topics that do not fit well into my original blog, but none the less, I want to express. Topics will be at the pro and amateur level. Discussing the top performers and the grass-roots level. I am looking to discuss all aspects of sports.

Please join the conversation and share your thoughts, the world of sports will always give us something to talk about.