Sports Chips.. News From Across The Country

A look at some of the major sports topics with stellar commentary from Sports Freak 58...


NHL

Hossa To Have Surgery?

Chicago Blackhawks' Marian Hossa is battling a shoulder injury and might need surgery, reports the Daily Herald.

According to hockey writer Tim Sassone, a source close to the situation says the extent of the injury is not clear, but if the veteran forward needs surgery, he could be out until December. Hossa is currently rehabbing the injury.

The 30-year-old signed a 12-year, $62.8 million deal with the Blackhawks on July 1.

Last season with the Detroit Red Wings, Hossa scored 40 goals with 31 assists and a plus-27 rating. The Red Wings defeated the Blackhawks in the Western Conference Final before losing the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Final. -TSN.ca

I normally don't start with hockey in the summer, but hawks are my team and this is a major issue if Hossa is out until December, but more importantly how effective will he be once he comes back? Will this injury linger? We just passed on resigning Marty "China Doll" Havlat for his injuries over the years. Hossa has been generally healthy his whole career until now, I just hope he has the surgery, and we don't have to deal with this again. I assume the Hawks were aware of this when they sign him to a 12 yr 62 million dollar deal, either way they better hope this is the only injury he has moving forward or they just wasted a lot of money.
On a side note I included a picture of Hossa and his girlfriend who is not ugly - SF 58

MLb

Matt Holliday will get moved but where?

The Giants and the Detroit Tigers are known to have at least a degree of interest in A's left fielder Matt Holliday. The Yankees have had scouts following the A's recently, and the Atlanta Braves and the St. Louis Cardinals also have been linked to Holliday. Teams also might take an interest in shortstop Orlando Cabrera, whose .382 average in July led the American League entering Tuesday. Cabrera, like Holliday, can be a free agent at season's end. -- San Jose Mercury News

Holliday hasn't had the best year in Oakland, and his numbers have been down a lot, mmmmm, interesting. Anyway, he could be a big factor for a team trying to make a run. As discussed in prior news I think the Giants would be a great fit for him. It is close, but more importantly the Giants lineup is weak, and they need some big bats desperately. They have the rotation, and this move would make sense. If they don't make a move the Giants will fade away. - SF 58


Red Sox Acquire LaRoche

The Pittsburgh Pirates traded first baseman Adam LaRoche to the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday, The Pirates will receive minor league shortstop Argenis Diaz and right-hander Hunter Strickland, WEEI.com reported.

In his sixth major league season, LaRoche is hitting .247 with 12 homers and 40 RBIs.

Diaz is batting .253 for the Red Sox's Double-A affiliate in Portland, Maine. Strickland is 5-4 with a 3.35 ERA for the Class A Greenville.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette first reported the trade.


This trade doesn't do much for me, but LaRoche has always been an underachiever so maybe a change of scenery to a playoff team will get him going. The Pirates at this rate might as well have their minor league team playing at PNC Park, although getting rid of LaRoche is not a bad thing. He has never played to his potential and is a strike out machine. Watch him go to Boston and get hot. - SF 58


The Nationals Are Up To It Again

The Washington Nationals are not on pace to sign top overall draft pick Stephen Strasburg by the Aug. 17 deadline, a source close to the negotiations told ESPN's Pedro Gomez on Tuesday.

The San Diego State right-hander went 13-1 with a 1.32 ERA last season and won the Golden Spikes Award as the top amateur player in the United States. He is widely regarded as one of the best pitching prospects in years.

The source said that the Nats have had an ongoing dialogue with Strasburg's adviser, Scott Boras, but have made no offer other than the mandatory minor league tender that all clubs must make to their picks within 10 days of the draft. That is a standard minor league deal that pays the player $1,000 per month but does not include any bonus money.

"There are a lot of things that are happening behind the scenes that nobody is going to know about because we're not going to talk about it," Nationals interim general manager Mike Rizzo said, according to the Washington Post.

Rizzo added that the team will not be negotiating "through the media."

"People in the front office, we know what Stephen Strasburg means to our major league ballclub," Rizzo said, according to the newspaper. -espn


If the Nats somehow screw this up then they might as well move the franchise back to Montreal. Gm Rizzo needs to lock this guy up before he starts getting annoyed and asking for a trade. With the Nats being the worst team by far in MLb, you would think they'd want some good PR and good will towards their fans by signing Strasburg as soon as possible. However, with an interim GM and sounds like a inexperienced organization all the way around it wouldn't shock me if they somehow screw this up, but at least they have the presidents race!- SF 58


Random

Local DC promoter Elroy Johnson, possibly the greatest hustler since Paul Newman, wants to turn the scowling, surly Tyson into a latter-day George Foreman: i.e., a happy-go-lucky TV pitchman who wouldn't frighten or harm a soul. All Elroy needs is a product and Tyson's approval, and they'll both get rich - Elroy for the first time and Mike for the umpteenth. "He's worth millions if he's handled right like I would do," Johnson insisted. "He could do great ads for maybe Nike. Or hockey: 'If you think I'm tough, you ought to see this sport.' " OK, but Mike Tyson smiling? It's easier to imagine Bobby Knight or Bill Belichick grinning from ear to ear. "He's 43 now, he's still alive and he's mellowed," Johnson swore. "Mike is really a nice guy." -- Washington Times


Five to ten years ago I would have said no way, but Tyson is showing up at events (like The ESPYs where he feel asleep watching them along with everyone else) and does seem to have mellowed out a bit. Don't think it could have gotten much worse after you bite off someones ear, and then threaten several boxers that you will eat their children. Also, he was real good in the movie The Hangover, had a couple lines that were extremely funny. Not sure about him promoting hockey as mentioned above, but maybe promote something to cover up awful looking tattoos. Just the thought of it sounds funny, but people would watch and listen to Tyson so I wouldn't surprised if it happens.- SF 58