Finally

The CT Sun finally pulled out a win last night, ending their franchise-longest losing streak at five games and making my waning faith perk up a bit. Not that I'm a fair-weather fan, but the dismal home record and the inability to win close games was becoming somewhat wearing. Luckily the Red Sox continue to impress, despite slipping a bit in June, and the Yankees (even though they mounted a spirited comeback and will doubtless continue to creep closer) look more human than they did a week ago after being swept by the Rockies.

I never did wrap up the NBA season, so here are my thoughts re: the surprising (to some sports media heads) Jazz season. If they can quit bickering and get a good few rookies through the draft, as they have done in several recent years, they may actually have a chance to contend for the title next year.

I just saw the Boston Bruins revised uni designs on Uni Watch, and they're pretty awesome. When I heard that the NHL was going to redesign their uniforms--perhaps in an attempt to redesign league-wide attendance to reach a higher number?--I was, naturally, petrified. Especially after the WNBA debacle earlier this year. I haven't forgiven you yet, Adidas!

In other sporting news, I was reminded while listening to Only A Game this morning that the professional women's soccer league will soon be reborn. I have to confess that I am looking forward to the women's world cup and the possibility of going to a few matches in New England, after all the fun we had attending the last World Cup at Foxboro. I wonder if any of the games will be on Gol TV?

Tip and Wag

I envision this like Stephen Colbert's Tip of the Hat, Wag of the Finger.

Tip of My Hat:

Utah Jazz, for not folding under pressure like they (sometimes) are wont to do. Bring on the Golden State Warriors! (Maybe I'm just a pessimist, but I find them rather intimidating after they destroyed Dallas).

Connecticut Sun, for starting off the pre-season with a win and making me glad that I'm a women's basketball fan. That stretch of time between the NCAA championships and now was a painful month, but I made it through!

Wag of My Finger:

New York Yankees! Why are you paying Roger Clemens $6.5 million a month to pitch for you? You would have been fine! Not that I'm a Yankees fan--I'd like to emphatically deny that right here and now. However, this move is so ridiculous and over the top (in the beginning of May, people!) that it makes me hope even more that Clemens pitches like crap and gives up five home runs a game and breaks his ankle on June 5th and they'll be right back where they were!

On the opposite note, way to go Red Sox for actually taking two of three from the Twins in the dreaded Metrodome. It could have been a sweep with the way Santana was pitching yesterday, but I think they'll take it and run all the way to the other indoor arena where they always get beaten: The Rogers Centre.

Headed for Heartbreak?

I'm sure that I am not alone (though perhaps there aren't many in the same condition on this side of the country) when I admit that I'm biting my fingernails about tonight's sole remaining NBA first-round playoff game between the Rockets and the Jazz. Yes, its the Jazz I care about--I can't help it, I'm from Utah! This is the first year in several years that they have been in the playoffs, and so far all they've managed to do is not disgrace themselves by being swept. In a series that has been characterized by home team wins, I am not overly optimistic about their chances tonight in Houston. Even if they do manage to win, this is the only series in the first round that is even going to seven games, meaning that the winner will meet a fresh and upstart Warriors team in the second round . . . which at least guarantees a home court advantage, but look how much good that did the Mavericks. The Salt Lake Tribune ran an April Fools' article about Karl Malone coming out of retirement for the playoff run, and I hope I'm not a traitor to my team if a little part of me wishes that were true (and also Stockton, of course, and while we're at it--why not Felton Spencer? What the heck is he doing these days anyway?). Not that the Jazz managed to win it all with the StM combo, but at least it felt a lot more likely. Somehow, if they lose tonight, it won't really be heartbreaking, it will be . . . reassuring. Any team that finishes the regular season so badly probably isn't going to make it in the final round, so why not accept the inevitable early on?