MLB General Nhl

Sometimes familiar faces turn up in the most peculiar places.

Mike "Doc" Emrick has been behind the play-by-play mic for every game of the Stanley Cup Finals so far. There is no denying that he's the preeminent voice for NBC and the top voice in hockey right now, despite what my personal opinions may be. The guy can call a hockey game. In addition to his national television duties, he also does New Jersey Devils games during the regular season. The guy is an absolute work horse, doing 82+ games every year. Maybe not that much, but it sure seems like it especially if you live in the New York metro area.

So, imagine my surprise when the guy popped up in one of the oddest places yesterday -- the middle of a baseball diamond. The diamond isn't odd in itself but seeing Doc there sure is. But he was at rain soaked PNC Park yesterday throwing out the first pitch prior to the Pittsburgh Pirates game (I've got mad alliteration skillz). There's nothing wrong with a little Stanley Cup cross-promotion. The best part though, in my opinion, is that Doc got to hang out with the Pirate Parrot. I'd say that alone is worth the trip to Pittsburgh. Oh, and calling Stanley Cup Finals games. That ranks up there too.

This week in Buys and Sells, we're going to take a look at one of the big issues of the week -- playing hockey at Yankee Stadium. It's a special one topic edition! Remember, if you collect four Buys and Sells UPC codes and mail them in, you'll receive your choice of either a Eric McErlain or Greg Wyshynski signed bobblehead figurine.* Jes Golbez and other NHL FanHousers sold separately.

Strong sell: Baseball traditionalists trashing on a hockey game at Yankee stadium. Get over it. This is a sport so heaped in "tradition" and the "how we've always done things" kind of attitude that it's sickening. I love the sport. I like baseball games, baseball writers, baseball players and fans. They're a great bunch. But when it comes to tradition and baseball, that's where I draw the line because most of them are completely ridiculous. Did you know one of the most brilliant marketing/ticket selling ideas of our time -- I'm talking of course about interleague play -- took nearly 90 years to implement because it was seen as too radical. Brought up first by Bill Veeck Sr. in 1909, it wasn't until 1997 that it was put into action. And for those worried about the sanctity of Yankee Stadium, you know, that it might be a mockery to play another sport there, let's not forget that it used to host soccer and football games back in the day. And after so many renovations -- enough so it that the Yankees played two seasons in Shea -- it's about as close to the real Yankee Stadium as Michael Jackson is to the kid who sang "ABC". /end rant

The Chicago Blackhawks continued to make major improvements to their front office by hiring another prized free agent, Chicago Cubs president John McDonough.

While this move might not seem like much to the common hockey fan ("Who the hell is John McDonough??", I bet you are asking), the guy seem to be exactly what the Hawks need: Somebody who knows how to put asses in seats.

As per Mike Imrem of the Daily Herald, The Cubs, under McDonough's marketing expertise, became the 'must-see' team in Chi-Town, and regularly filled their ancient ballpark. If anyone can bring marketing expertise to the Hawks, it's someone who had a hand in shaping one of the country's most valuable sports franchises.

Man, we're talking an ingenious move by both McDonough and Hawks new patriarch Rocky Wirtz.

Odd as it sounds, it already seemed with the change at the ownership level that the Hawks were in better shape in and out of the arena than Chicago's other pro sports franchises currently are.

Adding McDonough is just another giant step in that direction.

With new ownership, new management, more home games on TV, and some fine young rookie talent, it's time for Chicagoans to jump back on the Hawks bandwagon.

One look at the Big Hurt and you think to yourself, "Now there's a dude who was born to tear the hide off a baseball."

But in today's Toronto Star, Frank Thomas tells Cathal Kelly that the one sport he never played, but wished he had, is hockey.

Why hockey?

"I realize how hard it is. I've seen a couple of matches and just standing on those skates and going up and down the floor like that, it takes a tremendous amount of strength and conditioning. Just to be able to skate and control that puck – it's a real talent."

"Early in my career, I played golf with [then Chicago Blackhawks] Jeremy Roenick and Chris Chelios. Those guys were real athletes. They could hit a ball 300 yards like it was nothing. Especially Roenick."

Kowtowing to his new fanbase in the Great White North? Perhaps. But you won't see The Big Hurt on Ice anytime soon. As Thomas explained in the article, "My ankle won't let me skate."

In honor of Opening Day in Major League Baseball, I thought it was only right to introduce you to Clark, the Canadian hockey goalie:


It's a video short that's well worth your time. Play ball, eh?