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Random thoughts while wondering whether the NBA — the only major pro sports league with a team in Oklahoma — will have each of its teams ante up some sum to donate to that state and the people whose lives were devasted by the deadly tornado Monday (May 20) near Oklahoma City.
The Red Wings do not have an Ice Crew, but the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings do. Say hello to Carrlyn.
* Speaking of the tornado, maybe providing quotes from athletes and coaches about such tragedies serves a purpose, but is anyone really going to come out in favor of death and destruction? It would seem a foregone conclusion that all rational people with a heart would be upset by such a natural disaster, no?
* Adam Dunn hit a three-run home run in the first inning for the Chicago White Sox in a 6-4 victory vs. the visiting Boston Red Sox. He has five homers and 13 runs batted in in his last seven games and has improved his batting average from .133 to .172. It’s unclear whether improving his batting average another 39 points to .211 would elevate his batting average from godawful to merely awful.
* Speaking of performing poorly, the Charlotte Bobcats are set to hold a news conference Tuesday to announced the team will be changing its name to Hornets (probably for the 2014-15 season). No doubt owner Michael Jordan is hoping to use the rich tradition that was Bobcats basketball to improve the team’s fortunes. OK, so the Hornets’ tradition wasn’t rich, but at least it wasn’t as impoverished as the Bobcats’ is.
* Yes, the Detroit Red Wings gave the Chicago Blackhawks a 3-1 beatdown in Motown to take a 2-1 lead in their Western Conference second-round series. Hawk fans may feel free to panic, although that reaction seems a tad premature. A victory in Game 4 Thursday in Detroit gives the Hawks the home-ice advantage they had entering the series. A loss Wednesday gives the Hawks the need to win three games in a row — something they were able to do during the regular season with regularity.
* So Jonathan Toews hasn’t scored in his last nine postseason contest. Something says The Captain could continue his goal-less efforts and Hawks fans still would love him — provided that the team actually wins. Possibly even if the Hawks fall. Toews has accrued so much good will during his Hawks tenure that fans likely will go easy on him regardless.
* Cubs right-hander Matt Garza makes his season debut Tuesday at Pittsburgh. General manager Jed Hoyer no doubt is hoping Garza can flash the form that has made him a top-of-the-rotation pitcher. Not so much to bolster the team’s staff but to become trade material.
Ice hockey video, anyone? Well, not of NHL players (but hopefully you can find a way to deal with the disappointment). The video research for current Blackhawks Ice Crew footage failed to come up with anything comparable to what the Los Angeles and Dallas franchises have put together. Sorry, Hawks fans (or at least Hawks Ice Crew fans):
Here we go for some video — non-gratuitous as always, thanks to the ever-diligent editorial and video departments at elliottharris.com (and their fairly broad definition of “gratuitous”):
Rest in peace, Ray Manzarek. He was a founding member and keyboard player with The Doors (the group that featured Jim Morrison). A native of the South Side of Chicago, Manzarek died Monday. He was 74:
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