It may make the NHL reconsider repeating such events for the coming season

It may make the NHL reconsider repeating such events for the coming season. The Czech Republic may not realize the potential disaster they have caused, or maybe they just don’t care. Whatever the real reason may be, this has sent a trickle of fear through the spines of the NHL and supporting IIHF countries. Remember that at one time, Russia was a part of this trade agreement. We have all seen what happens without them allowing their top prized players to sign with an NHL club. After a horrendous outing against the Pirates on Saturday, the Cardinals optioned reliever Kelvin Jimenez to Triple-A Memphis.The Cardinals recalled Mark Worrell to fill the void. Worrell, known for his unorthodox sidearm delivery, will make it more difficult for right-handed hitters to detect the ball coming out of his hand.Even manager Tony La Russa hoped that the unusual pitching style would give the Cardinals more stability in the bullpen.”Anything unorthodox is usually more uncomfortable for hitters,” La Russa said. “We’ll see how it works in the big leagues.”La Russa also added that Worrell had been on the cusp of breaking into the majors for a couple of years now.It seems he will get his chance.

However, Worrell’s atypical pitching delivery isn’t the only thing turning heads.Throwing 24 innings with only a 1.88 ERA in 2008 so far, Worrell has fanned 38 batters, while only walking 11.During Saturday’s game against the Pirates, Jimenez threw 3 1/3 innings of relief but then jammed his thumb after a swing at the plate. Heconsequently gave up three home runs, including a grand slam in the 14-4 loss.. David Bentley is currently a right sided midfield player, contracted to Blackburn Rovers. He started his career at Arsenal, where he began his career with a bang. In a Carling Cup tie with Middlesbrough, he chipped the goalkeeper with an audacious lob. The goal was compared to something out of Dennis Bergkamps book.Immediately, Bentley proclaimed he was one of the best midfielders in the world Unfortunately for him, no-one agreed or cared. He spent the whole of his next season on loan at Norwich City, where he scored just two goals from 26 appearances.He then made a loan move to Blackburn the following season, and was signed to a permanent deal in January.

Again, Bentley proclaimed that he was the best midfielder in the league, and would prove it to everyone. He got off to a great start, becoming the first player to score a hat-trick against Manchester United in the history of the Premiership.As soon as he scored the winning goal against United, he then said he deserved to have a regular place in the England squad, ahead of England captain David Beckham. Yet again, Bentley was laughed at by the media, who said he was fast becoming an arrogant, sarcastic young man.A dark time in his career came when Bentley pulled out of the England Under-21 squad that would have played in the European Championships. Manager Stuart Pearce was quick to question his commitment, as were the England fans.In most future away games for Blackburn, and even games for England, Bentley was booed furiously by the fans. He made his first start for England against Switzerland in January 2008.In the last few months, David Bentley was quoted as saying that he was “better than Ronaldo, who think he’s good because of his trick and all his goals.” This brought a stinging reaction from the media, and fans as a whole.Yet again, he was labelled a sarcastic, arrogant little scumbag by one journalist.The question I have to ask is, David Bentley is forever saying that he is the best midfielder in the Premier League, and one of the top five in the world. But, is he really?I mean, the only person that has said he is this good is Bentley himself. Cristiano Ronaldo knows he is as good as he is, but even at his level, says he must improve.

Bentley however, says he has no need to improve as he’s as good as he’ll ever be.Is David Bentley as good as he says he is? For me, no. I don’t even rate him as a midfielder.What do you think? Tell me.  . 600 home runs: It’s a plateau that only five players have reached But yet, slugger Ken Griffey Jr. is likely to get less exposure once it hits his 600th than Manny Ramirez got for his 500th.For some reason, unknown to me, the media has shied away from covering Griffey Jr. It’s pretty sad too, because had Griffey not been injured, he would have put together a career that rivals Babe Ruth as the greatest of all-time.If he hadn’t sat out so many games, we would most certainly be talking about Griffey Jr. being to baseball what Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods have been to basketball and golf, respectively.Still, as Griffey sits one home run away from becoming only the sixth player in MLB history to hit 600, it doesn’t seem like he’s getting his deserved recognition.For example, when Barry Bonds was chasing Hank Aaron’s home run mark, ESPN would cut into their coverage to show all of his at-bats. Today, however, all I could do was watch the bottom line on ESPN to see Griffey Jr updates.The only analyst I can see giving Griffey Jr big pub once he hits his 600th is Peter Gammons.