Hmmmnnnn.... where to begine, where to begin. How about with your statements about hockey's "dedication to fighting and cheap shots in all its forms--any sport where teams are practically required to have an "enforcer" for such duty speaks volumes about that old canard, "I went to a fight, and a hockey game broke out" show that you haven't watched a game in a long time. Although, twenty years ago, each team had 2-3 guys dediciated as enforcers, today, less than half the teams in the league carry one on their roster, and some of them ar no just cementheads but can actually play. While there are exceptions (Boogaard, Laraque, Brashear), the game these days is, for the most part, too fast and skilled, and too financially restrictd by the salary cap, for a team to waste a roster spot on somerone who cannot contribute except with his fists. As an example, the Red Wings don't have an enforcer and haven't had one for years buit just won the Stanley Cup - their fourth Cup in 11 years. Also, twenty years ago, there was an average of more than 2 fights per game, but today, it's something like .43 fights per game. You should check it out some time.
Also, I submit that the NFL is very much the equal to the NHL in cheapshots, with basketball not too far behind (at least the elbows thrown in hockey have pads on them). And, let's not forget baseball and the proud tradition of throwing a hard ball at 90+ mph at some guy standing 60 feet away. I love baseball but let's not act as though it has some sorty of inherent saintliness that raises it above hockey.
As far as your borderline x-rated infatuation with Manny Ramirez and belief that he is or was a preferrable offenseive player to A-Rod or Pujols, I submit that Pujols is a more desirable player, not only because he is a superior defensive player and not a diva, but because his numbers over the same period of his career (comparing the first seven of Pujols's to the first eight of Manny's) generally equal or outdo Ramirez in every category except a slight edge to Ramirez in rbi's.
As far as your inexplicable insistence on mentioning horseracing while, through your Emerald City glasses, you refuse to acknowledge hockey (quick, who was the first US team to win the Stanley Cup?) or comment on the best NHL Finals in decades, I can only mention that you have twice mentioned horseracing of late but have not said anything about the race shaping up in the NL Central
Last note, the two US N4 Rugby teams are playing sort of in your neck of the woods.
