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And your heart beats so slow
Through the rain and fallen snow
Across the fields of mourning
Lights in the distance

- Paul Hewson, “A Sort Of Homecoming”

The Toronto Maple Leafs officially came back to life with the announcement that Brian Burke will take on the role of President and General Manager. Intelligent and compassionate souls, driven away by the sordid machinations of the putrid and the vile, can now begin the long journey back to the storied franchise. Whatever caused you to burn that blue and white jersey, be it disgust with players like Tie Domi, or the transparent stupidity of Peddie and Ferguson, it is time to rejoice. Burke is a ferociously intelligent man who will mold a strong and vibrant team. Just like he did in Vancouver, and just like he did in Anaheim. He has numerous enemies, natural for a man of integrity in a game full of riverboat gamblers and opportunistic snakes, but the pervasiveness of their insipid views surprised me. I remember when the Leafs acquired Doug Gilmour all those years ago. I went out to my local to celebrate and was astonished to find crestfallen Leaf fans, bemoaning the loss of Gary Leeman. History repeats itself with the ever dumb Bud fan not appreciating the sheer excitement this moment should engender. The Leafs are back in business! The Leafs are players again! Can I get a whoop whoop whoop from the boys in the back! Trust me, the journey of a lifetime for a hockey fan in this city starts now…o k, everyone take a deep breath and let’s get back to work…Teemu Selanne leads the league with eleven power play goals for the Anaheim Ducks…Philadelphia Flyer Simon Gagne leads the league with an astonishing four short handed goals……lovely turkey day as our generosity, giving points all ‘round, caused our NFL picks to roll to a robust three and zip. Guess this old dog can still hunt…lay the five and take Peyton Manning over Romeo Crennel’s bungling Browns Sunday…did not see this coming;  if the favoured Raiders batter the Chiefs on Sunday, and the ‘dog Denver Broncos drop to New Yorks ever lovin’ Jets, then, by golly, the Al Davis malcontents have an outside chance to win the AFC West. To win the AFC West. The Raiders…can’t understand how Stephon Marbury, disgruntled New York Knicks guard, can refuse to play, as he did the other night against the Detroit Pistons, and not been found in breach of contract…Marbury, by the way, was once a personal hero. A few years back he commissioned a running shoe named “The Starbury”. Cognizant of the chaos caused in poor neighbourhoods by battles over $200 running shoes, Marbury had his shoe retail for $14.95. It gets better. He then actually wore the shoes as the starting guard for the Knicks. The player was immensely popular and viewed by media as the proverbial “good guy”. How things have changed. His image is in tatters as he demonstrates a career long inability to mesh with coaches…the three leading scorers in the NBA today are Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. All three are part of the exalted free agent class of 2010…word is the New York Yankees will up their 140 million for six years offer to C C Sabathia. The offer already comprises the richest offer ever made to a starting pitcher but tubby C C apparently prefers the hot dogs on the West Coast…Paul Beeston’s broad hints that he will save the money offered to A J Burnett if (when, for fucks sake) he signs elsewhere is an ominous sign for Jays fans. With no offers to other free agents in the pipes can the Blue Jays even pretend to compete for a playoff spot? And will the turnstiles at the Skydome become creaky as fans stay away in droves from a glorified Triple A team?…Roy Halladay, call your agent, this ship is sinking…Jennifer Morison is very keen on Harlem Rocker’s chances in the Cigar Mile on Saturday. The Aqueduct feature is a Grade 1 gem coveted by trainer Todd Pletcher…British heavyweight David Haye’s recent demolition of Monte Barrett is available on You Tube. The former cruiserweight champ is putting down stakes with the big boys and has called out the Klitschkos. The replay reveals a charismatic and dynamic fighter but also one who, because of size and defensive deficiencies, would be cannon fodder for Vitali. His best bet is targeting Vladimir and his crystal jaw. Hayes would be an underdog but against the fragile younger Ukrainian anything can happen…fat bastard and former heavyweight contender David Tua announced from his New Zealand home that the “fire still burns” and he plans to fight again. He then ate the interviewer…