Each week, The Reporters put their thumbs out to the good and the bad in the world of sports. This week, they discuss sports off-day, the MLB All-Star game, Canadas field lacrosse team and Huston Streets comments upon being traded. Bruce Arthur, Toronto Star My thumb is up to Wednesday of this past week. Now, you probably read and heard a lot of sympathetically depressed moaning about how it was the slowest sports day of the year - no baseball, no hockey, no basketball, no football, and nothing to entertain those in search of sports except... Well, Major League Soccer, the Tour de France, and the ESPYs, featuring Drake. Thats hardly nothing, the semi-vacancy of the ESPYs aside, but you know what? Good. We could use some time with less sports. The days are packed with sports. Christmas day is basically a basketball tournament now. We could use some time to breathe, take a walk, reconnect with family, learn to make a bookshelf. Sports are fun, no question. But how can we miss them when they wont go away? Steve Simmons, Toronto Sun My thumb is down to major league baseball, the Minnesota Twins and broadcasters of the All-Star game for failing to appropriately recognize the passing of Tony Gwynn just one month ago. Its not like Gwynn was just another player. He was a 15-time All-Star, perhaps the most beloved figure in a game with not enough beloved figures, and yet somehow there was no tribute to Gwynn throughout the three hour Derek Jeter infomercial that we endured. And I have nothing but regard for Derek Jeter, who has had a storied career; but there should have been something for Gwynn. For the fans. For baseball. A moment of silence. Some words of tribute. Something. At least Adam Jones of the Baltimore Orioles had it right. He wrote in marker on his baseball cap the initials TG with the number 19. He had the sense of moment baseball didnt have. Gary Lawless, TSN Radio My thumb is up to Canadas national mens field lacrosse team for winning the world championship last night. Canada defeated the U.S., handing the Americans just their third loss in tournament history dating back to 1967. All three of those U.S. losses have come to Canada and all three in championship games, 1978, 2006 and now 2014. Lacrosse is our national sport but its box lacrosse most Canadians play, not field. In fact, Canada has never lost a box lacrosse game at the worlds. Winning the field championship doesnt qualify as a shock but more of a nice surprise. Congrats to Team Canada, who just so happened to be one of the youngest teams weve ever sent to the worlds, and will be a very serious threat to repeat in 2018. Dave Hodge, TSN My thumb is up to the refreshing comments of relief pitcher/closer Huston Street as he departed the bottom-feeding San Diego Padres for the playoff-bound Los Angeles Angels. There would be lots to say about the horrible state of the Padres franchise, but street said this; "I believe in the ownership--they want to win--theyre not satisfied with the status quo. I blame the players for what has happened here." Well, even though theres plenty of blame to go around and it does extend to the front office and to ownership - the Padres field a lineup that is not of big-league quality - Street is quite right, as a player, to let others find fault with others and to say that, of all the reasons teams lose, the biggest reason is always that players perform badly. Osta Nike Air Max . Team spokesman Donald Beauchamp said there was no new information on the 80-year-old Hall of Famers condition. The family has requested privacy. Nike Air Max Myydään . According to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger, it doesnt appear the offer was warmly received by the team. Blue Jackets director of hockey operations John Davidson and general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said on Wednesday the team has made offers of $6 million for two years, $32 million for six and $46 million over eight years but each one was refused by the restricted free agent centre and agent Kurt Overhardt. http://www.airmaxsuomi.com/ . Dancevic won his singles match on Friday, defeating Go Soeda 6-4, 7-6 (2), 6-1, to even the best-of-five series at a game apiece. World No. 18 Kei Nishikori defeated Peter Polansky in the opening match, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. Nike Air Max Kengät Halvalla . Stevenson scored the first three goals of the game in the first period for Regina (35-22-6), which has won eight of its last 10 games. Patrick DAmico added two for the Pats, Braden Christoffer had a single and Morgan Klimchuk chipped in a goal and four assists. Nike Air Max Halvalla . Only it wasnt the extended right pad of his old teammate Jonathan Bernier early in the final frame, it was James Reimer, who stole a night that was supposed to belong to the former King.SURREY, B.C. -- B.C. Lions starting quarterback Travis Lulays recovery from off-season shoulder surgery appears to be on schedule as he takes part in the teams mini-camp. But with off-season signing Steven Jyles absent and his future in question, the Lions are lacking a bona fide backup with CFL experience. Lulay limited the number of throws while only making short passes in drills Tuesday, the second day of a three-day mini-camp for offensive players at the teams Surrey, B.C., training complex. But he was hopeful of being ready for main training camp in June. "Its getting better," said Lulay. "Its been a good couple days to come out and throw the ball around. Obviously, Im still limited, Im still progressing to getting back to where I need to be. But its been a really good measuring stick for this stage of the game." Lulay underwent surgery to repair a damaged labrum suffered in a collision while scoring a touchdown in September. He missed six regular-season games but was able to play in the Western semifinal loss to the Calgary Stampeders. "Im being cognizant of my numbers," he said. "Im just not over-throwing because the biggest thing is, with a shoulder, its such a delicate joint. Over-doing it is one of the worst things you can do. "So Im just understanding that its a progression and just taking steps up the ladder each week. This (camp) is just another part of that. The mobility, the range, is great. Its just continuing to get that end range (i.e. long-pass) and that strength back." General manager Wally Buono said medical reports indicate that Lulay will be ready for the main training camp in Kamloops, B.C., and the quarterback has gone "way beyond the call of duty" in his recovery efforts. "The camp was held at this time for a specific reason," said Buono. " (Part) of it was to make sure Travis could go out and do all the things that hes been doing. Right now, it looks very promising." Jyles, who has seven years of CFL experience but did not play last season because his services were not in demand, was conspicuous by his absence after agreeing to terms with the Lions in April. "Im fine with it," said Buono. "As I intimated before, we were going to bring five quarterbacks to this camp, and one of the things we were going to do was evaluate which quarterback we probably wouldnt invite to the main camp. So this, right now, is just helping our decision." Jyles absence left the Lions with four QBs in the mini-camp. With new offensive co-ordinator Khari Jones beginning to implement his system, this is an important time for quarterback hopefuls to start learning the revised playbook and executing plays in advance of the clubs main June training camp. However, the camp is voluntary for those invited. Jyles, who has three young children, is working in the Dallas area. "I respect the fact that he put his family first," said Buono. "Obviously, (deciding whether to pursue an unguaranteed spot with the Lions) is not an easy decision and, at this point,, he felt it was just best not to leave his job.dddddddddddd" Since beginning his CFL career in 2006, Jyles has had two stints with Edmonton and also played for Saskatchewan, Winnipeg and Toronto. With Jyles absent, second-year Lion Chris Hart is the only other quarterback at the camp with CFL experience. NFL veteran John Beck, 32, and Jarrett Lee, who was drafted in 2012 by the San Diego Chargers but did not play in the NFL, are also signed and taking part in the mini-camp. Hart spent most of last season as the clubs fourth quarterback, but feels he has "improved a lot" since he took part in an offensive mini-camp a year ago. "I dont want to say anything (on the backup job)," he said. "I let the coaches do their job and pick who they need to pick. Im just battling for the job and Im going to compete. Im going to work hard like Im No. 1." "Obviously, this is a good test for him, too, because we spent a year with him," said Buono. "Hopefully, hes a lot more comfortable. Hopefully, even though the system is new, the verbiage is easier for him." Beck, a second-round selection of the Miami Dolphins in the 2007, is looking to secure regular employment with the Lions after taking a winding path to B.C. In addition to the Dolphins, he played six seasons with Baltimore, Washington and Houston. The Brigham Young University grad has started seven NFL regular-season games and thrown for 1,417 yards and three touchdowns on 140 completions. Beck spent last season out of football. But instead of pursuing a different career, he spent his time honing his skills while enjoying extra time with his wife and their three sons and hoping for a team to call. "Ive gotta be honest," he said. "Id never really anticipated that my journey would take me to Canada. My journey started in the NFL. I thought thered be some really good opportunities in it for me, and my journey started off in the situation you dont want have it start off on. Go to (Miami) the worst team in the NFL and have everybody get fired. It cant get much worse than that. "But Im very excited that my journey has taken me here. Thats the fun part about it. Im excited for the opportunity thats here." Lee spent five years at Louisiana State, a perennial powerhouse, where he completed 317-of-565 attempts for 3.949 yards and 32 touchdowns. New offensive co-ordinator Jones believes that Lulay is "on track" to being ready to start the season and is not perturbed by Jyles absence. "My job is to coach the guys that are out here," said Jones. "If he shows up, then he shows up." Notes: The Lions were forced to find a new backup after former backup Thomas DeMarco was claimed by Ottawa in the CFL expansion draft, veteran Buck Pierce retired to become an assistant coach with Winnipeg, and Joey Elliott was released after two stints with B.C. last season. a Veteran offensive guard Patrick Kabongo, entering the option year of his contract, is not attending the camp as he works outside of football in Edmonton. 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