The most recognizable team in international cycling is the first to sign on for the inaugural Tour of Missouri.

The Discovery Channel cycling team, for which Lance Armstrong rode to seven consecutive victories in the Tour de France, will participate in the race, which begins Sept. 11 in Kansas City and ends Sept. 16 in St. Louis.

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This race starts shortly after our 2007 two-day MS-150 ride, so I’ll enjoy some spectating while they speed through the state over the next week; I’m already curious to hear where the specific course route will go, but at least I know I’ll be able to cheer from the finish line in St. Louis.

Tour of Missouri

(Currently wearing my Cardinals hat from game 3)

Which is funny, because I’m not really a baseball fan, but I do hope the Cardinals can beat Houston. Damn I hate Texas.

ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Blues Senior Vice President & General Manager Larry Pleau today announced the club has traded defenseman Chris Pronger to the Edmonton Oilers for defensemen Eric Brewer, Doug Lynch and Jeff Woywitka.

The article offers some encouraging details on the acquisitions, and not much about Pronger. Which is fine by me - I don’t have many good things to say about him.

The joy I felt when I heard the news this morning reminded me that despite not watching hockey for the past year and not thinking I cared, I apparently still do.

Chris Pronger was an expensive oaf of a defenseman and captain, and I’ve blamed many losses on him. I’m happy to see the team gain some new blood and free up salary money to hopefully spend more appropriately.

With the new NHL 2005-2006 rule changes, it looks like we’ll see faster paced games.

I think I’m looking forward to this season.

I’ve got to dig up the jersey.

Blues Face Capitals In Home Opener Tonight At 7 p.m.
J. Buck’s Restaurants Team Calendar night.
St. Louis, MO, Oct. 17, 2003 - Tonight’s game marks the 2003-04 home opener for St. Louis at the Savvis Center and all paid fans in attendance will receive the 2003-04 Blues Team Calendar, courtesy of J. Buck’s Restaurants.

The Blues are 19-15-2-0 all-time in home openers. This will be the first time in franchise history the Blues will play Washington in their home opener. The Blues defeated the Capitals 5-3 in Washington in the teams only meeting last season. St. Louis holds a 34-33-12-0 all-time advantage over Washington, including a 19-13-8-0 edge on home ice.

St. Louis completed a three-game road to begin the season, recording 1-1-0-1 record. The Blues will play four of their next five games on the road, while playing Western Conference teams in their next eight contests.

I missed hockey. The pace of the game is fast and exciting; there is no other sport I’d rather see. It’s so much more interesting than the baseball season.

So, is it notable for the record books? Sure.

Exciting? Not really.

I was at the game and had a good time, but baseball is a slow game, does not often hold my attention, and the “news” about it the following day isn’t particularly interesting. What grabbed me was that many of these articles don’t bother mentioning that instead of Furcal and his Braves, the Cardinals won the game. And why should they talk about the game and the win? Answer: The unassisted triple play is far more significant.

This leads me to think the interest in baseball isn’t necessarily the outcome, or even the plays that enable the outcome, but all the statistics behind the plays, players, and teams.

And that’s boring too.

I like hockey.