Hitchcock does not sound too pleased with the Blues. A Pujols rant. An NBA rant, and some clutch putts in California.

After Sunday’ 3-1 loss against Chicago, Ken Hitchcock sounded like a coach pleading for a goal scorer. Take a listen:

It is the latest dagger Hitch has criticized his team with. It’s a mechanism to get players going. He has not singled anybody out, but rather criticized the group as a whole. Specific lines.

The approach is interesting. While you want to get the most out of the players, it’s also important to not burn them out. It’s a great sound bite, but a risky approach.

St. Louis is about to embark on a tough road stretch. They play 14 of their next 20 on the road including a trip through Western Canada, Nashville, and twice in Chicago.

Buckle up. Score some goals. Improve the 10-13-3 road record. 

The Albert Pujols era officially began Monday for the Los Angeles Angels. Initially, I was OK with the departure…and now I’m just pissed. Pissed off at the system more so than the player. The billboards, the media attention, the fans…agh. Sickening. It’s just so strange to see Pujols don a uniform without the birds on the bat.

The NBA is very fortunate to have the success story of Jeremy Lin. They have a bad product right now. The competition is just not there. The bottom feeders are a joke. The Charlotte Bobcats have 4 wins. Read that again. Washington and New Orleans have 7. The lockout screwed the season. Teams are playing way too many games during the week. Back-to-backs are pretty much a regularity. The injuries are mounting, and the shots aren’t falling.

Last Thursday, the Portland Trail Blazers lost 74-71 at home to the Los Angeles Clippers. Both teams shot under 40% from the field. LA

Barkley (Image via Wikipedia)

was 2/17 jacking up 3’s.

Charles Barkley on  ESPN 1000’s Waddle and Silvy Show in Chicago

“I cannot believe how bad the NBA is right now. I’m a fan first and foremost; watching the NBA right now, I’m embarrassed about the product we’re putting out there right now. It’s no fun for me to watch these games. I feel bad for the fans.”

Contraction anybody? The league will cling to Lin as long as possible.

Rams free agent WR Brandon Lloyd has interest reuniting with Josh McDaniels (again) in New England.

Finally, the Northern Trust Open at Riviera CC had a fantastic finish. Watch from :50 on … Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley sunk birdie putts on 18 to force a 3-way playoff only to lose to Bill Haas, who sunk a 43-footer to win it all.