Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price salutes the crowd after a derisive cheer on an easy save against the Boston Bruins during second period of game four NHL playoff hockey action in Montreal Wednesday, April 22, 2009. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan RemiorzRyan Remiorz/The Canadian Press
CAREY PRICE
Not that the Montreal goaltender needs much invitation to celebrate, but Thursday's trade of playoff hero Jaroslav Halak to St. Louis certainly gives Price a reason to knock back a few ales this summer. Of course, it was his penchant for living large that might have taken the sheen off his burgeoning career in the first place, so it is hoped he can do it in moderation, knowing that unless he outplays Halak next season, it will do little to placate an already restless fan base.
DANIEL NAVA
So much for hitting a grand slam off your first major-league pitch. The rookie outfielder would accept simply getting to first base with his other big crush: Erin Andrews. While Red Sox Nation is smitten with its newest hero, Nava has been trying to make an impression on the ESPN sideline reporter for ages, having left her a ticket at the players' gate for three successive years in the minor leagues. If his history-making shot - he was just the second player to hit a grand slam off his first pitch - doesn't get her to notice, almost nothing will.
DIEGO MARADONA
Back-to-back wins to open the World Cup had the Argentina coach hugging and kissing his players this week, before apparently making it necessary to clarify his sexual preference. "I still prefer women," he said. "I am dating Veronica, who is blond and 31 years old." Good for him. If that wasn't enough, he then told Pele to "go back to the museum" after the Brazilian criticized his coaching style. Though why he should feel threatened by a man who once attempted to beat an elite Nazi XI by picking Sylvester Stallone in goal is beyond us.
RON ARTEST
Right city, wrong event. In the heat of winning his first NBA championship Thursday night, the Lakers forward responded to a post-game question about his play in Game 7 with an Oscar-worthy list of thank yous, including a shout out to his psychiatrist. Hey, at least he admits his past problems. He was also anything but the problem in the deciding game against the Celtics, stepping up as Kobe Bryant suffered from the yips throughout the first three quarters of the contest, scoring 20 points to ensure Los Angeles repeated as NBA champs.
IKER CASILLAS
Nice to see England's Robert Green has company in the distraction stakes. While a Canadian model was bandied around as one of the reasons for the "Hand of Clod" during the 1-1 draw with the United States, Spanish No. 1 Casillas has been subjected to a similar line of questioning. Worse still, the questioning came from his girlfriend, Spanish TV journalist Sara Carbonera, who was standing behind the goal when Casillas conceded the only score in Wednesday's shock loss to Switzerland. "How did you muck it up?" she asked her paramour afterward. If only all our partners could be as sympathetic.
ALBERT HAYNESWORTH
Vince Lombardi would likely turn in his grave if he saw what was going on in Washington these days. Then again, he never had a player making $100,000, let alone $100-million. Still, when a team wins just four games in your first year after signing a seven-year deal for that amount, you would think a sense of pride would spur you on to try harder. Not Haynesworth. With two-time Super Bowl-winning coach Mike Shanahan looking to switch to a 3-4 defence for his first season with the Redskins, the defensive lineman wants out, barely two months after collecting a $20-million bonus. That's gratitude for you.