Adam Lind
The third-year Blue Jay dispatched talk that he was too green to be a full-time DH when he sent a fourth-inning homer beyond the outfield wall in Monday's rout of the Tigers. With a team opening-day record six RBIs, Lind showed his intent to stay in Toronto for an entire major-league season for the first time, and with the team off to a flying start, now is probably not the time to argue. ***
A.J. BURNETT
It might have been lost on Jays fans still drunk with happiness after the team's 3-1 start to the season, but Toronto's 18-game winner from last season was actually the guy who got the Yankees' season up and running this week. After losing their first two games of the season at Baltimore, and with all due respect to Reggie Jackson, who would have guessed Burnett would be "the straw that stirs the drink"?
***
MATHIEU SCHNEIDER
It's not exactly Bobby Baun scoring the Stanley Cup-winning goal on a broken ankle, but after being written off for the season with a shoulder injury, and watching the Habs' centennial season sliding rapidly downhill, Schneider took to the ice to save the day in Boston Thursday. The blueliner scored the third goal against the Bruins in an overtime loss to get Montreal the only point it needed to make the playoffs.
***
ALAN SHEARER
With the prodigal son finally giving up his cushy BBC job for a return to Newcastle United, he was literally the talk of the toon. That was until Chelsea marched into St. James Park to drag the Magpies further into the relegation mire last Sunday. Now the former England striker has just seven games to save his beloved club, or else it's away trips to Doncaster for the black-and-white faithful next season.
***
MIKE FISHER
Preds fans, order your No. 12 "Mike, baby" shirts now. With the Senators eliminated from the playoffs, the Ottawa centre had to endure the jibes of fans and fellow players after his alleged girlfriend, Carrie Underwood, gave him a big shout-out on national television at the Country Music Awards. But who would have ever thought it? A player who might actually want a trade to Nashville.
***
WILL SOLOMON
It doesn't get much worse. Already discarded by the Raptors, the seldom used point guard has now been thrown on the scrap heap by the Sacramento Kings, a team so bad even the Clippers can look down on them this season. Ever get the feeling it might be time to try your hand at something else?
