| Futebol |

World Cup 2002 in Korea/Japan was great. It was good to see South Korea go through to the semi-finals.  Brazil's win seemed a bit premeditated simply because from the start of the tournament they looked better than Germany. 

The countries I enjoy watching during the World Cup are Brazil, England, Spain, Argentina, France, Holland, and underdogs.  I also like watching soccer in the European Leagues, such as the Premier League (England).  Some of my favourite players are Ruud van Nistelrooij (Holland), Roberto Carlos (Brazil), Thierry Henry (France), Marc Overmars (Holland), Juan Veron (Argentina), and Rivaldo (Brazil).

| Among Others |

Coming from a primarily hockey town, it is always exciting to see the Leafs do well.  Besides, Toronto hasn't won the Stanley Cup in over 30 years.  I enjoy watching a Leafs game from time to time, especially against rival teams such as the Montreal Canadiens.  Some players that I like to watch are Mats Sundin (Maple Leafs), Paul Kariya (Avalanche), Saku Koivu (Canadiens), Joe Sakic (Avalanche), and Martin Brodeur (Devils).

I guess I used to be a fan of baseball until the strike in 1994.  However, I am watching a few more games now.  I usually watch the Jays game to see how they are doing and what kind of players are coming and going.  Anyways, I did get the chance to meet Carlos Delgado in person - at a McDonald's no less.  Here is my story:

I was working in Toronto for my co-op work term during the Fall.  It was post September 11th, 2001 and MLB stopped all games for couple of days.

I was walking to McDonald's for lunch somewhere along Front Street, near St. Lawrence Market.  When I entered a McDonald's, I saw a black guy who had a familiar face waiting for his meal.  "Oh ... Carlos Delgado!" I said just loud enough for two girls in front of me to hear.   They looked back at me and both nodded in approval.  First thing I noticed was how huge Carlos was - I mean he is a no slouch standing at 6'3 and 230 pounds.  He looked pretty normal in jeans and a sweatshirt though.  The two girls in front of me were scrambling to look for something for Carlos to sign.  I wanted to get his signature as well, but I only came with my wallet and security badge from work.  He could sign my $5 bill, but I was hungry!  I contemplated asking the two girls in front of me for something, but I had just remembered something.

This is what I had just remembered:  Not too long ago, my brother went to a Blue Jays game for his first-year orientation at U of T.  Cheap seats in the upper deck, but, nevertheless against the Yankees.  I asked my brother for the ticket stub because on the back there was a coupon from Roger's Video to rent one video get another free.

The stub was in my wallet.  I took the ticket stub out for Carlos to sign, asking the two girls who were getting their organizer's signed to use their pen afterwards.  While he was signing it, I said that was the game when Tony Fernandez hit a grand slam to win it for the Blue Jays.  He didn't say much as a quiet "Oh."  I was thinking that he thought I was a cheap-ass for only getting $5.00 seats.  Well, by that time Carlos got his food, and I went back in line to get mine.

When I left, I saw Carlos sitting outside eating his Big Mac and talking on his cell phone.  A couple of thoughts went through my mind when I was walking back to work:  1) Carlos is making $15+ million a season and he's having McDonald's for lunch.  2) I should of said something when I walked passed him:  "Lay off the high heat Carlos, you're not hitting them!"  His batting average dropped from .344 in 2000 to .279 in 2001.