Stanley Cup Finals Preview: Blackhawks Cannot Underestimate Flyers

The Chicago Blackhawks will face the Philadelphia Flyers in the Stanley Cup finals beginning Saturday night. By all outward appearances, the Hawks are taking a measured, live-in-the-moment approach to this series, refusing to be drawn in by all the hype, super-high fan expectations and the Vegas odds pegging them as the favorite.

To hear the Hawks players yesterday during the Media Day event at the United Center, they have a lot of respect for the Flyers and what they have done to get to the finals. The Hawks respect the Flyers' tenacity and determination, their unwillingness to give up. They know this series will not be easy, and they are not taking the Flyers lightly. That is a very smart move.

You cannot overlook what the Flyers have accomplished, getting to the playoffs on a shootout on the last day of the regular season, and later coming from three games down against Boston to win the series. If the Hawks think they can take this team lightly in this series, they will go home empty-handed while Philly celebrates the Stanley Cup.

Several Hawks' players have adopted the attitude that they must play this series as if this is the only opportunity they will ever have to play in the Stanley Cup finals. I like their approach. How would you play if you knew this was your only shot to win it all? If you are the Blackhawks, you play as if there is no tomorrow.

This will be a tough series, but I believe the Hawks have the depth and talent to withstand anything the Flyers can throw at them. And if goalie Antii Niemi continues to be stellar in the net, the Hawks will do fine. Look for Patrick Kane to have a big series.

Prediction: Hawks in 6.

For more about this series, check out this SI review.

“Field of Dreams” Site Up for Sale

The movie “Field of Dreams” is one of my all-time favorites. So naturally I was interested to hear that the site where the movie was filmed is now up for sale. For a mere $5.4 million, you can buy the 193-acre tract of land that contains the baseball field, a two-bedroom, 1.5 bath house with the familiar front porch and six outbuildings, according to the Des Moines Register. The owners, Don and Becky Lansing, have had the land in their family for more than 100 years.

Universal Studios built the baseball field in 1989 specifically for the film, and it has remained ever since. The area continues to draw hundreds of visitors every year, and the baseball field is occasionally used for old-timers’ games and other special events.

The Lansings have placed no limit on the next owner. It could land in anyone’s hands, including a baseball player, movie buff, even a not-for-profit organization or investment group. Whoever purchases this land will own a piece of film history. Let’s hope that the next owner or investor will not tear it down for development, but continue to keep the legacy going for years to come.