Two game sevens were played this week, with two game-seven losers being the result, Brandon Dubinsky was bitten (who knew Mike Tyson played for the Washington Capitals?), Blair Betts had his face broken (who knew Mike Tyson played for the Washington Capitals?), Sean Avery was scratched, John Tortorella was suspended, Martin Brodeur got burned (twice), Daniel Murphy kept falling down, Mariano Rivera shockingly gave up two home runs in one week, the Mets got an early start on their next collpase and the Yanks recovered with three straight wins after starting the week by getting swept by the Red Sox. The opening salvo of the series was a warning by David Ortiz directed at Joba Chamberlain for his “dislike” of Kevin Youkilis: “Just play the game the way it’s supposed to be played.” Pitchers throwing at and intimidating batters is the way the game is supposed to be played (just ask your old teammate, Pedro Martinez). Wearing enough body armour to the plate to qualify as a football player while designated hitting is not the way the game is supposed to be played.

Winner

Mark Sanchez: Kellen Clemens surely wasn’t happy with the Jets’ first draft pick, but most everybody else was. Maybe they gave up a lot, but you have to give something of value to get something of value. It was a bold move by the Jets to trade up to take the pretty boy from California, but Rex Ryan has seen rookie quarterbacks succeed before. Hopefully Sanchez will turn out more like Broadway Joe Namath or Joe Flacco than Browing Nagle or Ryan Leaf.

Runners Up

Hakkem Nicks/Ramses Barden/Travis Beckum: The Giants are taking a gamble by going with rookie wide receivers instead of making a trade for Braylon Edwards. They’ll all be ahead of the game, though, if they refrain from shooting themselves in the leg.

Phil Hughes/Joba Chamberlain: The young Yankee hurlers won two games in a row in Detoit this week, and Joba could have beaten Boston if the Yanks’ bullpen didn’t spoil things for him.

Nick Swisher/Melky Cabrera: Swisher leads the team in home runs (7) and RBI’s (19). He batted .321 this week, with three taters and seven ribbies. Melky did it again, belting another game-winning hit last night, and batted .346 this past week.

Johan Santana: “Hard Luck” could be his new nickname. He continues to be the best pitcher in baseball, but here we go again with the bullpen blowing his leads. In his two starts this week, his ERA did balloon up to 1.10, though. He might have to pitch complete-game shutouts and drive in all the runs if he wants to win 20 games this year.

Jamie Langenbrunner/Chris Drury: New Jersey’s captain had knee surgery in the middle of the Devils’ series with Carolina and came back to play the last two games, even scoring a goal in game seven. The Rangers’ captain played the whole series vs. Washington with a broken hand and scored the game-winner in game three. That’s what hockey players do – especially captains.

Schmuck of the Week

John Tortorella: Hey, the fans may have deserved to get something squirted at them, but a professional sports coach, especially one who prides himself on discipline and team-first play, can’t ever throw anything, squirt anything or even gesture at the fans. At least he finally acknowledged that what he did was wrong and that he embarrassed the franchise. Now if only we can get Glen Sather to acknowledge how he’s embarrassed the franchise with his player personnel moves.