TORONTO (Feb. 19) — Let’s be clear: No professional athlete is worth the riches being sought by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Neither is Guerrero worth to the Blue Jays what the slugger is evidently asking of Rogers Communications — a salary… Read More
TORONTO (Feb. 17) — This blog has nothing to do with the groundbreaking radio show I produced in its first three years — executed, without parallel, by Bob McCown from 1989 to 2019. Prime Time Sports is relegated to history,… Read More
TORONTO (Feb. 15) — In the Millennium of Overkill, tonight’s 4Nations encounter between Canada and the United States is being touted as the “best hockey game of all time.” Particularly among the millennials on television who aren’t even old enough… Read More
TORONTO (Feb. 13) — That was quite some tumult Mitch Marner induced at the Bell Centre on Wednesday night; its euphoric tentacles penetrating all corners of the nation. Not in ten National Hockey League seasons has Marvelous Mitch contributed such… Read More
TORONTO (Feb. 11) — It’s a moment I’ll never forget. Even if occurring nearly 54 years ago. Maple Leaf Gardens was filled to near–capacity for a game between the Leafs and Montreal Canadiens alumni (or “oldtimers”, as they were known… Read More
TORONTO (Feb. 10) — It would be the rough equivalent of Benjamin Netanyahu inviting Kim Jong Un to moderate peace talks in the Middle East. Or, Donald Trump having the Bidens and Clintons to the White House for a casual… Read More
TORONTO (Feb. 8) — Darryl Sittler. Doug Gilmour. Auston Matthews.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been around since 1926; the franchise, previously known as the Arenas and St. Patricks, since 1917. Only three players in 108 years have struck for… Read More
TORONTO (Feb. 4) — Justin Bourne of Sportsnet wrote on Monday that “Morgan Rielly is going nowhere [via trade].” I don’t imagine the TV/website personality spent a sleepless night coming up with that bulletin. He knows his favorite team better… Read More
TORONTO (Jan. 30) — He would sleep on a bed of nails before quitting on the Maple Leafs.
But, still, it’s time.
Morgan Rielly has accomplished all he can in blue and white. Certainly, in Toronto blue and white. Were… Read More
TORONTO (Jan. 25) — Nothing in professional sport is more amusing than hindsight. And, hindsight may never be quite so amusing as in the blog you have started right here; right now. Or, nearly as bizarre. Were the Toronto Maple… Read More
TORONTO (Jan. 18) — Let me begin with a disclaimer: I like Justin Bourne. He has a wonderful TV presence and works especially well with my old pal, Nick Kypreos. Real Kyper & Bourne is good television on Sportsnet, up… Read More
TORONTO (Jan. 15) — Here we go. Groundhog Day. As always at this time of year, fans and media implore the Maple Leafs to add “depth pieces” prior to the National Hockey League trade deadline. Nothing too risky. Just nibble… Read More
TORONTO (Jan. 11) — It was a shot in the dark that landed bullseye. An idea so preposterous that it must have resulted from paralyzing fatigue. Even if, unwittingly, it became the genesis of my career path in sports radio.… Read More
TORONTO (Jan. 4) — “Yeah, I don’t know. I hope so. That’s obviously the goal.”
In precisely 11 words, Auston Matthews spoke, on Thursday, more sincerely and genuinely than the team that pays him $13.25 million to score goals. The… Read More
TORONTO (Dec. 29) — Call Edward Rogers anything you wish (and the off–color names will surely intensify, next summer, when he assumes controlling interest in the Toronto Maple Leafs). Just do not call him stupid.
Not yet, anyway.
Rogers would… Read More
TORONTO (Dec. 25) — Merry Christmas.
As any hockey fan in this city will attest, the game is often dealt with in life–and–death terms, particularly when the Maple Leafs lapse into a slump. But, I had the unique privilege of… Read More
TORONTO (Dec. 23) — Forget the consecutive home losses to the New York Islanders and Winnipeg before the Christmas break in the National Hockey League. I’m still back in Buffalo, last Friday night, when the Toronto Maple Leafs doubled the… Read More
TORONTO (Dec. 17) — After 31 games this season, the Toronto Maple Leafs have amassed 40 points. After 31 games last season, the Maple Leafs had amassed 40 points. And, yet again, we appear to be watching the best version… Read More