TORONTO (Nov. 30) — Let me start, today, by repeating the impetus for my last blog: If the Maple Leafs allow Mitch Marner to don another National Hockey League jersey, it will be the largest blunder in franchise history. Bigger… Read More
TORONTO (Nov. 27) — It’s often been said that teams in the National Hockey League determine what they have, and what they need, by the American Thanksgiving. Or… by tomorrow. At which time the Toronto Maple Leafs could sit atop… Read More
TORONTO (Nov. 25) — Surely, there’s a candidate amid local hockey scribes to tell the denizens of Leafs Nation the boldface truth: their favorite team is a better team without Auston Matthews. If I were the wagering sort, my dough… Read More
TORONTO (Nov. 23) — Hold one hand close to your face and read the following sentence through the gap between your fingers. It’s a chilling prospect for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Yet, undeniable at the quarter–mark of the National Hockey… Read More
TORONTO (Nov. 18) — The team upon which I threw in the towel near the end of September tossed it right back at me — full of the blood, sweat and snot required to overcome crippling adversity and win the… Read More
TORONTO (Nov. 16) — Any person beyond the age of 40 would have to agree that newspaper coverage of sports is dying. Slowly and excruciatingly. Which sadly jibes with the pattern, today, of instant information and reaction; ushered in —… Read More
TORONTO (Nov. 11) — There are occasions in the past four years when the Toronto Argonauts have prevailed in spite of Ryan Dinwiddie. He’s frustrated me. I’ve let it be known in this space. Without reservation. On Saturday, however, the… Read More
TORONTO (Nov. 7) — I am forever baffled over the propensity, in this sports market, to draw conclusions from one day to the next. Starting with the first shift of the National Hockey League season. And, continuing for the usual… Read More
TORONTO (Nov. 3) — This was a typical day in the life of the Canadian Football League.
Particularly, in the life of the 2024 Toronto Argonauts, who are still standing despite a season full of peculiar game plans and play… Read More
TORONTO (Oct. 26) — That was quite a badge of honor the Maple Leafs anointed their new bench boss on Thursday. “Oh, right, you used to coach this team. Damn. Wish it mattered.” Or, words to that effect which materialized… Read More
TORONTO (Oct. 22) — Too bad, for the Maple Leafs and their fans, we aren’t six months down the road. Were this Apr. 22, 2025, I suspect our city would be on its collective ear. Reason is simple: the Leafs… Read More
TORONTO (Oct. 14) — Having lost my father, Irv, ten days ago, I’ve been in a reflective mood. Which isn’t unusual for me. Dad was, foremost, a kind, gentle man with remarkable generosity and unwavering business ethics. A role model… Read More
TORONTO (Oct. 10) — Your father dies… and they drop the puck. Yes, life goes on. As it should.
The 2024–25 season for the Toronto Maple Leafs began somewhat ominously on Wednesday night with a 1–0 loss at Montreal. Thereby… Read More
TORONTO (Oct. 5) — This morning, for the first time in nearly 66 years, I woke up without a father. I wondered if some wave of latent emotion might wash over me. Instead, I felt the same inner–peace and comfort… Read More
TORONTO (Oct. 2) — A supper–hour radio show that tested the water for a ballsy format change launched here in town 35 years ago: Oct. 2, 1989. Created by Allan Davis, John Rea and Larry Green. Hosted by Bob McCown.… Read More
TORONTO (Sep. 28) — Apart from the usual and tiresome narrative involving success in the regular season and collapse in the playoffs, there is virtually no way to forecast how the Toronto Maple Leafs will fare this season.
Not with… Read More
TORONTO (Sep. 24) — I’ve written this before and I’ll continue to pound away until it happens: Lance Hornby should be in the Hockey Hall of Fame. That the Selection Committee continues to overlook the dean of Canadian hockey writers… Read More
TORONTO (Sep. 21) — I’ve been on this bandwagon for weeks now, but I didn’t believe Ryan Dinwiddie would directly cost his team a win. Until it happened on Friday night at BMO Field. So, I’ll say it again: If… Read More