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 Argonauts won because of their head coach, defeating the Montreal Alouettes in the East Division final. I am, therefore, chomping on the most delightful plate of crow since McLeod Bethel–Thompson played his best–ever game in the 2022 regional final (also a victory over Montreal) which culminated in an upset Grey Cup conquest of Winnipeg. Without Dinwiddie, I’d be writing about another Alouettes–Blue Bombers clash for the Canadian Football League title. That’s how much of a difference he made in the final 15 minutes on Saturday.

It became evident thanks to the incomparable coverage that TSN provides viewers of the CFL. I’m serious when I tell you the production and announcing skills of the TSN crew are the equivalent of anything we watch south of the border. With one–tenth the budget. On Saturday, the coaches and quarterbacks agreed to wear portable microphones for the telecast. We caught an inside glimpse of Cody Fajardo (Montreal) and Chad Kelly (Toronto) conversing with teammates and calling the offensive plays. Along with select remarks from Dinwiddie and Jason Maas of the Alouettes. It was in the immediate moments after Kelly sustained his gruesome leg injury (with 0:36 left in the third quarter) that my sentiment toward Dinwiddie changed. Almost completely (though I reserve the right to scream at the TV if he angers me on Sunday). Dinwiddie purposefully strode toward the prone Kelly, understanding that his chance of defeating the Alouettes had taken an uber–hit. Instead of bemoaning fate, however, viewers saw a man truly devastated by his quarterback’s sudden plight. “Hang in there, brother,” Dinwiddie told Kelly, while sobbing. “I love you Chad,” added the coach before rising and imploring his players — through sniffles — to “keep fighting, guys. Keep fighting.” And, fight they did… for the entire last quarter without their No. 1 pivot.

Make no mistake — this was Ryan Dinwiddie’s triumph. His finest hour as coach of the Double Blue.

 
TSN MICROPHONES CAPTURED A DEVASTATED RYAN DINWIDDIE LEANING OVER CHAD KELLY. WHEN RYAN ASKED HIS PLAYERS TO “KEEP FIGHTING”, THEY RESPONDED. THE WAY A CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM RESPONDS TO A BELOVED COACH.

Now, the Argonauts are playing with house money. No one expects journeyman quarterback Nick Arbuckle to best future Hall–of–Famer Zach Collaros in Sunday’s Toronto–Winnipeg Grey Cup at B.C. Place.

In case you missed the news, Kelly will be rehabbing this winter after sustaining a clean break of his right tibia while scrambling against Montreal’s aggressive defense. In no other professional sports league, however, does the unexpected so frequently prevail. Even in the past year and a bit, we’ve seen the Argos craft a brilliant 16–2 regular–season mark only to disintegrate against the Alouettes, on home turf, in the Division final. Then, 12 months later (to the Saturday), a 10–8 Argo club march into Montreal and hang on to defeat the opponent with the CFL’s best record. Same happened two decades back, in reverse. The Argos, coached by their current GM, Pinball Clemons, silenced an enormous crowd at the Olympic Stadium to prevail in the 2004 East final (against former Toronto coach Don Matthews) before taking down the B.C. Lions in the Grey Cup. The following year, Matthews and the Alouettes came to SkyDome for revenge. With Damon Allen looking unbeatable, the Argos leapt to a quick 14–0 lead, only to have the crafty, old Matthews leave another mark. He and quarterback Anthony Calvillo took complete control of the match, outscoring the Argos 33–3 the rest of the way for a 33–17 triumph.

In 1987, the Argo defense smothered Winnipeg’s Tom Clements (the third–best quarterback of my life watching the CFL, behind Doug Flutie and Warren Moon). Decided underdogs, the visitors breezed to a 19–3 triumph at old Winnipeg Stadium. In 1988, with unheralded Gilbert Renfroe throwing darts, the Boatmen finished first in the East with a 14–4 record. Only to have the Bombers come to town and rout Bob O’Billovich’s club, 27–11. Revenge occurs frequently in the nine–team CFL. If it prevails on Sunday, Mike O’Shea will be smiling. His Blue Bombers were upset by Toronto in the 2022 Grey Cup. But, nothing is for certain when balls start flying north of the 49th.

 
CHAD KELLY’S TIBIA IS BENT THE WRONG WAY (TOP–RIGHT) AS HE ATTEMPTS TO HOLD IT TOGETHER. THE ARGONAUTS’ QUARTERBACK UNDERWENT RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY AT MONTREAL GENERAL HOSPITAL. TSN IMAGES

On Sunday, Toronto will need Arbuckle to continue performing effectively. He’s a veteran that has bounced around the CFL. As such, he didn’t panic in the waning moments of the East final, with the Argos clinging to a 30–28 lead. He passed, smartly, to David Ungerer for a monstrous first down at midfield. He then put up a deep ball that forced Montreal’s star defender, Tyrice Beverette, to all–but tackle Dejon Brissette inside the 20–yard–line. The pass interference penalty sealed the deal for the Boatmen, who ran out the clock. No one is anticipating 58 points from Arbuckle on Sunday. If, however, the defense can swarm Collaros as it did in a victory at Winnipeg, last month, the Argos will stay in the game. Even while prevailing, Toronto routinely gives up 400 yards in virtually every match. The secondary can be porous. So, we’re not looking at a 13–11 Grey Cup. Don’t be surprised, though, if the veteran Argo defenders (Wynton McManis, Folarin Orimolade, Jake Ceresna, DaShaun Amos) come up big.

They’ve been around the bend and will know what to anticipate from O’Shea and Collaros.

Even if I contend (as do most others) that the Blue Bombers will prevail in Kelly’s absence, it won’t be a cakewalk.

Respect earned, Ryan Dinwiddie. Go get ’em.

Now, back to that plate of crow.

NOT SURE HOW: I have a decent following on ‘X’ (or Twitter), but I’m nowhere near the heavyweights. The most hits I’ve gotten for a Tweet was roughly 450,000. But, my post from Saturday night with the video of Chad Kelly’s leg injury has been viewed (as of 9 p.m. today) by more than 8.2 million people. My five minutes of fame. 🙂

2024 FALL SPORT CARD & EXPO

It’s always a fun few hours at the bi–annual Toronto Sport Card Expo, held each November and May at the International Centre across from Pearson Airport. I attended the show on Saturday with my son, Shane. And, of course, my trusty NIKON. Here were some of the images captured:

THE GOLDEN JET WAS A REGULAR VISITOR TO THE TORONTO SPORT CARD EXPO. HE DIED IN JANUARY 2023. A BOBBY HULL AUTOGRAPH (ABOVE), THEREFORE, CARRIES MUCH WEIGHT.

 
HALL–OF–FAMERS ED BELFOUR (LEFT) AND MARCEL DIONNE WERE IN THE HOUSE, AS USUAL.

 
AS ALWAYS, THERE WAS MUCH LEAFS MEMORABILIA AT THE EXPO. SUCH AS A FRAMED, AUTOGRAPHED PHOTO OF WENDEL CLARK (LEFT). AND, A JOHNNY BOWER MEMORY FROM THE STANLEY CUP DYNASTY OF THE 1960’s. BOWER WOULD HAVE BEEN 100 YEARS OF AGE ON NOV. 8. 

 
OLD NHL PLAYERS (LEFT) AND OLD JUNIOR HOCKEY PUCKS WERE ON SALE AT THE SHOW.

 
OF COURSE, ANCIENT HOCKEY CARDS WERE TO BE FOUND VIRTUALLY EVERYWHERE. INCLUDING (TOP–LEFT) THE ROOKIE CARDS OF BOBBY ORR, GUY LAFLEUR AND WAYNE GRETZKY.

 
CHICAGO AND DETROIT JERSEYS, UNALTERED THROUGH THE DECADES, ARE STILL BEAUTIFUL. AS IS MY FRIEND, MELYSA GORLICKY (TOP–RIGHT), WHO PEDDLED HER REMARKABLE REPRODUCTIONS OF HOCKEY AND BASEBALL CARDS. INCLUDING THOSE OF DARRYL SITTLER AND BOBBY ORR.

LEGENDS: ALEX DELVECCHIO (DEROIT); RED KELLY (TORONTO); BERNIE PARENT (PHILADELPHIA); HENRI RICHARD (MONTREAL). AUTOGRAPHED JERSEYS. KELLY AND RICHARD ARE DECEASED.

SADLY, I DIDN’T HAVE $39,500 LAYING AROUND. OTHERWISE, THESE GAME–WORN JERSEYS WOULD BE MINE TODAY. CALIFORNIA GOLDEN SEALS (HOME) FROM 1971; VANCOUVER CANUCKS (ROAD) FROM 1973; BOSTON BRUINS (ROAD) FROM 1972. THOSE WHO KNOW ME BEST WILL COMPREHEND THE DIFFICULTY OF WALKING AWAY FROM THE SEALS UNIFORM.

EMAIL: HOWARDLBERGER@GMAIL.COM