TORONTO (July 24) — Throughout this remarkable and unforeseen surge by the Toronto Blue Jays, there’s been universal media reticence to applaud ownership and management. Over the course of two months, the club has evolved, before our eyes, from also–ran to a legitimate World Series contender. Yet, president Mark Shapiro and general manager Ross Atkins — excoriated here and elsewhere during the month of May — have not procured commensurate praise. Which is more than a tad unfair. After a brutal 13–0 loss in Tampa on May 25, during which a steaming locomotive could not have pushed across a Blue Jays run, Toronto sports fans were wailing for the heads of both club executives. The Jays were 25–27 and, so it seemed, headed for another prodigious pratfall. No baseball observer on the planet would have predicted the 35–15 turnaround which, as of today, has the club atop its division by four games… and tied with Houston for the best winning percentage (.588) in the American League.

This is what happens when people present themselves unlikeable. Shapiro, during his bi–annual appearances in front of the media, often scowled and talked primarily about the renovation of Rogers Centre, over which he presided. Atkins spewed meaningless clichés like a shower–head dispenses water. That both men remained in their long–held positions seemed like a cruel joke to fans of the ball club. Yet here we are, two months later, with the Blue Jays threatening to top the Major Leagues in victories (61) and fewest losses (41). And, still, nary a word about the men in charge. To the credit of Shapiro and Atkins, neither has stepped forward with a version of “I told you so” during this staggering hot streak. Despite what must be a barely suppressed urge to chasten their detractors. Almost certainly because they are as pleasantly surprised as the fan base across the country. Prior to the end of May, such vital contributors as Ernie Clement, Addison Barger, Nathan Lukes, Will Wagner, Miles Straw and Eric Lauer were either unknown or considered glorified minor leaguers. Today, they are motoring the best club in the Majors since spring turned to swealtering summer. So, yeah, Shapiro and Atkins have buttoned their lips.

Why tempt fate during such an eye–popping renaissance?

There is no–such obligation among the rest of us. If we were blistering the two executives while the Blue Jays foundered, we should be extolling them today. Loudly and frequently. Surprising or otherwise, Shapiro and Atkins are responsible for the current roster. That the planets have aligned so unexpectedly should not detract from their work. Same applies to the dugout braintrust of John Schneider, DeMarlo Hale, Pete Walker and Hall–of–Famer Don Mattingly. All have executed their roles spectacularly, to the point where no roster in either league should be more favored to win the 2025 World Series. Any such conjecture prior to late May would have spawned uproarious laughter. But, no more. A return to the doldrums of the opening months in the schedule would now be considered equally astonishing. There is no indication at all that the Jays will lapse into their early season posture. Such a demoralizing (and rare) defeat as on Tuesday eve, when the club rebounded from a 4–1 deficit at the Dome only to be topped by the Yankees on a ninth–inning home run, was efficiently cast aside in a follow–up, 8–4 victory.

Haven’t we passed the time for credit where credit is due?

YEAH, THIS WILL BE UNPOPULAR: I was raised to stand by a true friend in times of crisis. As such, I have no reservation to say that Ron MacLean meant as much to me during my 23–year radio career as any person for whom I directly worked. He was routinely available for a moment of advice… and many moments of encouragement and laughter. Neither is this to detract from the kindness shown me by Don Cherry and Bobby Orr, both of whom have split ranks with MacLean in the fallout of Cherry’s dismissal by Rogers in November 2019 — and MacLean’s choice to admonish his long–time Coach’s Corner partner and traveling pal. All three have been heroic figures: Orr as the greatest hockey player I’ve ever seen; Cherry for his coaching exploits in Boston during the late–1970’s; Cherry and MacLean for the uber–popular and longest–running segment in the history of Canadian television. So, I’m not choosing sides here. But, neither will I abandon MacLean, for whatever that is worth to Ron.

Still lost in the media soap opera is the horrific and untenable situation those bastards at Rogers put upon MacLean the day after Cherry’s infamous “you people” remark: either discredit your long–time partner on national TV or join him on the unemployment line. Can any of us truly imagine being placed in such a circumstance, with less than 24 hours to decide? Why couldn’t the heartless moguls at Rogers have removed MacLean from such an impossible choice and appeared on television the following night to air their own dirtly laundry?

They were assholes, that’s why.

Their cowardice was no–less appalling than Ron having to throw Cherry under the bus in order to stay employed. Yet, the world has gone after MacLean for his glaring disloyalty while conveniently overlooking those truly responsible for the shit show that followed. Rogers CEO Joe Natale and Sportsnet president Bart Yabsley eventually did concoct a statement on the firing of Cherry… but not before hiding disgracefully behind MacLean. As, of course, did the head honcho, himself, Ed the Conqueror. They are the ones who should have been front and center in this media quagmire. From the very outset. Instead, they scattered like frightened rabbits; the same hit–and–run that is evident each time the company gouges its wireless patrons and season ticket subscribers.

Ron MacLean is, and always will be, a valued friend. And, I’m proud to say so.

MOMENTS WITH THE HULKSTER: The world of sports and entertainment was shocked, earlier today, by the news that wrestling icon Terry Bollea (known to all as Hulk Hogan) had died of cardiac arrest at 71. During my radio career, I had the opportunity to interview Bollea on several occasions. First, after a press conference at SkyDome in late–March of 1990 to promote WrestleMania VI, which took place at the home of the Blue Jays and Argonauts on Apr. 1 of that year, when a packed house of 67,678 watched Bollea lose to the late James Hellwig, known as The Ultimate Warrior. After being pinned by Hellwig and stunning the partisan audience, Bollea raised the new champion’s arm in a remarkable show of grace and sportsmanship. More than 14 years later, as I covered the 2004 Stanley Cup final between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Calgary Flames, Bollea had free reign at Amalie Arena, where his daughter, Brooke, performed the Star Spangled Banner prior to home games.

At the time, the late, great Pat Marsden co–hosted our FAN–590 morning show with John Derringer. Pat rang me in Tampa before the series opener and implored me to invite Bollea as a telephone guest the following day, saying that he and the wrestling legend were acquaintences. At one point, Bollea was standing alone near the Zamboni entrance and I approached him with trepidation. But, he was more than friendly… and smiled broadly when I mentioned Marsden. “How is the old fat man?” Bollea laughed. From that moment on, any time I requested a few words, Bollea cooperated. Excitedly so after the Lightning defeated the Flames in Game 7 at Amalie Arena.

May the Hulkster rest in peace.

FROM THE VAULT…

Pages from a Maple Leaf Gardens program on Jan. 5, 1963, when the widely acknowledged best team of the Punch Imlach era defeated the Boston Bruins, 4–2. The 1962–63 Leafs would dispatch Montreal and Detroit in five games apiece to win the second of three consecutive National Hockey League titles under Imlach, adding an unexpected fourth championship in 1967.

 

 


 
 
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