TORONTO (Aug. 21) — As someone who would not be unhappy were Donald Trump no–longer part of this world, I blatantly agree with him on one issue: If you were born with a penis, you are male. With a vagina? Female.

As it pertains to athletics, the policy should be straightforward: If you choose to alter your natural state, you are disqualified from participating in organized sport, amateur or professional. Nothing more complicated than that.

The topic should generate virtually no argument.

Neither has it until recently in our byzantine world in which people have grown intolerant to any form of stereotype, however accurate. A biological male competing against females is nonsensical. How can there not be a competitive advantage? Or competitive disadvantage the opposite way? This is not to shame or diminish any person that wishes to undergo such a change. There is nothing illegal or immoral about it and the wish, from this corner, is that these individuals enjoy long, happy lives. But, they should not be allowed to alter the biological balance of competition; there’s enough imbalance in sport among natural men and women. Why broaden that inequality?

Naturally, the apostles among us will condemn me to hatred and myopia. I embrace neither. It’s just that the squabble is outlandish… undeniably black and white with far too much grey area. It endures in our hypersensitive society only because it’s allowed to. And, it compromises any form of athletic equilibrium. The sports federations can put an end to it by banning any person that chooses to become transgender. There’s no reason to carry the subject any further. If you want to compete in organized sport, leave yourself as is. Or, find something else to do.

If that makes me cruel or insensitive, I’m guilty as charged. Let’s end the silly debate.

CROCKER TO REPLACE BOWEN: The story began to emerge on Thursday night. It will be made official sometime next week. Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment will elevate veteran Toronto Marlies’ voice Todd Crocker to replace Joe Bowen as radio play caller with the National Hockey League club. Bowen retired after last season, ending a remarkable 44–year run behind the microphone. Crocker has called American Hockey League games since 2013. If throwing his hat in the ring, why would MLSE overlook a loyal, veteran employee? This is good news for hockey observers, such as yours truly, concerned that Rogers/MLSE would do away with a dedicated radio call of Leaf games, choosing to simulcast the Sportsnet television feed. As I reported on Thursday night, popular analyst Jim Ralph will return for his 30th year in the role — by far the longest of any person in franchise history.

I initially explored the subject in this space, last month… https://bit.ly/44CCCPS.

THE LEAFS, NEXT WEEK, WILL UNVEIL TODD CROCKER AS THE CLUB’S NEW RADIO VOICE.

The continuation of a dedicated radio call remains important for a factor that appears to be imperiled — tradition. The Toronto NHL franchise was the first to deploy a radio broadcaster when Foster Hewitt began, in 1923, calling games of the Toronto St. Patricks. Hewitt invented hockey play by play and so much of its lexicon, including “he shoots, he scores!” When Conn Smythe built Maple Leaf Gardens in the teeth of the Great Depression, he expressly asked Hewitt to choose a level for a wooden broadcast booth that became known as the “gondola”. Beginning in February 1927 when the franchise name was switched to Maple Leafs, Hewitt called virtually every game until the early 70’s, when he began to slow down, allowing son, Bill Hewitt, and the unrelated Ron Hewat to spell him, particularly for road games. Bill was already calling Saturday and Wednesday home matches on TV, with Brian McFarlane. In the interim, all other teams followed the Toronto lead and established separate radio and TV personnel. A play caller and analyst accompanied the Maple Leafs on every road trip in modern franchise history… until the pandemic hit and MLSE found it could chintz out by keeping Bowen and Ralph at home to deliver action off a TV monitor. When the Rogers–led corporation absurdly continued the practice for the Stanley Cup playoffs, Bowen grew weary of the blatant disrespect. It resulted, more than anything, in Joe calling it quits.

With Ralphie returning — and why would MLSE look elsewhere for a color voice? — there will be continuity in the radio production. That continuity could have been enhanced if MLSE had chosen Joe’s son, David Bowen, for the job. The younger Bowen has called games, the past few years, of the Ontario Hockey League Sudbury Wolves. Instead, the Leafs have promoted Crocker… and it’s difficult to argue that he hasn’t earned the opportunity.

MORE PRE–WEEKEND THOUGHTS: While healthy and effective goaltending could enable the Leafs to significantly improve this season, there remains the forever concern about the blue line. Sergei Bobrovsky and Anthony Stolarz have been reunited from their time with the Florida Panthers. If each man performs as he did a year ago, the Leafs will undoubtedly miss the playoffs once more. Should they rebound to performance levels of two seasons back — when they may have been the best stoppers in the NHL — all bets are off. Still, and monumentally, the blue line is thin and incapable of withstanding prolonged injury. Morgan Rielly returns simply because the Leafs couldn’t give away the remaining four years of his contract, let alone recoup anything of significance. Rielly has been a terrific soldier for the team and the de facto captain in all the years Dion Phaneuf, John Tavares and Auston Matthews wore the ‘C’. But, his performance has dissolved in the past two seasons; fallen straight off a cliff. Neither is it favored to return to its previous level, which placed Rielly a tad beneath legitimate Norris Trophy contenders. As we start the new campaign, he is a borderline Top–4 defenseman in the NHL. Many Leaf rooters are anticipating, rather blithely, that Chris Tanev will bounce back from missing virtually all of last season and return, at age 37, to his form of two years ago. From this perspective, it is hope more than expectation. Darren Raddysh will undoubtedly contribute to the Toronto powerplay with his laser from the point, but he’ll not impress you nearly as much in the defensive zone. Rielly, Raddysh, Tanev, Jake McCabe, Oliver Ekman-Larsson (now 35), Emil Andrae and Troy Stecher are under contract for the next two seasons. All but Andrae are 30 or older. There is not a Norris Trophy type in the group; neither has there been for nearly half–a–century, since the prime years of Borje Salming… If another season (and, especially, playoffs) goes pear–shaped for Matthews, will his apologists blame Jim Hiller, as they did Craig Berube, Sheldon Keefe and Mike Babcock? Auston, William Nylander and (when he played here) Mitch Marner were the great coach killers. Nothing apparently has changed with Marner in Vegas… I liked the hiring of Hiller for precisely the reason others did not: he isn’t a sexy or glamorous choice. But, he could provide what this hockey market aches for: a quiet, steady hand behind the bench… Nylander is the most–skilled player among the returning Leafs. But, he showed with his infamous one–finger TV salute last season that he is neither serious nor mature enough to help guide Toronto through a Stanley Cup challenge. If I’m John Chayka, there is constant dialogue with other teams about acquiring Nylander and Matthews, who have failed the Leafs in the clutch for a decade… Truthfully, I’m not shocked at the ressurgence, since the trade deadline, of the Toronto Blue Jays. We’ve seen it before: there is poor performance until a team throws in the towel; offloads important players and relieves whatever tension existed. But, clubs that lack such character do not challenge for league titles. Neither will the 2026 Blue Jays… For those interested in the Toronto Argonauts, I do not remember the team — while in possession of a legitimate No. 1 quarterback — looking as frighteningly inept as last week in Edmonton. If that’s what new coach Mike Miller has brought to the club midway through the schedule, he was the wrong choice to succeed Ryan Dinwiddie. I’m not big on head coaches that fancy themselves as offensive wizards. The Argos frequently won in spite of Dinwiddie’s puzzling play calls, especially within sight of the opposition goalline. Miller has somehow turned Chad Kelly, blessed with a gifted receiving corps, into a turnover machine. Though he is still racking up passing yardage, everything about Kelly’s play this season sparks of panic. The silly deep balls into triple–coverage that are being regularly intercepted. It was said that Miller was the one guy who could relate to the quirky passer. It isn’t happening this season. Not at all… Dinwiddie’s first year in Ottawa has been disastrous with ten losses out of the gate. It’s quite an embarrassment for a coach that won a couple of Grey Cups here in Toronto… It has now been more than a calendar year since Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the half–billion–dollar man, hit a home run at Rogers Centre. He has a paltry seven on the season. Has an elite athlete in our city ever plummeted to such an extent over the course of one year? I cannot think of an example… There is escalating talk of NHL teams switching back to white uniforms at home; colored on the road, as between 1970 and 2003 (more below). It could be part of the next Collective Bargaining Agreement.

HOCKEY PHOTOS FROM THE 1970’s — Maple Leaf Gardens

There was a demarcation point for NHL jerseys to begin the 1970–71 season, when the league ordered visiting teams to wear predominantly colored uniforms on the road. It was the fourth year of the expanded NHL, with Buffalo and Vancouver swelling enrollment to 14 teams. In the first three years of expansion, clubs continued to wear colored jerseys at home; white (or lighter) jerseys on the road. That changed for 1970 and the arrangement lasted through the 2002–03 schedule, when the league switched back. It was a good move by the NHL, as the expansion teams offered smart–looking color designs. I’ve told this story before… I had no idea there would be a jersey change when I attended a Maple Leafs–Minnesota exhibition game at the Gardens in September 1970.

Both teams were still dressing in the middle corridor, between the benches, and would frequently come onto the ice togather. I can still close my eyes and see Gump Worsley appearing while outfitted in the predominantly green North Stars uniform (as above on Oct. 31, 1970). The Leafs arrived in the white road design they began to wear for the 1967 playoffs and continued through the 1969–70 season. The point of this recollection is to introduce 29 strobe–photos taken at Maple Leaf Gardens between 1970 and 1975; the road club wearing its colored uniform.

Strobe–lighting illuminated the subjects and made the background appear dark. Providing a unique effect.

As you’ll see, it truly enhanced the designs of each team.

Classic strobe shot from the Gardens on Dec. 15, 1971 showed Ron Ellis of the Maple Leafs closely checking Greg Polis of the Penguins behind the net. This was the uniform Pittsburgh wore at home in 1968–69 and 1969–70. It would continue as a road item for two more years before the club altered its jersey logo.

Henri Richard of Montreal started up ice with the puck on Oct. 28, 1970, past teammate J.C. Tremblay and goalie Rogatien Vachon. Despite a terrible start to the season, the Leafs hammered the eventual Stanley Cup champions, 6–2. Vachon would be traded to Los Angeles the following season upon the emergence of Ken Dryden.

 
The California Golden Seals (left) and Los Angeles Kings introduced new color schemes to the NHL. In the Leafs/Seals photo, forward Earl Ingarfield was hog–tied by Toronto defenseman Jim McKenny. The Leafs/Kings image showed veteran Jacques Plante in goal for the Blue and White with L.A. forward Bob Berry lurking nearby.

It was the first year of the Vancouver Canucks and forward Danny Johnson tried to elude the pestering of veteran Leaf George Armstrong. Toronto beat Vancouver, 3–1, on Mar. 3, 1971 in the second–ever visit of the Canucks.

Buffalo also joined the NHL in exansion for 1970–71, but this photograph originated from Nov. 2, 1974 at the Gardens during a 6–3 Sabres triumph. Doug Favell was in goal for the Leafs with Borje Salming and Ian Turnbull (in their second NHL seasons) on defence. Two–thirds of Buffalo’s “French Connection” line was in the photo: Gilbert Perreault (11) and Rene Robert (14). Dave Keon of the Leafs was turning away from the play.

 
Former Canuck Dunc Wilson played goal for the Leafs in the above photos from 1974–75, when he appeared in 25 games. At left, he snagged a shot against Detroit with his glove and Danny Grant lurking nearby. At right, Don Lever of Vancouver was on Wilson’s doorstep. Dunc later played for the Rangers and Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh goalie Al Smith moved across his crease with Leafs captain Dave Keon, while defenceman Dunc McCallum desperately tried to help. This action took place on Nov. 24, 1970. The photo is so clear that the Leafs logo on the puck can be seen. Smith played goal for the Toronto Marlboros in my first–ever visit to the Gardens: Mar. 6, 1966 for a Junior game against Peterborough. Fern Rivard (later with Minnesota) was in net for the Petes.

In the same game, Smith and defenceman Bob Blackburn surrounded Maple Leafs forward Jim Harrison.

 
The 1973–74 season was transitional for the Leafs, as Lanny McDonald, Borje Salming and Ian Turnbull all joined the club. First–year coach Red Kelly deployed an unusual three–goalie rotation, using Doug Favell (32 appearances); Eddie Johnston (26) and Dunc Wilson (24). Somehow it worked and the Leafs improved by 22 points. Top–left: Wilson tried to peek around Stan Mikita of the Blackhawks, with mustachioed Jim McKenny behind. Top–right: Orest Kindrachuk (26) and Dave Schultz (8) of Philadelphia scrambled for the puck in front of Johnston (1) and Bob Neely (3). The Flyers, in ’73–74, became the first of the 1967 expansion teams to win the Stanley Cup.

This photo from Dec. 18, 1974 had Pittsburgh defenseman (and long–time NHL executive) Colin Campbell thwarted by Dunc Wilson on a clear breakaway. Bob Neely (3) trailed the play. The Leafs came out on top of the Penguins, 6–4, early in the ’74 Christmas break (I remember sitting way up in the west Greys).

The New York Islanders were dreadful when they joined the NHL in 1972–73, establishing modern–day records for fewest wins (12) and most losses (60). By their third season (1974–75, when this photo was snapped), the Long Island–based club was a legitimate playoff threat. Here, at the Gardens on Dec. 28, 1974, goaltender Billy Smith signalled to officials that the puck was atop the back mesh. Dave Lewis (25) and Bert Marshall were the Islander defensemen, surrounding Leafs center George Ferguson. Toronto won the Saturday night match, 3–1.

 
Atlanta came into the NHL at the same time as Long Island. In the photo, top-left, from Apr. 2, 1975, goalie Dan Bouchard and defenseman Dwight Bialowas (22) of the Flames kept the [uck away from Leafs captain Dave Keon. Two years later, in 1974–75, the Kansas City Scouts came aboard with colorful uniforms, as evidenced (top–right) by No. 1 draft pick Wilf Paiement, who raced away from the checking of Toronto’s Errol Thompson. The Scouts made their NHL debut at the Gardens, losing 6–2 on Oct. 9, 1974. The NHL, that season, also added the Washington Capitals. Toronto native Mike Marson (15, below) became the first black player to take a regular shift in the league. Here, he backchecked in support of goalie (and former Leaf) Ron Low against the Toronto forward unit of Errol Thompson (12), Lanny McDonald (7) and George Ferguson. The ’74–75 Capitals still own the worst record in NHL annals: 8–67–5 for 21 points. One victory was against the Leafs (Dec. 15: 3–1 at Washington).

Guy Lafleur doffed his helmet in 1974–75 and finally graduated to an elite level (53 goals, 119 points). Lafleur (far–right, above) skated against the Leafs with forwards Murray Wilson (17) and Glen Sather (21). Defenseman Rod Seiling (16) looked rather frantic in front of goalie Gord McRae. This action took place during a 3–3 draw at the Gardens on Mar. 12, 1975. Ron Ellis scored the tying goal on Ken Dryden with three seconds left on the clock.

This was a miserable night for the Maple Leafs and it foretold a disappointing season. Oct. 26, 1974. Chicago forward Dennis Hull scored twice in a 9–2 pounding of goalies Dunc Wilson (above) and Doug Favell. Toronto defensemen Brian Glennie (24) and Rod Seiling were helpless on the play… and for much of the night.

I had rail seats (first row, at the glass) for this game on Dec. 6, 1975 between the Leafs and Bruins. Bobby Schmautz and Jean Ratelle scored in the third period for a 4–2 Boston triumph. Here, defensemen Borje Salming (21) and Ian Turnbull squeezed winger Don Marcotte (21) out of the play in front of goalie Wayne Thomas. Referee John McCauley looked on. The Bruins were back two months later (Feb. 7, 1976) for an 11–4 pasting by the Leafs — Darryl Sittler with a record 10 points (six goals, four assists). McCauley handled that game as well.

Oct. 17, 1970. The first Saturday night of the new NHL season. Teams began to wear predominantly colored uniforms on the road. Referee Wally Harris signaled that play was stopped after Leafs goalie Jacques Plante covered the puck, with Dave Balon (17) and Bill Fairbairn (10) of New York on his doorstep. Brian Glennie was at far–right.

The Roadrunner, Yvan Cournoyer, started a rush from behind goalie Ken Dryden at the Gardens during the 1972–73 season, in which curly haired Larry Robinson (19) was a rookie. Cournoyer was a member of 10 Stanley Cup teams with the Canadiens (1965–66–68–69–71–73–76–77–78–79). Robinson skated with the latter four clubs.

During the 1974–75 season, Toronto skaters Blaine Stoughton (17) and Dave Keon came close to scoring on Gilles Gilbert of the Boston Bruins. Phil Esposito (7) looked on between Stoughrton and Keon.

 
Clockwise from top–left: Toronto defenceman Bob Baun (21) tried to ward off Rod Gilbert of the Rangers while chasing the puck behind the net. George Ferguson (10) and Rod Seiling (16) kept the puck away from Dennis Hextall of Minnesota, who was closing fast. Cournoyer and Frank Mahovlich watched the play from in front of Leafs goalie Bernie Parent in 1971–72. Leaf defencemen Jim Dorey (8) and Brad Selwood were also on the ice. And, there was chaos in front of Dryden during the ’74–75 schedule as Ron Ellis (6) attempted to score, with Darryl Sittler watching. Larry Robinson and Serge Savard were the Montreal blueliners.

 

Borje Salming, in his second season (1974–75), looked up ice at the Gardens with Chicago rookie Grant Mulvey.

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