Rogers

Aren’t You Deathly Sick of Rogers?

TORONTO (Sep. 2) — I am convinced that if wandering through the rainforests of the Congo, in deepest Africa, I’d come across a venue named after Rogers Communications. Here in Toronto, you cannot turn a street corner without being smacked… Read More

Sportsnet Takes a Strong Stance

TORONTO (Aug. 13) — At first, I thought it pertained to a particular story and author. Then, I looked more closely and realized a decision had been made across the board. A strong, progressive decision by someone with clear authority… Read More

All Credit To Shapiro and Atkins

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… Read More

How Unwell is Don Cherry?

TORONTO (June 24) — Roughly six weeks ago, I watched a video podcast with Toronto Sun columnist Joe Warmington interviewing Don Cherry, presumably at Cherry’s home in Mississauga. I was stunned. It wasn’t the sharp, Dapper Don that Canadiens grew… Read More

Why the Contradictory Criteria?

TORONTO (May 26) — Clearly, two sets of rules and requirements exist in the Rogers sports empire. If not, there isn’t a person of mental acuity that can explain why Mark Shapiro retains authority over the Toronto Blue Jays the… Read More

Imagine the MLSE Revenge Tour

TORONTO (May 16) — Only once in my years around the Maple Leafs do I recall the club being so universally written off toward the end of a playoff series — prior to Game 7 of the 1993 opening–round clash… Read More

Car 34, Where Are You?

TORONTO (May 10) — So long as the Toronto Maple Leafs were winning, there was no concern over Auston Matthews being the highest–paid “defensive center” in the Stanley Cup playoffs. As noted, Friday, on the always friendly Hockey Night In … Read More

Bowen, Ralph Can Blame Themselves

TORONTO (May 4) — If they weren’t so damned polished and professional. Those two grizzled broadcasting icons that date to my time covering the Maple Leafs for The FAN–590. Back in the days before the Internet, and deranged car manufacturers… Read More

Another Absurd Call By Rogers/Bell

TORONTO (Apr. 24) — I suppose the cheapskates at Rogers and Bell did not learn their lesson two years ago, when Joe Bowen mistakenly credited a series–winning overtime goal in Tampa to Morgan Rielly. The long–time Leafs broadcaster was watching… Read More

The “MAGA” King of Toronto Sport

TORONTO (Mar. 28) — Now we know why that poor senior citizen got thrown out of the Blue Jays’ season opener on Thursday afternoon: He wasn’t a Donald Trump lackey. Unlike Edward Rogers, the individual that owns the stadium and… Read More

Is Matthews “C”–ing The Light?

TORONTO (Mar. 15) — As much as I contend that he’ll never be a consistently big–game performer for the Maple Leafs, Auston Matthews is clearly hampered by… something. No one anticipated another 69–goal season. In the 109–year history of the… Read More

It Was King Edward’s Call — Totally

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

Justin Bourne of a Different Time

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

The Blue Jays Appear To Be Doomed

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

Grapes Slowing, But Still Poignant

TORONTO (Dec. 10) — Don Cherry, on Feb. 5, will be 85 years of age, having enjoyed what is likely the longest–running show for an individual in the history of television, anywhere in the world. Over 37 years, since the… Read More