Toronto

Are You Ready For “Prime” Time?

TORONTO (Feb. 17) — This blog has nothing to do with the groundbreaking radio show I produced in its first three years — executed, without parallel, by Bob McCown from 1989 to 2019. Prime Time Sports is relegated to history,… Read More

The Notorious No. 63 in Leafs Blue?

TORONTO (Feb. 10) — It would be the rough equivalent of Benjamin Netanyahu inviting Kim Jong Un to moderate peace talks in the Middle East. Or, Donald Trump having the Bidens and Clintons to the White House for a casual… Read More

Everything In Leafs Land Is Fine

TORONTO (Feb. 4) — Justin Bourne of Sportsnet wrote on Monday that “Morgan Rielly is going nowhere [via trade].” I don’t imagine the TV/website personality spent a sleepless night coming up with that bulletin. He knows his favorite team better… Read More

Morgan Rielly Needs a Change

TORONTO (Jan. 30) — He would sleep on a bed of nails before quitting on the Maple Leafs. But, still, it’s time. Morgan Rielly has accomplished all he can in blue and white. Certainly, in Toronto blue and white. Were… Read More

If the Leafs Had Been Perfect…

TORONTO (Jan. 25) — Nothing in professional sport is more amusing than hindsight. And, hindsight may never be quite so amusing as in the blog you have started right here; right now. Or, nearly as bizarre. Were the Toronto Maple… Read More

Everyone is Missing the Mark — Again

TORONTO (Jan. 15) — Here we go. Groundhog Day. As always at this time of year, fans and media implore the Maple Leafs to add “depth pieces” prior to the National Hockey League trade deadline. Nothing too risky. Just nibble… Read More

30 Years Ago: How It All Started

TORONTO (Jan. 11) — It was a shot in the dark that landed bullseye. An idea so preposterous that it must have resulted from paralyzing fatigue. Even if, unwittingly, it became the genesis of my career path in sports radio.… Read More

It’s Time For Don and Ron

“Fame” [feym] — the state of being known or talked about by many people, especially on account of notable achievements. — Cambridge English Dictionary TORONTO (Nov. 10) — Yes, it is Hockey Hall of Fame Week here in town. On… Read More

Yes, Jack Todd Had A Point

TORONTO (Oct. 15) — I remember sitting at a popular hamburger joint here in town a few years ago (Golden Star, on north Yonge Street), gabbing with Dan Shulman. Each of us had brought our sons for dinner. It was… Read More

Was It Worth Our Prostitution?

TORONTO (July 8) — Perhaps never in North American history has a proud, diverse city “gone down” on a person as Toronto did Kawhi Leonard during his apparent struggle to choose between re–signing with the Raptors or fleeing to Los… Read More

Not Bigger, Just Smarter

TORONTO (June 19) — The question was inevitable and rhetorical: Would a Stanley Cup parade in our city either match or exceed the monstrous gathering for Monday’s basketball blowout in the downtown core? First, no sports commemoration will ever top… Read More

Why Even Go There?

TORONTO (June 1) — Predictably, it took no time at all for the most–sophomoric angle to emerge from the Toronto Raptors brilliant playoff run: Has basketball become more popular in Toronto than hockey? Such a challenging question on the day… Read More

Of Course Nylander Will Be Dealt

TORONTO (Nov. 12) — How many times can we put a different spin on the same likelihood? Let us count. 1 Toronto’s three–player nucleus beyond the coming season will be Tavares, Matthews and Marner. 2 The Nylander contract stalemate… is… Read More

Is There an Indispensable Leaf?

TORONTO (Sep. 22) — In the current National Hockey League — with a condensed schedule of six months spanning three time zones of travel in Canada and the United States; with players skating on the same ice dimensions as their… Read More

Leafs/Habs in New Territory

TORONTO (Aug. 11) — For so many years in the post–1967 (or expansion) era of the National Hockey League, it was unthinkable that the Toronto Maple Leafs would be acres ahead of the Montreal Canadiens. Fans of both clubs are… Read More

Will The Leafs Be Next?

TORONTO (June 16) — A cynic would contend it is thoroughly emblematic of this city that our three “least–fashionable” sports teams have won championships in the past 6½ months. No disrespect to the Argonauts, Toronto F.C. or the Marlies, but… Read More

Sliver of Light After a Dark Day

TORONTO (Apr. 24) — Ten people are dead after the driver of a van mounted a sidewalk–curb in North York and indiscriminately bowled over pedestrians, making international news. And, yes, the Toronto Maple Leafs are once more en route to… Read More

Why Would The Leafs Trade JVR?

TORONTO (Feb. 9) — As you settle into my Friday blog, pause for a moment and ask yourself this question: Do the Toronto Maple Leafs have a reasonable chance of winning the Stanley Cup this season? When I say “reasonable”,… Read More