Have your say!
E-mail fanforum@thefanview.com

 

July 3, 07

As a life-long Maple Leafs fan I have found myself turning away from them in recent years.  They have become an organization that has gone past protecting themselves and trying to win a cup and into one that has evil intentions. 

As you have said in your article, it's  "a large marketplace that can easily house two franchises" so MLSE must realize that their gravy train would continue.  Would they lose support by having another team in Southern Ontario?  No.  Another team would just provide those of us (say in KW) for whom it is impossible to see games an opportunity to see hockey.  So, by this reasoning, the only thing MLSE are doing by preventing another team is denying hockey fans the opportunity to see hockey - nothing else.  And that is unforgivable. 

Cameron Curwood - B.Sc. (Math) 

July 3, 07

While I appreciate anyone's talent to write a professional article (June
28th), such as yours, I also am amazed how you guys (writers) never let
up on the Leafs.
Do you REALLY think it's ONLY the Leafs that don't want a team in
Hamilton???  Do you think St. Louis wants it in Hamilton vs. KC??
Buffalo wants it in Hamilton?  Detroit too?  Don't you think Balsillie
is a bit insulting the way he pushed and embarrassed the Governors and
the league?
But your article states "MAPLE LEAFS BEHIND BALSILLIE'S INABILITY TO
JOIN NHL"
You make it out like the Leafs are to blame.  Only toward the end of the
article do you barely mention Buffalo.
By the way, did you interview the Leafs?  Your article is a blog since
it's all opinion and baseless.
Sincerely,
Reinhart Kramreither 

June 29, 07

You are a #*&@% joke! You think Balsillie lost his bid for the Predators
because of the Toronto Maple Leafs? After there was speculation that
Balsillie would actually consider asking MLSE to help him run the club? You
know what you are? You’re like the other 100s of ignorant sports reporters
bent out on jealousy and anger to try and make the Toronto Maple Leafs and
their fans look ridiculous. It's people like you and fans of the Habs and
Senators that make us run. We know you’re jealous of us, but that’s no reason
for you to cry like a little bitch and assume it's the Maple Leafs fault. I
think you need to learn how to report fact over rumour, and statement over
hissy-fit. I hope the media enjoys being laughed at (including yourself) by
the entire Toronto Maple Leafs fan base, which I can assure you is a fair
population of Canada. Now go cry about how the Leafs will over pay Toskala

Adad Macarthur

June 3, 07

You wrote an article awhile back about how hockey is a dying sport, and that rules have to be changed or it will somehow disappear. Blah blah blah.
Then I find out you're a basketball guy, so no surprise there that you hate hockey.
But just thought I'd let you know that last Wednesday night game 2 of the Stanley Cup did 2.4 million viewers on CBC. The NBA game on that same night on TSN did a whopping 69,000.
So you tell me. Which sport has the problems here and needs rule changes to attract fans? Now I'm no mathematician, but just looking at those two figures, I would say basketball is in a whole lotta trouble.
Kind of makes your article look pretty foolish, wouldn't ya say? Of course you won't. You're a basketball guy after all. We only bash hockey in this country. Why? Because the Americans do. But your agenda has nothin' to do with facts.

Argos 1

June 1, 07

Poor Toronto fans don't like what A-Rod did. BOO HOO. Stupid play by your shortstop & third baseman.

Wayne Laite

 

May 29, 07

Michael, 

I like how you put it in your response to me, as opposed to how it was put in the article.I completely agree that if Giambi had to do it all over again he would refrain from making self-incriminating statements, even if they were true!I find it ironic that Giambi was honest and forthcoming in his opinions (and correct about what baseball in general should do!) which is exactly what the press would love from all their interviews and will undoubtedly pay for his honesty when if he had given the usual cliché’s he would be in no trouble at all. 

Regards, 

Dave

May 22, 07

Yes, it is very easy to blame the league for the suspensions of the
Suns' players but if Diaw and Stoudamire had not left the bench we would
not be having this conversation.  To bring up the Duncan-Bowen incident
after the fact is pretty weak.  Just like the people who claimed
everyone in the race with Ben Johnson was on 'the juice', maybe so but
Ben, unfortunately, got caught.
Over the regular season Dirk should have been the MVP, if I had a vote
that is who it would have gone to.  If Steve, the greatest ball player
ever, Nash had a better year this year than last then I guess he should
have been MVP.  But using that criteria Michael Jordan should have been
MVP at least 10 times.
Stuart Seymour
Operations Analyst
Speedy Muffler, Brake & Wheel

 

May 5, 07

Its refreshing to read many of your articles as I agree with many of your opinions.   Glad to hear that I'm not the only one that is frustrated by TSN showing 50 minutes of hockey highlights and then 10 minutes on other sports. Believe it or not, last week Sportsnet pre-empted one of the NBA playoff games for Sportsnet news which had mostly hockey highlights.  They ended up joining the NBA game in progress.   I can understand having to join a NBA playoff game in progress if a baseball game goes into extra inning or something but I was stunned that sportsnet would delay NBA coverage for sportsnet news. 

Keith

Apr 12, 07

I disagree with your notion that changing the rules will allow the league to
be saved. I could care less about fighting but this league has survived over
100 years with the rules they use to have and will not die no matter what
they do. If you want my opinion, the rule changes are what is killing the
league. It is like watching basketball on ice. I really don't care if teams
can survive in the southern states. If they can't so be it let them die, of
all the hockey fans in North America roughly 80%  of them are in the
northern states and Canada so why is it the NHL has to always cater to the
20% who may or may no be interested in the south. I think the shootout has
no place in the game and has made for a joke as to the standings it give
mediocre teams an advantage and a boost into the playoffs where as deserving
teams who did not participate in as many shootouts but won more games in
regulation have been penalized by not making the playoffs. For example look
at the eastern conference stats Carolina had 40 wins and not 1 in a shootout
they finish 11th, the New York Rangers had 42 wins 9 by way of the shootout
and finish 6th. This goes to show that winning in regulation just doesn't
get rewarded. The first thing the league has to do is if they want to keep
the shootout they must find a way to even the value of each game played i.e
either 3 points for a regulation win or plain and simple no points for a
loss period. You just can't have some games worth 2 points and some games
worth 3 points. The other way to even this out is every team has a shootout
for the extra point at the end of every game. So you could lose the game in
regulation but you still have the chance at the bonus point in the shootout.
Sincerely,
D. Easton

April 11, 07

I totally agree with your views. I spent several years in the States and
many Americans I talked to believed that fighting was "staged" - like WWF
(or whatever they call it now).  When I tried to explain it was "real" I
found that I simply could not justify it. Basically, it is a barbaric
vestige from days of old (which DC was part of and continues to promote -
what a fine legacy). Hockey IS a minor league sport already - it is only
the Canadian media outlets that treat it as anything different. I myself
refuse to follow NHL hockey as we know it in 2007 due to the presence of
fighting and to the screwed up rules that give teams a point for losing and
in which "winners" are decided by gimmicks. Shootouts are gimmicks by
definition because they aren't used in the playoffs - how stupid is that? I
mean aren't they saying that the shootout is good enough to decide which
teams make or don't make the playoffs but not good enough to decide which
team wins the playoffs? In soccer they only use the shootout in playoffs or cup
tournaments.  During the regular season a tie is fine. So even in including
the shootout the NHL blew it.
Anyway, it is nice to hear an enlightened and intelligent view on fighting
for a change.
Thanks,
Rene Vandenboom, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Faculty of Applied Health Sciences
Brock University

Apr 10, 07

I read the following in your column and only have one question. You wrote "This kind of progressive thinking, not seen in the NHL—and usually not allowed—elicited the usual angry responses from the non-thinking" I spent 10 years in university and got straight As in a PHD program in the social sciences so I know I can think and I like hockey fighting.  I know others similar to me. I suspect your smart enough to know that there are people like me who are smart and like fighting exist.   So why do you resort to nothing short of name calling and insults instead of just making an intelligent argument?  A suggestion it cheapens your point.

 Jodey Derouin

 

Apr 9, 07

Right on the money.  Especially the ratings part in the U.S.  First and foremost the league needs to eliminate hits to the head and intent to injure. Thanks,

Anna

Kenmore, NY

 

April 7, 07

Mr. Hobson, 

You need to go further in your column, and explain to idiots like me, why it is that I should care about the survival of the NHL in the Southern States. NASCAR, COPS, CNN and WWF Wrestling are all acceptable forms of entertainment in redneck land...but hockey is too violent??

In my humble cement head opinion, the NHL could easily ditch a few lame franchises anyway, if they don't like the sport and I wouldn't bat an eyelash. For example, Nashville, Columbus, both Florida clubs, Carolina, any team owned by Disney, Atlanta and any club based in Texas could all slide off the face the sporting landscape and no one would even notice. 

I live in the center of the hockey universe, I like the game and I'm sick of that lame Canadian habit of constantly seeking approval from the USA. If the NHL flourishes in the USA, is that going to enhance my enjoyment of the sport?  The short answer is no.  The next question is: why should I care? 

Plus, I like fighting. It's friggin fun to watch and I'm not alone on that one. See: the Sabres-Sens punch up. Listen to the crowd in those highlights because that’s about as loud as it gets. They hated it. 

Who ever decided that Americans don't like senseless violence anyway? It is the most violent and depraved country on the face of the planet. These people re-invent violence and take it to new and disturbing levels on a daily basis. You want Americans to watch hockey on TV? Well if it's that important to you, I have a tip: more violence, not less. 

Sincerely, 

Marc Vespi

Cement Head

 

Apr 6, 07

nonsense, absolute sky is falling jibberish, sophmoric analysis, if any kind of analysis at all ...embarrsing, even to read, let alone write

Cliff Brown

 

April 6, 07

Okay we get your point. You hate hockey. You love baseball and basketball and the NCAA. Now please go away and leave hockey to us hockey fans.
Because really. Your article makes no sense at all when applied to this country. Because Canadians love the game of hockey. Its your favorite American sports we don't give a rats butt about. Like is your whining because of jealousy or something?
Like on Saturday night 3 million will be watching the Habs-Leafs. A couple of hundred thousand might watch the Blue Jays. Maybe 50,000 will watch the Raptors. Yet its hockey that is on the brink of extinction?
And really. Who cares if hockey won't make it big in the USA? I think thats great. That means no afternoon games in the spring. NO games into July. NO hockey in places where they cheer icing. I say please fail down there.
And after all. Those people think baseball and basketball is exciting. Shows what taste in sports they have, eh? Who cares what they thing about anything? Except for you I guess.
Me thinks you're just a frustrated basketball fan who is upset because nobody up here cares about your favorite sport.
Go to your local bar and watch your Raptors and Blue Jays. You know where you'll find them, eh? On the little TV at the end of the bar. Next to the twenty TV's showing hockey. Try your soapboxing there. People will laugh in your face.
But we don't rag on your favorite American based sports. Although we could. So quit whining about ours. Quit looking down south all the time. Either get off your soapbox or change your tune. Let us watch our hockey in peace

 

April 5, 07

Wow Mike are you going to receive flak from lovers of
fighting in hockey, as for me I am not one of them. I
can't stand fighting in hockey and I think your points
are bang on especially the one about people stopping
to see accidents I have been saying that for years,
but hockey players are not the smartest breed to begin
with.. Look at the former Leaf that lost his vision in
his eye and still won't wear a visor, or the time it
took to make helmets mandatory.It is uphill battle
Mike but hopefully the people in charge will get it right.

 

Mar 23, 07

Hello Mike

I enjoyed your article it was very informative and to
the point. The only thing I have issue with is when you
talk about Drury and Kaberle being out for more
games. That fact is not really relevant the intent is
more important that the games missed. If a player gives
a guy a marginal check but the player being checked
falls on his head and misses the rest of the season do
you suspend a guy the whole entire year for a play
that would warrant 5 games I don't think so that would
not be justice either. Keep making great articles.
justin

 

Mar 20, 07

I think the writers who vote are really hoping that Dirk falls off the
map a little bit so they have an excuse to give the MVP to Nash. But
does it matter in the end, Nash clearly is the most important player to
his team and as long as people know it that's all that matters. Can you
just imagine if they recorded a stat column for 2nd assists and assists
leading to foul shots. Maybe everybody with think a lot different then!!
I really enjoyed this article of yours,
Write me back if you get a chance.
All the best,
Elly

 

Mar 13, 07

Hi Michael,
The first article I read of yours I strongly disagreed with, and therefore
made it a point to read all of your columns on the Fan, hoping to find
something I could rant about. It turns out that I enjoy your work very much
and the latest piece is another example of that.
Nash without question, in my mind, is the MVP.
Sincerely,
Nick Dewdney

 

Feb 19, 2007

Hi Michael,

I wanted to applaud you for an Excellent article on the state of the Raptors!
Go Raptors!

Best Regards,

Arpan Khurana

 

Jan 30, 07

Mr. Hobson,
Who really gives a crap if any American outside of NY, Boston, Philly, or
Chicago ever spends money on hockey!!!!
I hope they dont!!!
We can get rid of the instigator, the phantom penalties, and ridiculous
teams in places with no ice and you can take your kids to all theNFL
(criminals, steroids), NBA (criminals, rampant drug use) and MLB(BARRY BONDS
et al.) games you want.
How do you explain to your daughter about the fact that nine Bengals have
been arrested this season?
Enough has been done to change one of the most exciting games on earth.
Leave it to the REAL FANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yours Truly
Nick Dewdney

Jan 30, 07

 

I'm shocked that you argue for eliminating fighting from hockey.
I'd bet you never played the game.  Its not prehistoric to want fighting, its called history, its part of the game. 
If the NHL wants to increase popularity of the game, they should take the restrictions off fighting.  The fans love it, the players love it, no one ever gets hurt, and it helps protect the franchise players.

Jonathan Strong

 

Jan 29, 07

Hey Man, 

I can appreciate your position on this, or anybody's for that matter.  But to me honestly it's no different that discussing the merrits of any issue in any game.  Like the Red Line for example.  Or the Shoot out.  Some like it, some don't.  But to say MLB, or NBA or the NFL for that matter is "above" the NHL is complete BS.

What's the point of a "Bean Ball"?  Part of the code?  Or just a comletely senseless behavior?  Kinda like a hockey fight right???  Not to mention, still the only league that has bench clearing brawls each and every season.  Ask Zimmer about Pedro.  Explain that to your daughter.  Explain the mayhem in the crowd.  This "what about the children?" is crap IMO, and about the weekest arguement on any issue. 

How about the NBA?  Let's have a look?  Ron Artest?  Carmello?  A league full of "role models" for sure.  What kind of people are Tie Domi, Georges Laraque, Stu Grimson, etc.?  Show your children what "non violence" is all about, and forget about those "bad" guys in hockey. 

How about the NFL?  The Bengals come to mind.  A great guy named Terrell.  Give me a break.  Your kids have a ton to look at there.  Hot dogging after a nothing play, time after time, player after player.  What about the Children? 

Say you don't want fighting.  Fine by me.  Say you like other sports because they set better examples for your kids?  Give me a break.  High and mighty BS. 

Jason

 

Jan 29, 07

I guess you have your opinion of hockey. However misguided.
But I had to laugh that you said you won't take your kid to a hockey game, but you would a football game? The most violent game in the world? Full of hoods and thugs and felons and steroid monsters?
And you want more changes to hockey? Obviously you were never a hockey fan in the first place.
Because the game is now being turned into basketball on ice. And you know how much Canadians like basketball, eh? LIke are you one of these peaceniks or something?
If thats the case, why aren't you crying about turning football into two hand touch? Or if its American its beyond reproach?
And to say hockey doesn't have widespread appeal? Like, what are you talking about? Like is baseball and teh NFL in the Olympics? Uh, hockey is. Hockey is popular in many countries now. Is baseball and football?
I guess you think hockey has problems because the yahoos down south won't watch? Do ya think maybe its the fact they have their sports, and we have ours?
That what they like, we don't give a rats butt about. And what we like, they don't give a rats butt about?
Becuase thats the way it is. They have baseball, basketball and NFL. We have hockey, curling and the cFL. The sooner you guys in the media realize this fact, and quite trying to get the Americans to like us, the sooner you'll realize this fact.
Hockey is doing just fine. And if the bloody Americans don't want it, we'll gladly take it back. Before Bettman and his American cohorts turn hockey into Arena football on ice!

 

Jan 13, 07

Since he settled on his rotation players 8 games into the season, we've been 5-5 three times in a row (despite injuries to starters). I now legitimately see us going to the playoffs as the winner of the Atlantic division.  

I hope that Rasho, Chris, Jorge, Anthony & TJ start, with Andrea, Joey & José subbing, and Morris, then Fred (if they're still around) as the injury subs. 

Bo Klymkiw
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

 

Nov 22, 06

I have NOT been a fan of his up until now, BUT now that he's got the rotation more or less right, I want to give him 30 games to see what he can do with it. Yes, he's had 3 games with it, and is 0-3. However, I'd still like to give him an opportunity to improve steadily. 3-7 in the current 10, 4-6 in the ten after that, and 5-5 in the last ten sounds fair to me. If we're not at 14-23 wins in 27 games (on Sat Jan 13), then you're right, Sam has to go. However, if we are at it, and we could play over .500 for the rest of the year, we'd end up at 37-45. Only six teams in the East are over .451 right now. Hmm ... . 

Bo Klymkiw
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

 

 

Luke Kypers Nov 13, 06

Adam Kennedy is the one move you mentioned a agree with... I don't think we'd be able to add a legit SS through trade but if we can than that is the only other strong possibility for finishing up the middle infield.

 As for adding two quality pitchers I just don't see that happening... The market is pretty thin for starting pitchers so the quality ones will be overpriced. So I think we'd have to settle for just one... then that leaves the 5th spot to be filled most likely by Marcum, Jansen or Towers (all have proved at different times they can be a solid SP so at least one should be good for next year.) 

I love Catt but he's just not worth it to bring back... he'll get 3 mill or more and a starting job in the field. The Jays outfield is full with 3 players that are better defensive options and very capable at the plate too...  and 2 of the Jays top prospects can serve as the backups. 

As for catcher you're probably right that JP will bring back Zaun, but the similiar $ would be much wiser spent on Rod Barajas. Zaun might be a better offensive choice but he's still a career best 12 HR hitter and career AVG of .252. Barajas would give the Jays pitching staff a boost with an arm that can actually throw out baserunners. Barajas is that defensive specialist that they have been missing... He is a bit of a liability at the plate but 2005 he did hit 21 HR and 15 in 2004.

 Adam Kennedy approx 5 mill

Rod Barajas  approx 4 mill 

This would leave the Jays 11mill and where to spend that is very debateable... I think Lind deserves a shot at the DH/backup outfielder... Which would allow JP to resign Spier and find the best starting pitcher he can for approx. 8 million a year 

That should give the Jays a top teir pitching staff (rotation and bullpen).

A much upgraded defence, especially at C cutting down on the horrendous SB totals.

Which in my opinion is has a lot of potential to put up runs for a team with such a good pitching staff.

 

Oct 30, 06

You really came down hard on the Cardinals last week, didn’t you? Talk about that cigar blowing up in your face!!! 

Better luck at the slots.

S. Carret,

Mississauga

 

Oct 30, 06

Remind me never to go to Vegas with you! :) 

Jim from Whitby

 

Oct 28, 06

oops, want to try another prediction

Adrian Vander Wielen

 

Sept 24, 06

My name is Tim Lalande, and I am a 23 yr old journalism student at Conestoga
College in Kitchener.  I have been given the task of finding a press release
and writing a story from that release, and I would like to use your
September 13th article about the jays being better off trading Vernon Wells.
  I am a huge jays fan and I happen to agree with you, and I was hoping that
I could email you a few questions about the issue for my assignment.  I can
assure you that the only people that would view the assignment would be
myself and my teacher, no one else.  If this is something that you'd be
interested in and would have time for, please contact me at your nearest
convenience, either by email or if you prefer by phone.
Thank You
Tim Lalande

(In response to a July 9, 2004 article stating that tennis lost its allure 
with the disappearance of the wooden racquet)
 
It's 
All About the Return

  My friend, tennis is a reinvented game.  You are quite right when you say it is hard to compare past athletes with today’s, this is because today's technology demands better athleticism and speed.  Tennis is an International game no longer played at the polite pace you seem to be begging for. From Australia to Europe and the Americas to Asia, the season long ATP Champions compete all season long.  Martina herself claims she is in better shape now than she has ever been, yet, even with today’s equipment finds it impossible to repeat her tremendous accomplishments.

 I think every time that the power game is raised, current stars are not able to deal with it. It was like "You were great, you had your time, but excuse me you're done." Just ask legends like McEnroe or Hingis what chased them out of the game!

 There is no doubt that the racquets and the increased power changed tennis. Think about this: throughout tennis history everybody was playing the same sport. Whether it was Budge, Kramer, Hoad, Laver, Smith, Ashe, it was all the same strategy and even up through Borg, Connors and McEnroe. And then Lendl and Becker show up and they don't play that way. Agassi doesn't play that way. The power game shows up and it changes the sport for the better. 

 If tennis was really only about power, then there would be more of the top servers in the top ten.  With the exception of Andy Roddick who holds the record for fastest serve at 153 mph, it's not the usual lethal-serving suspects — Ivo Karlovic, Taylor Dent, Mark Philippoussis, or Greg Rusedski — are in the top 20! It's the players who excel in physical fitness and play solid aggressive tennis that dominate today’s game.  Everyone can hit the ball out there, but it's getting to it and doing something with it that separates those in the top ten from others.

Take some time to get to know the current number 1 player in the world.  In today's era of abrasive athletics where WWE-style taunts have infiltrated all sorts of sports, talking a good game is sometimes more common than playing one. Roger Federer allows his classy conduct on court speak for him. With more and more younger people getting involved in the sport, I'm glad we have the likes of Federer and Agassi in the limelight.

 

Miles Davey

 

 

Mike, get your head out of the seventies!

 Have you even seen a game played in this decade? Why so much focus on the serve? It's one thing to focus on the ball hit so hard that one would think it was shot out of a cannon, but today's players are actually getting the ball back - that is the allure of the confrontation. The serve is but one part of a game that is not unlike a chess match, while having to anticipate quickly and play the angles.  It is this court sense that separates the pro from the club player, more so than merely looking at how technology has affected the game.  Give today’s tennis athletes a little credit will ya! 

 You ask, "How can a personality evolve when the game is simply about power?"  I say until you see more of the non-Americans on Sports Centre on a regular basis, you won't be able to get to know the personalities of players in the top 10!  Also, when a player like Safin, for instance, shows some personality like when he pulled down his pants at Roland Garros or made his Wimbledon remarks, the next day he apologizes.  One must conclude that agents probably tell players to tone it down because they're afraid for their endorsements, which seems to create a sterile climate in the game now. 

I don't understand how you as a baseball fan seem to love the confrontation between pitcher and hitter and show appreciation for what happens when the baseball is actually hit.  The serve in tennis is like that of a pitcher, with different spins, angles, movements, change-ups -- accept in tennis the ball is not traveling much faster! Now, in baseball the pitcher has the benefit of coaches stepping in at any time to help, where in tennis, you put yourself on the line with no one to help. Try comparing 90 miles an hour to 153 miles an hour my friend. 

 I suggest you go to a batting cage and face an eighty-mile an hour ball coming at you, then imagine it coming twice as fast.  Maybe then you will appreciate the return game.  You need to realize that it is the return of serve that is now the most feared shot in tennis, not the serve! 

 Anthony Campbell

 

(In response to Jan 10 rant concerning the NHL being stuck with too many struggling franchises)

Hey Michael,

I read the fan view and enjoy. Just a quick note that if you want to pick on NHL franchises that's great but the Columbus Blue Jackets had more than 50 sellouts in succession. In fact, they had to cut off season ticket sales. Columbus does not have to worry about fan support even with a terrible team. But I understand your point on the other teams.

Thanks
Morris Dalla Costa                                                                                                      London Free Press

 

(IN RESPONSE TO THE DEC. 6 RANT ON THE PORTLAND TRAIL

BLAZERS AND THEIR CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES.  THE THE FAN VIEW RANT WAS REPRINTED ON THE BLAZERS SUCK WEBSITE AND THE OPERATOR OF THAT SITE WROTE TO THE FAN VIEW)

It is time for people to stop supporting Wife Beaters, Rapist, Drunk
Drivers, Illegal Drug Users/Pushers and Thugs; such as you find with the
Portland Trail Blazers.  As much as they claim not to be examples or role
models, THEY ARE to many young people that look at their behavior as being a
norm or accepted practice. They watch as these "famous scumbags" get away
with thing that so many civilized people wouldn't dare.  Wife Abuse and
Child Abuse is a PUBLIC ISSUE not a private issue and people need to stand
up against this and stop turning their backs on this problem. They can start
by not buying Blazer tickets, and then even go as far as reporting abuse
they witness in their neighborhoods or where they are.
If your favorite sport organization hires and supports these kinds of
scumbags, you should stop supporting them!!!   Q  www.blazerssuck.com

Q Madp
PO Box 86888
Portland OR 97286-0888

 

The host of injuries is disheartening...but the lack of heart is the frustrating part. In particular Vince Carter...it started two years ago and it continues to plague him. He is gifted athletically,   but not in the heart department. He needs an Oakley to push and taunt him...he needs to get mad, then he plays aggressive ball. His knee(s) are items that must be foremost in his mind...but why can't he still drive to the basket. Look at Philadelphia's Snow... he plowed all through the play-offs last year on a broken ankle. Lots of players play through injuries... Vince's stats on free-throw attempts are way down...that tells me he's not driving to the hoop...maybe   he's lost his step due to injury, but I think he just hasn't found his heart. When he finds it...he  might want to try to inject Coach Wilkens with a bit... this guy has no emotion.

Jeff Canning

Lecours Wolfson

Toronto

                                                                                                     

    
Baseball--in spite of an entertaining playoffs and World Series, in spite of
rescuing itself from labour strife has pontificated its short-sightedness once
again.  I'm referring to this series some MLB all stars are playing over there
in Japan.  This sounds like interesting stuff to me.  Our best against an
unseen, unknown opponent, being played on their turf.  Perhaps some different
rules, different fan atmospheres, different stadiums, sushi not smokies!  I'd
love to watch these games.  It's certainly more interesting than ALL preseason
games (some of which are televised), more than MOST of the very long 162 reg.
season games.  In fact I'd place it right there beside the all-star game as far
as appeal.  And a home run challenge between our champ vs. theirs: Bonds VS
Godzilla (Toho take note!)- icing on the cake.  With recent banter about MLB
participating in the Olympics like NHL and NBA this would be a great promo.  With
discussion of a TRUE World Series between the U.S., the Dominicans, the Puerto
Ricans, Venezuelans, Canadians, the Aussies, the Japanese and the Koreans
becoming more prominent, this series takes on more meaning.  WHY THEN has no
major or sports network picked these games up showing them live and/or airing
them some time other than in the wee hours of the night?  How come I can't get
more than a box score on the back pages of the sports section in a paper.  Even
MLB.com hasn't embraced this as if it's worthy news.  Then I suppose the answer
might lie in the notion that I'm the only one who thinks this sort of thing
sounds interesting.  Well, baseball can't know if it doesn't try.  This, I think,
is just the latest baseball blunder- MLB style!  Another missed opportunity
where everybody loses.  At least the last time MLB screwed up no one lost (see
2002 MLB All-Star Game).
 
Jason Facette
Toronto

 

(In response to the July 30 article --RAPTORS DOOMED TO FOLLOW LEAFS DOWN BRIDESMAID PATH)
 

    The idea that Toronto fans are being suckered out of  their money is an opinion that I have had since I was old enough to understand what was going on.  It is an accepted fact that the way baseball is run it will be very difficult for the Jays to compete with the large market teams.  People are raving about this exciting young team that they are fielding, and how great the future is looking.  But how will the team look in three years when Hinske is a Dodger, Wells is a Yankee, and Stewart is a Met.  Not to fear though, we will still have 19 million-dollar man Carlos Delgado who has been the Jays biggest disappointment this year.  Unless the players and owners can agree to make baseball some kind of level playing field we are doomed to have a Montreal Expo syndrome.  This, of course, being the cultivation of young talent, then trading them for more young talent when they can't be paid what they will make elsewhere.  And like the Expos, the Jays will talk about a talented young team until nobody cares anymore.
     With regards to the Maple Leafs, I can't understand the dedication of their fans.  I am too young to know what the feeling was like when the Leafs were winning cups, but I am old enough to remember them being one of the worse teams in the league.  I remember the infamous Russ Courtnall for John Kordic trade, which seemed to define the Maple Leafs at the time.  And still every game was sold out.  My father would have to pull strings so that we could sit in the grays watching the Maple Leafs playing the Quebec Nordiques.  The most frustrating time is around trade deadline when the amount of talent that is moving around is enough to push a team to Stanley Cup quality.  And every year, according to the Toronto media, the Leafs are in the thick of things for Rob Blake, Darius Kasperitis, etc.  And what do we hear, the Leafs have announced a press conference to announce that they have signed...AKI BERG.  Pat Quinn says that they don't want to mortgage the future, but sometimes you have to be bad to be good.  Maple Leaf administration seems content to have a team that will go one or two rounds deep into the play-offs.  They throw the fans a bone knowing full well that they will sell out every game next year, and the following, and the following.
     In conclusion the Maple Leafs have a Monopoly over sports in this town. Toronto is a hockey town, and always will, and the fans will pay as much as they have to, and expect nothing in return.

Chris Scott
Mississauga, Ontario

 

(In response to the July 1 article MEMORIES OF EXPO TIMES PAST)
 

    Congratulations on your new fan-friendly website!
    In the MLB.com archives, I recently read your reflections on the highs and lows of the Montreal Expos, from their humble beginnings in Jarry Park in 1969 to their death throes in 2002...great article! I hope you will write more about the Expos....I feel they'll hang in there with the new management.
    A Quebecer, not unlike yourself, I fell in love with the Expos from the beginning, but lost interest in them in those long, grueling early years while living in Ontario. When I returned to Montreal in 1976, they hadn't quite hit their stride. However, I became an avid fan again and attended many games at the "Big Owe". The two most memorable years for me were 1979 and 1980 when Dick Williams was motivating the hell out of those guys, resulting in winning seasons. Not just winning seasons, but exciting, winning seasons! What a great infield, with Tony Perez at first, Rodney Scott at second, Larry Parrish at third and Chris Speier at short stop. And the unbeatable trio of Cromartie-Dawson-Valentine covering a couple of acres of outfield...talk about excitement and not just defensively...these guys could hit it out of the park anytime! Not to take anything away from what I feel was the greatest outfield in their brief history, but they had an exceptional catcher by the name of Gary Carter, who could outhit them all....mostly home runs at that. Of course, my favourite ace starter was Steve Rogers, followed by Dan Schatzeder and the "Spaceman", Bill Lee. I was always relieved when any of these pitchers got into a jam and Dick Williams, would walk out to the mound and signal for Woodie Fryman to come out of the bullpen. Somehow, I don't know how, but you could count on Woodie to bail them out. And if it wasn't Woodie, then it was Elias Sosa, who would close out the opposition.
    Wow, brings back great memories!
    Hey Mike...keep up the good work on the website. I'm sure Expo fans will enjoy your backgrounders and baseball fans everywhere will have a good fan repository to contribute to.

John Vinovich
Cambridge, Ontario