CALLING OUT GIBBONS, BAUTISTA, ESCOBAR AND COLANGELO.
As you may know, I'm not a big fan of Bluejays manager John Gibbons and his "in game" decisions. Maybe it'll take a few more wins before I feel comfortable with him, but I don't think so. Yesterday was a perfect example. R.A. Dickey had thrown 120 pitches through 8 innings and the Jays had a 7-3 lead on Tampa. So, instead of sending Dickey back out for the 9th, or going with one of his "lesser" relievers to get the final 3 outs, Gibbons turns to his "closer". Casey Janssen hadn't pitched in 8 days, but he's also not used to pitching unless the game is on the line. (Read: Save situation). Like most closers, he's got to be in a game where there's some urgency. A one or two run lead to protect. Very little wiggle room. A situation where every pitch matters. Instead, he's out there just to get some work in, and ends up throwing 26 pitches, giving up a walk and three hits, including a two run bomb off the bat of Yunel Escobar (more later). Luckily, the Jays hung on to win, but now if you need Janssen, who's had shoulder problems this year, he may not be as effective. Suppose you need him to close out tonight's game, or tomorrow afternoon's tilt. Or both? Will those 26 pitches in a "non save" situation have a negative effect? If Gibbons wasn't going to leave Dickey in to get three outs, he should've put in Esmil Rogers or Brad Lincoln or Brett Cecil for the 9th. If the Rays managed to load the bases, THEN you bring in Janssen for the save. Very few "closers" come into a game unless it's a "save" situation. Gibbons should know that.
Still with the Jays, the booing of Yunel Escobar was well deserved last night. Every time he was announced, he had to incur the wrath of Jays fans who can't forgive him for the racist-slur-on-the-eyeblack last season. And when Escobar hit a two run homer in the 9th of Janssen, he took a nice leisurely canter around the bases before finally crossing home plate and giving the exaggerated "safe" sign with both arms. More boos from the Toronto faithful. Rays manager Joe Maddon said after the game that he'd have a talk with Escobar. Maybe a swift kick in the cojones would help too. By the way, I hadn't heard booing like that from Toronto fans since they targeted poor Larry Murphy on the Leafs blueline some 15 years ago. That was vicious.
I like the fact that Gibbons has moved Melky Cabrera to the leadoff spot because, basically, he has no one else to put there until Jose Reyes comes back (sometime between next week and mid July, depending on your level of optimism and the Jays level of panic). What I don't like is having Jose Bautista bat in the #2 hole. Too many times over the past week, Bautista has failed to move Cabrera up a base, which is what a #2 hitter should do, when he's not trying to hit a homerun. Too many times Bautista has failed to change his approach at the plate; to become more of a go-the-other-way contact hitter in order to move the runner along, rather than the free power hitter that he wants to be every time up. If you ask me, EE would be a better #2 hitter, as he tends to use the whole field more often than Bautista. Regardless, if the Jays want to have ANY chance of making the playoffs, they have to get better production out of these two hitters. Bautista, in particular, needs to step it up. After hitting 7 homers in April, he only has two dingers in the month of May, and both came in the same game at Boston. With just 8 doubles and 9 homers, he needs to provide more power. EE as well. His 12 homers are great, but he only has five doubles this season. I expect more power from both.
Much as I've tried, I just can't seem to get into ANY Stanley Cup playoff series. Maybe it's the hangover after Round One. I just don't know. Maybe it's the fact that I went 2-6 with my first round predictions and I'm afraid to hang my hat on any team for fear that they'll flame out in the second round and then I'll have to change my allegiance (again).
Who should play goal for Canada at next year's Sochi Olympics? Bubba and I were trying to figure this one out. Marc Andre Fleury, Roberto Luongo? Brian Elliot? Corey Crawford? Mike Smith? How about Carey Price or even Martin Brodeur? Not a huge talent pool here. It seems the best goalies are from other countries. Lundqvist (Sweden) Craig Anderson (U.S.) Johnny Quick (U.S.) Antti Niemi (Finland) Rask (Finland) Jimmy Howard (U.S.). Whatever happened to all those great Canadian goalies?
Finally, I see whereby Bryan Colangelo got the "Brian Burke treatment" from MLSE. He's no longer the G.M. of the Raptors but he is the President (but not for long) In the past five years, the Raptors have gone backwards, and Colangelo was responsible for two huge messes. Not signing or trading Chris Bosh until it was too late. And selecting the Primo Pasta man, Andrea Bargnani as the #1 overall pick in 2006. Oh yes, there was the ill-fated Jermaine ONeal trade, the Hedo Turkoglu debacle, the jettisoning of point guards Jarret Jack, Jose Calderon and Jerryd Bayless, the signing of Linas Kleiza and Landry Fields and the failure to realize that Rudy Gay, while a good player, is not worth anywhere near 18 million dollars a year, and one of the main reasons why Memphis is now in the Western Conference Finals. Those moves, plus no playoff appearances in five years led to an easy decision by MLSE. The big question now is: Who takes over this mess?
Tuesday, 21 May 2013
Friday, 17 May 2013
DOES ANYONE CARE ABOUT "THE SPORT OF KINGS" ANYMORE?
I was destined to become a fan of "the ponies". My Dad used to tell me stories of how he and his brothers would climb a telephone poll outside the old Dufferin Racetrack in Toronto, and shout out the numbers of the horses as they crossed the finish line. Somebody at a pay phone would place the bet with the bookie, known as "past posting", and hopefully the bookie wouldn't catch wind, and pay off the bet. After a while, the bookies caught on and wouldn't accept a bet after a certain time.
When I first worked in radio, for Foster Hewitt's CKFH, they used to run the stretch drive of the races from Woodbine, Greenwood and Fort Erie. After a song, the buglers call would come on and then you'd hear the voice of Daryl Wells calling the last eighth-of-a-mile or so. The call came in on tape, and then the tape was played as soon as the song ended. That meant there was a gap of a minute or two from the time the race ACTUALLY ended to the time it aired on the radio. I once got a call from a scary sounding guy who wanted to know if I could pass him along the winners before the tape went to air. I told him I was already aware of "past posting" and hung up.
The reason I tell these stories is because Horse Racing is dying. There are many other ways to gamble now. Folks don't have to leave their homes, and if they do, they can head to the casinos and play the slots. In fact, the slots have basically pushed Horse Racing out of the picture in Ontario. Some 60 thousand jobs will be lost when the industry finally dries up, which could happen in the next couple of years. There is now less racing for smaller purses in Ontario. Back in the day, the Queens Plate, the Prince of Wales and the Breeders were a big deal. Now, there's talk that the Canadian Triple Crown could be a thing of the past very shortly.
Which brings me to tomorrow's Preakness Stakes, the second jewel in the U.S. Triple Crown of racing for three year olds. "Orb", who won the Kentucky Derby a few weeks ago, is the favourite at Pimlico, and it's hoped by many that he wins, so we can have yet another equine sensation try for the Triple Crown, which hasn't been won since 1978 (Affirmed). You may recall last year, when "I'll Have Another" won the Derby and the Preakness, but then was scratched from the Belmont and had to retire with a tendon injury. That was a dagger in the heart of the sport because there was no longer any drama associated with the race. Once again, there would be no Triple Crown champion.
Horse racing went on for decades without any real competition, but now it appears sloppily-dressed poker players are more popular than racehorses. The average person wouldn't know the difference between Mr. Ed and Orb. Even if Orb wins the Preakness and then goes on to take the Belmont and the Triple Crown, he won't revive the sport. Back in the "Golden Age" of Sports, Horse Racing and Boxing were by far the most popular sports. Now, nearly a century later, both are replaceable. MMA has taken over from Boxing, and for the gamblers, on-line and TV poker and casino gambling have surpassed horse racing.
I know a lot of people who depend on horse racing for their livelihood. And not just the people who own the horses and breed them. The trainers, the jockeys, the hotwalkers and exercise riders, the stewards and racing secretaries, valets, ticket takers and cashiers. The folks that sell feed, hay, trailers, sulkies, saddles and other tack. The vets, the folks in public relations, marketing, the chefs and waiters and waitresses who work in the dining room. They all depend on horse racing. They're hoping things turn around for their industry. But they're betting on a longshot. Horse racing will never be the same.
I was destined to become a fan of "the ponies". My Dad used to tell me stories of how he and his brothers would climb a telephone poll outside the old Dufferin Racetrack in Toronto, and shout out the numbers of the horses as they crossed the finish line. Somebody at a pay phone would place the bet with the bookie, known as "past posting", and hopefully the bookie wouldn't catch wind, and pay off the bet. After a while, the bookies caught on and wouldn't accept a bet after a certain time.
When I first worked in radio, for Foster Hewitt's CKFH, they used to run the stretch drive of the races from Woodbine, Greenwood and Fort Erie. After a song, the buglers call would come on and then you'd hear the voice of Daryl Wells calling the last eighth-of-a-mile or so. The call came in on tape, and then the tape was played as soon as the song ended. That meant there was a gap of a minute or two from the time the race ACTUALLY ended to the time it aired on the radio. I once got a call from a scary sounding guy who wanted to know if I could pass him along the winners before the tape went to air. I told him I was already aware of "past posting" and hung up.
The reason I tell these stories is because Horse Racing is dying. There are many other ways to gamble now. Folks don't have to leave their homes, and if they do, they can head to the casinos and play the slots. In fact, the slots have basically pushed Horse Racing out of the picture in Ontario. Some 60 thousand jobs will be lost when the industry finally dries up, which could happen in the next couple of years. There is now less racing for smaller purses in Ontario. Back in the day, the Queens Plate, the Prince of Wales and the Breeders were a big deal. Now, there's talk that the Canadian Triple Crown could be a thing of the past very shortly.
Which brings me to tomorrow's Preakness Stakes, the second jewel in the U.S. Triple Crown of racing for three year olds. "Orb", who won the Kentucky Derby a few weeks ago, is the favourite at Pimlico, and it's hoped by many that he wins, so we can have yet another equine sensation try for the Triple Crown, which hasn't been won since 1978 (Affirmed). You may recall last year, when "I'll Have Another" won the Derby and the Preakness, but then was scratched from the Belmont and had to retire with a tendon injury. That was a dagger in the heart of the sport because there was no longer any drama associated with the race. Once again, there would be no Triple Crown champion.
Horse racing went on for decades without any real competition, but now it appears sloppily-dressed poker players are more popular than racehorses. The average person wouldn't know the difference between Mr. Ed and Orb. Even if Orb wins the Preakness and then goes on to take the Belmont and the Triple Crown, he won't revive the sport. Back in the "Golden Age" of Sports, Horse Racing and Boxing were by far the most popular sports. Now, nearly a century later, both are replaceable. MMA has taken over from Boxing, and for the gamblers, on-line and TV poker and casino gambling have surpassed horse racing.
I know a lot of people who depend on horse racing for their livelihood. And not just the people who own the horses and breed them. The trainers, the jockeys, the hotwalkers and exercise riders, the stewards and racing secretaries, valets, ticket takers and cashiers. The folks that sell feed, hay, trailers, sulkies, saddles and other tack. The vets, the folks in public relations, marketing, the chefs and waiters and waitresses who work in the dining room. They all depend on horse racing. They're hoping things turn around for their industry. But they're betting on a longshot. Horse racing will never be the same.
Wednesday, 15 May 2013
TORONTO's MOST POPULAR PASTTIME.
Leaf bashing has been going on for years. I should know. I once organized a protest in front of Maple Leaf Gardens when the Leafs were 21st in a 21 team league. This was back in the early 1980s. The Leafs were brutal. I had a radio talk show at the time on 590 CKEY, and fans would call in and complain about the Leafs (sound familiar?), so I suggested if they really wanted to send a message, they should burn their tickets. That way management might do something to improve the team. Hah! Not only did the protest have no affect at all, it got me kicked out of the Gardens. As well, Leaf players were instructed NOT to talk to any CKEY microphone. Of course, that made me even more determined to give the Leafs a hard time. It was pretty easy, believe me. It was also kind of sad that a once-great franchise with the most loyal fans on the planet would treat those supporters with such utter disrespect.
Fast forward to 2013. A team that hasn't even made the post-season in 9 years gets a bit of a break with a shortened season. Still, nobody in their right mind believes Toronto is good enough to even make the playoffs, much less scare the hell out of the Boston Bruins. And so, against all odds, they not only make a series out of it, they actually storm back from a 3-1 series deficit to tie things up. Whoever thought they'd get this far? And so, instead of being happy with just BEING THERE, Leafs fans start to actually believe that their team is the second coming. Up three goals in the elimination game and then.....poof! But let's not give any credit to the Boston Bruins. No. Let's instead bash the hell out of the Leafs the same way we did when they were the first team to hit the golf course every April. I mean, really, do we need to know the anatomy of a choke-job? Is it that important to go over the last few minutes of the Boston game the way they pored over the Zapruder film back in '63?
Of course, there will always be those who complain about every little thing. If Carlyle had called time out with the score 4-2 and told Phaneuf not to give up the puck and told Reimer not to go down so soon, would that have made a difference? Who knows. But I guarantee you, if it keeps getting brought up, you'll never be able to get past it. If people continue to call it a "colossal collapse" and a "choke job for the ages", they're not seeing the big picture. You are supposed to learn from your mistakes and learn from your toughest defeats. When the young Edmonton Oilers lost the 1983 Stanley Cup finals in four straight to the Islanders, Wayne Gretzky recalled passing the Islander dressing room after the game and hearing the unbridled joy as the Islanders celebrated their fourth straight Cup. Gretzky said right then and there, that it would be the Oilers making all that noise the following year. And he was right. The Oilers got their revenge a year later, beating the Isles for the Cup in five games. They needed the experience of a bitter defeat to get there.
Now, I'm not suggesting for a minute that the Toronto Maple Leafs are the 1980s Oilers. But I will throw this out there. That bitter defeat the other night will make them stronger, more resilient and more prepared for their upcoming 82 game odyssey. The experience of "blowing it" will motivate them to improve next year. And the more we remind them of their failure to play ten minutes of hockey, the more we dismiss the good work they had done over the regular season. 5th in the East. A seven game barnburner with the Bruins. Certainly more than ANYONE expected.
Leaf bashing has been going on for years. I should know. I once organized a protest in front of Maple Leaf Gardens when the Leafs were 21st in a 21 team league. This was back in the early 1980s. The Leafs were brutal. I had a radio talk show at the time on 590 CKEY, and fans would call in and complain about the Leafs (sound familiar?), so I suggested if they really wanted to send a message, they should burn their tickets. That way management might do something to improve the team. Hah! Not only did the protest have no affect at all, it got me kicked out of the Gardens. As well, Leaf players were instructed NOT to talk to any CKEY microphone. Of course, that made me even more determined to give the Leafs a hard time. It was pretty easy, believe me. It was also kind of sad that a once-great franchise with the most loyal fans on the planet would treat those supporters with such utter disrespect.
Fast forward to 2013. A team that hasn't even made the post-season in 9 years gets a bit of a break with a shortened season. Still, nobody in their right mind believes Toronto is good enough to even make the playoffs, much less scare the hell out of the Boston Bruins. And so, against all odds, they not only make a series out of it, they actually storm back from a 3-1 series deficit to tie things up. Whoever thought they'd get this far? And so, instead of being happy with just BEING THERE, Leafs fans start to actually believe that their team is the second coming. Up three goals in the elimination game and then.....poof! But let's not give any credit to the Boston Bruins. No. Let's instead bash the hell out of the Leafs the same way we did when they were the first team to hit the golf course every April. I mean, really, do we need to know the anatomy of a choke-job? Is it that important to go over the last few minutes of the Boston game the way they pored over the Zapruder film back in '63?
Of course, there will always be those who complain about every little thing. If Carlyle had called time out with the score 4-2 and told Phaneuf not to give up the puck and told Reimer not to go down so soon, would that have made a difference? Who knows. But I guarantee you, if it keeps getting brought up, you'll never be able to get past it. If people continue to call it a "colossal collapse" and a "choke job for the ages", they're not seeing the big picture. You are supposed to learn from your mistakes and learn from your toughest defeats. When the young Edmonton Oilers lost the 1983 Stanley Cup finals in four straight to the Islanders, Wayne Gretzky recalled passing the Islander dressing room after the game and hearing the unbridled joy as the Islanders celebrated their fourth straight Cup. Gretzky said right then and there, that it would be the Oilers making all that noise the following year. And he was right. The Oilers got their revenge a year later, beating the Isles for the Cup in five games. They needed the experience of a bitter defeat to get there.
Now, I'm not suggesting for a minute that the Toronto Maple Leafs are the 1980s Oilers. But I will throw this out there. That bitter defeat the other night will make them stronger, more resilient and more prepared for their upcoming 82 game odyssey. The experience of "blowing it" will motivate them to improve next year. And the more we remind them of their failure to play ten minutes of hockey, the more we dismiss the good work they had done over the regular season. 5th in the East. A seven game barnburner with the Bruins. Certainly more than ANYONE expected.
Tuesday, 14 May 2013
THE INEVITABILITY OF (SUDDEN) DEATH.
You just had to feel it. At some point during last night's game in Boston, you just knew, in the dark corners of your mind, that the Toronto Maple Leafs weren't quite ready for prime time. Something was going to happen in the last ten minutes to spoil the party. It was, some say, inevitable that the young, fresh, confident upstarts from Toronto would be taught a lesson by the grizzled, battle tested veterans from Boston. Of course, you didn't want to believe it, not after having witnessed 50 minutes of sensational, shut down, nose to the grindstone hockey. You allowed yourself a smile, a fist-pump, a nod and a wink to your comrade in blue and white. And then it hit you. The inevitability morphed into stunning reality. That sickening feeling at the bottom of your gut, the one you tried to chalk up to too many beers, hit you hard. Like a Milan Lucic bodycheck. It knocked the wind out of your sails, and those of the entire Maple Leafs Armada. For a while we thought the Leafs had overcome the inevitable, when in reality, they only delayed it.
Yes, playoff experience matters, and it's something the Leafs will have plenty of next spring when they (hopefully) compete again for Lord Stanley's prize. Lupul, Kessel, Gardiner, Reimer, Kadri, coach Carlyle and the rest of them will have the long summer to think about what they accomplished, and what they need to do for future success. This past season was beyond what any Leaf supporter expected. Pointing the fingers of blame for last night's meltdown won't do anybody any good. It's natural to blow off steam after such a heartbreaking defeat. Think about it. The Leafs took Boston to overtime in the 7th game. That's really all you need to remember. The taste of success was delicious this season. Savour it. The pain of losing will subside and eventually give way to the anticipation of future viewing. This team looks like it's going places.
You just had to feel it. At some point during last night's game in Boston, you just knew, in the dark corners of your mind, that the Toronto Maple Leafs weren't quite ready for prime time. Something was going to happen in the last ten minutes to spoil the party. It was, some say, inevitable that the young, fresh, confident upstarts from Toronto would be taught a lesson by the grizzled, battle tested veterans from Boston. Of course, you didn't want to believe it, not after having witnessed 50 minutes of sensational, shut down, nose to the grindstone hockey. You allowed yourself a smile, a fist-pump, a nod and a wink to your comrade in blue and white. And then it hit you. The inevitability morphed into stunning reality. That sickening feeling at the bottom of your gut, the one you tried to chalk up to too many beers, hit you hard. Like a Milan Lucic bodycheck. It knocked the wind out of your sails, and those of the entire Maple Leafs Armada. For a while we thought the Leafs had overcome the inevitable, when in reality, they only delayed it.
Yes, playoff experience matters, and it's something the Leafs will have plenty of next spring when they (hopefully) compete again for Lord Stanley's prize. Lupul, Kessel, Gardiner, Reimer, Kadri, coach Carlyle and the rest of them will have the long summer to think about what they accomplished, and what they need to do for future success. This past season was beyond what any Leaf supporter expected. Pointing the fingers of blame for last night's meltdown won't do anybody any good. It's natural to blow off steam after such a heartbreaking defeat. Think about it. The Leafs took Boston to overtime in the 7th game. That's really all you need to remember. The taste of success was delicious this season. Savour it. The pain of losing will subside and eventually give way to the anticipation of future viewing. This team looks like it's going places.
Monday, 13 May 2013
ARE THE MAPLE LEAFS MAKING YOU FAT?
The more playoff games the Leafs win, the more my waistline expands. So, what do I do now? Six games into the first round, including back to back Leaf wins on Friday and Sunday, and my weight is up to 205 pounds. The last time I was this heavy was 9 years ago, the spring of 2004. Not coincidentally, that was also the last time the Leafs were in the playoffs. They won a 7 game series over Ottawa, during which I gained a couple of pounds (chicken wings and beer as I recall). Then, they went six more games before falling to Philly in the second round, and I ended up at 207 pounds (Philly Cheese steaks and tequila). Had they gone on to the Stanley Cup finals that year, I'm sure I would've ended up on "The Biggest Loser". Let's face it, spending three hours in front of the TV watching playoff hockey (or any sporting event for that matter) means popcorn, pistachios, chips, veggies and dip and beer. It also means three hours without any exercise at all, unless you consider jumping up and clenching your fist every so often to be a "cardio workout".
Normally, I weigh myself once a week, but with a Maple Leaf game on every other night, and in this case, on back to back nights, I have to weigh myself daily. I know the beer companies and the snack food companies and the pizza conglomerates are airing an onslaught of ads designed to make the hungry and thirsty Leafs fan load up on all the high-calorie foods that are OK to eat once in a while, but not every other night. Seriously. On Thursday, I was 201 pounds and working my butt off on the treadmill every day just to maintain. Then there was Friday's Leafs game, a barn burner of a tilt that likely saw me inhale 1500 to 2000 calories, even with lo-cal salt free pistachios and light beer. The next day, Saturday, I didn't have time for a workout, and managed the spend a couple of hours watching the Jays (another 1000 calories worth of red licorice, sweet and salty popcorn and sunflower seeds). Yesterday, even though I went for a run, I watched a bit of the Jays-Red Sox (fresh fruit, cheese and crackers, soda water) and then at night, the Leafs-Bruins ( Pizza, chocolate covered pretzels, Lays, Skittles) And that's how I got to 205 pounds. And now I'm worried/thrilled that the Leafs will get into the next round. If they lose tonight, I can go back to my normal eating habits and likely drop a few pounds. But if they beat Boston, it's at least two more weeks of undisciplined, yet necessary eating and drinking.
So, which do I choose? I choose to root for the Maple Leafs and the hell with my waistline. Mind you, the last time I said that, it took 9 years for them to get back to the playoffs. Those were known as the "lean" years. In more ways than one.
The more playoff games the Leafs win, the more my waistline expands. So, what do I do now? Six games into the first round, including back to back Leaf wins on Friday and Sunday, and my weight is up to 205 pounds. The last time I was this heavy was 9 years ago, the spring of 2004. Not coincidentally, that was also the last time the Leafs were in the playoffs. They won a 7 game series over Ottawa, during which I gained a couple of pounds (chicken wings and beer as I recall). Then, they went six more games before falling to Philly in the second round, and I ended up at 207 pounds (Philly Cheese steaks and tequila). Had they gone on to the Stanley Cup finals that year, I'm sure I would've ended up on "The Biggest Loser". Let's face it, spending three hours in front of the TV watching playoff hockey (or any sporting event for that matter) means popcorn, pistachios, chips, veggies and dip and beer. It also means three hours without any exercise at all, unless you consider jumping up and clenching your fist every so often to be a "cardio workout".
Normally, I weigh myself once a week, but with a Maple Leaf game on every other night, and in this case, on back to back nights, I have to weigh myself daily. I know the beer companies and the snack food companies and the pizza conglomerates are airing an onslaught of ads designed to make the hungry and thirsty Leafs fan load up on all the high-calorie foods that are OK to eat once in a while, but not every other night. Seriously. On Thursday, I was 201 pounds and working my butt off on the treadmill every day just to maintain. Then there was Friday's Leafs game, a barn burner of a tilt that likely saw me inhale 1500 to 2000 calories, even with lo-cal salt free pistachios and light beer. The next day, Saturday, I didn't have time for a workout, and managed the spend a couple of hours watching the Jays (another 1000 calories worth of red licorice, sweet and salty popcorn and sunflower seeds). Yesterday, even though I went for a run, I watched a bit of the Jays-Red Sox (fresh fruit, cheese and crackers, soda water) and then at night, the Leafs-Bruins ( Pizza, chocolate covered pretzels, Lays, Skittles) And that's how I got to 205 pounds. And now I'm worried/thrilled that the Leafs will get into the next round. If they lose tonight, I can go back to my normal eating habits and likely drop a few pounds. But if they beat Boston, it's at least two more weeks of undisciplined, yet necessary eating and drinking.
So, which do I choose? I choose to root for the Maple Leafs and the hell with my waistline. Mind you, the last time I said that, it took 9 years for them to get back to the playoffs. Those were known as the "lean" years. In more ways than one.
Thursday, 9 May 2013
LEAFS CAN'T WIN WITH REIMER.
Don't get me wrong. I like James Reimer. I think he's a fine fellow and a darn good puck stopper. But he's not the complete package in net because he doesn't know how to play the puck. With his stick, that is. One of the main reasons the Leafs get into trouble in their own zone is their goalie's inability or unwillingness to make what seems like a simple play. Reimer seems scared out there. That's why when he DOES venture out of the cage, he plays the puck as if it were a live grenade. Then he overhandles it, which usually results in a yawning cage and a terrific opportunity for the player who just stripped him of the puck to score.
Think of all the times you've seen an opponent beat the Leaf defenseman to the puck after a dump-in. A confident puck-handling goalie would come out, play the puck on his forehand, and either advance it to a teammate, or shoot it out of harms way. Not Reimer. He stays deep in his crease, hoping his defenseman gets to the puck in such time that he doesn't get crushed by the hotly pursuing opponent. If it seems that Leaf defenseman are always losing the puck or getting knocked off the puck or getting dispossessed of the puck. The other night, Ryan O'Bryne thought he had plenty of time behind the net, but Jaromir Jagr was right on his tail. Reimer didn't even yell "Look out" to O'Byrne to warn him. 2 seconds later the puck was in behind him. Terrible communication out there. Look, I'm not saying Reimer has to be the second coming of Marty Brodeur, but come on! He's too timid with the puck.
And, lest you think I'm picking only on one facet of his play, consider what he does when he makes a save but the whistle doesn't blow. There's no opponent near him, yet his defenseman is three feet away. But instead of dropping the puck to his teammate, or advancing it, he freezes it. Duh! Now you've got a faceoff in your own zone against a team that's KILLING yours on faceoffs. If Ben Scrivens makes that save, he gets rid of the puck and puts the Leafs on the offensive. Not Reimer. He holds for a faceoff, which is the correct thing to do ONLY if your team is badly in need of a change.
Now, to suggest that Reimer is the only NHL goalie who suffers from these deficiencies would be incorrect. There are many others who let their puck-stopping speak for them. But the goalies who can act like an extra defenseman are invaluable to a team. For one, they prevent the opponent from dumping and chasing. For another, they keep the opponent wary of a stretch pass during a line change, or even a simple 10 footer from the goal line to a skater who's breaking out of the zone. But Reimer doesn't have the offensive skills to perform either move effectively, so he stays in his net and hopes to stop everything that comes his way. That style of goaltending may have worked 20 years ago for a stay-at-home goalie like Felix Potvin, but today's netminders need to be more versatile. Reimer's puck moving limitations could prove to be the Maple Leafs ultimate undoing. Either teach him to handle the puck or suffer the consequences.
The Bluejays cannot be trusted when it comes to Ricky Romero anymore. They lied to us and they lied to Romero. Everybody thought the club was crazy to bring back Romero last week, considering he had only pitched 7 inning of "A" ball. Now we know for sure. They tried to pull a fast one. No way was this guy ready for the majors. He should've had at least 4 minor league starts. Two in "A" ball, and then if things were progressing, another in "AA" and then "AAA". Rehab is rehab. Doesn't matter if you're coming back from Tommy John surgery, or trying to get your head screwed on right. You can't rush it. Ricky was injured. He need time. The Jays said he was ready. He wasn't. Now what?
Don't get me wrong. I like James Reimer. I think he's a fine fellow and a darn good puck stopper. But he's not the complete package in net because he doesn't know how to play the puck. With his stick, that is. One of the main reasons the Leafs get into trouble in their own zone is their goalie's inability or unwillingness to make what seems like a simple play. Reimer seems scared out there. That's why when he DOES venture out of the cage, he plays the puck as if it were a live grenade. Then he overhandles it, which usually results in a yawning cage and a terrific opportunity for the player who just stripped him of the puck to score.
Think of all the times you've seen an opponent beat the Leaf defenseman to the puck after a dump-in. A confident puck-handling goalie would come out, play the puck on his forehand, and either advance it to a teammate, or shoot it out of harms way. Not Reimer. He stays deep in his crease, hoping his defenseman gets to the puck in such time that he doesn't get crushed by the hotly pursuing opponent. If it seems that Leaf defenseman are always losing the puck or getting knocked off the puck or getting dispossessed of the puck. The other night, Ryan O'Bryne thought he had plenty of time behind the net, but Jaromir Jagr was right on his tail. Reimer didn't even yell "Look out" to O'Byrne to warn him. 2 seconds later the puck was in behind him. Terrible communication out there. Look, I'm not saying Reimer has to be the second coming of Marty Brodeur, but come on! He's too timid with the puck.
And, lest you think I'm picking only on one facet of his play, consider what he does when he makes a save but the whistle doesn't blow. There's no opponent near him, yet his defenseman is three feet away. But instead of dropping the puck to his teammate, or advancing it, he freezes it. Duh! Now you've got a faceoff in your own zone against a team that's KILLING yours on faceoffs. If Ben Scrivens makes that save, he gets rid of the puck and puts the Leafs on the offensive. Not Reimer. He holds for a faceoff, which is the correct thing to do ONLY if your team is badly in need of a change.
Now, to suggest that Reimer is the only NHL goalie who suffers from these deficiencies would be incorrect. There are many others who let their puck-stopping speak for them. But the goalies who can act like an extra defenseman are invaluable to a team. For one, they prevent the opponent from dumping and chasing. For another, they keep the opponent wary of a stretch pass during a line change, or even a simple 10 footer from the goal line to a skater who's breaking out of the zone. But Reimer doesn't have the offensive skills to perform either move effectively, so he stays in his net and hopes to stop everything that comes his way. That style of goaltending may have worked 20 years ago for a stay-at-home goalie like Felix Potvin, but today's netminders need to be more versatile. Reimer's puck moving limitations could prove to be the Maple Leafs ultimate undoing. Either teach him to handle the puck or suffer the consequences.
The Bluejays cannot be trusted when it comes to Ricky Romero anymore. They lied to us and they lied to Romero. Everybody thought the club was crazy to bring back Romero last week, considering he had only pitched 7 inning of "A" ball. Now we know for sure. They tried to pull a fast one. No way was this guy ready for the majors. He should've had at least 4 minor league starts. Two in "A" ball, and then if things were progressing, another in "AA" and then "AAA". Rehab is rehab. Doesn't matter if you're coming back from Tommy John surgery, or trying to get your head screwed on right. You can't rush it. Ricky was injured. He need time. The Jays said he was ready. He wasn't. Now what?
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
TIME TO MAKE HELMETS MANDATORY FOR PITCHERS
As soon as Toronto's JA Happ was hit by a line drive off the bat of Tampa's Desmond Jennings, my wife, watching on TV commented "Why don't pitchers have to wear helmets?" It's a good question. Player safety should be of paramount importance. This year, a newer, safer batting helmet was made mandatory by Major League Baseball. It's made of carbon fibre, and offers way more protection than the old helmets. Since 2008, helmets for base coaches have been mandatory in MLB, to protect them from line drives. This came after a minor league first base coach, Mike Coolbaugh, was struck and killed by a batted ball during a game. So, let's raise the question: What player is most vulnerable to being hit by a batted ball? The pitcher, of course. Never mind what it's like to be hit by a 95 mile-an-hour fastball while you're standing on two feet, how do you handle a 100 mile-an-hour screamer at your head while you're in a vulnerable, unbalanced position and only about 50 feet from the batter?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfQcPZYAQfg
Luckily, Happ is OK, and that's good news for MLB, which has an opportunity to make player safety a priority by legislating mandatory head protection for pitchers. I'm sure there's a carbon fiber insert that can be placed inside the crown of a baseball cap. We have the technology. If pitchers have to wear protective cups, uncomfortable as they may be (see Stieb, Dave), then protecting the noggin should be priority number one.
Now you know why the Leafs and their fans wanted so badly to play the Montreal Canadiens in the playoffs. The Habs are unraveling faster than that sweater your grandma knitted for you last Christmas. Not only did they blow a two goal lead in the pivotal fourth game of their series with Ottawa, they went and blamed the officials (again) for a couple of alleged missed calls. Face it, Montreal is a wreck (although not as bad as the Vancouver Canucks). They've allowed the Senators to get into their heads, and now it's become a case of finger pointing among the players and widespread panic among the fan base. Maybe that crack by Brandon Prust about Ottawa coach Paul McLean's physical appearance was a mistake. Ya think?
And they were doing so well during the regular season.
The Leafs have proven all season that they have the capability to bounce back after a poor performance. Even though they lost 5-2 the other night, I thought they played pretty good hockey, save for a couple of BIG mistakes. I expect they'll come back tonight and even the series with the Bruins. If James Reimer can make the big save at a key point in the game, Toronto will prevail. All they need to do is pepper Boston with another 47 shots, and they'll be just fine.
Oh, and speaking of bad calls by officials, did you see the one last night on Daniel Sedin?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thHu-wgRXXE
That is just wrong! The game is in overtime. The two players were battling for the puck. Sedin was perfectly within his rights to body Tommy Wingels and it was NOT a hit from behind or boarding. Certainly not in overtime. The refs need to put their whistles away and let the player's play. Even some of the San Jose players sheepishly admitted that it was a "close call", which is code for saying "I can't believe they gave him a penalty for THAT". Please, let the players decide the outcome.
As soon as Toronto's JA Happ was hit by a line drive off the bat of Tampa's Desmond Jennings, my wife, watching on TV commented "Why don't pitchers have to wear helmets?" It's a good question. Player safety should be of paramount importance. This year, a newer, safer batting helmet was made mandatory by Major League Baseball. It's made of carbon fibre, and offers way more protection than the old helmets. Since 2008, helmets for base coaches have been mandatory in MLB, to protect them from line drives. This came after a minor league first base coach, Mike Coolbaugh, was struck and killed by a batted ball during a game. So, let's raise the question: What player is most vulnerable to being hit by a batted ball? The pitcher, of course. Never mind what it's like to be hit by a 95 mile-an-hour fastball while you're standing on two feet, how do you handle a 100 mile-an-hour screamer at your head while you're in a vulnerable, unbalanced position and only about 50 feet from the batter?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfQcPZYAQfg
Luckily, Happ is OK, and that's good news for MLB, which has an opportunity to make player safety a priority by legislating mandatory head protection for pitchers. I'm sure there's a carbon fiber insert that can be placed inside the crown of a baseball cap. We have the technology. If pitchers have to wear protective cups, uncomfortable as they may be (see Stieb, Dave), then protecting the noggin should be priority number one.
Now you know why the Leafs and their fans wanted so badly to play the Montreal Canadiens in the playoffs. The Habs are unraveling faster than that sweater your grandma knitted for you last Christmas. Not only did they blow a two goal lead in the pivotal fourth game of their series with Ottawa, they went and blamed the officials (again) for a couple of alleged missed calls. Face it, Montreal is a wreck (although not as bad as the Vancouver Canucks). They've allowed the Senators to get into their heads, and now it's become a case of finger pointing among the players and widespread panic among the fan base. Maybe that crack by Brandon Prust about Ottawa coach Paul McLean's physical appearance was a mistake. Ya think?
And they were doing so well during the regular season.
The Leafs have proven all season that they have the capability to bounce back after a poor performance. Even though they lost 5-2 the other night, I thought they played pretty good hockey, save for a couple of BIG mistakes. I expect they'll come back tonight and even the series with the Bruins. If James Reimer can make the big save at a key point in the game, Toronto will prevail. All they need to do is pepper Boston with another 47 shots, and they'll be just fine.
Oh, and speaking of bad calls by officials, did you see the one last night on Daniel Sedin?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thHu-wgRXXE
That is just wrong! The game is in overtime. The two players were battling for the puck. Sedin was perfectly within his rights to body Tommy Wingels and it was NOT a hit from behind or boarding. Certainly not in overtime. The refs need to put their whistles away and let the player's play. Even some of the San Jose players sheepishly admitted that it was a "close call", which is code for saying "I can't believe they gave him a penalty for THAT". Please, let the players decide the outcome.
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