Thursday, May 30, 2019
Bill Barilko-And other great moments in Sport
For the past
week, Canadian television stations have shown the replay of Kawhi's
game-winning shot approximately eight million times. One of the
talking heads (sports commentators) said the he had seen it more than
a hundred times. Pretty important stuff!
Let me take
you back to the ball diamonds of my youth, when I began my study of
sport. In 1951, Bobby Thomson hit a home run that has always had the
title: “The Shot Heard 'Round the World”. Sounds pretty
important, don't you think?
The rivalry
between the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers was most
intense, for many reasons. At the conclusion of the season, they were
tied, and had to contest the trip to the World Series by playing a
three-game series. Thomson stepped up to the plate in the bottom of
the ninth inning, and smacked a home run to end the game.
Bill
Mazeroski played second base for 17 years for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
He was simply called “The Glove”, because of his superior play.
But it was because of one home run that he came legendary. It was in
1960, against the New York Yankees.
In Game
Seven of the World Series, the Yankees had tied the game 9-9 in he
top of the ninth inning. “Maz” homered in the bottom of the
inning, off Ralph Terry, to win the Series for the Pirates. He was
also a member of the Bucs when they last won the Series in 1971. He
was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001.
There are
dramatic moments from the gridiron as well, perhaps none so famous as
an end zone reception by Dwight Clark of a pass from Joe Montana.
Clark soared high to snare the pass from defenders, at the back of
the end zone. The San Francisco 49ers had defeated the Dallas
Cowboys, to head to the SuperBowl.
The buzz
around Toronto this past week centered around this topic: the best of
the best. In the hockey world, without question, the most important
goal in the history of the Toronto Maple Leafs took place in a
Stanley Cup final in 1951.
Bill Barilko
hailed from Cochrane, Ontario. A handsome lad, and a fan favourite,
he toiled on the Leafs' blue line, starting in February, 1947.
Standing at less than six feet, and weighing around 180 pounds,
“Bashin' Bill” could dish it out with the best of them, in those
days. It was in the 1951 Stanley Cup final that he achieved hockey
immortality.
The Leafs
were up three games to one against their dreaded rivals, the Montreal
Canadiens. The fifth game was tied, and went into overtime. Barilko
stormed the net following at shot at Gerry McNeil, and back-handed
the puck over McNeil's shoulder.
Following
the playoff victory, and the parade, Barilko headed north to fish.
Following a successful trip, the pilot headed back to Timmins from
Rupert House. The plane did not arrive at its destination, and was
found 11 years later.
There are
two fine books about Barilko: Without a Trace
by Kevin Shea, and Bill Barilko Story
by John Melady. The Tragically Hip, one of Canada's best-known bands,
led by Gord Downie, recorded “Fifty Mission Cap” to commemorate
the life of Bill Barilko. This relates to a cap worn by a fighter
pilot after fifty successful missions.
Barilko
won four Cups in his career, and was a three-time All Star.
James
Hurst
May
20, 2019.
-- James Hurst 613.399.2278 sportslices.blogspot.ca
Saturday, May 18, 2019
The Shot
For the next
hundred years, or so, until something better comes along, it will be
called “The Shot”.
Marc Gasol
took the ball out of bounds in Philadelphia territory. Kawhi swung
out toward him, and took the inbound pass. Well guarded at that
moment, he swung out to the top of the key, and around to the right
corner of the court in front of the Raptors' bench. He pulled up his
dribble, set his feet, and launched his shot at the basket.
It was a
high looping shot because Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid both jumped in
desperation to block it. Time stood still for every fan: those at the
game, those in Jurassic Park, and those of us watching at home.
Millions of us, wishing the ball to swish through the netting.
But no, no
such luck. The shot was short, and clanked off the rim. It bounced
high over the basket as we gasped, everyone of us. It then hit the
far rim: once, twice, three times and finally fought its way through
the mesh. Time had run out. Leonard had sent the ball toward the
basket with about one second left on the clock.
Final score?
92-90 in favour of the Raptors. They had won the seventh and deciding
game to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers, and to head into the Eastern
Conference final against the Milwaukee Bucks. That series begins
Wednesday night in Milwaukee, at 8:30pm.
Leonard was
exhausted, and yet displayed more emotion than he had in all of his
days in Toronto. He is a Stoic individual, rarely prone to outbursts
against opponents or officials. He is focused on the game. He plays
like that, game in, game out. He is the best player ever to lace up
sneakers for the Toronto side.
He leads to
team by example. He came to the team with Danny Green in exchange for
DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and a protected first round draft pick .
He was expected to defend well, and was always on the top five list
of the best defenders in the league for several years. DeRozan was a
fan favourite in Toronto, and there were
some sad faces when he was shown the door. He was a good fit with
Kyle Lowry. And yet, they were not able to get the job done for
several years. They were dismissed from the playoffs long before they
would have reached the NBA finals, or at least the Eastern Conference
final.
Enter Kawhi
Leonard, the dynamic offensive player, certainly a pleasant surprise
for many basketball analysts. He handled the ball well, he passed
intelligently, he pulled down more than his share of rebounds, and he
shot the ball successfully. In the paint, near the basket, twisting
and turning until he was in a position to let the ball go softly into
the basket. From outside the arc, with success. He averaged more than
30 points a game in the playoffs to lead the team.
It was most
fitting that Kawhi got the ball to shoot the final shot. It was
historic that it went through the hoop.
It will be
another factor to ignite this nation to follow the game of
basketball, our game, in a way, as it was invented by a Canadian, Dr.
James Naismith.
Go Raps.
James Hurst
May 13,
2019.
-- James Hurst 613.399.2278 sportslices.blogspot.ca
Friday, May 10, 2019
Reggie Leach-The Riverton Rifle
Last Monday,
Reggie Leach spoke to the monthly gathering of the Original Six gang,
and their friends in Toronto. Leach played most of his NHL career in
Philadelphia, a Stanley Cup winner who also received the Conn Smythe
Award as the best player in the playoffs.
Leach began
his hockey career in Flin Flon, Manitoba. Just sixteen years old, he
tore up and down the right wing for the Bombers, netting 67 goals in
his inaugural season. He also spent 113 minutes in the penalty box
that year. In his second season in the Western League, he scored 87
goals, and added 44 assists. He was playing along side another pretty
good player named Bobby Clarke.
Leach spent
two more seasons with Flin Flon before joining the Boston Bruins in
1970. He divided that year between Boston and the Oklahoma City
Blazers. He began the following year with the Bruins, but was traded
mid-season to the California Golden Seals. After two rather mediocre
seasons on the West Coast, he was traded to the Flyers. He spent
eight seasons in Philly.
He continued
to fill the net for the Flyers. In his second year he potted 61
goals, leading the league. In all of the years that he spent with the
Flyers, he had at least 20 goals. But in 1982, he was traded to the
Red Wings. He recorded 15 goals, added 17 assists. He had scored
almost 400 goals, in less than a 1 000 games in the NHL. He was just
33 years old, and his career in hockey was done.
He did play
the following year in the Central League for the Montana Magic. In
1985, he told the gathering, two major events affected his life. “I
got divorced, and I quit drinking!” In a nutshell, that told us a
lot about Reggie Leach. He was hilarious, but he also appreciated the
life he has lived since that time.
An Ojibway,
Leach has spent many years sharing his hockey skills with aboriginal
kids, and others, across the nation. He did admit, that he really
enjoyed putting the puck in the net in his hockey career. “Coming
back to the defensive zone to help out rarely crossed my mind.” He
scored five times in one playoff game, playing alongside his pal
Bobby Clarke and Bill Barber.
He won the
Conn Smythe Trophy as the best player in the playoffs, even though
the Flyers did not win the Stanley Cup that year. He did win two
Cups, and the Flyers appreciated his offensive prowess, as most of
the others on the “Broadstreet Bullies” were better known for the
pugilistic skills.
Once he
retired from hockey, and became permanently sober, he entered the
business world, most successfully. That gave him a foundation to
begin his mission to tour the country, and share his message. He told
the group assembled in Toronto that he was thrilled to speak to them,
to include them in his personal “Circle of Life”.
All in
attendance were grateful to hear his message. Now 69 years old, he
looked like he could lace up the blades and play at any level. Quite
a journey for “The Rifle” from Riverton, Manitoba.
James Hurst
May 7, 2019
Tiger's Triumph
You
miss a lot when you're not there. The first thing we did when we
returned from the south was to buy tickets for the Dukes' game Sunday
night. Due to the nature of the beast, it was the first game that we
had seen in 2019, It was a dandy.
The
young men on both sides of the red line at the DukeDome have been
preparing for these contests for a very long time: pre-season,
regular season, several rounds of playoffs. They are at their peak
levels for fitness, and ability. And they are playing their hearts
out.
It
was great fun to see so many familiar faces at the rink, and to have
an opportunity to kibitz with them about sports. The most significant
sporting event of the weekend was Tiger Woods' win at the Masters.
The
Masters is played in Augusta, Georgia, in the south-eastern part of
the United States. As can be ascertained by the beautiful foliage on
our television screens, spring has certainly sprung in that part of
the world, several weeks ahead of us. There are many regulations at
The Masters, for the players, as well as the fans. One must talked in
hushed tones, except when cheering good shots. On special occasions,
one can roar.
There
were not many unbelievable shots in Tiger Woods' repertoire last
weekend. He played fine, steady golf to approach the 18th
tee with a sizable lead. He could afford to bogey the hole, which he
did, to win the tourney. It will be considered one of the greatest
comeback stories in golf history.
Woods
carded a two-under par 70 on the final round of The Masters to win
his fifth championship at Augusta. Three players trailed him by one
stroke: Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, and Xander Schauffele. It gave
Tiger his first opportunity to don the green jacket since 2005. It
was his first major championship since 2008. There were a few players
still in diapers when Tiger first burst onto the golf scene. They
must still marvel at his game.
But
after two back surgeries, several personal setbacks, and hours of
rehabilitation, he has returned. His mother Kultida was there to
greet him after he finished the 18th hole, as were his
children, and his girl fried, Erica Herman, who had been managing one
of Tiger's restaurants. Following the hugs and kisses, the 43 year
old Woods headed to the area where players sign their cards,
carefully.
He
had slowly climbed the leader board in the morning, and found himself
two strokes behind Francesco Molinari and Tony Finau they approached
the 12th tee. Both men plopped their tee shots in the drink, and
Woods took a par. Molinari found the water again on the 15th,
putting himself out of contention.
Woods
beamed as they loaded yet another green jacket on his shoulders. It
was reported yesterday the President Trump awarded him the
Presidential Medal of Honour, only bestowed on a very short list of
dignitaries. You must remember that Trump has a soft spot for
golfers.
Hopefully,
we will see Tiger at the Canadian Open from June 3rd to
June 9th. He does seem to attract some attention, wherever he goes.
Go
Dukes!!!
James
Hurst
April
16, 2019.
Vladdy Junior's Remarkable Entrance
Vladimir Guerrerro Jr.
Whenever a baseball
prospect, particularly a teenager, works his way up the ladder to the
Major Leagues, there will always questions as to his ability to play
the game at the highest level. “Nay sayers” are just about
everywhere. They use expressions that have been circulated for more
than a hundred years: “Can't field” or “Can't hit a curve
ball”, or “Doesn't have all the tools”.
The jury may be out
momentarily, but last weekend, the top prospect in baseball, Vladimir
Guerrero Jr., showed the game that he belongs. There is a heap of
expectation surrounding the young lad, especially since the Blue Jays
cleaned house prior to the beginning of the season. Guerrero has been
groomed, patiently, and his time had come.
He officially become a
big league player once he has 130 at-bats, or has 45 days of
pre-September service time in the big leagues. That should happen by
early June.
On two occasions last
weekend, he almost tore the cover off the ball. He was replaced on
the base paths by a speedier runner. He cleanly fielded all balls hit
in his direction. While playing third base, he delivered the ball
crisply to first base to get the outs.
On many occasions,
through our television sets, we the viewers were taken to the box at
Rogers Stadium in Toronto to meet the family. Naturally, Guerrero's
number one fan is his father, Vladdy Senior. The man beamed from ear
to ear, watching his son in action, playing the game he loved. There
were other family members present, including his grandmother.
Vladimir Guerrero the
elder was a phenomenal baseball player. He wore his Montreal Expos
uniform with great pride, and showed the way for younger players. His
son was born in Montreal; hence, he has Canadian citizenship. I
caught one of his interviews from Toronto. He used an interpreter to
go back and forth in Spanish. I was a little puzzled by this, as he
has been around baseball for quite some time.
Vladdy The Elder has
been inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame. That speaks for itself
regarding his baseball career. Most pundits agree that Vladdy never
saw a pitch he didn't like. He had several base hits swinging wildly
at pitches that had bounced to home plate. He played 9 years for the
Expos, 5 with the Angels, and one each for the Rangers and the
Orioles.
Expectations for his
son run high, very high. He is considered to be THE top prospect in
the game. Up to this point in the season. there have been many empty
seats under the dome in Toronto. Vladdy Junior will fill plenty of
them with his spectacular play.
He certainly is an
ambassador for the game. At a recent Toronto Raptors' basketball
game, he was presented with a Raptors' jersey with his name and his
baseball number on it. He smiled brilliantly, thanking the crowd. He
appears to be a kid, having a great time. Quite rare, in the game
nowadays.
There are other young
players ready to take their rightful place on the diamond. Fernando
Tatis has a son who will light it up for the Padres, in due time. Bo
Bichette will take his place with the Jays, once he gets off the
injured list.
The Jays are now on one
of those dreaded West Coast road trips, not usually the best of times
for the blue birds. Time for a little late night television. Don't
call until noon, thanks.
James Hurst
April29, 2019.
Tiger's Back!
Tiger Woods, at practice
If
you are a golf fan, such as I, then you are likely following the
remarkable comeback of Tiger Woods. After four back surgeries, and
other countless setbacks, he has come to play. Round after round,
recently, he has shown that he will be in the thick of things, likely
for years to come. He pounds his drives off the tee, not always
exactly where he would like the ball to go. But his drives are
almost as long as anyone else on the tour, and his ball lands in a
spot where he can finish each hole at par, or close to it.
One
cannot argue with the fact that he has re-invigorated his game, and
the fans' interest in the game. Truly remarkable fans now gather at
each hole to watch him play. No doubt that television ratings have
increased substantially since he began to play well. In a nutshell,
those things pay the bills. No one ever suggested that Woods was on
hard times when his game and his health left him. He still had his
followers, and he likely had to put seven digits on his income tax
form at the end of the year. Following this year's tournaments, thus
far, his stock has increased substantially. His efforts are truly
commendable.
He
knows what he is up against on the PGA Tour. There is the usual pack
of great golfers looking to lead the pack late Sunday afternoon. But
there are also the upstarts, those young golfers who believe they
belong, trying to put their names on silver goblets. Phil Mickelson
recently won in Mexico. “Lefty” had left a message that he just
isn't ready to join the Seniors Tour. I am sure that there are
several players on that tour who are grateful for that. The Seniors
Tour becomes more competitive each year, as the younger members of
the PGA turn 50.
Along
with Mickleson, there are other great players chomping at the bit to
win: Bubba Watson, Ernie Ells, Stuart Cink, Charles Howell III,
Sergio Garcia, Matt Kuchar, Zach Johnson, Dustin Johnson, Rory, (you
know his last name,) Justin
Rose, Rickie, (same thing!), Jason
Day, Henrik Stenson, Jordan Spieth....It is a long and hungry list.
And you can include a few Canadians in that pack: Mackenzie Hughes,
Adam Hadwin, Nick Taylor, Graham DeLaet, Ben Silverman and Corey
Conners.
And
then there is that list of fine pros who are not exactly household
words, just yet. Bryson DeChambeau, Sam Burns, John Huh, Grayson
Murray, Ryan Moore, Sam Horsfield, Tommy Fleetwood, to name just a
few. That is also a very long list.
But
any week, when all of the stars are perfectly aligned, when one's
biorhythms are ready, any one of these guys can step up to the little
white ball and reach the podium. Most golf fans are looking forward
to the first major tournament, The Masters, in early April. As I
write, they are rolling the greens and clipping the fairways on that
pasture in Georgia. It was not too long ago that a young Canadian who
also hits from the south side, came to the fore and won the Green
Jacket. His name is Mike Weir, and he is easily Canada's best
recognized golfer at this time.
Last
Sunday, Rory won the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in style.
He had five birdies on the last six holes to win by three strokes.
Tiger got within one stroke of the lead on the back nine, but
faltered down the stretch. He did crank up one drive, measured at 375
yards, on one of those holes. That would send a message to the rest
of the players.
It
won't be long before some of you will be enjoying the great game of
golf, all over the world!
James
Hurst
March
19, 2019
Preparing for the Playoffs
Slater Doggett
Yes indeed,
it is that time of year when great hockey teams, and good hockey
teams prepare for the playoffs. The Florida Everblades put an
exclamation mark to their season last weekend with a pair of
victories to make it an even 50 for the season. Second year in a row
for Coach Brad Ralph.
On Saturday
night, they defeated the Jacksonville Icemen 3-1. They downed the
Orlando Solar Bears 3-2 in overtime Friday night to split the 12 game
season series. There is a familiarity between these two teams. There
are several players who have moved from one team to the other; they
play preseason games due to the proximity of the cities. There is
never any love lost when they face each other. Orlando also enjoyed a
fine season, and they may face the Everblades at some point in the
playoffs.
I have often
commented about the fine job that the coaches do at this level. There
is more player movement in the ECHL that at any other level. No
sooner does a coach set certain lines, or defensive pairings, than he
loses a key ingredient in those combinations with a call-up or an
injury. Back to the old drawing board, once again.
Jeremy
Helvig has been the starting goaltender for the Everblades for most
of this season. If the name seems familiar to you, it is because he
played for the Kingston Frontenacs from 2014 to 2018. Prior to that,
he played for the Lakeshore Patriots in the OJHL, chalking up a
respectable Goals Against Average of 2.69.
He was named
the Goalie of the Month for March in the ECHL. In 38 starts this
season, he has won 26 games, lost a couple, and tied the rest. He has
given the team the goaltending required to win championships.
Slater
Doggett certainly had a circuitous route getting to the Blades. He
played for Burlington in the OJHL in the 2011-2012 season. He then
spent two years with the Frontenacs before closing out his OHL career
with the Windsor Spitfires. He then spent the next four years at
Queen's University, earning his degree a month ago.
He heard
from a few teams, liked what he saw in Estero, and joined the
Everblades. Doggett had played for a couple of weeks in Alaska
following his OHL career. In that brief stint, he learned what hockey
at the ECHL level was all about.
I spoke with
him last week about his hockey travels. “One thing I really enjoyed
about playing at Queen's was that guys stayed with the team for the
four years, until we completed our degree work. Belleville's Kevin
Baillie, who had been our goalie, even stayed for my final year as an
assistant coach. But it is great here in South West Florida. The
weather is great, and the golf courses are wonderful.”
He recently
played at Tiburon, site of the final tournament on the Women's
circuit.
Doggett
plans to play hockey as long as he can. His degree is in economics,
with a few business courses. He can put that to good use, some day.
In the meantime, his business is hockey. He plans to do what he can
to help the Everblades in their quest for another Turner Cup.
We listened
to the Dukes' game Sunday afternoon via the internet, and County
Radio 99.3. We even had friends in Mexico who did he same. What a
world! Slater Doggett's brother plays for the Oakville Blades, the Dukes' opposition in the Dudley-Hewitt Cup! On to the next! Go Dukes Go!
James Hurst
March 7,
2019
