(NOT SO) Deep thoughts
A few random thoughts for National Devil’s Food Cake Day ...
ALL-OVERLOOKED TEAM
If you’re a regular reader you may recall a column printed in these pages a week or so ago that pointed out the lack of recognition given to the Hamilton Bulldogs. While Justin Lemcke did receive the league’s captain’s award this week and Brandon Saigeon earned player of the week — pretty hard not to give it to a Bulldog when they won the title, though it was just the second honour for a Hamilton player in 34 weeks this season — the real head-scratching moment came when the first-, second- and third-team all-star squads were released on Thursday.
Not a single Bulldog was on them.
Robert Thomas is considered by many to be the most NHLready centre in the league. He didn’t make it but Gabe Vilardi (who played just 32 games this season) did. John Gruden coached the team to a first-place finish but he didn’t make it as his spot was taken by the coach of Windsor, whose side finished sixth.
The last time a league champion was shut out? You have to go back 27 years to Sault Ste. Marie in 1992. Since then, only two champs have had as few as one representative on the teams while four have had five players or more make it.
These spots are voted upon by the league’s general managers. Don’t blame the media for this embarrassing bit of stupidity.
BUSY LANDSCAPE
Speaking of things that happened a long time ago, the last time a Hamilton team went to the Memorial Cup was 1976. Everyone knows this by now. It was the Fincups and it was this city’s first major junior title since 1962.
But it was tough to get much attention the night they won the championship because it was the same evening the Montreal Canadiens ended the Philadelphia Flyers’ run as Stanley Cup champions, and much of that day’s news centred on how the Olympic Stadium construction in Montreal was descending into chaos.
MMMMM ...
The Buffalo Bisons will be temporarily changing their name to the Buffalo Wings for a fourgame series against Rochester next month.
Quick question: How has this not happened already? And permanently?
WHAT WAS HE THINKING?
Joey Votto’s comments this week about not caring about baseball in Canada were more than a little baffling. He played for the Canadian Thunderbirds for a couple seasons at Bernie Arbour Stadium and was given
opportunities to play in showcase tournaments in the States thanks to that experience. He used to work out at the Redeemer University gym in the winter. He has other ties to this area during his developmental years as a teen.
Yes, he walked back the words as fast as he could. But it’s so strange that he would say them in the first place.
THAT WAS QUICK
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats may want to consider hiring Steve Staios as their next general manager. In two years he took a nearlast-place Bulldogs team and turned it into the champion of a 20-team league. In a league with less than half as many teams, a handful of Ticat GMs have been unable to match this feat in 18 seasons and counting.
ALL ABOUT HAMILTON
Teams around here haven’t played for a lot of championships lately. Certainly not at home. So the Bulldogs’ game last Sunday was a rare thing and a big deal for the city.
So make a mental note for late in the summer when the municipal election season gets going and candidates come to your door telling you how Hamilton they are, how much they care about everything in this city and how deeply they’re part of the community. Simply ask them if they made time to attend that game and cheer on the team that was representing us.
If so, thank them for their support of this city. If not, ask why they couldn’t be bothered. Then vote accordingly.
HEADING SOUTH?
Here’s hoping Hamilton’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander likes the warm and the SoCal vibe. Because in the wake of the NBA draft lottery, a number of mock drafts have been released and the majority have him going to the Los Angeles Clippers with the 12th pick. The Sporting News, NBA.com, NBAdraft.net, USAToday and others have called that.
Sports Illustrated is guessing he’ll go to Denver at No. 14 and CBSSports.com has him going to the Clippers but at No. 13, assuming the team trades down a spot.
Gilgeous-Alexander attended St. Thomas More and Sir Allan MacNab before heading south for the rest of his high school and university at Kentucky.
CRUNCH TIME’S COMIN’
The Toronto Blue Jays have now passed the quarter pole of the season and they’re only a few games out of a wild card spot. That’s the good news.
The less-good news? Eight of their next 12 series — after finishing with Oakland — are against really good teams. The last half of June, in particular, is a nightmare with Washington, Atlanta, the Angels, and Houston, in order.
Meaning they’re at their highwater point of the season and it’s only downhill from here or we’re going to learn this side is better than we thought. Either way, this stretch should clarify whether it’s time to sell some assets or make a push.
THEY MIGHT BE OK
While we’re talking about the Jays, uber-prospect Vlad Guerrero Jr. is currently hitting .410 with seven homers and 40 RBI in 35 games at double-A. The son of Hall of Famer Vlad is first in the league in hits, first in doubles, first in RBI, first in total bases, second in average, sixth in homers, and third in runs scored.
Meanwhile, the guy leading the league in homers who’s also second in walks, third in RBI, fourth in total bases and fifth in on-base average is Cavin Biggio, son of Hall of Famer Craig Biggio.
Also a Blue Jays prospect.
GETTING UP THERE
As good as Marc-Andre Fleury has been on great teams for seemingly so long — his NHL career started in 2003 and he’s won three Stanley Cups — he’s still just ninth all-time in playoff victories.
The guys that top the list are rather predictable. In order, Patrick Roy, Martin Brodeur, Grant Fuhr, Ed Belfour, Billy Smith and Ken Dryden. But the two goalies right in front of him? You could win a sizeable bar bet asking someone to come up with both of them.
Mike Vernon and Chris Osgood.
BEEN A LONG TIME
How long has it been in real terms since an OHL championship team didn’t have a player on one of the three all-star teams? The last time it happened, “Basic Instinct” was the top movie at the box office, “Jump” by Kris Kross was at the top of the music charts, and Jay Leno was just about to debut as host of “The Tonight Show.”
The first time.
sradley@thespec.com 905-526-2440 | @radleyatthespec Spectator columnist Scott Radley hosts The Scott Radley Show weeknights from 6-8 on 900CHML