Those were the games ...
Somewhat like opening day in Major League Baseball, Labour Day in the Canadian Football League tends to exist outside the confines of the regular-season schedule, living a life and history of its own.
Here are a few, among dozens and dozens, of Labour Day Classic Games in Hamilton that bore some historical significance.
Sept. 4, 1950: Hamilton 13, Toronto 6
The first of the modern Labour Day games was played just two days after the Tiger-Cats won their first-ever game as a new franchise, created out of the amalgamated dust of the old Tigers’ and Wildcats’ franchises. After wearing Tigers’ uniforms in Ottawa, they unveiled the new Tiger-Cats look on Labour Day at home. The Spectator referred to the team as “Voyles’ Villains,” after coach Carl Voyles and their dominant physical play. The great Uly Curtis and Hamiltonborn legend Joe Krol were with the Argos; and Vince Mazza, quarterback Stan Heath and running back Bill Corgus’s 118 yards paced the Ticats in front of 12,700 fans at Civic Stadium, which 20 years later was renamed Ivor Wynne Stadium.
Sept. 4, 1961: Hamilton 21, Toronto 19
This one acted as a preview to one of the most famous playoff series in CFL history. Never had
the difference between the highly paid, slick Toronto franchise led by quarterback Tobin Rote and the earthy Tiger-Cats seemed so distinct. It was the Ticats’ second game in four days and was played in a 29-degree (Celsius) steam bath in front of a then-record 26,533 fans. Hamilton led by 13, the Argos rallied, but Cookie Gilchrist’s fourth quarter field goal and Garney Henley’s end zone interception preserved the win. In the two-game total-point Eastern final 10 weeks later, the Ticats lost the first game 25-7 to Toronto, and the Argos only had to kick a single at the end of the second game to advance to the Grey Cup, but couldn’t do it. The game went into overtime and the Ticats won by four touchdowns to go to the Grey Cup.
Sept 1, 1969: Hamilton 27, Ottawa 22
Fifty years ago this weekend. The largest crowd in Hamilton football history, 30,298, saw the game and another 2,500 were turned away at the gate. Grey Cup-bound Ottawa’s failed thirddown gamble at their own 22yard line turned the tide. Don Sutherin was the Ottawa kicker and Russ Jackson the quarterback. Bernie Faloney was the Ticat quarterback and Angelo Mosca played despite a bout of hepatitis.
Sept. 5, 1994: Toronto 31, Hamilton 19
Twenty five years ago, Major League Baseball players were on strike and the Tiger-Cats were headed for major financial problems, which almost drove the team out of town. Average attendance had been 14,867, but 20,687 showed up for the Argos’ first Labour Day win since 1987. Both teams were mediocre: the Ticats, were 2-6 coming in, the Argos 3-5. Four American teams were in the league, and while Toronto made the playoffs, Hamilton didn’t. Earl Winfield missed the game for Hamilton, and former Ticat quarterback Mike Kerrigan was with the Argos, while Todd Dillon was the Ticat pivot. The key play was an “Argo bounce” when Toronto kicker Wayne Lammle’s punt bounced back toward him and he recovered to keep a decisive drive going.
Sept 4, 2017: Hamilton 24 Toronto 22
When lightning was spotted, just eight minutes before half time, the game was halted and the stands were emptied. The game didn’t resume until two hours later. Lightning had already forced the Hamilton Hurricanes’ OFC game to be cancelled earlier in the day. It was June Jones’ first game as head coach, and he installed Jeremiah Masoli and Brandon Banks as starting quarterback and receiver, respectively. The Ticats came in at 0-8, but went 6-4 the rest of the
way. They still missed the playoffs, but it felt like a new era was starting.
Sept 3, 2018: Hamilton 42, Toronto 28
The fifth straight Labour Day win for the Ticats, and the first time in two years that they’d won back-to-back home games in the
same season. Jeremiah Masoli threw for 385 yards, the eighth time he’d thrown for 300 or more that season. Luke Tasker, Brandon Banks, and since-departed running back Alex Green were the major forces.