Wednesday, November 1:
When we moved to Stouffville in 1997, we were in a panic when Halloween rolled around, as we were rapidly running out of candy for the hordes of youngsters. Now, nine years later, we have enough candy left over for an army of children. Our neighbourhood kids have all grown up, so our busiest time was between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. And in this day and age, when it's fashionable to knock our youth, let me add that a good percentage of the kids knocking on our door were collecting, not for themselves, but canned goods for the needy. I sure wasn't as conscious and thoughtful when I was in my teens.
Thursday, November 2:
Anyone have any spare battery cables to give me a boost? Just clip the terminals to my ears and let 'er rip! So far this morning, I've sent CJAD Radio in Montreal the wrong business report and have had a mic stand come apart in my hand. More coffee! Ah well, the day can only get better from here, right?
Nope. Got worse. CFRB Toronto almost missed a report because I delivered it to the wrong folder and CISL Vancouver missed theirs because I sent it to the wrong station! That's it. I'm going to bed and will try not to screw that up. One of those days, folks.
Friday, November 3:
Time for an annual reminder to vote. Yes, civic elections are 10 days away and those are critical, but here's another vote you can make to honour the memory of one of the best to ever ply his trade at a baseball mic. Everyone who has ever whiled away a few summer hours with Tom Cheek in the background can relate. Tom's gone now and Cooperstown missed the boat by not electing him to the baseball hall of fame two years ago when he could have experienced the induction ceremonies. But it's up to all of us who cherished his work to see that he is properly honoured posthumously. Here's the link to help get Tom Cheek elected to Cooperstown. You can vote daily for the Ford Frick Award (see "Frick Award Voting" on web page) but only once each day:
http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/default.htm
Should be another fun night in Oshawa this evening, as they open the General Motors Centre. The pictures look tremendous -- I can't wait to see the new arena in person.
Saturday, November 4:
Oh yes, they did this right. The new General Motors Centre in Oshawa is a gem. Aside from some congestion around the concession stands (I guess they kept them in the top corners to pay homage to the Oshawa Civic Auditorium) there are no complaints from yours truly regarding the new home of the Oshawa Generals. They had a sellout crowd last night, but the home side came out flat as pancakes and lost 9-5 to Owen Sound. It would have been a tall order anyway -- the Attack may just be the OHL's elite team this season. They're certainly in the running.
In the Tier II ranks, the hometown Stouffville Spirit, bad start and all, took a seven-game unbeaten streak into last night's home game versus unbeaten Aurora. They lost in overtime but came right back and beat the Blues in Collingwood last night. It could be another season to remember for the local six!
Sunday, November 5:
The good folks of Owen Sound are never going to invite me back into their town. Last night was my second visit to the Bayshore Community Centre and in each game, the Attack lost by a goal and never led. They'd give up a goal, tie it, give another one up, tie it, give two up, score twice to pull even, but never take the lead. Lots of credit to the Kitchener Rangers, who checked Owen Sound into the ice most of the night, and came away with a hard-fight road win, 5-4. Take away special teams and the Rangers win this one handily.
Michigan 34, Ball State 26?! What in thunder...? The Wolverines were something like five-touchdown favourites. An anticipated rollover became a gut-check. In one way though, it could be a blessing. Almost all of the Cardinals' damage came against Michigan's back-up defence (or the offence, for that matter). Plenty of players got rest, not just yesterday but all week, as coach Lloyd Carr gambled with light practices. Still, there are worries and UM's confidence seems a bit shaken. There was a time I thought they would beat Ohio State this season. Now I'm not 100% sure about next week's game at Indiana. This seems to be an uptight 10-and-0 outfit right now.
Friday, November 10:
Now what?! Last week, #5 and unbeaten Louisville defeated #3 and unbeaten West Virginia in the Big East. It was the biggest win in Cardinals' football history. Last night, #15 and unbeaten Rutgers comes from 10 miles behind and beats now #3 and unbeaten Louisville. It was the biggest win, etc. So Rutgers hasn't lost yet, but they still have a date next month at West Virginia. So here we have unbeatens Ohio State and Michigan along with once-beaten Florida, Texas, USC, Auburn, Arkansas, Cal, Notre Dame and Wisconsin. And I'm probably missing someone. So if Indiana upsets Michigan Saturday and the Wolverines beat the Buckeyes in eight days...well it's just all too delicious to contemplate. Have I ever mentioned that I love college football?
Saturday, November 11:
Please take time today on the 11th minute of the 11th hour to remember those whose greatest sacrifice allows us to enjoy our freedoms. One of which is the freedom to attend a NOOF-a-palooza.
So what in thunder, you're asking, is a NOOF-a-palooza? A poster in the NOOF this week likened it to a Star Trek convention, only the fanaticism revolves around junior hockey instead of The Enterprise. Pretty good analogy. And so today, with edition number VIII at hand, we're off to Erie, Pennsylvania to meet with like-minded fans and enjoy this evening's Wolves-Otters game to boot. I believe there is alcohol involved, as there is a bar within staggering distance of our hotel. There certainly are laughs involved. Should be a great day.
Sunday, November 12:
ERIE, PA -- These get-togethers just get better and better, NOOF-edition 8, was out of this world, thanks to our great and gracious hosts in Erie. A fantastic time at the pre-game meal, at the Otters 7-5 win over Sudbury and at the post-game gathering. A million laughs didn't hurt, and with the great company of my travelling companions, J-C, Simon the Sign-Guy and D-T, the miles zipped by in a hurry. I hate the fact I have to miss number-9 in Barrie in three months time, but I know those who show up will be glad they did.
Monday, November 13:
They're putting on a brave face in Winnipeg this week, as the city will host a Grey Cup featuring the two most distant teams from the Manitoba capital. With the dream of the hometown Blue Bombers playing in the big game dashed eight days ago, Winnipeg was hoping for the next best thing -- an appearance by neighbouring Saskatchewan, a team whose fans would think nothing of travelling to Neptune to see their heroes in action. But the Roughriders were waxed -- again -- in the West final, this time by the B.C. Lions while the Montreal Alouettes held off Toronto in the East. Nothing wrong with a Lions-Als match-up, but it may not be a complete sellout in Winnipeg's west end come Sunday.
Thursday, November 16:
I hope you got out and voted this week if you were in Ontario, or last week if you were in the United States. Our forefathers surrendered their most precious possession -- time on earth -- for us to have that privilege.
We had a close race for mayor here in Stouffville. The incumbent lost to a previous mayor who declined to run three years due to health reasons. In Toronto, they re-elected most of the same horses' hineys that everyone complained about for the past three years. The city may be a royally screwed-up mess, but it is good for a belly laugh as I gleefully leave it behind after every working fay.
Two days to The Game, which in my lifetime, has never been bigger or more meaningful. Michigan, #2 and 11-and-0, at Ohio State, #1 and 11-and-0. The winner gets to advance to the BCS Championship game. I think the Buckeyes are better overall and they're at home -- a huge advantage -- but I think Michigan has a slightly superior defence, and if I'm picking a winner in any football game, I almost always take the best defence. Two other things -- Michigan has won almost all of the big games in the series: the stadium dedication games at both Michigan Stadium and Ohio Stadium, the Mud Bowl game in 1950 at the Horseshoe and the 100th edition three years ago at the Big House. Either you believe it's fate or that OSU is due. The other thing is personal. My hometown London Knights erased 40 years of frustration by finally winning junior hockey's Memorial Cup when I was as far away as possible -- in Germany. Saturday I'll be driving from San Diego to Phoenix (thank God for satellite radio) -- a long way from Columbus. I dreamt this week that Michigan prevailed in a squeaker (on a missed Bucks field goal as time expired). So here goes: Michigan 23, Ohio State 21. Somehow, I don't think the UCLA-Arizona State game I attend Saturday night will carry the same drama.
Friday, November 17:
I've seen the B.C. Lions spit the bit in Grey Cups they should have won, but I don't think that will happen tomorrow in Winnipeg. I believe they've proved to be the class of the CFL all summer and fall, and I think they should prevail over the Montreal Alouettes. Here's the pick: B.C. 33, Montreal 17.
Here's the question: Should the loser of the Michigan-Ohio State game tomorrow fall no further than number two and still go to the BCS championship game -- especially if the top-ranked Buckeyes lose a squeaker, say in overtime? I think that would depend. If Cal, USC, Notre Dame, Arkansas and Florida all finish with two losses -- not as crazy as it sounds -- then definitely. Of course one-loss Wisconsin would squawk. So would Rutgers, West Virginia and Louisville. Boise State. And others. How do you rate the strengths and weaknesses of conferences and the teams within them? I'm just glad it's not my decision.
On the road again. We'll be updating from the U.S. Southwest when we get time.
Saturday, November 18:
SAN DIEGO -- Somehow, the biggest of TheGames between Michigan and Ohio State doesn't seem as important with yesterday's passing of longtime Wolverines head coach Bo Schembechler. He died just after doing the thing he loved most -- talking Michigan football, as he collapsed outside a Detroit TV station following an interview. As a football coach, I loved him. As a baseball administrator, I hated him. He once fired Ernie Harwell for cryin' out loud, as president of the Detroit Tigers. But I once heard him speak at a benefit dinner for one of his former players who was dying of Lou Gehrig's disease. It was as moving a speech as I've ever heard. I approached him after the dinner and told him how much I enjoyed watching the game that cemented my love of college football -- Michigan's 24-12 stunning upset of number-one Ohio State in 1969, Schembechler's first year at UM. Judging by the sudden appearance of that familiar twinkle in his eyes, he enjoyed being reminded of it. "That was quite a game, wasn't it?", was his comment. It sure was. To this day, I've never seen a more fired-up football team than Michigan displayed that day. Six weeks later, Bo missed the 1970 Rose Bowl, suffering a heart attack on the eve of the game, and the Wolverines were flat emotionally and physically. How they'll react today at Columbus is anyone's guess, but the game just isn't as important as it was 24 hours ago.
Sunday, November 19:
TEMPE, AZ -- It was every bit the classic it was billed as, but I never thought I'd see Michigan's offence play that well against Ohio State, or Michigan's defence play that poorly. I think the tone of the game was set in the Wolverines' second possession, just after the Buckeyes had tied it 7-7. Chad Henne overthrew a wide-open Mario Manningham and coach Lloyd Carr opted to give the ball away on fourth and one at about the 40 after an Ohio State penalty on a punt gave Michigan another chance. It would have been bold, but that's what was required. The Wolverines had to take the crowd out of the game on that possession. They failed, OSU scored again, the Horseshoe went nuts and Michigan trailed the rest of the game.
A rematch? Gee, I don't think so. Ohio State is clearly the top team in the country. I don't think anyone will give them as tough a game as Michigan, but the Buckeyes won it. The Wolverines had their chance. Let's see who finishes the season with momentum -- USC, Florida, Notre Dame -- and give them a shot.
Last night, Arizona State reminded me so much of conservative Michigan teams from past years, it wasn't funny. They held their own and then some against UCLA, but settled for four field goals and lost 24-12. Maybe it's because they're not exactly packing them in Tempe, but the halftime show featured Tower of Power, backed by the ASU marching band. For an old soul freak like me, it was quite a treat!
Arizona State did win the battle of flag bearers. When the UCLA guys got to the other side of the stadium, their "letter" flags spelled out "A-L-C-U." When the ASU guys got there, their flags spelled out "U-S-A."
Best t-shirt was worn by a UCLA fan, in regards to their showdown in two weeks against city rival Southern Cal: "A Bruin is forever but a Trojan's only good once."
So the Grey Cup game's today, eh? I must have missed the pages of previews in the Southwest U.S. papers!
Monday, November 20:
GLENDALE, AZ -- That is one beautiful football stadium they have here, the new home of the Arizona Cardinals. They even roll the natural grass inside for games, so people get the best of both worlds -- air conditioned comfort away from the blazing Arizona heat and football on grass. Of course, the heat isn't as "blazing" in November. High 80's Fahrenheit and cool evenings are fine with me.
Baseball, football, it doesn't matter -- Cardinals win; Detroit plays like crap. Only the Detroit Lions could make the Arizona Cardinals look like contenders. My Lord, what a dreadful football team. Watching the Lions is better than any seeing star comic perform at Yuk-Yuk's.
I'm told the B.C. Lions' Grey Cup victory over Montreal yesterday wasn't all that exciting. Believe me, it had to better than the Lions-Cardinals. I've seen 15 Grey Cups live as a fan or reporter and I've watched part or all of the rest on TV, dating back to the 1961 Winnipeg-Hamilton overtime thriller. (Yes, I was alive then -- eight years old. I know it's hard to believe with my ever-youthful appearance!) Seems very odd to have completely missed this one.
Thursday, November 23:
BERKELEY, CA -- Happy Thanksgiving to our American friends! Please stay safe, and enjoy the turkey and all the trimmings!
The best place to be on a U.S. Thanksgiving Day is out west. Here we get two afternoon football games -- Tampa Bay at Dallas and Denver at Kansas City -- and a three-hour cartoon in the morning. It was hilarious today -- Football Follies, featuring the Detroit Lions. Funniest thing I've seen in years! Comedic on almost every play. They even brought in a former Detroit quarterback (Joey Harrington) to suit up for Miami and play the part of the returning-hero/bum-turned-villian who wins the game with ease and laughs about it later. Great stuff!
Friday, November 24:
LOS ANGELES -- This is "Black Friday" here in the United States -- America's version of Boxing Day. Black, as in merchants will be in the black at day's end. Stores opened as early as 5am in some locales for the crush of shoppers. They do it right here. It makes more sense to have those incredible one-day sales before Christmas, not the day after.
I missed doing this when I was out here in June, so there was no way I was going to pass on it again. There are few, if any, more scenic drives on this continent than the one you can take on the California Coastal Highway. So I left Berkeley at the break of dawn, drove through a mostly deserted San Francisco and spent the day meandering down Highway 1. It took an extra four hours, but it was fun and refreshing. And thank heavens for satellite radio, and the three college football games that accompanied me on my journey.
Dave South on the Aggie Football Network, midway through Texas A&M's upset victory today at Texas: "This one's closer than your next breath!"
I've been looking forward to attending this one all season -- tomorrow's game here between USC and Notre Dame. Normally, I'd cheer for the Trojans, but a Notre Dame win would likely push Michigan into the championship game against rival Ohio State. So, Let's Go Irish!
Sunday, November 26:
LOS ANGELES -- I'm almost totally convinced. The USC Trojans demolished Notre Dame last night right from the get-go, as the late Tom Cheek might have said. Unless they falter badly next week against cross-town rival UCLA, then I think the Trojans deserve the shot at Ohio State in the national championship game. This is an outfit that hasn't lost a home game in five years! But they can't afford any missteps next Saturday in the Rose Bowl against a Bruins team that is better than advertised.
I wish you could hide from embarrassment. There I was, leaving the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum along with thousands of others last night when I bent down near a large oak tree to retrieve the game program I had dropped. I went to stand up and crack! I slammed my head right into the tree trunk. But coaches always say, "Get up and don't let them know you're hurt." So I nonchalantly put my cap back on and sauntered on my way, painfully aware that I was seeing stars. No blood spilled, but it raised a lovely welt on the ol' chrome-dome. Still, not as red as my face must have been. Thank heavens it was dark.
Monday, November 27:
SAN DIEGO -- THE worst sports parking planning and execution belongs to the San Diego Chargers. One guy told me he spent more than two hours trying to find a spot and didn't get to his seat until well into the second quarter. I was lucky to find a spot in a lot off a side street, which saved me his grief. The Chargers reserve a huge chunk of the stadium lot for luxury boxholders and there are dozens of empty spaces each game. And while they're to be applauded for reserving spots for handicapped patrons, many of those sections are at the back of the huge lot.
Referee Mike Carey and his crew looked like rank amateurs yesterday during a key moment in the Chargers' 21-14 win over Oakland. After San Diego receiver Vincent Jackson stupidly spun the ball after a fourth down catch without being touched, the Raiders jumped on the football and the fun began. First it was a fumble, Oakland ball. Then it was a first down, San Diego ball. Then an illegal forward pass penalty, Oakland ball. Finally, an illegal forward pass, post-possession penalty, San Diego ball. I think. The Chargers went on to score, held Oakland to a three-and-out and then scored again to escape with a victory. Weird!
Wednesday, November 29:
LAS VEGAS -- I've driven through rain, sleet, hail and fog. Through blizzards and ice storms and heat waves where the road shimmers before you like liquid ice. But I hadn't driven though a dust storm as severe as the one that blinded the vision on I-15 between Los Angeles and Las Vegas Monday afternoon. In spots it was just as scary as the others.
Every time I arrive here I gape in awe at the light show that is Las Vegas. Seems a new glittering casino-hotel opens every other week, sometimes at the expense of longtime establishments. Stardust, for example. They've closed their doors after 48 years. One of the new ones is Hooters. Laugh if you will, but it's a vast improvement over the tired San Remo that occupied the building in the past. I'm only staying here because of the great location. Honest, dear!
Thursday, November 30:
PHOENIX -- I'll never complain about Ontario's temperature extremes again (well, not for a day or so, anyway). When I was out here in June, it was 105 degrees Fahrenheit and people were chugging water by the gallon. Tonight, there's a frost warning here and folks are bundled up in parkas. It's actually warmer in Toronto than here in Phoenix. Of course, they tell me that when I get back home Sunday, Toronto will be an iceberg, complete with snow and all. Lovely.
