gengo.ca | Generation GO

Photo courtesy Jason Swaby

My next article is still forthcoming, but I think I will treat this blog more as a blog and less as an academic journal. So, until I can get my act together, I felt like I’d publish some thoughts on what’s happening in and around the Toronto sports scene.

Streaking Jays

The Blue Jays have surpassed even the loftiest expectations and currently boast the second best record in the major leagues. However, I still believe this team will be on the outside looking in come September. The offense has been carried by the likes of Aaron Hill, on pace for a robust 39 homerun, 131 RBI season, Adam Lind, putting put up an impressive and unexpected .944 OPS and Scott Rolen, whose .325 batting average is a good 30 points higher than his career average. Needless to say, the offense, while spectacular, will soon come back down to earth and Blue Jays fans will realize this lineup is not the offensive juggernaut that it has appeared to be so far this season. It’s been fun watching this Blue Jays team so far, and Roy Halladay has been, as always, a pleasure and an honour to watch but watch your expectations. This team lacks both depth on the field and on the mound and a proven power bat to hit at the heart of the order.

Balls Crazy

Could Shane Doan be returning to Canada?

Phoenix pulls out all the stops to draw fans

Jim Balsillie is embarking on another utterly pointless campaign to move a team to Southern Ontario. Why is it pointless? Because moving a hockey team to the Ontario region goes directly against the NHL’s business model and could actually reduce the market shares of the economic powerhouse Toronto Maple Leafs and the ever-financially shaky Buffalo Sabres. The league has actively tried to secure larger markets, even if they are not so-called hockey markets because these areas have a ton of potential to build the NHL brand. Places like Atlanta and Anaheim are larger markets than Hamilton or Kitchener which means more would-be fans to attract to the team. The NHL does not want to survive on ticket sales alone and everyone knows that the American TV deals are where the money is made. In this respect, Kitchener, Waterloo, Hamilton and Vaughan are all lacking as sports markets and moving a franchise to Southern Ontario would undoubtedly lead to the same result as Winnipeg and Quebec City. The league might crack purely because Balsillie’s pockets are very deep, but I can’t see it happen.

 Trying Triano

Can Triano take Bosh to the next level?

The Toronto Raptors recently re-signed Triano to a three year contract, making him the second worst paid coach in the NBA. It was clearly a move to cut costs while Sam Mitchell’s contract is still on the books, but Bryan Colangelo seems to have faith in Triano’s coaching abilities. I do not share this optimism, as Jay has proven nothing in his career, other than that he’s a nice guy who people seem to like. By all reports, Colangelo intends to add Iavaroni as the lead assistant to help Triano with the tactical side of the game. Meanwhile, internationally acclaimed head coach Ettore Messina continues to languish in Europe. Colangelo has his work cut out for him this offseason as Raptor fans aren’t likely to take another losing season lying down. I personally think Raptors fans are just a lottery season away from laying siege to the ACC complete with trebuchets and ballistae.

 Written by Ken Matheson

Photos courtesy flickr users canyonero & Adam Bailey