Weekend mail on a Tuesday? We're all messed up here

Yeah, we’re a little bit late here but the weekend was full of real stuff too good to pass up. And yesterday was dead.

Have fun with this and there are lists and things left over to help get us through the rest of the week.

A week, I might add, that includes a couple more trips to the ballyard and I think we need to get back to the IGBT since I know how things operate here.

Anyway, enjoy this while I go deal with the fact I’m now a parent of a 15-year-old on Super Son Day.

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Q: Good morning Doug.

I know this has been discussed already, the 'no communication allowed' between teams and their players during the lockout. However, I was just wondering how strict it actually is. For instance, if a player is getting married and was planning on inviting the coach/gm, or another player's going to become a father again, etc. Are congratulatory phone calls or attending personal events also off limits? I understand discussing league matters being off limits, but if it extends to personal events, etc, does it not seem a little extreme?

MLSE often gets a bad rap as owners, but I believe that sometimes it's misplaced. They have their Team Up Foundation that seems to do excellent work, they're investing $20 million in TFC academy program, etc. Have there been instances where you feel as a reporter that they've been unfairly targeted or blamed? Were there times when you felt that the fans wrath was likely justified?

How's the new barbecue working out? Have you been able to spend as much quality time with it as you had hoped?

Well, thanks for tackling these and for keeping us entertained.

Cheers!

Dominique K, Ottawa

A: It’s pretty strict, actually. I know the Mavs had to get special dispensation from the league so that Mark Cuban could join the players at a TV awards show and franchises would have to make a great case if there was another away-from-the-court event that had been scheduled.

Now, I do think that if “friends” wanted to stay in touch – like equipment managers and players – they may in fact do so but, truth be told, there isn’t an awful lot of social interaction between management and players in the summer anyway.

Now, I am a big fan of the Foundation, actually. Was a bit bigger supporter when each team had its own and could do some sport-specific work but they do a very good job that kind of gets lost every now and then. But I think people can distinguish between the charitable work and the on-field performance of the teams, laud one and perhaps criticize the others.

The barbecue has got lots of use, not as much as I’d like thanks to various nights and weekends at the ballpark but it was a solid investment.

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Q: Hi Doug. Seeing the news about the Hawks getting new ownership, wondering what kind of effect the lockout is having on the Teachers’ chances of selling the Raps. Does the lockout make this more of a buyer’s market? Sellers market? Limbo market? And could you take a wild stab at it – who do you think might actually buy this team?

Also wondering – how do owners/managers make use of their time during the lockout? Are they working the phones to get free agent deals penciled in? Or are they just sitting on their hands, waiting? (for example, Colangelo hiring a GM – will that just stay on hold until there’s a CDA settlement?)

Thanks for the great blog.

David M, Ottawa

A: Because the sale is so much bigger than just a basketball team headed to a new economic situation, I’m not sure there’s much of an impact at all; the folks at Maple Leaf Sports are peddling a rather significant package. As for the general feeling, I’d say it’s a bit of a buyer’s market solely for basketball, given the owners seem bent on getting an economic system much more favourable that the one that exists now.

A buyer? Your guess would be as good as mine, I suppose. I keep hearing the usual suspects, Rogers, the Thompsons who have a stake in the Winnipeg pucks and BellGlobe Media. But that’s a predictable list.

I hear a lot of GMs took advantage of the downtime to get some vacation and should be stumbling back in offices this week or next. The search for a new guy here – whatever he’ll be called – will pick up steam in the next two or three weeks, I’m told.

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Q: Hello, Doug. Thanks for keeping the Blog going through the summer.

I haven't been following as closely since the draft, so I apologize if you've covered this:

After the Raps drafted Jonas V., the predominant commentary in the media was that he was arguably the most talented player in the draft, but teams were scared off by his contract status (the inference being the Rubio situation).

Yet, days after being drafted, the Raps completed his buyout.

My question is:

Is this an example of the Raps management having an advantage in negotiating a deal, or was the real concern among other teams that he wouldn't be available to them for the 2011/12 season?

Thanks.

Joe U, Markham

A: It’s an example of the regard with which Bryan and Maurizio are held in Europe, no question. The day Jonas was drafted, he did not have a buyout agreement addendum to his three-year contract with his club team over there; it took less than 48 hours for the Raptors to negotiate a deal that frees him after one year.

Whether they would have happened with another organization, I can’t say but I do know that some of the teams drafting above Toronto – Minnesota, Cleveland and Utah – had concerns about when they might get him. The Raptors were confident that their relationships in Europe – forged of years of just being there and creating a good relationship – would help them. It did and that’s why you have people like Bryan and Maurizio in positions of responsibility.

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Q: Hi Doug. You've mentioned a few times over the last little while that you worked in St John's for a spell. I just spent a week there on vacation and noticed that aside from the introduction of the new AHL Hockey team (The Ice Caps?) there wasn't a lot of sports to be found.

Cod, Music, the republic of Doyle and Russell Crowe sightings seemed to be the big topics of discussion. A friendly Barkeep did ask about the Blue Jays though..._Was your Gig as a sports writer and how big a part does Sports play in the Newfoundland culture?

Cheers

Michael D, Barrie

A: Actually, when I was there I was a news guy. Started as a slot/desk guy (involved in the process of deciding what went where in the paper) and eventually evolving into an assistant managing editor. Sports was fun but not my gig, although the Newfoundland senior hockey league was big, big news back then, and a lot of fun to follow on weekends.

Oh, that and Regatta Day.

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Q: I'm enjoying all your baseball related writing lately. To be truthful, as much as I love basketball and the Raptors baseball is number one for me. Anyway, two questions.

What is the schedule for the Jays players on a typical day when they play a night game? For example, what time do they arrive at the park and what do they generally do when they get there until they start the game?

What are some of the better books about baseball. I appreciate that this may not be your area of expertise but maybe some of the irregulars have some thoughts or perhaps Griff might have some recommendations. I'll even offer one myself. The Thinking Fan's Guide to Baseball by Leonard Kloppet. I bought this a number of years ago and it's an extremely interesting read for someone looking to know more about the game.

A small aside. I have the 2004 edition which has a foreword written by none other than Pat Gillick in which he makes mention of a number of writers that he has followed during his career including some fine Toronto writers such as Wayne Parrish, Trent Frayne, Milt Dunnell and one or two others whose names escape me right now. Definitely worth picking up if you can find a copy.

Stephen G, Kitchener

A: I’m going to save the best baseball books for a regular morning offering this week, if you don’t mind. That’s a great list to do.

As for a typical day for a ball player with a night game, they tend to get the park somewhere between 2 and 3 to hang around, maybe get some extra hitting in, work out, lounge around the clubhouse watching TV, playing cards or goofing around. Stretching and batting practice starts around 4-4:30 at home and that’s when the real work of the day starts.

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Q: Try Obricke's (spell check) for crabs in Baltimore.

Also, a baseball question - why didn't the Blue Jays have the schedule people have a game on Monday? Gave up a lot of revenue with a possible 25,000 +/- fans in the seats.

Howard R, Toronto

A: No idea why they didn’t – I’m not that familiar with the MLB scheduling system – but I would insist every single year on having home games on the August long weekend, Canada Day and May 24 weekend. You’d think the folks at MLB headquarters would be amenable to that plan, that’s three Mondays of big crowds they wouldn’t normally get.

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Q: Hi Doug. In these slow days of basketball reporting I was wondering if you and Mr. Grossman could get together and make up a list of Canadian prospects that are in a Canadian or American university program and also on the depth charts for the National Program.

Thanks for the reporting on the women's team in Chile. I wish we had more of this. (But I guess that is really up to "us" to support them with dollars, attendance and/or attention.)

Kevin M, Maple

A: Here’s the thing: We no longer have Mr. Grossman and that’s an undertaking I’m not quite ready to undertake at the moment. Maybe as we get closer to the start of some college season but at the moment, I’m afraid that’s a request that can’t be filled.

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Q: Doug - Reference Solomon Alabi or other second round picks - could the Raptors have made a deal with a Euro team to send Solo to Europe to get his play up to where he could come in and start helping the team. Would that be either illegal or impossible to arrange. Were they legally committed to either signing him to a contract or cutting him loose for some other team to pick up? Thanks

Gerry T, Halifax

A: Impossible to arrange since he was, and is, under contract here. Now, in the lockout era I suppose he could find himself a job over there but there’s nothing the Raptors can do now to facilitate it.

If they had done something before they had signed him to the original contract, that would have been fine. Now? Nothing they can do but use the D League when they come back as a training ground.

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Q: Greetings, couple of random thoughts. Firstly, regarding correct usage of the Queen's English. At home we are a blended family, mine, hers and ours, all ranging from just under two to twenty-nine. (Not that all still abide in the family abode) Anyways, the fifteen year old has from somewhere developed quite the notion to gallop to the defence of our wonderful language. More times than not he is very much correct in his contributions to his siblings (and parents) use of the language. The twenty-nine year old is also pretty good with the written and spoken word, which sets the stage for some lively debates around the dinner table. The five year old, on the other hand, has very little use for "Bubby" feeling the need to correct her in the use of our language. As a parent I am just thrilled that there is use of language beyond grunts, text shortforms and language suitable for the average dockworker.

As the day’s second thought or question, I wonder if finding Jay in the Falls was coincidence or, perhaps, maybe he has been following the blog?

As always thanks for what you do.

Doug T, Brantford

A: Oh, strictly coincidence. We’ve both got some family things cooking down there and happened to be in town at the same time. And where else are you going to go in the morning to meet people or hang out other than Starbucks away from the madding horde of tourists?

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Q: Dear Doug, Thanks for the videos of Rasho and Bubba.

A Rasho story. Superwife and I were touring the Galapagos five yrs ago (my 60th., our 35th.). On the boat was a teenager who had different NBA gear on daily and his dad. We got to talking, and they were from Slovenia. Dad was the first economic minister after the Yugo breakup, and then was the pres of the B-Ball Association. He talked about Rasho in the most glowing terms as a person rather than as an athlete.

All the best in health

Frank B, Toronto

PS: Before you're too old, go to the Galapagos with Super Wife and son. Literally nothing like this on our planet.

A: I add this because it’s a very cool story and I think others should heed your Galapagos advice; it’s always been on my list of things I hope to do.

 

Comments

[Gordo]

Hi Doug. Don't know if you saw my post last day. Are you checking up on the Canadian training camp? Would love to know how its going there. Baylor is also playing on Saturday vs Ryrson. The Canadian kid who Baylors is hoping will playing a significant role this season, is also playing for Canada. My question is, who will he be playing for this weekend?

Blogger's note: They don't start 'til Friday so, no, I haven't done a thing and won't until then probably

[doug]

happy b-day to Super Son, next year he will be asking for your car keys ...so enjoy well you can....now in golf they always say the key to a good swing is in the hips which is true, so it's no surprise this female singer is a avid golfer and I must admit a hell of a putter, video enclosed...hey no mention of the new sports team in Toronto?, the girls Bikini b-ball team, please if I were a female athlete I would be repulsed, as a male ex-athlete I am.....the over/under on the amount of games that team plays is 3.5 and I take the under....

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/09/shakira-golfs-colombian-s_n_921867.html

Blogger's note: Thanks; am waiting for the day Super Son can drive me around

[RK]

@Frank B - I believe you are talking about mr. Dušan Šešok, a long time president of Slovenia's National Basketball Association.
He's not the only one who holds Rasho in high regards. Rasho is one of the most popular athletes in Slovenia as well as a very generous man-he often makes quite large donations to his orthodox church as well as to different organizations, which hel underprivileged children get a proper education. Oh, and he was also the star of this weekend's Basketball without borders in Ljubljana. A classy person all-around.

[Lorie]

Well, Happy 15th to Super Son!!! Geez, Doug, do you remember being 15, and wanting so badly to finally drive the family car? Here's a memory test for you: do you recall what make and model was it? (Mine was a '66 Rambler American. With manual transmission.)

Blogger's note: Nah, don't recall for sure. A Ventura maybe?

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Hi Doug,
Seems all the potential buyers are individual gazillionaires or media companies. Keeping it in media mode, I think Google should buy the Raps. Man, the purchase would be chump change for them, and they could package that brand in a gazillion different formats and disguises and creative promos to the moon and back. It would be All Raptors All The Time, everywhere you look on the interweb. How do we start a campaign? Cheers.

Blogger's note: Think you just did

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Oh yeah, forgot to wish fond felicitations to Super Son on his 15th!
Sure glad I'll never have to be 15 again... @Lorie, good one! 65 Buick LeSabre here, though it was automatic. First car I bought was a cherry red 65 Mustang, three-speed on the floor, which of course, I ground into, you know, the ground. It was better known as The Muskrat – a heap of rusting, limping, blue smoke spewing metal begging for mercy – before I moved on to Volkswagens, which got far, far better treatment, I will say. Cheers.

[Jim Rootham]

If the weekend starts on Tuesday does that mean that Friday the 13th came on a Monday this month?

Hint: One legged cartoonist.

[The J]

One year away from 16? I have a feeling the smelly Ford Focus, will soon be a whole lot smellier. Between gym bags, drive through packaging, and too many teenagers than a car should have in it at one time, I recall 16 or so to be a very smelly age for car driving.

[doug]

@D-Mac my first car well my fathers that I drove was also a Buick LeSabre...a 1976 and it was like driving a boat..I had no choice but to learn to parallel park with that thing, but it was a good ride...then my own first car was a 78 Monte Carlo man that thing had sweet power, too much as I just got speeding ticket after speeding ticket, I thought seeing red lights spinning in my rear view mirror was just part of my view after awhile...had to go have a talk with the Ministry on Exeter Road in london and explain why my license shouldn't be suspended....cars aren't like they use to be...I remember when I was like 10 my dad had a 62 Chrysler Imperial, what a car, there were 5 kids in our family and we all fit into that back seat with room to spare, and i remember going in and cleaning it for my dad and the amount of chrome inside and out was mind boggling...a heck of a ride, unfortunately it got totalled in the old Towers parking lot in London with us in it and really we never felt a thing, those cars were tanks...and also beautiful...men and their bonds to cars is a real thing...

[Lorie]

@D-Mac: Oh, those '65 Mustangs! Wasn't it a '65 Mustang that Steve McQueen drove in Bullit? (And did they come in any other colour than red?) Now, I finally got one in '78. And of course, by then it came with over 350,000 miles on it. But drove it for years. Its triumphant swan song was a late October moose-hunting roadtrip up to Wawa. (And the only 'shooting' that took place was the photograph I 'shot' from inside the Legion as a lone moose strolled down the main street.) Still can't think of a cooler car than those first Mustangs. And it's not just me: did you know it's the only car ever to be awarded Tiffany's Gold Medal for Excellence in Design?!

[doug]

@Lori no McQueen drove a 68 Mustang GT...the reason I know this is simple, I did my student placement at CPRI in London and a fellow staff member was selling his car...a 68 Mustang GT...i was thinking of buying it so he let me have it for a weekend...well we were at a intersection in London (my future wife and I) on York and Ridout going east, at a red light an this guy in a Camaro came up beside me and revved, meaning let's go...so the light changed to green and off we went, by time we passed Talbot and Richmond he was in my dust...and my future wife said your not buying this car as I need you to be alive ...then a couple years later she also forbade me to buy a Harley...she was the practical one and i agreed with her...after she passed I went on a Hunter S Thompson type road trip...and was in Alberta on the trans-Canada near Lethbridge I believe and had a Mazda turbo standard with the speedometer that went up to 260 km's..so i thought what the hell let's see if it has what it says it has as i was bored and never frankly at that time gave a crap......so off I went, I was up to 250 km's and I swear I heard Terry (my deceased wife ) say "slow down"...so I did, it's what I learned years ago when I heard her say "your not buying this car" meaning the Mustang, she wasn't saying it to deny me, she was saying because she knew me and cared...what I learned is a good woman is a good woman...as a aside Bill Simmons was just on Pardon the Interruption that guy is good, he has passion for sports, as you do ( it shows), someone needs to tell Bob McCowan that, just saying...

[D-Mac Ottawa]

@doug, Oh yeah, they were tanks all right. Beautifully built machines. All of the 50s and early 60s vintages were, and yes, they were safe, in the same way they call a bank vault a "safe". Before the LeSabre, Dad had a 56 Chevy Bel Air, and before that, talk about a beauty, a 48 DeSoto sedan. Awesome road machine.
@lorie, that was a 68 Mustang in Bullitt. Another classic car, another classic movie (but I'm thinking your moose-hunting expedition to Wawa has major film potential, too). Meanwhile, chase scene, anyone? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-7IEPTAoTg (Any wonder Mustangs end up spewing blue smoke and begging for mercy?) Cheers!