What's in a name? You tell me. And running into a Raging Bull

Okay, I can’t decide, I really can’t.

Remember how earlier in the week we were trying to figure out a name for Canada’s basketball teams and while I could come up with Canadian Shield, it was probably wiser to get you more involved?

Well, you did. Very well.

So well, in fact, that I’m not going to decide, we will as a collective since I culled five pretty good ones from suggestions that ranged from comical to classical to nonsensical.

We’ll give you the weekend to let me know what you think and by the time the men start their second round down in Argentina, we’ll have something to call them.

And who knows, maybe Canada Basketball will like it and we’ll get their blessing (you’re reading, right, Wayne and Michele?)

So, here we go and thanks, as always, for playing along.

Northern Lights

Now, I don’t live in a rural enough area to see them very often, much to my chagrin, but it’s a pretty Canadian kind of thing, isn’t it?

Schooners

Can’t remember exactly how Irregular Doug put it when it was suggested but it’s a rather strong, representative icon of the country, no?

Voyageurs

Hearty Canucks portaging across raging rivers? Yeah, kind of sends a message, no?

Red Serge

What’s more Canadian than a Mountie? And what’s more Mountie-esque than those glorious red uniforms? This one might be my favourite.

Glowing Hearts

A tad sappy, sure. But makes you think of home, doesn’t it?

Anyway, there are the five finalists that emerged, can’t say it’ll be an absolute democratic vote – not sure I’ll be able to count them all without missing one or two in what I’m sure will be an onslaught of comments but we’ll have a name by the beginning of the week.

Live it up.

Vote early but don’t vote often, I can get worn out reading ‘em all.

-

I love fall baseball, as some of you know. Teams in pennant races, more big games, sometimes there’s a nip in the air and it’s just a good time to sit back and watch a game.

But I have to tell you, if the Yankees and Red Sox take FOUR HOURS AND 21 MINUTES to play a 4-2, nine-inning game, that’s stretching the patience of even the most ardent fan.

I don’t know what baseball can do to speed up those games – the Sox and Yankees historically play 3-plus hours even on the most speedy of nights – but last night was shocking for how long it droned on.

-

A Grunt’s Guide to a Happier Life

(A new, every now and then game we’ll play here)

Rule 292

The cab driver will always tell you he knows where he’s going; don’t believe him until you give him the exact address.

-

How cool is this:

P.J. Clarke’s, a somewhat legendary saloon that’s been around since the late 1800s, is about a block away from the hotel and it was, as you’d expect, packed with the post-work crowd.

Well, I find a standing spot that happens to be right behind two of the early-leavers, grab a seat, watch start of Red Sox-Yankees and I’m right in front of the jukebox.

And I tell you, you don’t hear nearly enough of this stuff on a saloon jukebox.

If they’d had A Boy Named Sue, I might have expired.

-

Can’t tell you how much pressure was relieved from Canada with the win over Dominican Republic down in Argentina last night.

Sure, the players and coaches all spoke the predictable: How every game is big and they need to just try and meet the challenge right in front of them but having a win under their belts going into what would seemingly be the two easiest games of the first round is huge.

If they had had to beat both Venezuela and then Cuba it would have been a very tall order because I could see a team with limited offence playing a bit “tight” with lots on the line.

I still say it’s going to be virtually impossible to finish second overall but the win over Dominican certainly gives them a leg up on the chase for a top five spot.

Can you see a scenario where it’s Argentina, Puerto Rico and Brazil as the top three and two of Canada, Dominican and Venezuela fighting for the last spots in next summer’s tournament?

I sure can. And having a win over one of them under their belts has to be a huge confidence booster. And if they get Venezuela today (it’s a 10:30 a.m. start back home) it’ll be even bigger.

-

Seriously, folks.

The mail’s way, way down and it’s Friday and there’s two days of mail to get through and I really need some help.

Click here, get it done and we’ll have a typical weekend.

Thanks.

-

Speaking of PJ’s, a story.

Can’t remember when it was – had to be early 2000s – but there’s a whole gaggle of Toronto writers in town one time. Think the HOTH were in the post-season maybe, the pucks were somewhere in the neighbourhood and there might have been a big fight, too.

Anyway, we’re all at PJs telling stories and hanging out and who comes in but Jake LaMotta.

Now, we’re all huge fans of either his or Raging Bull and one of us – not me – seems somewhat smitten by Jake’s wife, Vikky.

Well, this fellow proceeds to tell Jake, in a rather polite but forceful way, that he wish that the boxer had stayed home and sent his wife, or at least brought her along so they could meet.

Not sure Jake was entirely impressed but no punches were thrown.

-

There are an awful lot of reasons I wish I was back in the country to kick off a long weekend.

One of them is so I could find out how many St. Lucians live in the area because you know they’ll all be out cheering on the football team against the Canadas in World Cup qualifying.

Speaking of, who you got in the big game?

Not sure who wins but I’ve got the over-under at a half.

-

 

 

Comments

[DavidT (Ottawa)]

Hey Doug,

Interesting top-6 (top-5, but you'll see I'm including your addition). My Top-3 (in order)
1. Canadian Shields
2. Voyageurs
3. Red Serge (actually, I like Red Surge with the pun implied in that direction)

Good idea, many thanks!

[Tom]

Hey Doug,

When I read your story about Jake LaMotta I couldn't help but write in. A few years back my wife and I were flying out of Buffalo but had to stay the night in a local hotel. We called a cab to go to the nearest Cheesecake Factory(Mmm!) and the cab driver arrives to bring us to the restaurant. We're having the usual "Where you from?" conversation and the cab driver says "Oh your Canadian, do you know any boxing?" I'm like "sure my Dad was a big fan and watched the Lewis clan fight out of Kitchener and grow through the ranks(Lennex Lewis's sister was an amazing boxer). The cab driver asks, "Do you know George Chuvalo?" I responded by saying that I knew he was a great boxer that had never been knocked down in his career. His response blew me away, he said "George is my brother". We go on to have an amazing cab ride with stories and memorable conversation, he than gives us his card to call him when we're done our meal to give us a ride back to our hotel. Great guy, great family and one of the best cab rides I've ever had. If anyone doesn't know the story of George Chuvalo you should look it up. It's quite the story of Triumph and tragedy.

[Jeff D]

Not sure how your counting votes, but here are my top 3.
1) Northern Lights
2) Red Serge (also sounds like Red Surge...kinda cool)
3) Canadian Shield (or simply the Shield)

[Lorie]

Hey Doug!
Help!!! I've a long day at the office - at least until 6:00pm - but at least I've got access to ALL of the EuroBasket and FIBA Americas games while I work. Can you suggest a viewing schedule for the best games to follow? There's a lot going on (bball and work crap) and I need a clear headed soul to set up a schedule of what to watch when! (Right now I'm watching Jose - I mean Spain - playing Great Britain...but where to go next???) Thanks so much! Cheers!

Blogger's note: Spain, then Canada, then Turkey-Lithuania for sure at 2 and end it back at FIBA Americas

[Dave]

Not sure why the Canadian Shield didn't make your list? With the list you presented I would have to go with Northern Lights as it is national and all encompassing.

[Dave in BG]

Northern Lights are hardly a Canadian phenomenon. The aurora borealis is seen in many parts of the northern world, and the generally accepted best viewing locations are in Norway and Alaska.
Its a nice name, but doesnt really capture the Canadian essence, methinks.

[Dave Fritz, Kingston]

"Canadian Shield" is better than any of the official list, IMHO.

WRITE-IN!!!!

[Jason]

Red Serge.

[SheikYurbouti]

Voyageurs: hardy, determined grinders that don't give up when facing incredible odds. Sounds about right.

[Jacques]

how about the Beaver Tails

[jimt]

haha doug in case you missed it yesterday before the game Charlie V tweeted that he has love for Canada,that his son is Canadian and to be witnesses followed by "weareteamDR" lol :)

[Rob]

Since I was one of those who suggested it, I'm sticking with Voyageurs. But to make a top 3:

1. Voyageurs
2. Northern Lights
3. Red Serge (this one is slightly ridiculous, but probably fits well with our national ability to make fun of ourselves... Plus it gives an alternate nickname of Mounties right off the bat)

[larry lukeeborg]

1. Shield
2. the Serge

[Ian Murray]

One vote for Voyageurs.

[sb]

One vote for Red Serge.

[The Other KG]

1. Red Serge

That's the only one I'm voting for. If it counts for anything, I'm a marketing guy. I think this has the best odds of sticking but also getting noticed internationally.

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

Voyageurs could be a euphemism for traveling and The Canadian Shield sounds like a new brand of condom, so I vote for The Serge.

AG, Toronto

[Diablo]

I keep going back to Crazy Canucks...I know it's been used but still...

What about the Canuckleheads? If this winning streak of theirs continues...

[Paul B]

sorry, late thought... not sure if already suggested:

Team Canada, Eh!

[Chaid]

Schooners!!!

[sam]

Red Serge - like an angry Savard - The king of the Spinerama?

I vote Schooners - a fine east coast beer and you might even be able to get
the Oland Family to sponsor the team -

[Andre]

1. The Serge
2. Canadian Shield

[rahul]

Lets go with the Red Serge

[Lorie]

When I named my daughters, I was ever cognizant of the inevitable shortening of names via nicknames, rhyming-sound-alikes etc. that usually happens. So I was careful and considerate. (Like, I loved "Regina", but you know...some idiot was bound to do a Seinfeld and make her life hell.) Case in point, I thought "The Canadian Shield" alluded to a team exhibiting hardness, strength and stamina...but then Andrew Gregg brought up the Shield-As-Condom thing and subsequently that just leads one to contemplating the possible derision about Holes in the Shield Wall, or a Shield with a Leaky Defence. So, with that in mind, and because women are also members of the RCMP and we're thinking of the entire program here, I go with The Red Serge. But can we do a logo with a Mountie AND a Husky Voyageur? :)

[george]

Definitely like Red Serge