The Grey Cup is ours and we don't have much; embrace it

There are very few things in the sporting world at the truly and uniquely Canadian.

Sure, we get jazzed about the Olympics every couple of years in the “us against the world” kind of way and we remain the only country on the planet that pays rapt attention to teenaged holiday pucks and every now and then a team of some sort catches our imagination for a while, again as much for its competition against the rest of the world.

But for solely Canadian?

I’ve got the Grey Cup and nothing else.

The big game goes Sunday – B.C. at home against Winnipeg and we’ve long given up the West-East nature of the thing, I guess – and I’m wondering if many – or any – of you care.

You should. Really.

Yes, there are American players who’ll dominate the game and it’s not the quaint celebration of a unique brand of gridiron we call our own but it is Canadian at its heart.

Our game. Our rules. Our cities. Our celebration of the only league (sorry NBL) that doesn’t bow to the whims of American Lords and master and television networks.

In various incarnations, I’ve been able to attend Grey Cups in Ottawa, Hamilton, Winnipeg and Calgary along with Toronto over the years.

Each has been fun in its own way, most have been truly compelling games, each had an energy to it that was, again, uniquely Canadian.

Just because, right now, the Argos and CFL are so far off the radar here really shouldn’t matter all that much, there are huge pockets of fans coast-to-coast who will plan parties, debate players, watch intently and I can practically guarantee you they’ll have fun.

Way back in the day, on a street in a city by a border that had among its residents a couple of families where Dads worked in the States (hello, Barky and Bags), there used to be a lot of give-and-take about the relative merits of Le Coupe Grey Cup each November. There’d always be some good-natured mocking but there’d always be a party and everyone would appreciate, for a day at least, what the CFL was to the fabric of the country.

Those days are gone, lost amid the glut of sports on TV, the Americanization of the athletic events we pay attention to. But the Grey Cup is still “ours” and that’s not a bad thing.

Give it a shot, even here in the centre of the universe.

Oh yeah, I’m sorry, Coach Steve. This’ll break your Double Blue heart but it does harken back to a time when the team here mattered, doesn’t it?

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So the NBL’s in the news (story’s here, if you haven’t already seen it) with a first commissioner.

Now, I don’t know John Kennedy from Adam (no, I didn’t ask him if his middle name was Fitzgerald) but it strikes me that the league fathers again got it right in hiring the sports/business exec as the first overseer of the league.

It doesn’t seem he’ll be the one to impost any huge amount of basketball dictum on the seven teams in the league’s first year, which is fine. If Kennedy can make some business deals that bring in some sponsorship dollars and raise the profile of the league – the first thing he said about some kind of TV deal had to be music to the fans’ ears – he will have more than done his job.

I’m not sure how each of the teams is doing in its own market with its own media but anything more would be a huge boost.

And in keeping with the idea that the NBL needs to start in precisely the right markets, the idea of striking a series of regional business deals with a national company – think car, credit card, soft drink company with branches in Eastern Canada, Quebec and Ontario that are autonomous yet under one huge umbrella – makes entire sense to me.

As you know, I think the NBL guys and gals are doing a good job for the most part and hope they thrive. Seems this is a step in the right direction.

Speakng of …

Help, people to the east of me.

There’s a very good chance I’ll be wandering aimlessly around the GM Centre in Oshawa tonight before the big Power game (yes, we listened) and I could use a good restaurant recommendation near the arena if the 401’s not the mess I expect it to be and I’m there way early.

Appreciate it.

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How in the world I missed this yesterday is beyond me.

So, RIP Freddy Mercury, who died 20 years and one day ago and generally tops the list – or is in the top two or three – as the most talented pure singers in rock history.

Is he?

I’ll admit I wasn’t the biggest of Queen fans growing up, music was good but it wasn’t one of those bands you “had” to listen to all the time.

But there is no doubting Mercury’s singing chops, is there?

Would he be No. 1 in your mind?

I’d probably have him up there with Robert Plant, Burton Cummings, John Lennon and Bono. Does that make a good Top 5?

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Mail. Please. Now. Serious issues with the number of questions this week, I can only hope you’ve been holding out for the last minute warning.

Thanks.

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Total digression but if I hear one more Canadian store refer to today as Black Friday and offer untold sales and specials because it’s American Thanksgiving, I may barf.

Or perhaps boycott them. This is their in the States day. Let ‘em have it.

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Comments

[Matt]

Teddy's (245 King W) has great burgers and deli sandwiches. May not look too appealing from the outside but great food. On King, between Stevenson and Simcoe and maybe 5 mintues from the arena.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Morning, Doug,
Freddie had the chops, all right. I'll see your five with a nod, and raise you this next batch of five: Steven Tyler, Marvin Gaye, Paul McCartney, Sam Cooke, and my man Boz: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOpg-KubqGs&feature=related
Let's hope Black Friday has a Christmas treat in store for NBA fans. Oh, and if you're out shopping today, no pepper spray in aisle 5, please, okay? Cheers.

[John]

Hi Doug.....Have fun at the NBL game. My family has been to a few of the Summerside Storm games. Great product, entertaining team and good crowds to all of the games thus far.

[LG]

If you are in the downtown core, there is a decent pub down the street - the Thirsty Monk and a couple of good Italian places, Avanti Trattoria and Fazios (this one is a little pricey). Have fun in the 'Shwa!

[Rob.V]

You know, Queen in general has to be one of the more "underrated" bands of the stadium rock tours ever, no?. Serouisly, they dont get their due like Zeppelin/Stones/Beatles etc...
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Wether you like the band or not there is no denying talent and Freddie Murcury would have to be very, very close to the top of that list for sure (Brian May was probably underrated as a guitarist as well).
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When I think of Freddie though, I think of a voice talent like a Christina Aguilera. He was also a competent piano player... and a guy who had the ability to write songs like a Lennon or Mccartney. Relatable songs for the masses.
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Just sheer talent man... MJ sort of talent that comes along very very rarely!.
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I remember watching that live aid performance as it was unfolding and it was clear that something special was happening and that Queen was the cream off the crop... they owned that show.
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As a young boy I remember a friend (who was a die hard Queen fan) asking me to go to their show. I myself was sort or meh! on Queen at the time and opted out. Having said this, as a big music fan today (and after seeing many many shows over the years) missing the opportunity to see Queen live is the only (concert) regret I have.
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For the yung un's out there (that might make the same mistake I did). If you like a good rock show check out Stone Temple Pilots (while Scott Weiland is still with us lol!) if you can.
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They're still a great band that is no longer talked about... and you will not be dissapointed! 4 talented cats!

[pal]

Re: McQuay's fumble, I wonder if it would stand under today's replay-review scrutiny?... looks like he may have been down when the ball came loose... ah, the Argo curse!

[billy]

Yeah nobody in Tranna cares about the Argos or Cfl?
Thats why Argo TV ratings are always bigger then the Raptors?
Explain that one to me?
Like, this is your own personal opinion.
Because you have a disdain for any sport CAnadians enjoy that don't have the American seal of approval.
You even admit it.
But there is no proof American sports are popular in Toronto.
Amongst your media? Of course.YOu guys worship those people
But baseball, and especially the NBA huge in your city?
The facts don't show it.
So don't try to state it as fact unless you can back it up.

Blogger's note: Yawn. But welcome back. All the crops in and the sidewalks rolled up? Got the electricity back and parents out, I guess.

[Colin W]

I watch some NFL games, however, I'll take the CFL over the NFL any day. That the Americans need 4 tries to make 10 yards makes for a game that is er...um...much less exciting than the CFL. Sure we do not have the money, ratings, big-named stars, or the hype, but the product is wonderful in this "no lead is safe" league. I will watch just about any CFL game, regardless of who is playing. Looking forward to the Grey Cup game! The Super Bowl, as a game (not talking about the hype, etc.), pales in comparison. Go CFL!

[Lorie]

Hello, Doug!
So, as Grand Old Dame around here (and if you've got to be old, at least make it in a grand way...) I vividly remember Leon's fumble and can still hear my Dad's cries of shock and disbelief. (Think Brando's "Stella" but with less ecstasy and more agony. And - no pun intended -but I also remember The 1962 Fog Bowl. And with next year being its 50th Anniversary, I wonder if there'll be some sort of spectacular events lined up to mark what many say was The Best Grey Cup Ever. (And, the first one that ABC's Wide World of Sports - with none other than Jim MacKay - broadcast to American viewers! Bet they were all shocked that it would be fog - and not snow - that caused the game to be postponed a day!) Cheers!
http://youtu.be/jH_tOvEyt48

[Dave T (Ottawa)]

Billy, I'm not sure coming to a blog for cold-hard facts obtained while poring over tomes of literature is going to satisfy your expectations. The beauty of the blog is to hear precisely Doug's ``own personal opinion''. You expect a little more artistic license from this place than you'd get from, say, a piece in the physical paper.

[The J]

Speaking of Football, and cups that are completely Canadian. The Vanier is on tonight. And for local flavour you have a team from Hamilton (McMaster) going for it all. Might be worth checking it out, and I'm not just saying that because I'm a Mac grad.

[Hyper Quiet]

The Thirsty Monk has actually closed but in it's place is Jimmy Guaco's. They serve excellent burritos with premium ingredients and it's literally a block west of the arena. Riley's, a block to the north, would be your best bet for a sports bar milieu and/or a quick game of pool within walking distance.

[Matty-Pix]

Freddie as the #1 - hard to argue ... the rest of the top 5? maybe Lennon; so subjective.

I guess like the HOF, it's hard to know what to use to rank, but it's gotta be a mix of unique tone, something "wow" that others don't bring, and like the best athlete 'closers', the ability to deliver live in an impressive way.

1. Fred - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATcKY5C4Zto
2. Harry Nilsson - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAX1rkdzUH4
3. Bob Seger - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFItjSqKvPo
4. Eddie Vedder - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8ByjoK3VVc
5. Joe Cocker - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBR0T3f7tUw

But yeh, Lennon - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqP3wT5lpa4

[Keith]

Try El Stavros just down the block. Or if in the mood go up to King and try EuroChef for some excellent central european food --German Polish etc.

[Mich G.]

A quick story about my 8 year old son, who is a Rock fanatic. We have been introducing him to great rock music over the past few years, and it was a little over a year ago that we got him to listen to Queen for the first time. He was smitten. My mother-in-law got him a Queen concert for Christmas last year. He watched it and studied Mercury's moves.

A few weeks after christmas and he come back from school with a 'scroll' He had written a message to Freddy Mercury and rolled it up. He wanted to send it up to Heaven to let him know how much he liked his music.

Too cool!

[james]

Story idea for Doug Smith (assuming the NBA season is a write-off): A March Maritime road trip with NBL stops in Moncton, Saint John and Summerside (ask for restaurant recommendations), followed by the CIS tournament in Halifax. For extra excitement, you might get the whole thing done in a week if the weather cooperates (or you could be storm-stayed for days if it doesn't). I guarantee at least one avid reader.
On Sunday I will be making chili for, among others, my ancient mother whose favourite sports are tennis (Federer is good but Rod Laver was the best she ever saw), figure skating (she saw Sonja Henie live), and Canadian football (her reference points are Joe Krol, Tony Golab, and Fritz Hanson). Prince Hal's death this week was significant to her. We both miss our Rough Riders (she took me to my first game of any kind when I was 5 and I have probably never recovered).

[Lorie]

@Matty-Pix:
So many great voices, but absolutely Eddie Vedder. I listen to the "Into The Wild" soundtrack at least once a week. And while he didn't write this song, his interpretation of it is wonderful. What a talent. What a voice.
http://youtu.be/e4uTEhDqa_s

[D-Mac Ottawa]

So many great voices indeed. You can roll out waves of five all day long.: Roy Orbison, Paul Simon, Robbie Robertson, Tom Waits, Don Henley, Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Ray Charles, Jim Morrison, Van Morrison, Sting, Elvis Costello, Wilson Pickett, Stevie Winwood, Stevie Miller, Gram Parsons, John Fogerty, Eric Clapton... and how about Denny Laine paired up with Justin Hayward: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dzRdyC0abA&feature=related
Cheers.

[doug]

good list hard to have just 5..I'd have McCartney, and Seger on mine as well as Steve Perry, ...

Blogger's note: You're absolutely right, five is/was tough.

[Nick M]

Not sure if he would be classified in the rock section but Bill Withers had one sweet voice.

[SheikYurbouti]

Interesting that nobody has offered up a single female in choices of "most talented pure singers in rock history". Janis and Stevie Nicks would bump almost everybody mentioned off my top 5 list. I'd include Joe Cocker, Boz Scaggs (thanks D-Mac), and Van Morrison. There's just too many for a top 5, but some others worth mentioning, that haven't been already: Roger Daltry, Donald Fagen, Rod Stewart,

[Lorie]

@Sheik Yurbouti: You know, I was thinking that. Where are the women rockers on the list? For me it begins and ends with Janis. But I've always liked Dusty Springfield's voice.

[GM]

By 'pure' singers, I took it as clarity, range and strength of voice, which would preclude many of the suggestions like Rod Stewart, Janis Joplin, Joe Cocker, Van Morrison, et. al., who were all good rockers but didn't have that 'pure' voice. Then again, maybe Doug meant something different. But I agree with the likes of Burton Cummings, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder and I'd throw in Steven Page, too.

[Mr. Cook]

I'll throw my hat in the ring for the greatest voice in Chicago Blues music... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1FK620bS7A