And off into obscurity a national team stumbles

Of course it had to happen and anyone surprised that Canadian soccer coach Stephen Hart resigned yesterday hasn’t been paying attention.

No, you can’t coach heart or effort or responsibility and he’s not fully responsible for the debacle of this week but resigning was the honourable thing to do, I suppose.

But it, and the dreadful result in Honduras, now sets in motion a scenario I’m quite familiar with concerning national teams who fail to achieve anything of significance.

They drift far, far, far out of the consciousness of most people and the vicious circle of trying to regain some kind of image continues.

Saw it with the men’s basketball, know it’s going to happen with the soccer.

They won’t play a game of importance for at least 18 months – all the good teams will be involved in the World Cup, no one will want to come to Canada to play – the team will lose money and profile until the next round of qualifying starts in four years or so.

Making matters worse is that the women will continue their ascension in the public eye, thanks to the 2015 World Cup in Canada and the men will be even more of an afterthought. And on those rare occasion when casual fans think of the team, they’ll think of the failures and the success of the women and the men will drift further into obscurity.

Failing at such a grand level takes years to recover from because, to many normal people it’s a fringe sport at best and not having a game of importance makes them irrelevant.

Sure, ardent fans will still pay a bit of attention to the odd friendly and may track Canadians playing in Europe but the job of fund-raising and awareness-raising is almost imposslble at any major level for years.

The basketball got it back through dynamic leadership and the emergence of a fine group of young players; not sure if that can happen with the soccer.

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Sunday.

Hamilton.

Am entirely jealous of Super Son and Super Wife, who’ll be at Copps when I’m on a long road trip.

And this is a great, great tune. Dare you to listen and not tap your toes.

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Was checking in on some pre-season NBA games while sitting there watching the baseball and happened to notice Andre Drummond got four fouls in 10 minutes and had no impact on the Pistons game.

Just sayin’.

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Mail?

Would love some. Today’s going to be busy with shootarounds, likely a stop at some good deli here and then an early story to write but I’m good for a couple of hours of answering.

Click. Write. Send.

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Okay, maybe this is just me and the wacky way my mind works but I’m watching Tim Lincecum pitch last night and there’s one thing I can’t get out of my mind:

Sidd Finch.

Seriously, quite aside from the fact Lincecum is no longer overpowering, or particularly effective, there’s something there, isn’t there?

Now, I’m pretty sure a lot of you have never heard of Sidd Finch so the original story about him is here, read carefully, it’s one of the best magazine articles you’ll ever read.

As for Lincecum, it’s quite amazing what’s gone on; not sure there’s a true parallel to Ricky Romero for a guy who just seems to have lost great stuff but it’s close.

This was the Freak, a guy with the quirky deliver and awesome stuff who was dominant.

Now? Now he’s a shell of his former self and nowhere close out our friend Finch.

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I (Heart) Porter and the island airport and I really need that airline to fly to a few more American cities so I can use it more often.

Quick check-in, great location, no over-bearing security.

Dream spot, actually.

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I think there were two or three Irregulars who gave me McLean’s Pub as a settling point last night and for that I am eternally grateful.

Food was good, music on the jukebox was outstanding, location couldn’t have been any better and side-by-side TVs showing the baseball and the football made it a fine evening.

Got a nice corner seat on the bar right by the service area and after a 40-minute wander around downtown (nice city you’ve got here) was a perfect respite.

Thanks.

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So what’s up with the Raptors?

Not an awful lot, some predictable bumps and bruises that are complicating matters a little bit but other than that, not a whole lot going on.

About the only thing we’re waiting for is when they’ll carve the roster to its final 15 and with the need for warm bodies for practice, I don’t imagine there’s any rush to get that done.

And it doesn’t take a genius to figure out what that final 15 will look like – barring any trades and there is nothing going on in that regard that’s even close to serious – given what we’ve seen to this point.

Jamaal Magloire hasn’t played and I imagine we’re just a few days away from him moving into some kind of coach/mentor/community guy with the organization, a roll he’s perfectly suited for, and Jerel McNeal and Chris Wright will try to catch on in the D League, I’d guess.

That leaves the predicted 15 and things can get settled and into the routine.

Don’t know when the moves will be made though; with lots of practice days (Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday next week) they could very well wait until after the Memphis game to get them done.

(Of course, in the world of Doug’s Jinxes, there’ll probably be a press release about them tomorrow).

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Hey, pucks people.

Don’t despair much.

I know in your hearts you figured there’d be a deal yesterday, or at least an all night bargaining session but that’s not the way these things tend to work.

Sorry.

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Comments

[John D.]

With regards to the soccer team - I realize reporters may not have had a chance to speak with many of them yet as they travel to different parts of the planet to ply their trade, but if someone does, could they ask about the fact that while they were there, 11 Hondurans were murdered on a soccer field as part of some drug cartel violence, and then a day or two later, a Canadian is murdered. Not making excuses, just wondering what level of awareness they had of their awful surroundings.

And maybe one for your mailbag, what's your feeling on sporting bodies, i.e. FIFA leveling sanctions against countries that cannot, or will not, improve life for its citizens?

[Tim]

Sid Finch? Is it April Fool's Day already?

[Sharkey]

Oh that Sidd Finch. He was fun to watch ;)

[LeeZ]

Thanks for the link to the Sidd Finch piece. I had never read it before and enjoyed it immensely. Wish I could have seen the kid pitch in his prime. I heard once that the Jays had a look at him in the late 80's, but took a pass. Is that true, Doug?

Blogger's note: Yeah, fans wouldn't accept a non-North American trained athlete as I recall, said he was "soft"

[sam]

Another parallel for Lincemen could be teammate Barry Zito -

A horrible way for the Yankees to end thier season - Team leader out with a broken ankle - thier high priced 3rd baseman not hitting his weight - among others - and to have your best pitcher get hammered in the deciding game...
There truely is no joy in Mudville....

Is it a foregone conclusion that Magloire will be staying on with the HOTH in some capacity? As a coach he may be a good mentor for JV, Amir and Boss Davis - As for community guys - Is JYD Still kicking around?

Blogger's note: JYD has no affiliation with the team

[Brad B]

The biggest problem with the Canadian Soccer Association is that they don't have much money to entice good coaches and technical directors to come to Canada with the level of talent we have. Sponsors don't generally pony up for losers. The sad thing is I don't see how they can break out of this cycle of mediocrity. It's a depressing time to be a Canadian soccer fan.

I suppose the best thing the CSA could do at this point is to go cap in hand to Joey Saputo, MLSE, and the Vancouver ownership and see if they'd be willing to sponsor some additional cash to the national program.

[jc]

"likely a stop at some good deli here"

By "some good deli", I hope that is just a euphemism for Schwartz's. There is no other. It is the alpha and omega (if there may be such a thing for a Jewish deli). Incidentally, back when we used to use phone books, if you were trying to find Schwartz's, you had to look under Montreal Hebrew Delicatessen,,,,which placed it conveniently one line below the Montreal Heart Association.

[Cluck Kent]

I actually spent a few hours with Sidd Finch on a train to Montreal in April of 1983. He didn't talk much at all and said even less about baseball but he did confirm to me that it was his decision not to join the Blue Jays. He said he loved Canada - the Rockies reminded him very much of his time in the Himalayas - but he didn't think he could ever get used to the length of the Canadian winter.

[that guy]

Hey man, thanks for your flyby soccer comment. There's a Gold Cup in eight months. It counts.

Blogger's note: Not as much, not even close for casual fans; is that the one Canada either won or advanced through because of a coin flip? If so, yeah, it's big

[James White]

Actually, Gold Cup is pretty big. Sure, it's no World Cup, but it's our zone's version of the Euro. Just like FIBA Americas is no olympics, but it's still a pretty important tournament for basketball. And for every country that participates except Canada, Gold Cup is a very very big deal. USA and Mexico will be there at the Gold Cup, full teams, top players. And more than likely, Honduras too. The perfect chance to start fresh with new coach, new system, and hopefully some new players, against real (not "friendly") competition. The only question - will anybody even choose to watch after the disgrace in Honduras?

[bob]

Wow..are you negative enough about the men's soccer team? Could you raise it another level because you're going light on them?

I don't understand why you even pipe up about soccer. Don't get the impression that you're much of a connesuir let alone a fan of the game. SOunds like your sour grapes hints at the kind of jealousy that conceal an envy for the kind of participation soccer has in this country (what could we do if basketball had nearly 1 million participants, huh?).

Biggest hurdle for the national team is revamping the CSA. If the CSA were run more efficiently and effectively, without the hinderance from the provincial associations, they could sure raise more $$ and improve player development. Once they accomplish the former,then we're much closer to more success on the soccer field.

OTherwise, please stick your soccer criticism where your springsteen don't shine.

[Eric-in-NS]

Dear national American (i.e, New York) media,

Outside of New York, it's now about the Tigers, Cardinals (and for at least a few hours) the Giants. Your team lost. Get over it. Make an effort to put the spotlight where it deserves to be shone.

[LeeZ]

Please don't talk to me about Shwartz's. Very bad memories of that place. When I was in my 20s (i.e. couple of years ago, in other words. Ahem.), I visited Montreal to hook up (yes, you read that right, hook up, in the modern sense of the phrase) with this girl who I had been pining for. The purpose of my visit was, well, I'll make no bones about it, it was a booty call, plain and simple. But first we went to Shwartz's for dinner. Had a pastrami on rye, as I recall. Then went back to her place. Well, just as we were, um, preparing for the evening's festivities, I started to moan. Loudly. There was no lust in these moans. It was though my intestines were going to explode. Projectile vomiting ensued, among other things. Never did hook up. Was violently ill for two days. So much for Shwartz's. And besides, if you want REAL deli, go to New York and check out 2nd Avenue Deli. Best. Brisket. EVER.

[sam]

@ Bob - I'm not sure there was a criticism made to soccer and the National team - the idea was stated that the team lost terribly- the coach resigned and it was back to the drawing board to rebuild the program - and find some relevancy among the casual soccer fan.
Pretty much similar to what you said

[LeeZ]

Doug, in your article this morning you mention that Camby is out and (I presume) not making the trip to Canada. Thus continues the strange Canadian jinx on Marcus: if you look back over all the years he's been in the league since departing the Raps, you'll find that he has missed FAR more games than he's made to Toronto. If I were a conspiracy theorist...

Blogger's note: That changed last evening, he's here and I just had a nice chat with him. Didn't expect to travel but did at the last minute after I was in the air and couldn't change story

[Scott]

Don't understand why people harp on the fans/culture of the country for letting national soccer or basketball drift out of our consciousness when as you said they won't play another competitive game for 18 months.

I will support them when that time comes but what am I supposed to do in the meantime? Obsess over which players they can coerce into playing for the national team and who the next sacrificial coach will be?

[Tim H.]

Hey Doug:

Do you think Sidd Finch will be a Hall-of-Famer, given your feelings toward such bodies?

Blogger's note: Baseball and French horn Halls of Fame

[Mark]

@LeeZ Oh man, that's the worst! I'd have a chip on my shoulder after that, too. Having said that, Schwartz has a great reputation for a reason, it is good, good stuff. The only mistake Schwartz fans make is thinking that it is the only option in the upper echelon of delis.

I've been pretty happy with the Centre Street Deli as a local (Thornhill) option, although in the last six months or so I feel like I've been getting a little less meat in my sandwich than I used to, but it could be my imagination. On the plus side, the take-out is always hand cut, which I can't say for Schwartz. Last time I made the mistake of letting them push the vacuum-packed stuff on me when I wanted some to go, and it was really no better than grocery store meat. It's gotta be the hot hand-cut.

I've only been to the Carnegie Deli in NYC though, any idea how it stacks up to 2nd Avenue?

[GM]

I'd like to see a breakdown in those numbers between soccer and basketball participants in Canada. My feeling is that the vast majority of the soccer numbers come from kids aged 10 and under. Parents are so quick to get their kids involved in sports and soccer is the only one they can handle because it doesn't require the same level of coordination as other sports. At that level, you just kick and run. The thinking is that they'll develop a love and passion for the game as they get older, but only a small percentage do. How many of us started in soccer, played as youth, then thought nothing of it ever again? And sure, that's true in basketball and other sports, too. But soccer enthusiasts love to point to sheer numbers to bolster their case that soccer is the greatest sport, as if popularity has a correlation to greatness. Is McDonald's a better restaurant than some small French bistro? Is Lady Gaga better than Regina Spektor? It's all personal taste. Soccer may be more to your liking, but not because it's more popular.

[Sam N.]

Hey Doug,

I noticed that you like to do a variety of topics throughout the sports world and obviously that is your choice since it is your blog after all. I thought it might be a good idea to add in some things that are happening around the NBA with other teams.

[Hal]

Thanks for the Sidd Finch reference -- excellent article indeed.

Finch's statement that he had mastered 'the art of the pitch' reminded me of an excellent novel I've recently finished called "The Art of Fielding" by Chad Harbach. It is a college baseball novel but also much much more -- highly recommended.

[LeeZ]

@Mark: Ever since Broadway Danny Rose (which made the Carnegie Deli famous beyond the boundaries of New York), Carnegie has been a little too...showy for me, a bit too gimmicky with the whole meat-heaped-as-high-as-the-roof thing. I mean, how are you supposed to eat the damn thing? 2nd Ave. Deli is the real deal. Here's a wonderful piece by the NYTimes' Frank Bruni, who at the time was the paper's food critic (now he writes op-ed pieces), who eats there with Ed Koch and the sadly-departed Nora Ephron, among others. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/13/dining/reviews/13rest.html?

[Lorie]

Hi Doug,
First, sad to learn that the wonderful Lincoln Alexander has died: a remarkable man for so many contributions to the cause of equality in society. And I was reminded today that he might also be remembered by many political observers as being the parlimentarian who was on the receiving end of Pierre Trudeau's "Fuddle Duddle" comment! And timing is indeed everthing: have spent much of the day at our local library's Annual Book Sale fundraiser and the Sidd Finch mention reminded me to check out the Sports section for some classic sportswriting tomes. Sadly, by the time I got to that table there had to be 30 different books written about Lance Armstrong and the bulk of the remainders were about the Yankees and Tiger Woods. Bet those ones will be hauled out again next year! @GM - Regina Spektor, absolutely! She did a terrific interview/performance on "Q" with Jian Gomeshi this week that if you are a fan was a must-hear. And @LeeZ: Before you do any further damage in Schwartz's reputation as a dining spot for the young and amorous (but really - what were you thinking? There are practical digestive reasons that pastrami does not having a reputation as an aphrodesiac) don't you think maybe "nerves" factored into your unfortunate coitus interruptus?! :)

[doug]

I am proud to say I have not watched one minute of pre-season ball as really whats the significance of doing so...but I will watch a bit tonight as its in Mount Royal and it's getting closer to the end, so more minutes and rotations for those that matter...I am proud to say I am spending all my time lately at the El Mocambo as a couple guys I know bought it and we are restoring it back to it's former glory so it's a labour of love, we just restored the iconic neon sign and its back to its illuminating ways....its neat to be at a place that had the Stones and many others.especially when you watch old vids like this one Stevie Ray in his prime at the El in 83 and what a show he gives...upcoming Nov 10th we have Southside Johnny and the Ashbury Jukes so that should be a good one...ok cheers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smSiCjYIvrM

[LeeZ]

@Lorie: I have always had nerves of steel, my good woman!!! But point well taken nonetheless.
;-)