Great drama and the dawn of a new season; what a day!

Yes, I know I said last week that the Ryder Cup held little allure for me because of the over-the-top nature of the fans – and too often the players – turned what should be a gentle game into an us-against-them morass and golf’s not a team sport anyway.

Well, that still holds – if I hear ‘U-S-A, U-S-A’ again one more time any time I may barf – but there was no disputing the drama that unfolded for almost an hour late yesterday afternoon when the competition was decided.

As pure sports theatre goes, it was tremendous and reminded me why we should all like games and competitions: For the drama, the intensity and the look it gives us into the makeup of athletes who ply their crafts at levels of accomplishment none of us is likely to ever reach.

We learn who can seize the moment and who shies from it; who can summon the nerve to make the big shot or big play when so much is riding on it.

Sports – especially one-on-one, I’ll-take-my-best-shot-you-take-yours events– is a wonderful, dramatic, up-lifting thing at times. For every dreadful regular season game you must suffer through, there are moments like yesterday that remind us of how good it can be.

It was entertaining and dramatic and real and you cannot baet that.

Of course, there will be talk today and there was last night that the Americans choked, that no way they should have blown a four-point lead playing at home in 11 singles matches on the final day of such a significant competition.

Well, I’m not really buying that, to tell you the truth.

Maybe it’s just me but I tend to believe the Europeans won rather than that the Americans lost; I’ll remember Justin Rose’s final three holes – tough par and match-winning birdies – and I’ll remember Martin Kaymer’s Cup-winning putt, which was as pressure-packed a golf stroke as he will make in his life.

I’m sure there were more than a handful of bad American shots over the day – and I came late to the show because I figured it was going to be entirely drama-free so I missed a bunch of early play – but the story is the team that won, rather than the team that didn’t.

It’s awful early now – about 5:35 a.m. as I type these particular paragraphs – so I haven’t had a chance to read through all the hand-wringing pieces that must be emanating from south of the border today.

But I also think most of them will miss the point.

The Europeans won the Ryder Cup and should be lauded for it.

-

Do you know it’s exactly 40 years and three days since Paul Henderson scored that goal?

Hope the parade’s over before I get down to media day.

-

Right.

Media Day!!!!

Everyone pumped?

It will be, I imagine, as much, it not more, of a zoo than in usual years; it’s a day when the players run through a series of photo shoots and public service announcement recordings (Hi, I’m Joe Blow and you’re watching the Raptors on some station) and every now and then a scrum will break out.

It’s impossible to get anything really good or any one-on-one time with any player and, trust me, the stories that emerge will all be boilerplate stuff rattled off by rote.

To whit:

“We have a lot of talent on this team, why wouldn’t we be in the playoffs?”

“I can’t wait to get started for real and start building some on-court chemistry.”

“We’re going to focus on defence and rebounding and put in some new offensive stuff.”

“We’re all excited, we brought in some good talent in the summer.”

“Jonas is day-to-day, there’s no firm timetable but we’re going to make sure he’s 100 per cent.”

“Halifax? Where’s that?”

“I just want to do whatever coach Casey wants me to do.”

“Who do you write for again?”

“Our goals have changed, we want to challenge seriously for the playoffs.”

“It’ll be important for us to have a full training camp and pre-season after last year.”

And so on and so on.

The challenge – and it’s virtually impossible to meet today – is to get something genuinely interesting, something that provides some insight into these guys.

With a new season upon us, it’s time to once again take stock of what we do every day; do we just mimic what everyone’s doing, go through the Xs and Os and stuff like that? Sure, that’s the meat and potatoes and has to be taken care of in some manner. But the good stories are the ones about the people, who they are, why they are like they are, what got them to this point. Those are the stories you deserve, games and practices and the day-to-day minutia is okay but it’s routine; we’re going to try to get past that if it’s possible.

That can’t be done every day, it’s a function of the time it takes to develop stories so if there are days here that are more boring and basic than others, that’s unfortunate but it can’t be helped.

We will, as always, do our best. That’s about all you can ask.

-

Okay, Haligonians.

We’re coming.

Whatcha got?

(And be mindful the days are long with the two practices and some of us have to be up early in the morning to type)

Thanks.

-

I never had the pleasure of meeting Barbara Ann Scott, nor did I ever see her skate competitively but she might have been the first Canadian female athlete I ever heard of and I would imagine youngsters today are at least familiar with the name.

She passed away on the weekend, 84 years old, and if you’re going to be at all concerned or interested in Canadian sports history, hers is a story you should learn.

RIP.

-

Hey, what’s anyone know about WestJet; that’s how we’re venturing off to Halifax and I don’t know that I’ve ever had the pleasure.

-

 

Comments

[Tim H.]

Hey Doug:
"a gentile game" - Jews can't play golf? :>)

Blogger's note: Oops

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

Halifax--you MUST go for dinner and drinks at The Press Gang downtown. Saddle up to the bar and order some oysters. The barkeep will match them with the right iced vodka. Beers are pretty good too.Place used to be the old Halifax Press Club. Warning though--per diem buster.

AG, Toronto

[john]

Hey Doug, One thing Westjet deals with very well is the angst about being upgraded to first/business class....

[The Waterboy]

I've always found WestJet to be friendly and comfortable. Of course as a low-cost airline, there will be a relatively small number of perks, but who can resist an airline who does things like http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKfGeLoJKg0 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4SkoJy3D0M ?

[jwss]

So does your criticism of continual USA, USA chants extend to Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole? That grates on my nerves even more.

Blogger's note: I like Ole far more

[Alan C.]

Doug, after years of flying WestJet whenever possible, I can only say that, in my personal experience flying around the US and Canada, they are the best airline that I have ever flown on. Rarely are they off-schedule, often arrive early, and their staff are invariably polite and helpful. And no, no one in my family, nor I, work there....

[Michael O]

Doug, make your way to The Henry House while you are in Halifax. Make sure you go to the basement of the place. Great local beer on tap and the occasional musicians playing east coast music in the corner, (not loudly - don't worry!)

[joeu]

I took to Florida waaay back in 2010. I found them to be cheerfull and efficient.

[joeu]

I took Westjet to Florida ... always Preview, THEN post ! sigh.

[Danno]

Westjet: Good airline, but seat rows are very tight, worth it to pay the extra for an exit row seat. Nice thing is you can watch TSN live during the flight. Or BNN if that suits your fancy .... In Halifax, stop by The Split Crow in the evening for a pint and great local music.

[marc in panama]

Hola Doug,

I just read about the computer trouble that is plaguing WestJet today. It'd be a shame if this being your inaugural flight with the company you are inconvenienced by it. WestJet is my favourite Canadian airline to fly, so much better than Air Canada.

Pleasant flight amigo,

marc in panama

[Hunter]

Make sure you do the Keith's brewery tour Doug. Not a big time commitment and a nice little history on one of the area's proudest accomplishments...great beer.

Hunter

[Eric-in-NS]

Hi, Doug,
Would you consider a set time and place on Saturday afternoon or early evening for a casual get together with us Nova Scotia Irregulars (like my wife and myself) who will be attending the inter-squad game on Saturday? We could all agree to a time limit and make sure you had an emergency exit door! I would leave advice on the place to people who are more up to date with the Halifax scene (we live 90 minutes from downtown), though I know there are many choices within two or three blocks of the Metro Centre.
P.S. Never had any problems with WestJet

Blogger's note: Let me see how the week unfolds, but thanks

[jc]

Hey Doug,
Enjoy media day. When/if it becomes mind numbing, just think of all of us poor souls in our day jobs who would be there in a heartbeat. :) That said, what do you think of the Raps official training camp media release that lists the following

17 Jonas Valanciunas C 7-0 257 5/6/1992 Lietuvos Rytas / Lithuania R

Let me know if Jonas has a green tinge to his skin or if his uniform is torn and frayed at the edges (and if he's mad). Not sure where that extra 26 lbs came from.

[doug]

that Ryder Cup was one for the ages at the beginning of the day I was sort of ambivalent about who i wanted to win but as it went along that USA.USA.USA chant was just gulling to hear, so when Kaymer made that putt I was shouting and rooting with the Euros...and your right it is what true competition is all about, not contrived, not pre-ordained just pure straight head to head competition at it's best, those putts Rose made were miraculous and moreso under those circumstances as well as Kaymer's make...glorious competition it was, and Rory almost missing tee time was thankfully not the story at the end...it's good process of NBA season is starting as media day/exhibition games mean squat to me but to get to real games need to get through this...ok cheers and Westjet I have always enjoyed flying with, with them to the west coast many times and nice comfy flights....safe travels

[Heath]

What's the over/under on a certain City TV "reporter" hijacking media day, as usual? Get your friendship bracelets ready.......

[SheikYurbouti]

As today's standards go, when it comes to service and efficiency, WestJet puts Air Canada to shame.
Have fun in Halifax.

[Dan]

So disappointed to read this Doug - hope Calderon stays!

From Marca.co - Do you miss anybody from the franchise standing up for you?

Jose Calderon: "They haven't done that because they don't feel like it. It's true that they have said that I'm an important player for them this season, because they have thought of me like that from the beginning. However, Bryan (Colangelo) has said that I'm a candidate to be traded because I have a big contract and it's my last year. They have talked about this more than anything else." Marca.com

[Chris]

Hey Doug...just read your article on the questions for training camp and noticed that Barbosa is still yet to be signed. Does that surprise you at all? I didn't think his skills had fallen off that much.

Blogger's note: A bit surprised, yes

[av]

Doug, seems like the airline gods might be against your travel plans - http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/1264647--westjet-warns-of-flight-delays-and-cancellations-monday

Blogger's note: Just got to gate, all seems ok

[m]

Best thing about Westjet....they're NOT Air Canada! I've never had a problem with them. I'm 6'5" and once when I boarded, the steward looked at me and said why don't you sit in this bulkhead seat so you get more leg room. I appreciated that.

[Mike]

Hey Doug - I loved the Henry House at 1222 Barrington Street,so much the last time I was in Halifax I insisted we go back two days later. Excellent selection of craft beer, excellent quality food (love- loved the steak and mushroom pie), and the house is just a beautiful place to sit in. I recommend the Peculiar or the IPA as beers to start with.

[Darren Smith]

Doug,
Local Beer you should try in Halifax
Propeller - http://www.drinkpropeller.ca/ I love it
Garrison - http://www.garrisonbrewing.com/ not my cup of tea, but you may enjoy
Rogues Roost - http://www.roguesroost.ca/index.php/menu/micro-brew try their food too
places to eat
anything on argyle street (except the bar called argyle)
also Darryls
http://www.darrellsrestaurants.com/fenwick/
I think you'll like darryls
Safe travels sir, and enjoy the east coast hospitality!

[Mike kovacs]

In my never-ending series of Air Canada problems ( remember missing a March Break Disney cruise? ), returned from a mtg in Dallas last Fri tp Pearson and was due to go on the last flight to London leaving at 2320h. We finally get on the plane at 2325 and 15 min later everyone has to get off because we were supposed to go on an IDENTICAL new Q400 plane beside us that was full of people who had to switch to our plane to fly to Timmin! Given that the flight from Dallas landed at 2100h I would have been better off walking home to London.

[GM]

Yesterday someone posted three very funny clips of Landry Fields to make the case he's the funniest guy on the Raps. After watching all three, I'd have to not only agree, but would go so far as to say he's probably the funniest guy in the whole league. Usually whenever I see sports reporters howling over a line by a player or coach, I shake my head. It's the context that makes those lines funny. But Fields is genuinely funny. I'm impressed.

Also, WestJet is the best. Hope you like it.