Chris Bosh, Toronto Raptor, 2004 - 2010, hopefully not....

Steve Russell - Staff Photographer

The Toronto sport's fan psyche took a major hit when Roy Halladay  left the Big Smoke about six months ago, it still was a little bruised when we had to watch Mats Sundin finish his career in a different shade of blue on the west coast.

Now we brace for the departure of another of the bigs, Chris Bosh.

Chris Bosh's signature decorates a campers shirt as young ballers participating in the Raptors Clinics on the flight deck, the Raptors practice Gym at the Air Canada Centre.

At least when Sundin left the super star void was filled rather quickly. With the basketball team all we see as free agency starts is uncertainty.

It hurt when Damien Stoudamire left, ditto Tracy McGrady and it really stung when Vince Carter left.

We were stung again when the Nets eliminated us from the play-offs.

I hope that no matter where Chris Bosh goes (hopefully he stays) that we can treat him a little differently than we do Vince.

I hope that when he returns we can give him the same kind of welcome that Mo Pete and Matt Bonner get.

Bosh's foundation has done great work with kids in the city and he was a lot of fun to watch.

As a photographer, I loved him, Bosh was one of those players that had a great playing face.

Every picture seemed good with Chris in it, he was expressive and reactive.

A picture taken at the right time of Chris might have been all you needed to tell the story of the game.

I'll miss Chris and I won't boo when he comes back to visit.

Raptors rookie Chris Bosh and Kevin Garnett watch the flight of a foul shot as the Toronto Raptors lose to the Minnesota Timberwolves 108-97 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, January 21, 2004. At the time Bosh/Garnett comparisons were mentioned constantly.

Chris Bosh tries to sneak between defenders as Toronto Raptors lose to the Philadelphia 76ers 106-91 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, February 11, 2005.

Chris Bosh celebrates a dunk under the basket. The Raptors remain undefeated when Chris Bosh scores more than 20 points as the Toronto Raptors defeat the Charlotte Bobcats 103-92 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. January 23, 2005. 

Chris Bosh waits to throw a couple foul shots as the Toronto Raptors play the Los Angeles Lakers at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto , December 7, 2005. 

Chris Bosh celebrates a basket at the buzzer in the first quarter, the basket did not count as the Toronto Raptors host the Philadelphia 76ers in the final game of the season at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, ,April 18, 2007.

After leading the Raptors to their fourth win in a row, Chris Bosh lets out a huge laugh, Bosh had a career high 41 points along with eight rebounds as the Toronto Raptors beat conference rivals the Orlando Magic 113-103 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, February 8, 2007. 

Chris Bosh answers questions after practice at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, December 26, 2006.

Chris Bosh thanks the crowd before the game and the team unrolls a division championship banner as the Toronto Raptors host the Philadelphia 76ers in the final game of the season at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, April 18, 2007.  

Chris Bosh was all smiles during warm-ups as the Toronto Raptors beat the New Jersey Nets 120-109 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, February 14, 2007.

"Noooooooo" shouts Chris Bosh after getting called for a foul in the first few seconds as the Toronto Raptors visit the New Jersey Nets in Game Three at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey, April 27, 2007.

Vince Carter draws the foul on Chris Bosh as the Toronto Raptors face elimination in Game 5 of their opening series against the New Jersey Nets at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, May 1, 2007. 

Chris Bosh lies across three front row fans after saving a ball in the second half as the Toronto Raptors defeat the Portland Trailblazers in double overtime 116-109 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, January 13, 2008.

Chris Bosh dishes off the ball as a wall of Celtics consisting of Eddie House, Glen Davis and Kendrick Perkins as the Toronto Raptors are punished by the World Champion Boston Celtics 118-103 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.  

November 23, 2008  Chris Bosh and Jose Calderon sit on the bench for the last three minutes  as the Toronto Raptors are punished by the World Champion Boston Celtics 118-103 at the Air Canada Centre.

January 2, 2009 Chris Bosh has two fingers on his right hand taped together before the game as the Toronto Raptors beat the Houston Rockets 94-73 at the Air Canada Centre.

January 14, 2009 Chris Bosh tries to inspire his team in a pre-game huddle as the Toronto Raptors lose to the Chicago Bulls 102-98.

January 14, 2009 Chris Bosh #4 goes up for the opening tip off against Joakim Noah as the Toronto Raptors lose to the Chicago Bulls 102-98.

January 31, 2009   Chris Bosh gives some advice to young ballers participating in the Raptors Clinics on the flight deck, the Raptors practice Gym at the Air Canada Centre.

March 6, 2009 Chris Bosh tries to get a loose ball from Joel Anthony as the Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat play.

March 6, 2009 Chris Bosh scored 34 but the defense on him tightened up in the fourth quarter as the Toronto Raptors lose to the Miami Heat 108-102 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

March 22, 2009 Chris Bosh eyes the basket in the first half as the Toronto Raptors beat the Los Angeles Clippers 100-76 at the Air Canada Centre.

June 4, 2009 Raptors' Chris Bosh takes questions after acting as drawmaster for the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks horse to be run at Woodbine.

October 18, 2009  Kevin Garnett gets his hand on the ball preventing Chris Bosh from driving to the hoop as Toronto loses to the Boston Celtics 101-82 in preseason NBA action.

Feb. 3, 2010 Chris Bosh takes it on the nose as former teammate Kris Humphries defends as the Toronto Raptors play the New Jersey Nets the Air Canada Centre.

April 4, 2010  Chris Bosh falls to the ground after missing the game winning shot as Amir Johnson and Marco Belinelli look on as the Toronto Raptors lose to the Golden State Warriors 113-112 at the buzzer at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

April 4, 2010  The most painful moment of them all, Chris Bosh lays on the ground after missing a tip shot to win the game as the Toronto Raptors lose to the Golden State Warriors 113-112 at the buzzer to miss the playoffs.

A fan says it all!

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Comments

[Aditya]

great pics....keep it up... doug smith says hi

[Mike Smith]

Damien Stoudamire? Really? Ha!

[Natalie]

Kudos! Great work.

[Cluck Kent]

That's Eddie House, not Rajon Rondo

Great pics, thank you.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Great pics, great tribute. Standing O's , Raps fans, not boos. CB4 is tied as best Raptor ever, the difference being he never dogged it and he's always shown he has some class. He'll be missed, big time. Cheers.

[Damian]

Great pics man, Chris Bosh did a lot for our team, We should not boo him, We will be OK when this is all said and done. All the best to Bosh

[no name]

Thanks for the memories Chris Bosh

[capt kirk]

Great pics of one of the few game changing ballers in the short history of the Raptors. That double overtime victory over Portland has to be one of the great games he gave the Toronto fans.

[Jag]

Chris Bsh is a great guy and showed his class playing in Toronto.

Too Bad Toronto couldn't keep, i am happy for him leaving at least he will win somewhere else and get the result for his hard work. In toronto no chance Management cannot make this team work. too bad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pavan]

I'll cheer for Bosh whichever team he plays for--------hoping against hope.

Please stay with the Raptors CB4.

[CATHERINE ST. CLAIR]

BEST WISHES TO A GREAT PLAYER ....YOU WILL BE MISSES.