 |
"Some morning musings on some of the things that amuse, confuse and even amaze a fellow in the wonderful world of fun and games."
This opening paragraph brought to you by fellow columnist Jim (Shaky) Hunt, who died this week at 79.
Imitation being the sincerest form of flattery, I thought it would be nice just to see those words one last time.
Shaky history
Jacques Plante is credited with using the first face mask. Bruce Sutter popularized the split-finger fastball. And, then there's Hunt. In the 1970s, former Globe and Mail columnist Scott Young told about Shaky holding the title of Noisiest Man In The Press Box. Noted Young: "He paces behind the stolid rows of working stiffs giving a running commentary on what he sees, which is rarely something he likes."
At Argos games his booming voice could often be heard on the field. Once a Toronto receiver started to turn the wrong way as his quarterback floated a high pass downfield. "The other way, you (deleted) dummy," roared Shaky, causing the player to turn, catch the ball and go for the winning score.
And there you have it: Pro football's first recorded audible. At least, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Hobble-de-gook?
Antonio Davis went to New York for a second opinion on his sore back. No word on exactly what the problem is but it may be another case of Hakeematosis -- a curious ailment believed to be caused only when a player pulls on a Raptors jersey.
Lots o' mush
The Iditarod started last week with 1,340 dogs running through downtown Anchorage, Alaska. There is no truth to a rumour that John Ferguson Jr. tried to revamp the Maple Leafs by signing 23 of them. But give him time.
A word to the wise
Shaky couldn't have left at a better moment -- the same day Canada beat the U.S. at the World Baseball Classic. He was an unabashed supporter of anything Canadian and the 1972 Canada-Russia Series was one of the highlights of his career. The Canadian baseball team handing the Americans their jockstraps would've made him cackle in wonderment.
I'd like to think that when he knocked on St. Peter's door he stopped to put in a good word for the boys with the chief umpire himself. After all, my Sunday partner in the Jays press box in the '90s always did have contacts in high places.
Stinging net-tle
The city of Toronto is going wireless to benefit Internet users in the downtown core. Hopefully, says Toronto comedian Frenchie MacFarlane, "the folks running the Leafs can take advantage of this at the ACC because they haven't been able to find the net there in years."
Heidi-ho, no!
Sportsnet stayed with the Cuba-Panama game in extra innings at the World Baseball Classic, all the while Canada was running up a 5-0 lead on the United States. That move should score them big numbers with the local Panamanian demographic -- assuming the Carlos Lee fan in Toronto is home to answer the phone when they do the viewership survey.
Everybody else? Judging from the irate phone calls, the Americans weren't the only ones striking out with this game.
The biggest moment in international Canadian baseball history and Sportsnet throws it away like Dave Stieb with a no-hitter or a network with one too many Heidi movies.
Birdie hunting
Jim Hunt didn't much care if you were pauper, king, famous or wore a blue collar; if you played golf you were his friend. "We often played together at Whitevale Golf Club," reader Bill Smith of Pickering writes. "I first met him in 1985. In those days one just went to the club to find someone to play with. The pro put me with Jim and Wally Macht, both well-known radio personalities.
"During the round one of them asked what I did before I retired. After telling them I asked what they did.
"The exchange of glances must have meant 'who is this rube?' My last game with Jim was when he made the cut for the first time in the senior men's weekday championship. He dashed off to let his listeners know of his 'great achievement.' He was a nice person to know."
bill.lankhof@tor.sunpub.com