Brian Burke's return from a fishing trip is welcome news on the Toronto sports landscape.
In the absence of the Maple Leafs boss, it was too quiet around here.
How quiet was it?
So quiet that a baseball story -- the potential trade of Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay -- became the hand-wringer of the week.
The fans, it seems, have spent more emotion on Halladay talk than they have on the entire Blue Jays season.
Sheesh, you'd almost think he was a Leaf.
No Moore
Burke says Dominic Moore doesn't figure into the team's plans.
Moore, now a free agent, rejected a contract offer from the Leafs before he was traded to the Buffalo Sabres in March.
Moore's spot with the Leafs has been taken by the signing, on July 10, of Swedish centre Rickard Wallin, the Leafs general manager says.
Just wondering ...
An inaugural golf event at the Canadian Open is called the Mike Weir Charity Classic. Can you call something a "classic" in its first year?
It's not like it's the John Deere Classic.
Halladay hullabaloo
Three reasons the Jays should deal Halladay:
* Compassion: Halladay, at 32, deserves a chance to pitch for a winner. (Not that J.P. Ricciardi isn't, ahem, a winner.)
* Depth: The pitching rotation is an area of strength.
* Money: The cash saved on Halladay could help pay B.J. Ryan's contract.
Three reasons the Jays shouldn't deal Halladay:
* Disruption: The Jays have -- or had -- a plan to contend in 2010. Doc is an all-star; whomever they get in return should be, too.
* Leadership: Halladay led by example. Taking over that role would be um, ah, er ...
* Optics: It sends the message that the Jays are like a rodent on a treadmill, never moving forward.
Sliders rule
Are you looking for a career move that is all downhill?
Our nation is calling out to you. Canada needs potential Olympic heroes to tackle the slippery slopes of bobsleigh and skeleton.
Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton will hold a recruitment camp Saturday at York University's indoor track.
Athletes will be put through a dry-land training session.
No need to bring your own toboggan.
Contact Florian Linder at talentID@bobsleigh.ca.
Versatile Shaq
Sadly, Shaquille O'Neal won't be tackling bobsleigh or skeleton on his ABC reality series.
The show, Shaq Vs., will showcase the big fella taking on other athletes in their sports: Ben Roethlisberger in football; Oscar De La Hoya, boxing; Albert Pujols, baseball; Michael Phelps, swimming; Serena Williams, tennis; and Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh, beach volleyball.
Hopefully, the latter won't require Shaq to wear a skimpy Speedo.
