Karma - Do you believe??

Karma can be a complicated thing...but not really.

Karma can be defined in a few different ways...you can google it. One of my favorite definitions you can find on Wikpedia.

 - Karma -  refers to the principle of causality where intent and actions of an individual influence the future of that individual.


It has only been a week since Super Bowl XLIX. Do you remember that game? Do you remember the finish? - I have listened all week to friends, enemies and of course talk radio discuss the last play of that game. Do you remember what happened...it has only been a week.

Marshawn Lynch had a solid game. He had been running the ball like he always does, punishing the Patriot's defenders over and over. He rushed for 102 yards in the game (impressive for a Super Bowl)...and everybody, and I do mean everybody knew he would get the ball from the one yard line on that fateful play. If you gave Lynch the ball, he was going to score...if not on the first attempt, then for sure on the second. He was going to score the ball. So why did they not give it to him? Why the pass? I have heard it explained over and over. There really is only one answer, and it is simple.

Karma.

Have you watched Marshawn Lynch in the last few week leading up to the Super Bowl?
I am not sure the best way to describe his behaviour, without using words that I should not use on my blog. Simply put...he was a knob. A jerk. Rude. He disrespected reporters, fans and the NFL.
He flat out refused to answer any questions from the media. Not even "fake answers". He just simply repeat his same statements over and over and over.

- Karma -  refers to the principle of causality where intent and actions of an individual influence the future of that individual.

There is no other explanation for me as to why Seattle would throw the ball in that situation. Nothing.

Karma found a way to affect the game...affect Marshawn Lynch...and change the obvious outcome of that final play...and therefore the game.

The Toronto Maple Leafs - sigh.

Here is a question. Is there any sports subject that provokes more continuous chatter then the Storied franchise known as the Toronto Maple Leafs?

It is an amazing sports story. This team, along with the business Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment is a money machine. That is actually an understatement beyond words. The MLSE group make money no matter what. Winning means nothing. It does not matter, and the fans of course are the reason for this, for better or worse. The rabid addiction the Maple Leaf fans have is second to none. Is this a good thing, or a bad thing? An argument for another day.

I am extremely frustrated presently, bordering on angry. I do not get like this often, but, like all of you, I have my own thoughts, feelings and beliefs on many subjects and the Toronto Maple Leafs are of course one of them.
My argument may be from a slightly different angle then most.

I have said this before and I will say it again. If I was a hockey stud, and got drafted into the show known as the NHL, the last place I would want to play is Toronto. I want to be clear about something though. If I was asked "What city would you most want to hoist Lord Stanley in"? I would say Toronto. It would be amazing, actually hard to describe. However, as a player, doing the day to day grind of the NHL...Toronto, no thank you.

It is a no win situation. Sorry to all of you media people....but omg, you can be brutal at times. This hockey market is so intense and you simply cannot escape it. I am sure a lot of my readers are tired of my rants...but it is who I am. I may be wrong, but...I am convinced the radio stations and newspaper people in Toronto are happier when the Leafs are floundering. The worse they do, the more there is to talk about. The jokes never end. The fans phone in with their opinions, the talk show hosts tear the team down, rebuild  and tear it down again...over and over and over and over. (and over). I hate it.

Now, what is my opinion? About the Leafs? They are in trouble. No question, they are struggling huge. I don't have the answer, I really don't. But at least I admit I don't know, whereas the thousands of experts around the city of Toronto think that they do. It is comical..yet sad.

It is driving me away. I simply cannot listen to Talk Radio. I love 590 and 1050 on your dial...but when they start Leaf bashing...I usually switch to some classic rock, they have lost me. I check back occasionally trying to catch some Raptor talk, or NFL banter...but as soon as I here Leaf Talk....click...back to Classic Rock. I know they get huge numbers, so they don't miss me, because the hard core Leaf fans will talk for hours about their team....HOURS.

I hear everybody saying "blow up the team" - "fire sale" - "start over".
I call BullShit!!

Honestly. Blow the team up? Then what. Start again? -Wait four years, and what if it doesn't work, and the team loses 4 games in a row....then what. Talk Radio cracks their jokes, the fans start to scream, and we "blow it up again"? Unbelievable. We have been through this before.

I actually miss being a fan.

My 2 cents.

I am a Leaf fan. I am not a crazy leaf fan. (not to offend you crazy Leaf Fans) I like hockey and I want the Leafs to win. Our team is in trouble right now. Phil Kessel needs to score. He was hired to score. He is paid $8 million/year to score. Guess what, he does score...he is always near the top of the NHL scoring. Top 20, top 10. Always there, so leave him alone. He never said he was the leader of the team. The media say that because of his salary. He is not a "leader". He is a scorer, and one of the best in the NHL. He does not play great defense. Hmmm...did I mention he is a scorer. I guess he could play more defense...and I guess Stephane Robidas (defencemen for the Leafs) could start scoring more to help out the team. But, that is not what he gets paid for. ( 0 goals and   5 assists).

I don't have the answer. I know this. I play lacrosse with Brian Shanahan, brother of Brendan Shanahan.(Toronto Maple Leaf President). I can tell you this for sure. You will not find two more character guys in sports. Anywhere. As players they are competitive, tough, full of moxy and "Team" players. These are not learned characteristics...they are innate. Brendan Shanahan knows what he is doing, of this I am sure. He is quiet in his role of Leaf President, but he is not absent. I trust him to turn this around, and I will wait it out.

                                                   Brendan Shanahan - Leaf President

My Leafs are struggling, but, it is not the first time. I don't want to blow up the team....I want to fight, kick and scratch for a Playoff spot and see what happens....and I want to continue this every year. I am ok with this. Do I want to go deep in the playoffs.? Yes. Do I want a Stanley Cup? YES. Blow up the team? NO!! NO!!

Note
- Kessel...score more.
- Phaneuf - Lead more...Defend more
- Bernier and Reimer?? - Stop the friggin puck. I don't care how many shots you face.

We have a lot of work to do. There are fans (like me) that will continue to cheer you on. I want wins as bad as the next guy....and I am going to put a little trust in a "former" lacrosse guy named Shanahan to lead us back. I like this plan.

I hope to get back to talk radio....maybe one day I can.

Go Leafs Go!!

Off The Grid

It is has been quite a while since my last post...some would say I was "off the grid" so to speak.

I have not really been hiding, but there has been a lot going on.

November was one of the craziest months I have been through...kind of a Yin and Yang month.

On November 1st, I was honoured to be inducted to the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame.

We had a tour of the Museum in the afternoon, followed by the induction dinner at night.

                      Me, Patti, Cort, Sue, Steve, Sue, Brad and Mom...in front of the "Wall"

The Ceremony was in Niagara Falls and there was a great group that came along in support.

                                                     Patti and I sharing a toast.

 

                                                        

                               The Boys (Cort - Tippy - me -Don - Brad W - B Hall - Brad S)

                                         Stu and I (Stu is a big reason why I made it into the Hall.)

It was incredible night to be sure. I won't bore you and replay my speech on this night...but I would like to thank all that came to the big event. Patti, Mom, Aimee and Matteo, Steve (Tippy), Don and Rosie, Stu and Laura, Brad and Sue, Brad and Carolyn, Cort and Sue, Brian Hall. Thank you all!!

Special Thanks to Mom for all of her years of support. You are amazing.

Thanks to my brother Steve who helped to organize this night and make it incredible.

Such a great "High"...but things quickly came down, as on November 12th I went in for a total right hip replacement. I have been living in pain for some time, and the time had arrived to fix it.

Once again, my brother Steve, (who is really having a good month in my eyes) - helped to arrange my surgery in Newmarket. Steve works for Zimmer - specializing in the products needed for hip and knee replacements.

Surgery went great  - And here is my new hip.

                                                  My New Hip. - Looks good (to me)

This whole adventure I found amazing. I am now 4 weeks plus after surgery and am progressing at an amazing rate.

I have been doing my exercises and am getting stronger.

                              Yes, I do have a "ballet bar" made by my buddy Brad Sanderson. It has been great to help with my rehab.

Special thanks to my wife Patti, who has gone above and beyond to help in my rehab.


SO, as you see...I have had a little bit going on...but I am making my comeback.

Btw - Raptors are in First Place - Leafs are rolling - So all is good in the sporting world.