Big Ben

Big Ben's Comments

Posted Thursday November 19, 2009, About: Losing Leafs slipping at box office?
I know someone who went through the lease renewal with MLSE on behalf of the corporation where he works, and the fee for the boxes went up astronomically! Like, home price astronomically, and that doesn't include per game costs like food service and hostesses either. And these are multi-year leases, so while I won't dispute the lack of on ice quality, don't think the economy didn't play at least some part in this.
Posted Thursday November 19, 2009, About: Gillick rejoining Jays front office?
The Jays used to have the highest payroll in baseball when they were winning their titles in the early 90s and while they'll never get that claim back, I'd like to see them go back to the atmosphere they had under Gillick. The team used to do anything in their power to support the players' families and treated everyone with courtesy and respect. JP trampled all over those concepts, ran them over with his car, backed up and ran them over again. I long for the good ol' days when the Jays were the good guys. Bring those back, bring back Gillick to help
Posted Wednesday November 04, 2009, About: Sens owner unlikely to get Heatley refund
The Leafs went through this with McCabe, who had a roster bonus coming due. He basically said if they wanted him to waive his no-trade, they'd have to wait until the day after the bonus payout date. They did. He did. Now he's a Panther. Frankly I didn't mind McCabe's stance - not only because he had a valid contract, but because he was at least honest about it! Heatley just makes me want to take a shower.
Posted Saturday October 31, 2009, About: 'Bad apples' in Toronto FC dressing room
I don't know if it's fair to say they embrace mediocrity when it comes to TFC, although the team is certainly mediocre. MLSE is actually very concerned about TFC's success, because the team is their insurance against the sagging Maple Leaf market. Not just because of the Leafs' recent run of poor performance, but because Toronto is about the most multicultural city in the world (annually it's usually either Toronto or Miami ranked on top) and more and more people are coming to the city without a background in hockey but in sports like soccer.
Posted Saturday October 31, 2009, About: 'Bad apples' in Toronto FC dressing room
My guess is De Rosario. I don't know for certain and "bad apple" might be a bit harsh, but I know he was frustrated at various points in the year, both on and off the pitch. Occasionally you'd hear fairly critical comments about the BMO Field turf and the team's performance on it. I'd prefer to think it's his competitive nature and the fact he's used to winning, but who knows if Cummins thought he was a problem? I also wonder about Ali Gerba, who came in midway and never really seemed to do anything. Cummins questioned his fitness levels once, so maybe their relationship wasn't great...
Posted Friday October 30, 2009, About: 'Bad apples' in Toronto FC dressing room
Cummins went out of his way to specifically single out Guevara as the kind of heart and character the team needs more of moving forward, so I'd speculate about other players folks
Posted Tuesday October 20, 2009, About: 'Monster' closer to Leafs return
Kadri's not with the Marlies, he's back in the Ontario Hockey League and as a junior, can now only be brought up as an emergency player. Which basically means he's not coming back this year. I think the bigger issue is Komisarek is spending too much time in the box and Beauchemin is spending too much time fishing pucks out of his own net. As soon as those two get their acts in gear, the Leafs will be back to at least respectability
Posted Friday October 02, 2009, About: Toronto FC to get grass field in 2010
Part of the deal was their having to relocate the bubble to Lamport Stadium, a small community stadium just a few minutes north of BMO Field. They also have to pay for some small upgrades to the facility.
Posted Thursday October 01, 2009, About: Toronto FC to get grass field in 2010
I'm wondering which big club they'll lure over next season for a friendly? MLSE is going to look to recover their costs here...
Posted Tuesday September 29, 2009, About: Will Toronto FC redo De Rosario's deal?
I won't argue Holden's effectiveness in replacing DeRo down in Houston. I would argue TFC being able to effectively replace DeRo though. I can't think of anyone else on the roster who can score against the run of play or from as many spots on the pitch as DeRo can. Besides, while Serioux is also a hometown boy and De Guzman is getting all the press at the moment, DeRo is our poster boy now. It's be hard to lose him and save face
Posted Tuesday September 29, 2009, About: Union in turmoil over Kelly firing
By all accounts he DID look at those minutes, to see if a breach in union rules had been committed in the hiring of Ian Penney. Kelly then self-disclosed the breach, but those in favour of his ouster have made it sound like this incident was the final straw
Posted Thursday September 10, 2009, About: Toronto to sign de Guzman as first DP
On one hand, I kind of like it. Canadian franchise. Support the CMNT. Grow the sport at the lower levels by providing a proverbial light or a professional opportunity at the end of the tunnel. Hometown kids make good, etc. On the other hand, if we amass the entire CMNT roster we're looking at serious challenges on international dates. Not that Canada is going to be involved in many of those next year, unfortunately
Posted Tuesday September 08, 2009, About: Toronto FC phasing out Dichio
Apparently, he's retiring TOMORROW. The same report on TSN.ca that announced the imminent signing of Julian De Guzman is now saying that Dichio will retire at a news conference tomorrow and join the coaching staff. A little earlier than expected
Posted Tuesday September 08, 2009, About: Toronto FC phasing out Dichio
Touche. Well spoken sir. I can't rationally argue any of that. Although "sport" and "rationality" are rarely compatible. Anyways, TSN.ca is reporting that TFC is about to (finally) use their DP slot on Julian DeGuzman, so we'll see what sort of roster and line up changes that would make...
Posted Tuesday September 08, 2009, About: Toronto FC phasing out Dichio
I would argue that his "generally modest productivity" is as much a result of his limited playing time as his age and declining ability. He barely ever sees the pitch, and where he used to get a good 15-20 minute run in as a sub, now he's down to the last 5 minutes. And besides, for a team that can't ever seem to score, how many better options do they really have?!?
Posted Thursday August 06, 2009, About: Agents warn players of Olympic dangers
If the NHLPA is so concerned, and since they seem to be more in favour of Olympic participation than Bettman and the League, why don't THEY pay for insurance for their players?!? Sorry, this is one thing you can't really pin on Bettman. He doesn't want them there anyways
Posted Thursday August 06, 2009, About: Ref admits blown Gretzky call 16 years later
Yeah, yeah, write this off as too late and irrelevant if you want, but it was one of those "where were you when such and such happened" moments that still lingers for Leaf fans. I agree that the most interesting tid bit is Gilmour's comments to Fraser immediately following, that it was the follow through that clipped him. Tells me in his heart Gilmour wanted to win the right way, rather than win in any way. Very noble. Of course as a Leaf fan, I'm crying in my beer over the call and Dougie's principled stand...
Posted Wednesday July 29, 2009, About: Jackson edging out Rambis for T-Wolves job?
Whatever happened to Sam Mitchell being linked to this job? Played for the team... coach of the year award under his belt...
Posted Monday July 27, 2009, About: Sir Alex: Manchester City is arrogant
Although I think it's rather bold of City to tweak SAF and Utd like that, I certainly agree with you that it's a pretty clever marketing move on their part.
Posted Friday July 24, 2009, About: Choo OK with Korean Heritage night benching
Maybe the Jays could have mentioned that to the Indians?!? No way Wedge could know, but pretty ironic that on Korean Heritage night the only player WITH Korean heritage is sitting!
Posted Friday July 24, 2009, About: Toronto FC fans boycott Columbus match
Hopefully this is just a temporary situation, and everyone will be back on better terms next season. But really, perhaps this boycott will also serve as a necessary cooling off period. I mean, am I really the only one who wasn't just a little worried about another incident this weekend and more potential embarrassment for TFC supporters?!?
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