When you read this week's mail bag, please take a moment to remember what happened 65 years ago in Normandy, France.
The following is a photo of some of the first Canadian troops that landed on Juno Beach early in the morning of June 6th, 1944.
Think of that when you feel like complaining of any petty, little problems that crop up in your daily lives.
And now on to this week's mail bag.
From: Keith
Comment:
My question is this (please don't feed us the politically correct answer that 99 per cent of the rest of the guys would feed us): How much longer do you think it will take the Habs to pry their heads out of their butts, and hire the BEST AVAILABLE personnel, instead of ALWAYS hiring the "GUY WHO SPEAKS FRENCH"? I mean this latest hiring of a Francophone coach, on top of the way they had to do it, has to take the cake. Take care Clubber!
Answer:
Wow Keith, you sound like a man on a mission. I hate to tell you this, but hiring a totally Anglophone coach for the Habs would be political suicide in Montreal. Never underestimate the immense power and influence of the Francophone press in Quebec. Don't forget, Pat Burns and Scotty Bowman both spoke French. Even if you were the best coach in the world, you would have to learn to speak passable French in a real hurry in order to survive in Montreal. I am not saying it's right or wrong. I am just telling you the way it is and I doubt it will ever change. I wish Jacques Martin all the luck in the world. Because if the Canadiens start the season slowly, the Montreal press, both French and English, will turn on him.
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From: Steve
Comment:
Hey Who was the toughest person you ever had to interview, and who was the most down-to-earth sports celebrity you ever met?
Answer:
Hi Steve, let me start with the second part of your question. I have been blessed to deal with dozens of very down to-earth-athletes. From Hall of Fame players like Rod Woodson, to Hall of Fame people like Jarome Iginla and Pinball Clemons. So it is really hard to pick one. My toughest interview is one I will never forget; former Toronto Rock lacrosse scoring machine Kim Squire. In my first game as the host of Sportsnet's NLL coverage, I had to interview Kim in the Toronto Rock dressing room at halftime in a game in Buffalo. Literally five seconds before I started, my producer tried to warn me about something then just said, "good luck." I asked Kim at least seven questions. Every answer was one or two words. My producer kept telling me to stretch. The rest of Squire's teammates were howling in the background. Don Taylor almost needed oxygen he was laughing so hard. At the end of it I threw back to Don in the booth and Steve Toll dropped a "welcome to Lacrosse, rookie" on me. Classic.
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From: Andy
Comment:
Are you related to K.D.?
Answer:
Hi Andy. No, but I am related to a K.A. Lang. She's my sister and lives in beautiful Truro, Nova Scotia. Go Bear Cats.
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From: Roger
Comment:
Who has failed? Craig MacTavish or Dustin Penner?
Answer:
Hi Roger, to be blunt, they both failed. I am as big a Mac T fan as you will find. But I don't think his message and his methods were working any more in Edmonton. He had a good run; it was just time for a change. In my mind, Penner was a much bigger failure than MacT. Penner has so much size, so much talent, and so much potential. But 17 goals from a guy making over $4 million just isn't going to cut it. I dealt with Pat Quinn often during his time in Toronto. I can tell you this: Penner better come into camp with a winning attitude and in serious shape or he will be in for a rude awakening once the big Irishman gets a hold of him.
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From: Steve
Comment:
Jim you are an idol of mine. I want to become a sports broadcaster just like you and I think they should give you an hour on the Fan 590. A lot of people would like it. I need to ask you though what kind of high school qualifications do I need to have to get into school to become a broadcaster.
Answer:
Hi Steve, thank you very much for the very kind words. If the Fan 590 wants to pay me the extra money, maybe you will get your wish some day. Knowing what I do now, I would suggest to you to take as many writing classes and English classes as possible. If they will allow it, ask if you can do the morning announcements every day. The more you get comfortable with your voice and you learn how to control it, the better. Try watching TV and listening to the radio at the same time. This will be good training for working on air while your producer is talking to you in your ear piece at the same time. Above all else, never, ever give up. If you want it bad enough, it will happen.
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From: Rod
Comment:
On baseball telecasts I notice a lot of pitchers in particular wearing what looks like a cable around their neck. Some even wear more than one. It does not appear to be at all flexible. What is it? If it's some kind of fashion statement, let me say it looks stupid!
Answer:
Hi Rod,
I checked with our ace Blue Jays reporter Sam Cosentino and he told me that they are titanium beaded bracelets worn to help reduce stress and increase circulation. They are worn for well being, balance and energy. They are put out by a company named Phiten and have been used by baseball players among other athletes for the last four or five year.
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From: Dave from the trailer
Comment:
Hey Jim,
What is the best sports movie of all-time not named Slap Shot? I'd go with Friday Night Lights, which I might add is quite possibly the best show on TV. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it.
Answer:
Dave from the trailer, I love the name. This is so tough because I love so many sports movies. For baseball, you can't go wrong with "The Natural" and "Bull Durham." Honourable mention goes to Robert DeNiro in "Bang the Drum Slowly." For basketball, it's "Hoosiers." I am a huge fan of "Remember the Titans" and "North Dallas Forty," but my all-time favourite football movie is "Rudy." "Tin Cup" would have been a better golf movie if it wasn't for all that relationship nonsense in it. "Raging Bull" is good, but I much prefer "Rocky" and "Rocky 2" for boxing movies. I am huge fan of sports documentaries. "Riding Giants," "Dog Town and the Z-Boys" and "When we Were Kings" are all awesome.
It's amazing to think this, but we are only a week-and-a-half away from the start of CFL pre-season action. I can't wait to see how Jesse Lumsden does in Edmonton this year.
