BY MICHAEL GARDNER - FAN FUEL BLOGGER
They say perception is reality and sometimes, when the reality is a little hard to take, it helps to change your perception.
Tonight's Amway Canadian Championship, which will be shown live on Sportsnet at 8 p.m. ET, provides all Toronto FC fans with an opportunity to focus on something else.
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Michael Gardner
Mom, Dad, where did I come from?
While many parents cringe at that question, it is best to answer it honestly but within reason. Explain the mechanics but don't explain the circumstances. Otherwise, a kid could get a complex if he finds out that he was the result of one too many glasses of wine and a Patrick Swayze movie.
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BY JONATHAN BRAZEAU - FAN FUEL BLOGGER
Get use to hearing the term "Montreal Canadiens prospect" during MasterCard Memorial Cup broadcasts.
A trio of future Habs are making an impact in the premiere junior hockey tournament: Michael Bournival (Shawinigan Cataractes), Nathan Beaulieu (Saint John Sea Dogs) and Jarred Tinordi (London Knights). They could find themselves as teammates on the Canadiens in the near future, but for now they're on opposite sides in their teams' quest for the Cup.
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BY JONATHAN BRAZEAU - FAN FUEL BLOGGER
The 2012 MasterCard Memorial Cup could end up being one of the best tournaments ever.
While the powerhouse Saint John Sea Dogs aim to defend the title, the energetic London Knights and dynasty-in-the-making Edmonton Oil Kings will make it a tough challenge. It's also easy to forget about the Shawinigan Cataractes, but they're hungry and out to prove that they're a contender.
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BY: STEPH ROGERS AND ANNE T. DONAHUE - FAN FUEL BLOGGERS
The battle of the AL "Beast" continued at Rogers Centre last night as the Blue Jays (20-18) triumphed 8-1 over the New York Yankees (20-17) in their first meeting of the season.
Kyle Drabek (3-4), who lost his two-seamer in his last appearance, broke a four-start losing streak by regaining his composure and finding his sinker like a champion. He pitched seven innings, allowing only one run on three hits.
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Michael Gardner
It is a college student's lament.
"I applied for the job but they said I needed experience but how are you supposed to get experience if no one will give you a job?"
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By: Michael Gardner – Fan Fuel Blogger
On Wednesday, Toronto FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps will begin their two-legged series to determine the winner of the Amway Canadian Championship. The reward for the winner is an automatic spot in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Champions League.
Though these two clubs have only met a few times previously, there is a healthy rivalry brewing. Here are some quirky tidbits regarding these two teams:
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BY MICHAEL GARDNER-- FAN FUEL BLOGGER
Excitement hit the Major League Soccer world with news that AC Milan Defender Alessandro Nesta is considering a move across the ocean.
Nesta, 36, seems to fit the bill for aging stars looking to come to North America to extend their careers and their paycheques. This rumour picked up steam when Nesta spoke to a press conference on Thursday of last week.
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BY MICHAEL GARDNER -- FAN FUEL BLOGGER
How can a team play so well one night and be simply awful the next?
In the wake of Toronto's impressive 10-man victory over the Montreal Impact in the Amway Canadian Championship, fans are left wondering how such a thing can happen.
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BY ANDREW GHARIB - FAN FUEL BLOGGER
It's no secret that their are players around the NHL that would benefit from a new team. Sometimes a change of scenery is all they need to return to their former glory.
With that in mind, here are five NHL players that need a change of scenery to get their game back to where it should be.
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BY ERIC NGUYEN - FAN FUEL BLOGGER
With his victory last Sunday at Quail Hollow in the Wells Fargo Tournament, not only did Rickie Fowler move up to 24th place in the official world golf rankings, he also proved to the world that he is, indeed, ready to be considered as one of the elite professional golfers in the world today.
All the talk in the last year or so has been about the youngster Rory McIlroy. From establishing a 54-hole lead in the 2011 Masters to winning the 2011 US Open in historic fashion, the 23-year-old Irishman is also the No.1 golfer in the world right now. But here comes Rickie Fowler...
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BY MICHAEL GARDNER - FAN FUEL BLOGGER
Though I never interviewed him, Buddha once said "Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment." If you are a fan of Toronto FC, this statement has never been more true on this beautiful Thursday morning. Last night the Reds defeated the Montreal Impact 2-0 to advance to the finals of the Amway Canadian Championship.
They did it with strategy. They did it with passion. And they did it with a man down for 80 minutes. Most importantly, they did it.
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BY DEREK PRITCHETT - FAN FUEL BLOGGER
When thinking about the 2012 Toronto Blue Jays, there is a lot to get excited about. They won their series against the Texas Rangers, they split the next series against the Los Angeles Angels and are now currently three games back of the AL East lead.
I am a positive person, but sometimes there are antics that exist on a day-to-day basis that take away from the games. There are 3 things that bother me while watching Jays games that I see on a regular basis, and they are all related to "the code."
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BY STEPH ROGERS AND ANNE T. DONAHUE - FAN FUEL BLOGGERS
The Blue Jays took on (Buck Martinez's favourite team) the Oakland ATHLETICS in the first of a quick two-game series in the Bay Area. The two teams meet at Oakland Almeda County Coliseum - O.Co for the cool kids, or those wanting the 'real name' - after taking the day off Monday. Presumably the Blue Jays visited Alcatraz and/or saw The Avengers which are really the only two choices if it's a Monday. You can also walk up a lot of hills in San Francisco which is great for shin splints (you can trust Steph on this one).
Ricky Romero lasted six innings in the Tuesday midnight screening of a 7-3 loss, long enough to take the Blue Jays to 32 consecutive outings where starters worked five or more innings. Because this is Oakland, the Moneyball references run rampant.
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BY PAUL HOPE - FAN FUEL BLOGGER
Now that were over a month into the 2012 MLB season, let's see who could be feeling the heat, and who are without a doubt, feeling pressure to turn their team's season around.
My list of five managers who are in danger of being replaced:
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BY JAKE LEWIS - FAN FUEL BLOGGER
Three of England's biggest teams are about to buck the Austerity trend in Europe and break the bank in the transfer market. Faced with Manchester City about to win their first top flight title since 1968, Manchester United, already smarting from being dumped out of the Champions League in the group stage will need a major overhaul. The game last week where City turned the tables on United, showed all over the field that the Sky Blues had better and younger players in every position on the field. Ferguson's young hopefuls looked second best.
It's been a while since Manchester United have spent big, but they have the cash, and they have the need, and Sir Alex will be just concerned enough to break his own rules and splash out on the best players he can get his hands on. Central defence, right back, centre midfield and another quality striker.
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BY ROB MACNEIL - FAN FUEL BLOGGER
If the 2012 MLB season ended today, the Toronto Blue Jays would make the playoffs for the first time since 1993, so by all accounts it has been a successful early start to the season. However, one of the biggest concerns must be that of struggling first baseman Adam Lind. In 26 games this year, Lind is hitting .194 with just eight extra base hits (six doubles, two homers).
How long will the Blue Jays stick with Lind as their first baseman?
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BY JONATHAN BRAZEAU - FAN FUEL BLOGGER
In four short Formula One seasons, Gilles Villeneuve established himself as the fastest man on four wheels and despite never winning the world championship, Villeneuve is still remembered as one of the all-time greats in the sport.
It's been 30 years since Villeneuve died in a tragic accident during qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix, but he continues to be revered by fans and drivers alike. His cool, calm and collected personality on the course and competitive never-say-never drive exemplified what it means to be an auto racer, possessing that rare daredevil mindset where if he saw an opening during a race, he'd take it no matter the costs.
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BY MICHAEL GARDNER - FAN FUEL BLOGGER
Toronto FC fans have known it since day one. They are a team that is built upon grass roots support. Corporate suits don't fill the stadium, real fans do. This was a team originally marketed to soccer clubs and supporters groups. In fact, much of the marketing has centered around the "atmosphere" created by these grass roots fans. It's not that Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment doesn't care about winning, it just doesn't know how to do it. Through the leadership of Tom Anselmi the team has invested in a number of Designated Players. They have put $17 million into Toronto FC Academy and have replaced that ridiculous plastic pitch with a proper grass surface. In fact, Toronto has over $8.3 million tied up in payroll this year which equates to about $1 million per loss delivered this season.
They certainly have no issues in spending money. The problem is that it is our money they are spending and many people are opting out of this investment plan. While some may contend that winning may silence the complaints, I would contend that Toronto FC ticket pricing has reach unsustainable levels relative to the other teams in the league.
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BY DEREK PRITCHETT - FAN FUEL BLOGGER
The baseball world took a huge blow on Thursday night, as the career of New York Yankees closer, and future Hall of Famer, Mariano Rivera likely ended. Rivera was shagging fly balls during batting practice with his teammates and tore his ACL in his right knee. The reaction on twitter was as if Rivera had been shot or something. Normally that's seen as blowing something out of proportion, but not with number 42. He has been the most dominating baseball player at his position and arguably over any position over the past 15 years.
Mariano Rivera is the all time MLB leader in saves with 608, and his post-season numbers are out of this world. In 141 innings over 16 years, he has 110 K's and 42 saves (fitting), an ERA of 0.70 and a WHIP of 0.759. He is virtually unhittable in the most intense setting of the year, doing the most stressful job (closing games) and has been the best at it, against the best competition.
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