From: Pat in Mississauga
Comments: Hello Jim, who's the biggest obnoxious, overbearing sports celebrity that you have ever met or interviewed? Spill your beans Jimmy, we want names.
Answer: Hi Pat, that's a very interesting question. Since becoming a sportscaster in 1995, I have been fortunate enough to speak with hundreds of athletes. Over the last 15 years, I have discovered that athletes are no different than you and I; they have good days and bad days. Mats Sundin is about as nice an athlete you will ever meet. But I remember covering the Leafs in Long Island and Sundin snapped at me because I dared ask him why he didn't take part in the game day skate. It was at the end of a disappointing season and the guy was having a bad day. It happens. 99 times out of 100, Sundin is awesome. I caught Steve Nash on a bad day once and he came across as a rude and uncooperative athlete. I have also had good experiences talking to athletes most reporters dread speaking with. Guys like Gary Sheffield, Michael Irvin, Sean Avery, Roger Clemens, and Randy Moss have all treated me with respect and have given me a great interview. I was just lucky enough to catch them on a good day. What I hate is dealing with a fringe athlete who acts like he's the second coming of Wayne Gretzky. Do you know what Gretzky, Tom Brady, Jarome Iginla, Chris Bosh, Bill Cowher, Larry Fitzgerald, Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Pinball Clemons, Warren Moon, Joe Torre and Jarome Bettis all have in common? They are all stars and they all treat you with a great deal of respect and they're a pleasure to interview.
From: John in Atlanta
Comments: Hi Jim, who do you feel are the top 5 most underrated music groups of all time?
Answer: Hi John, thanks for a very interesting question. One of my favourite underrated bands is a group that originated in Waverly, Nova Scotia, April Wine. They were a solid band I love their greatest hits CD. Another underrated band I love is a group called UFO. Except for their German guitar player Michael Schenker, UFO was a British hard rock band from the late 70's and early 80's. Check out their live CD, Strangers in the Night. The guitar riffs are sick. Another very underrated performer was Joe Walsh. Not his stuff with the Eagles, but his solo work. I still love his late 70's rock anthem Life's Been Good. Another very underrated band is Roxy Music. They put out some great music during their heyday. My all time favourite underrated band is Black Sabbath. I am serious; the four metal banging lads from the mean streets of Birmingham, England have never been given enough credit for their influence on hard rock and heavy metal. Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward are the Godfathers of metal and set the standard by which all other bands are measured by. War Pigs sounds as good now as it ever did.
From: Mike
Comments: Hey Jim, what would it take to convince the NHL owners to get rid of Gary Bettman?
Answer: Well Mike, if a few teams go under in the next few months, I think it's finally going to happen. Gary Bettman keeps insisting that all is well in the NHL. However, even a casual fan can plainly see that there are a number of U.S. based NHL teams that are on the verge of financial collapse. Assuming Bettman finally relents and allows Jim Balsillie to buy a team, what is he going to do to save the other dying franchises? Right now, you can go on-line and buy a ticket to a Coyotes game for $15. You can buy a ticket to a Thrashers game at the Philips Arena for as low as $10. If anyone can tell me why the NHL has a team based in markets like Atlanta and Phoenix, and not in cities like Hamilton or Winnipeg; please, let me know. The American economy is so bad I can't see how some teams are going to survive. If that happens, then the remaining owners will have no choice but to replace Bettman with someone else.
From: BT
Comments: I'd like to know who gives the best hugs in the office. I'm thinking probably McCormick. He seems very huggable. And if you can, what is your opinion on Pierre McGuire? Would you like to give him a wet willie if you too had the chance?
Answer: Well BT, to be honest with you, I have never hugged the Dude. Dude doesn't strike me as a guy who likes to hug other guys. I'm thinking McCormick saves his hugs for Mrs. Dude. I have hugged Martine before and that was nice. As far as Pierre McGuire goes, I'm a fan. I think he does an amazing job in between the benches. McGuire can annoy some people at times, but his knowledge of the game is beyond reproach. I never gave Pierre a wet willie, but I did pat his bald head once for good luck.
From: Gerard
Comments: From past and present NHL Hockey players, if you could pick a dream team, who would you pick?
Answer: Hi Gerard, this is always a very tough question. It all starts in goal and the NHL has a long history of "money" goalies. Ultimately, I would go with Patrick Roy. With all due respect to other great goalies, Patrick Roy led the Montreal Canadiens to two Stanley Cups with teams that had no business winning. On defence, I would have to go with Bobby Orr and Scott Stevens. Simply put, Orr was the greatest defenceman in the history of the NHL. Stevens was one of the most intimidating blue liners of his era. At centre, I would go with Wayne Gretzky. The Great One would rack up a huge amount of assists dishing off to Mike Bossy and Maurice Richard. I know the Rocket played right wing, but as a left handed shot, I would ask him nicely to move over to the left side. Scotty Bowman would be my coach.
Thanks again for all the questions, keep them coming, I have needs.
