Sports
Time to Panic? Lots of Tickets Available for Grey Cup Game in Toronto
If you’d still like to attend the 104th Grey Cup in Toronto on Nov. 27, there are plenty of good seats available.
And when we say plenty, we mean a boatload.
A quick look at the Ticketmaster website reveals plenty of blue dots, which represent available seats at BMO Field. There are a few sections where only a handful of seats have been sold. Sara Moore, the 104th Grey Cup’s chief operating officer, wouldn’t reveal Tuesday how many tickets have been sold, but anyone can see via Ticketmaster that approximately half of the 35,000 tickets are available.
“I wouldn’t characterize it as concern, but we’re certainly looking at that and putting some plans in place,” Moore said. “We’ve been really thrilled with how a lot of the premium inventory has sold, and some of those sections are sold out or near sold out.”
Many eyebrows were raised in July when the Grey Cup committee revealed ticket prices between $169 and $899. Most of the $169 seats are now gone, and a good chunk of tickets still available will run you between $300 and $500.
Gulp.
“There are some sections where (sales) are a little bit lighter, and we’re gonna focus our attention on that,” Moore said. “A big media campaign is going to kick off next week. It’ll be a national effort. What you’ll see is it’ll also be in some key markets across the country where there’s a good opportunity for fans to travel.
“Grey Cup fans are terrific every year. They love to travel, team in or not, but there’s a few markets we can target this year where they might be feeling good about themselves right now.”
TOUGHER SELL
The large number of available Grey Cup tickets less than seven weeks before the big game has simply continued an alarming trend for the three down loop.
Less than a decade ago the game would be sold out before Labour Day. Slowly but surely the sellout date has crept closer to game day, and the 2014 Grey Cup game at BC Place ended up nearly 1,500 tickets short of a packed house. Last year’s Grey Cup at Winnipeg’s Investors Group Field, which had the second smallest capacity for the title game in 40 years, didn’t sell every ticket until two days before the game.
Moore believes Torontonians will embrace the big game like they did in 2012, when more than 53,000 fans packed Rogers Centre for the 100th Grey Cup celebration.
“We’ve become a big sporting event town, and the festival and all of the great concerts and music and everything else going on around it is really going to engage Torontonians the exact same way it engaged Torontonians in 2012,” Moore said. “We are absolutely expecting it to be a sellout. That has not changed at all.”
SILENT MIKE
Speaking of reasons why the CFL is becoming a tougher sell to fans, we bring you the Edmonton Eskimos.
Even though it had been agreed upon at the board of governors level, according to TSN, that all teams would play a game in which the head coach and quarterback would wear microphones to get viewers inside the game a little more, Esks head coach Jason Maas and quarterback Mike Reilly showed up on Monday at Molson Stadium and told TSN to get bent.
Excellent move, guys. TSN pumps about $40 million into league coffers each year, and you just told them to stick it — after originally agreeing to do it, which makes it even worse.
And therein lies one of the biggest problems with the CFL today: Football operations departments are running the league. Access continues to decline, because if football coaches had their way games would be played in empty stadiums to prevent spying.
All they care about is winning and keeping their jobs. They don’t care about the bottom line. That’s why this issue has nothing to do with whether you think putting live microphones on players and coaches is good or bad. That’s not the point.
The real issue here is a football ops department going rogue and stiffing the broadcaster that agreed to a “transformative,” $200 million agreement with the league in 2013. We in the media believe good access will result in more entertaining stories, which will lead to better fan engagement. The CFL doesn’t agree, because it has let football ops folks cut access for years. You probably don’t care about that, which is fair and understandable.
However, you can bet with absolute certainty that the CFL and TSN care about Monday’s incident. They got their own taste of limited access, and there’s no way they enjoyed it.
How will commissioner Jeffrey Orridge respond?
LATE HITS
Don’t forget the CFL trade deadline is Wednesday afternoon at 4 o’clock EDT. Only the Roughriders have been eliminated from playoff contention, but it would be wise for the Argos and Alouettes to sell a couple of rental players for draft picks if they get the chance … The Stampeders have locked up first place in the West Division, which is good and bad. They have plenty of time to get rested and healthy, but they also have plenty of time to get complacent … Stampeders running back Jerome Messam on Monday became the first player to hit 1,000 rushing yards this season … Remarkably, no East Division team can be eliminated from playoff contention this weekend.
THE INSIDERS SAY
CFL coaches and managers give their anonymous thoughts on what they’re talking about behind closed doors:
Number 29 for Toronto (Josh Mitchell) threw three punches — three — and wasn’t thrown out. How the (bleep) does that happen? Our officials can’t even get that right, and they were two (bleeping) feet from him … I don’t watch many games because of our coaching schedule, but I was at home most of Thanksgiving and watched some of both games. Hate the live mic, like most of us do, but listening to (Rakeem) Cato I got to hear enough. Cato is too immature and emotional to be a starter. You can’t win with a quarterback like that. And they cut (Jerome) Messam, a 1,000 yard Canadian back. That kind of (bleep) is how you end up losing 13 or 14 games … It was (bleep) that the Esks did that (didn’t wear microphones). The commish needs to get this one right. Everyone else has to do it. This seems to be a pattern with Ed Hervey … That trade (Xavier Fulton for Linden Gaydosh)? It surprised me. Pissed me off. Probably makes Hamilton the favourites in the East now … The Eskimos saying no to the microphones? We thought it was (bleep). No one wanted to do it, but it was a necessity … (Andrew) Harris fumbled, and everyone knows it was a fumble. Man up. Admit it was a blown call, and let’s get on to next week. Hey, we screw up as coaches, too. But still trying to sell that fumble as inconclusive? That’s bull (bleep). Do we think our fans are blind? … Winnipeg is going to finish second in the West. That defence has proven it is championship pedigree. They can turn the ball over and get after the passer … As coaches we notice things you media people don’t have a clue about. Sliding (Odell) Willis inside to three tech was a great move. Montreal couldn’t handle him inside. Smart coaching by (Mike Benevides) … If I could trade for any player at the deadline? Probably Adarius Bowman. His receiving stats speak for themselves, but as you watch tape it’s the little things like his energy, blocking and speed sweeps. He’s an all-around player that’s dominating right now. He’s a coach on the field. I’m so impressed with his growth and consistency level … The Lions are going to finish second in the West. They are a better team with a better quarterback. They’ll beat the Bombers at home this weekend by more than two points and will own the season series. They’ll be two points up with a game in hand. Two of B.C.’s last three games are against Saskatchewan, who will be checking out all 100 guys they have in town now that they’re out of the playoffs. Two out of three are at home as well … It’s not our division, so I hope Montreal brings (Marc) Trestman back. Get him a quarterback, and they’ll have a strong franchise again … They made the right choice in Ottawa with Hank (Burris). It proves to the locker-room that they will play the more productive player at any position. No one’s job is guaranteed. Plus, it went exactly the other way earlier in the year … We needed Toronto to win the East with their new stadium and with the Grey Cup out there. Them getting to the Cup would have been good for the league. Thought it was going to happen before we started this season, but now I don’t think they’ll make the playoffs. (Bleep), they are a bad football team … Yes, it was a fumble. Point blank … Those guys in the East don’t want any part of Edmonton. If they cross over, they’ll kick the (bleep) out of Ottawa and Hamilton and go back to the Grey Cup again … If I’m a veteran in Toronto I’m uneasy about the situation. If I’m a young guy at wide receiver it’s an amazing opportunity. If I’m Drew Willy, I’m like, what the (bleep)? … None of us have confidence in the replay system at all. It should be scrapped. I can live with referees making errors at full speed, but replay officials making the same errors after watching it from six different views is embarrassing for the league … My wife asked me if Jason Maas is colour blind. Maybe he is. But I told her that I would probably look colour blind a lot if she didn’t dress me.
PENTON’S PREDICTION
The West Division team that crosses over this year is going to represent the East Division in the Grey Cup, which will be a nightmare for the organizers. The four best teams in the league are in the West Division, and one of them will be able to win two on the road to get to BMO Field to face the Stampeders.
TWEET OF THE WEEK
“That was a fumble lol but that’s none of my business.”
– Argos DE Shawn Lemon (@SLemonator) with one of many similar takes on the Andrew Harris non-fumble against the Lions
BY THE NUMBERS
3 – Targets for Alouettes receiver Duron Carter on Monday
6,064 – Mike Reilly’s projected passing yards total this season
3 – Redblacks opponents, in a span of four games, coming off their bye week
67.6 – Alouettes’ league leading success rate in the red zone
BOSS BLUNDER
The play worked so well the first time, but that doesn’t mean the Lions offensive co-ordinator Khari Jones should have brought it out again when it mattered most.
Chris Rainey lined up on the left side of the formation and took a fly sweep 56 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter of Saturday’s win over Winnipeg. It caught the Bombers defence off guard, and it utilized Rainey’s remarkable speed.
The Lions ended up going to that well once too often, however. They lined up in a similar formation on third-and-one from Winnipeg’s four yard line late in Saturday’s game, and this time the Bombers defence read it like a book. Rainey was stopped for a one yard loss, and the Bombers won the game.
SMOOTH MOVE
Toronto’s losses will end up being Winnipeg’s, Edmonton’s and Hamilton’s gains.
When the Argos whacked Tori Gurley, Vidal Hazelton and Kevin Elliott last week, it didn’t take them long to resurface in other locales.
It sounds like the trio was bad news. Boatmen head coach Scott Milanovich mentioned tardiness, a lack of discipline and general “screwing around” a day before the big three receivers, along with fellow pass catcher Phil Bates, were released.
Separately, however, they will likely flourish. Now that they’ve been publicly embarrassed and had their professional careers flash before their eyes, you can bet there will be a renewed sense of purpose from each of them.
That will only benefit the teams that had the foresight, not to mention the cap space, to scoop them up.
POWER RANKINGS
1. (1) Calgary
They will have to guard against complacency. Their next important game isn’t until Nov. 20, the West Division final.
2. (5) Winnipeg
They beat the second best team in the league and still have second place in the West Division in their sights.
3. (2) B.C.
Questionable video reviews aside, the bottom line is the Lions weren’t prepared and didn’t do enough against the Bombers.
4. (4) Edmonton
Second in the West isn’t out of the question. As long as Mike Reilly is flinging the pigskin, the Esks will never be out of it.
5. (3) Ottawa
A home loss to the Roughriders? Henry Burris is back as the starter? Chris Williams is done for the year? Tense times.
6. (7) Saskatchewan
The Roughriders are playing well, but they are also done after being eliminated from playoff contention on Monday.
7. (6) Hamilton
Zach Collaros is out with a concussion, and you never know which Jeremiah Masoli you’re going to get. Tense times.
8. (8) Montreal
Here’s a memo for Rakeem Cato: Throw the ball to Duron Carter a little more than you currently do. He’s good.
9. (9) Toronto
Did Scott Milanovich really say the Argos were better without Vidal Hazelton, Tori Gurley and Kevin Elliott? They’re not.
THE WEEK AHEAD
Friday, 7 p.m. EDT
Ottawa at Hamilton
Both teams can clinch a home playoff game with a win, and Alouettes and Argos losses. Redblacks by 5.
Friday, 10 p.m. EDT
Winnipeg at B.C.
Winnipeg has swept only one home-and-home series since 2004, but it was this year. Lions by 10.
Saturday, 4 p.m. EDT
Saskatchewan at Toronto
The Argos are a mess right now, and that should work in Saskatchewan’s favour. Roughriders by 5.
Saturday, 7 p.m. EDT
Montreal at Calgary
A Calgary team on cruise control won’t have any problem with the Alouettes. Stampeders by 16.
Last week: 2-2
Overall: 36-29
Every year, a raft of exciting new players come onto the scene across all of the major US sports. With the MLS season getting underway and the NFL and MLB drafts not too far away, now is a great time to look at the young sports stars that could have a very bright future ahead of them, and the ones that are already proving they are destined for greatness.
Theo Bair (MLS)
This MLS season is looking like it could be one of the best yet, with David Beckham’s Inter Miami team adding some extra dazzle to the league. Whilst Beckham might be able to attract a lot of new players to his MLS team, there are a lot of young stars on their way through such as Theo Bair at Vancouver Whitecaps. Bair has already made an impact on the first team and after impressing at under-20 and under-23 level for the national team, he has made two appearances for the senior team, well before his 21st birthday. This year could see Bair make a real name for himself in the MLS.
Source: Pixabay
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (MLB)
Montreal-born Vladimir Guerrero Jr has one MLB season under his belt but it looks like the best is still yet to come from him at the Blue Jays. He was heavily backed to take the league by storm but he failed to live up to the hype that surrounded him. Without the pressure of being the top-ranked prospect, this season could see Guerrero play with some weight lifted off his shoulders. He has been working very hard on his fitness over the offseason, something that his manager Montoyo has been quick to comment upon.
“Baseball” (CC BY 2.0) by andrewmalone
Connor McDavid (NHL)
McDavid has already established him as a top hockey player but at 23, he has the potential to go on to do so much more. The player was born in Ontario and was the first overall draft pick, showing how much expectation was already on him at that stage but he has gone on to prove that he is one of the best players in the NHL. McDavid could go on to be one the NHL’s best-ever hockey players and this season could be the year that he shows the world, not just the NHL.
Chuba Hubbard (College Football)
The Oklahoma State Cowboys running back has been making the headlines for several years now. He continues to improve and grab more attention for his impressive stats and performances. He was close to being a sprinter and nearly made the Canadian Olympic team before switching over to football. He is passing up the 2020 NFL draft to play his senior season at Cowboys. He should give them a good chance of winning the College Football Championship, though they’re trailing at the seventh spot in the latest American football odds at +2400.00, with Clemson as the current betting favorites.
2020 will definitely be a very exciting time with some of these young stars looking to breakthrough in their respective sports and show the world what they are capable of.
Bob Baffert is back at the Kentucky Derby with early favourite Justify after watching the race from his sofa in Southern California last year.
The Hall of Fame trainer’s ability to produce Derby contenders year after year is an enviable feat and why his absence a year ago stood out. It was just his second since 2009 and occurred because his lone candidate got hurt.
Baffert will saddle Justify and 30-to-1 shot Solomini in Saturday’s Derby.
Justify is one of the greenest colts Baffert has brought to Churchill Downs. He’s won all three of his starts by a combined 19 lengths. If Justify wins, he’d be the first to do so since Apollo in 1882 without racing as a two-year-old.
“The thing about the Kentucky Derby, you have to have the right horse. It just happens. You can’t force it,” Baffert said. “All of a sudden, you have good horses and you’re there. So I’ve been really fortunate to have some really good horses.”
Baffert’s four victories are tied for second-most in Derby history. He’s finished second three times, too, including in 2012 with Bodemeister, also the last time he had two starters in the same year.
Like Justify, Bodemeister didn’t race as a two-year-old. He set a blistering pace and led the Derby until the final 150 yards when I’ll Have Another overtook him to win by 1 1/2 lengths.
Magnum Moon, the 6-to-1 third choice, also is unbeaten and didn’t run as a two-year-old.
“It’s going to happen,” Baffert said, referring to the curse being broken. “Whether it happens this year or whatever, but it will happen because Bodemeister almost got away with it. But I don’t really worry about that.”
Baffert almost had a third starter this year until McKinzie developed a hind-end issue that knocked him off the Derby trail.
“When McKinzie got hurt, I wanted to throw up,” he said. “I really think McKinzie would probably be second choice here. We’d really have a 1-2 here.”
Justify cleared the biggest pre-Derby hurdle by drawing the No. 7 post. Jockey Mike Smith can use the colt’s early speed to position him well for the long run to the chaotic first turn. Solomini ended up in the No. 17 post; no horse has ever won from there.
Baffert turned 65 in January, making him eligible for Medicare and retirement at most other jobs. However, he entertains no such thoughts.
“I work hard at it. I just don’t give up,” the white-haired trainer said. “I’m constantly meeting people. They’re sending me horses. If you don’t have success, you’re not going to get those opportunities.”
After a successful run in the quarter horse ranks, Baffert switched to thoroughbreds. He started with one horse.
“After 25 years, I’m finally getting horses that I don’t have to buy,” he said. “The big guys are sending me horses.”
None was bigger than American Pharoah in 2015. The colt swept the Derby, Preakness and Belmont to become racing’s first Triple Crown winner in 37 years.
Baffert has compared Justify to American Pharoah, citing the colt’s imposing physical presence and big stride. Still, Justify has yet to encounter the kind of traffic the Derby’s 20-horse stampede creates and the talent as he’ll run against on Saturday.
“I’d rather have a really talented horse than one who’s seasoned and just on par with the rest of them,” Baffert said.
Early on, Baffert knew Justify had the goods.
“The first time I worked him at Santa Anita, I knew he was a really good horse,” he said. “The track was really deep that morning, and he went around there effortlessly. His first race, he ran incredibly and showed how special he was.”
That kind of intuition is what separates Baffert from his rivals, fellow Hall of Famer trainer D. Wayne Lukas said.
“Bob’s got a great feel for it,” he said.
NASHVILLE — The hurtin’ tune that Auston Matthews has been singing for the past four weeks finally can be put in the remainder bin in Music City.
The Maple Leafs’ top centre on Wednesday declared himself set to return to the lineup after recovering from a right shoulder injury.
Wonderful timing, of course, considering the Leafs will take on the No. 1 club in the National Hockey League, the Nashville Predators, on Thursday night.
“In my mind, I think I’m ready to go and taking it as I’m getting ready to play (Thursday),” Matthews said after resuming his normal role, between William Nylander and Zach Hyman, during practice at Bridgestone Arena.
“It felt good, nice to get in all the reps and everything. (Wednesday) was a good step forward in that process, going through the line rushes.”
It seemed probable that the Leafs also will have defenceman Nikita Zaitsev, who missed the past five games as he recovered from an illness, against Nashville. Zaitsev was paired with Jake Gardiner, his regular partner, at practice.
For Matthews, it has been 10 games as a spectator with his latest injury, his third of the 2017-18 regular season after he missed four games in November with a back issue and then sat for six in December because of a concussion.
Thursday will mark four weeks since Matthews was hurt when he was sandwiched by the New York Islanders’ Cal Clutterbuck and Adam Pelech in a game at the Air Canada Centre.
A major bonus for Matthews in his recovery has been the fact he has been able to skate though much of his recuperation. That was not the case when he was out with his previous two injuries.
It’s worth noting that Matthews scored two goals versus the Montreal Canadiens upon returning on Nov. 18 from his back injury; in his first two games upon coming back from a concussion, he scored a goal in each.
Mike Babcock said a final decision on the participation of Matthews and Zaitsev against the Predators would be made on Thursday morning, but the Leafs coach was talking as though it would be a rubber stamp.
“This is going to be the best opportunity for (Matthews) because he has been able to skate and compete,” Babcock said. “The other times he was not able to do anything.
“To get him back … it’s still going to be going way faster than he has been practising, so there is going to be an adjustment period, but he’s a good player and he will figure it out.”
Defenceman Morgan Rielly didn’t think Matthews will take long to find his footing. Rielly missed six games in late January/early February with an arm injury, so knows what Matthews could be feeling.
“You’re nervous and you just want to get back into it,” Rielly said. “You play your first shift a bit hesitant, but after that it’s important you get back to yourself.
“It’s never easy, but Auston is one of those guys that I will imagine it won’t take long for him to get back into a rhythm.”
And there’s the trickle-down effect through the forward lines with Matthews in uniform.
“Guys are used to playing with certain players and when everyone is healthy, I think you get better chemistry throughout the entire lineup,” centre Nazem Kadri said. “Certain guys don’t have to play with different guys constantly and it’s just more of a set group, so I think it’s going to help us.”
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