Showing posts with label 2010. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2010. Show all posts

Friday, December 31, 2010

More Good News

Episode 42 of This Is Toronto is now available!

This latest edition revisits Good News Toronto, a not-for-profit newspaper that features inspirational stories and celebrates everyday heroes.

www.thisistorontopodcast.blogspot.com

NEXT EPISODE: Jan. 14, 2010

Happy New Year!

- ER

Monday, November 29, 2010

Re. Grey Cup 2010

Some short thoughts:

Congrats to the Alouettes! It was a very close affair.

Missed it? That's too bad. It was a great game.

Anthony Calvillo is a warrior.

- ER

Friday, November 05, 2010

The Art in Fusion

Episode 38 of This Is Toronto is now available!

This latest edition features the Toronto Masque Theatre and previews the organization's 7th season.

www.thisistorontopodcast.blogspot.com

NEXT EPISODE: Nov. 19, 2010

- ER

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

MLB Playoffs: Final Thoughts

I watched the San Francisco Giants play the Blue Jays this past June. They were a good team, but they sure didn't look like a team that would go on to win the World Series.

The Giants didn't have the best batting lineup, but it didn't matter. They had a phenomenal pitching staff led by Tim Lincecum. San Fran's starters silenced a very strong Texas Ranger lineup. They made players like Josh Hamilton and Vladdy Guerrero look normal. SF's pitchers stepped up and provided an enormous amount of confidence for their hitters.

The Giants were in and out of playoff contention all season long. But when "clutch time" arrived, they answered the call and have been awarded for their effort.

Finally, to sum up: 4 out of 7 = 57% Started out strong, but wasn't expecting the Giants to go far. Like I said yesterday, I should've listened to my gut.

- ER

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

MLB Playoff Predictions - The World Series

I was right about Texas, but incredibly wrong about Philadelphia.

2010 World Series

Texas over San Francisco in six

This was a hard decision to make. The Rangers and Giants have great pitching, with the edge going to San Fran. However, Texas has a better batting lineup, which will lead them to the title.

Pitching will always be the most important part of baseball. But pitching cannot be the sole contribution to a victory. A team still needs to swing the bats. It takes great pitching and great hitting to win. Texas is closer to that than San Francisco.

- ER

Thursday, October 14, 2010

MLB Playoff Predictions - League Championship Series

In the first round, I was three out of four. Of the three, one was a perfect prediction. I knew the Twins wouldn't have enough to beat the Yankees, but I didn't expect them to just roll over. Wow.

Onto the next round:

American League Championship Series

Texas over New York in seven

National League Championship Series

Philadelphia over San Francisco in six

NOTES: If you're like me and love the art of pitching, then you are going to enjoy the next few days. The LCS will feature the best pitchers in the game and they will dominate. Hate to be the hitters right now...The Rangers, a team known more for their hitting, has made it to the ALCS because of Cliff Lee and CJ Wilson. As long as those two keep doing what they're doing and the Rangers' bats stay hot, Texas will win its first pennant. New York has Sabathia, which is why the series will be close...The Giants have Lincecum, Cain and Sanchez. The Phillies have Halladay, Oswalt and Hamels. Advantage Philadelphia. Another pennant is coming to the city of brotherly love.

- ER

Tuesday, October 05, 2010

Blue Jay Awards

Best hitter: Jose Bautista

Best fielder: Jose Bautista

Best starter: Brett Cecil

Best reliever: Shawn Camp

Overall, it was a very pleasant season. However, it's important to be cautiously optimistic for 2011. There are problems that need to be addressed (more on that later this week).

- ER

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Re. A.J. Burnett

It amazes me how such an inconsistent pitcher can make so much money.

The playoffs will not be kind to the Yankees.

- ER

Friday, September 10, 2010

I Vote Toronto

Episode 34 of This Is Toronto is now available!

'I Vote Toronto' is a collection of individuals who want current voting laws to change. According to the organization's website, there are more than 200,000 eligible voters who are not legally allowed to vote in the upcoming municipal election.

www.thisistorontopodcast.blogspot.com

NEXT EPISODE: Sept. 24, 2010

- ER

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Re. Bulldogs and Marlies

The American Hockey League has released its 2010-11 regular season schedule.

Here are the schedules for the Hamilton Bulldogs and Toronto Marlies.

- ER

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Re. Jose Bautista

Mr. Bautista hit homeruns #39 and #40 last night. He's seven away from the Blue Jays' all-time, single-season mark (47 by George Bell).

For the last few weeks, I've felt that Detroit's Miguel Cabrera should receive the AL MVP award.

But now......I'm wondering..........dare I say it?

Jose Bautista - 2010 AL MVP (?)

- ER

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Raptors 2010-11 Schedule

The NBA/Raptors have released their 2010-11 regular season schedule.

Important dates:

Oct. 27 - Season opener vs. New York

Mar. 4-5 - Two games against New Jersey in London, England

Feb. 16 and April 13 - CB4 returns to the ACC

Feb. 25 - Turk returns to the ACC

- ER

Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Re. 2010 Blue Jay All-Stars

Vernon Wells: Absolutely!

Jose Bautista: Absolutely!

John Buck: Okay, that was a little surprising. He is replacing an injured player (Victor Martinez), but has put up decent numbers. If it were up to the fans, Jorge Posada would've probably taken Martinez's spot. However, the players choose the backups.

Also surprised that none of Toronto's starting staff made the team. The rotation (with the exception of a few) has allowed the Jays to hover at the 500 mark, which has exceeded most expectations. I thought Marcum and/or Romero had good shots of sneaking onto the AL roster. Then again, All-Star games are more about the offense than the defence. Better luck next year.

- ER

Monday, June 21, 2010

Final Thoughts - NBA Finals

Well, I was right about the Lakers. Now I have put up with Kobe-this and Kobe-that. To be honest, I had no interest in the finals this year. I know the Lakers-Celtics rivalry is one of the best in sports, but I had no desire to watch the series. It happens.

Alright, the stats:

10 out of 15; 67%

That's actually better than my NHL predictions. Go figure.

- ER

Friday, June 11, 2010

Final Thoughts - Stanley Cup Playoffs

- Congrats to the Chicago Blackhawks! This is a young, talented team. I've been keeping my eye on these guys for the last year. They have lots of character. And this is only the beginning.

- BTW, perfect prediction :-)

- Congrats also have to go to the Flyers. They had an incredible run. As long as they stay healthy, I think Philly has a good shot at the cup next year.

- Who were all those women interviewing Patrick Kane? Is he dating them?

- Great moment #1: Duncan Keith and his fiancee.

- Great moment #2: Stan and Scotty Bowman.

- Crosby may have the glitz and glamour, but Toews has a Conn Smythe.

- Totals: 8/15, 53% Bah!

- ER

Friday, June 04, 2010

Choosing How We Choose

Episode 27 of This Is Toronto is now available!!!

Better Ballots is a non-partisan organization that wants to create a public discussion about voting reform in Toronto. Is it time to change the way we elect local officials?

www.thisistorontopodcast.blogspot.com

NEXT EPISODE: June 18, 2010

- ER

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Flyers 4 Habs 2 (Flyers win 4-1)

For the second time in three years, Philadelphia knocks out the Canadiens in five games.

Well, it was a good run while it lasted. But all good things must come in to an end.

First and foremost, congrats to the Flyers. They were better than Montreal in every category and almost every game. No question about it. They deserve the victory.

Once again, the Habs did not play a full game. They woke up late in the third period, but it was too late. I don't like blaming specific players because it's a team sport, but I do wonder what would happen if Halak didn't play the puck in the first. The score would've been tied, going to the third.

Regardless, Halak was Montreal's MVP. Honourable mention to Cammalleri.

(Writing as a fan) It was an amazing month. Hold your heads up high, boys. You have plenty to be proud about.

Go Habs Go!

- ER