Category Archives: Toronto
The Culture of Bat Flips
By now you’ve either read my blog post on the topic or seen the gifs or videos of Jose Bautista’s epic home run from Wednesday night’s ALDS Game. And his bat flip.
And of course you’ve heard and or read the many opinions of those who know better that Bautista disrespected the pitcher, the Texas Rangers and the game of baseball as a result of his emotional response.
Esquire had a nice piece on the bat flip and it’s place in sports history.
From a cultural standpoint those who had a problem with what Bautista did lack cultural understanding and awareness.
These same people had a problem with his temper over the years. They had a problem with how Jose Reyes played the game and celebrated the game with joy. They don’t like the way Johnny Cueto sometimes does a jig before he pitches. And I’m sure there’s so much more they dislike.
But there are also things they like that I have no patience for. They like hitting batters to send a message. They like it when a veteran assults a younger player to teach them a lesson. They like batters who never celebrate a home run. Lest they anger the baseball gods.
These people can also be found in other sports. Here in Canada you can find them in hockey. And everywhere else.
You know who I’m talking about. They are not necessarily wrong. Nor are they right.
It’s like Harold Reynolds saying that Canadians can’t catch. He’s not right. And he’s not wrong. He’s ignorant. Of course we can catch.
And Jose Bautista is not disrespecting anyone or anything. This is how he displays his passion and love for the game. The same game he’s been playing since he was a kid playing baseball in the Dominican Republic. The same game Cole Hamels had been playing in the States.
And it’s the same game. However people play this game all over the world. I’ve had the opportunity to watch baseball in Taiwan. And to watch an international game played between Canada and the Dominican Republic. And of course Blue Jays baseball.
To expect an homogeneous baseball culture in 2015 is not just ridiculous. But short sighted and ignorant.
Let’s enjoy the game and how people doing all over the world play it. On the biggest baseball stage in the world. Major League Baseball.
Blue Jays, Bautista and Bat Flips
Your Toronto Blue Jays have won their first playoff series since 1993. And like that last series win, this one was punctuated by a memorable home run. Although this one by Jose Bautista is not the same (Joe Carter’s won a World Series) it has quickly become the most talked about home run. Why? Well, for one thing, media. If you’re reading this chances are you’ve seen hundreds of images, gifs and videos of the home run. And Bautista’s epic bat flip.
Blue Jays: Circa 1985
This is one of my earliest Blue Jays memories. 1985 was an amazing season. In 1983 the Blue Jays traded for Doyle Alexander. In 1985, Doyle pitched a complete game against the New York Yankees to win their first American League East Championship. My favourite player, George Bell caught the final out for the win!
In 1986, the Jays traded Doyle to the Atlanta Braves for future star Duane Ward who helped the Jays win their back-to-back World Series in 1992 and 1993.
Hiking in Morningside Park
This past weekend we spent a couple of hours hiking in Morningside Park in Scarborough.
We went to see if we could spot the salmon who return every fall to spawn. We didn’t see any. But we did see blue jays, ducks, minnows and even a heron.
Toronto Blue Jays nicknames
My son and I like to celebrate each of the Toronto Blue Jays’ home runs. We do so by calling out their home run nicknames. For example, “Bautista Bomb!”
Here’s our list (so far):
- Josh Donaldson – Making It Rain
- Jose Bautista – Bautista Bomb
- Edwin Encarnacion – Taking The Parrot For A Walk
- Troy Tulowitski – TnT
- Justin Smoak – Smoak Smoked It!
- Chris Colabello – Canonball
- Ezequiel Carrera – Easy
- Ryan Goins – Goins, Goins, Gone!
#R40Live: RUSH in concert at the ACC
Last week I had the opportunity to see one of the top musical acts of all time, RUSH. According to multiple sources, RUSH stands just third behind The Beatles and The Rolling Stones for the most consecutive gold or platinum studio albums by a rock band.
I’ve never been a huge fan. But I’ve been very aware of their musicianship, their hits on Q107 in Toronto, and the wizardry that is Geddy Lee on bass, Alex Lifeson on guitar and the most talented drummer to ever live, Neil Peart.
I’ve never been as amazed as I was last Wednesday night. Words cannot describe the experience. And photos cannot capture the energy and enthusiasm of both the band and the crowd.
Here’s a copy of the setlist:
10 things to do in Main Street Unionville
Main Street Unionville is very similar to Niagara-On-The-Lake. The only difference is that there are no Niagara Falls and no Shaw Festival. Other than that, there are great shops, lots of activities during the summer, and even plenty of spots to enjoy a picnic.
Here are my top 10 things to do in Main Street Unionville.
1.) Ice Cream. The Old Firehall Confectionery (at 170 Main Street) specializes in a wide variety of old fashioned, handmade sweets and treats.
2.) Live music. Every Thursday evening, during the summer, you can find live bands playing under the Bandstand. Concerts start at 7:30pm until 9pm.
3.) Classic Cars. I don’t know what it is about Main Street Unionville. You will almost always find a classic car or two. Either driving slowly along the boulevard or parked just off the street.
4.) Fun art installations. You won’t find anything huge. But you’ll see plenty of small and interesting pieces scattered throughout town.
5.) Quiet places to read.
6.) The Frederick Horsman Varley Art Gallery. The Art Gallery is named after Frederick Varley, an artist from the Group of Seven.
7.) Shopping. Yes, there’s lots of shopping to do on Main Street. What would an old town be without shopping? 🙂
8.) Festivals. One of the best things about Ontario are the festivals. My favourites are the Markham Jazz Festival and Unionville Festival.
9.) Wildlife! Check out the pictures below!
10.) Too Good Pond.
#PitchTalks turn One – Episode #13
My favourite place every month is at a #pitchtalks event in #Toronto. @pitchtalks pic.twitter.com/1MdXt7a13y
— karim kanji (@karimkanji) May 7, 2015
I don’t know if PitchTalks creator, Kevin Kennedy, know this or not but this monthly event has quickly become the must attend event for sports fans (not just baseball) across the Greater Toronto Area. For me, it’s the highlight of my month.
Scott Crawford is the Director of Operations for the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in St. Mary’s, Ontario. Alexis Brudnicki is the lead writer for the Canadian Baseball Network and former statistician for the Toronto Blue Jays.
If you're missing #PitchTalks, you're missing insane stories from women's baseball world championships! It involves bullets. And hurricanes.
— Pitch Talks (@PitchTalks) May 7, 2015
Ashley Stephenson (a full-time teacher) has been a member of the Canadian women’s baseball team since 2004 and has already participated in five world championships. Autumn Mills (a full-time policewoman) has been with the team since 2005, primarily as a pitcher.
The #Toronto @BlueJays panel @PitchTalks Sid, Shi, + Lott. #pitchtalks #cometogether #gojaysgo pic.twitter.com/OQL7xR506x
— karim kanji (@karimkanji) May 8, 2015
Another packed #pitchtalks pic.twitter.com/iBcBh9Fj5M
— karim kanji (@karimkanji) May 8, 2015
Special Guest visitor Buck Martinez joins Stephen + Dan. #pitchtalks @PitchTalks #cometogether #gojaysgo #Toronto pic.twitter.com/Kbn2nL0ILz
— karim kanji (@karimkanji) May 8, 2015
#PaddleTheDon with Kathleen Wynne
This past weekend I was invited to participate in the annual Manulife Paddle The Don event in Toronto.
At the heart of Canada’s largest urban region is the Don River. Once a year, Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) provides a unique opportunity for people to paddle the Don River from Ernest Thompson Seton Park to the mouth at the Keating Channel.
Manulife Paddle the Don is all about having fun, enjoying nature, and celebrating the Don River watershed. The trip also provides a time for reflection on all the benefits we derive from the natural environment – air, water, resources, recreation, and spiritual renewal – that are integral to the health and function of the city and the surrounding region.
It was a beautiful day to celebrate the natural wonder and environment that is the Don River and it’s surrounding parks.
I also had the opportunity to chat with Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne.
Getting ready to #paddlethedon with @parkppl! #Toronto #parkTO #river
A photo posted by @karimkanji on