Nothing

I've officially lowered my expectations of the Leafs to... whatever.

Do the same. You'll stay sane.

Just completed Ken Burns' baseball documentary, The Tenth Inning. It took me about a month to get through. Yes, it's quite long. But no, it's not because it was that long. Get a 9 month old and you'll see what I mean. You watch, do anything else when you can. The rest of the time, you parent. Anyway, the story basically chronicles the game of baseball from the strike of 1994 to just after the Red Sox win the World Series in 2004. There's a bunch of steroid BS in there, but the feel good tale of the Red Sox prevails. Man, what a relief for those fans, still alive. Talk about a miracle, still living, breathing and seeing with your own eyes the moment it all went down. For those Red Sox nation members who had unfortunately passed on before 2004, friends and family wound up placing commemorative championship flags next to their grave stones as if to say, "the deed's been done, you can now rest in peace". It was a touching moment to an already heart tugging, heart breaking story. Oh, that '04 Red Sox victory parade brought out an estimated 3 million previously tortured souls for a collective exorcising of demons. The whole Red Sox story line got me thinking about those Maple Brothers.

How many people do you think would turn out for a Leafs Stanley Cup parade?

How many showed up in 1967?

Was it a national event back then, the same way it might be if it were to happen in the future?

And for god's sake, when might that be?

It's been long enough, hasn't it?

Wait a minute. Besides verbal abuse, constant mocking from others, perpetual embarrassment, etc. what do Leafs supporters really have to complain about? We're not even at the half century mark yet. The Red Sox title drought extended 9 decades. The Cubs' run of futility, similar to the Leafs without an end in sight, has already passed the 100 year mark. The Blackhawks just ended a 50 some odd year slump. So gee wiz, folks.. 43 seasons of going without ain't nothing at all.

Nothing.

Now that's the right word for what the Leafs are about. Not to mention comfortably suited, and situated when positive anticipation of what might be next cruelly takes hold. I'm telling you, expectation doesn't amount to much, especially when not much is expected. Foolishly, recently I had strayed from this discipline. Thankfully, the Leafs have put me back in line. The Red Sox? Well, they've proven there's nothing wrong with nothing. And hey, one day it might even amount to something.

Wedding Crasher

Me with the brother of the bride. A dynamic, disastrous duo

Yes, I attended a wedding over the weekend. And as you can see, YES I was totally "that guy". Too little food, and a wee too much beverage. As it all comes back to me 36 hours later the only real shame I feel is that I didn't make it onto the dance floor with my wife. I guess we could have tried, but the way things were rapidly developing (or deteriorating) thanks to the flow "proprietors choice", one of two unfortunate scenarios most likely would have unfolded. In fury over my state, Melissa might have mopped the floor with me. Or worse, mopped up after me. It was probably best we bailed before the real fun began. Ah, we're parents anyway. Early to bed. Early to rise. And on Sunday with a f***in' headache from hell. Hey, every wedding usually has one, and it was my turn to be him.

Congrats again to the amazing bride and groom. And Melissa, I owe you two now.

I'm thinkin' the Canadiens' improbable but impressive run ends tonight. I don't believe the Jays will suffer the same fate. Based on momentum, they've got a few more in 'em heading into Fenway this evening. Now, reading the Boston papers, you'd expect a Red Sox sweep of the Red Hotz was imminent (Boston has dominated Toronto of late). The idea: the Sox are going to leapfrog the Jays in the standings at some point, why not get that train in motion now. I don't disagree that'll happen, but not yet. The Jays are still too good at the moment. Good pitching and really good hitting will keep these guys competitive, standings wise, for at least another few weeks. More importantly, that very same blend of youth, resurgence and renaissance will make the Jays fun to watch for the entire season.

Grey Cup Champion, Andy Fantuz didn't make Friday's Radio show, but everyone else did. That includes Ryan Ellis, Mark Hominick, Jason Wyatt, Mike In Buffalo, and more. Have a listen...

May 7th Da Hook Podcast

Slow down, boys

High octane offences don't usually do well against Knucklers. Hence the Jays' performance in Boston with good ol' Tim Wakefield on the mound. Since almost this time last season Jays hitters have been encouraged to rip that good pitch, even if its the first one they see. The "see it, hit it" approach has been great for the Jays for the most part, but it just doesn't work against the crafty kind like forever Wakefield. You've gotta see a few with this guy, take a couple, force him to groove one behind in the count. I'll admit, its tough to hold back when you're up there swinging for the fences, but be prepared for a lot of lousy outs if you don't, as witnessed tonight by the Jays. I'll also admit, the line-up is amazing. It's loaded with young mashers who can change the game with their offensive abilities and by contrast can also look lost, impatient and inexperienced. Hey, a veteran, Kevin Millar went deep off Wakefield. A youngster, Adam Lind, was made to look foolish.

Every 3rd Jays' out tonight, a fly ball.

How about Julio Lugo? This guy wouldn't start for most MLB teams yet there he is patrolling for the mighty Red Sox. He must be so insignificant he often goes unnoticed? Because it's hard to imagine a team as good as this with a shortstop so mediocre. Again, the Red Sox show us it can be done. The crew at fenway, once a distaster, a laughing stock, a perennial loser, now shows us the way. In Baseball. In all sports. Oh god Leafs, hope you're paying attention???!!! It doesn't always have to suck.