Jaimoe

Even though it's spring training, I can't imagine a worse announcing tandem than what's on CityTv right now for the Jays-Reds game. City sports announcer bald Hugh Burrill doing play-by-play and news anchor Gord Martineau adding expert and insightful colour. It gets better: BreakfastTV's Jennifer Valentyne did a jazzy version of the Canadian anthem. You'd think the Jays organization could have gotten a couple of their 4000 employed announcers doing nothing to call the game.

Hey Hickster, I just posted a topic regarding tribute concert going on tonight at The Mod Club. It's for a great and sad cause and the music will be excellent.

[blurb]I've met John's sister a couple of times but never him. You may remember his story: John was walking home after stopping in at The Duke of Gloucester near Yonge & Bloor a few months ago. John walked by The Brass Rail and was shot in the head by a fucking punk that got kicked out of that fucking strip joint. Great cause for a nice family man. For immediate release: ELLIOT BROOD with THE STATE OF THINGS and STEPHEN STANLEY of LOWEST OF THE LOW and ANDY MAIZE and JOSH FINLAYSON of THE SKYDIGGERS Play Concert for the O'Keefes, The Mod Club, March 2 In memory of John O'Keefe, and to aid the education of his son, Iain O'Keefe-Kaufman Toronto -- Feb. 22, 2008 -- Bands and musicians from across Toronto will come together on March 2 for Concert for the O'Keefes, playing in memory of John O'Keefe and to aid the education of his son, Iain O'Keefe-Kaufman.[/blurb] John O'Keefe was shot on Yonge Street on Jan. 12, the innocent victim of a stray bullet that ended his life and left his nine-year-old son Iain without a father. Those of us who knew and loved John are putting on this benefit to celebrate his past and prepare for his son's future. "John was a peaceful fun-loving man who loved life, his city, and music," says longtime friend and concert co-organizer Andy Copland. "He was like an older brother to me. Every year around my birthday he’d come over and take me to see bands. He didn't even care which bands, but they were always Canadian." Among the acts who have so far generously donated their time and talent are folk rockers Elliot Brood, playing just a few days ahead of their appearance at SXSW in Austin, Texas and alt/crunk/zouk sensations The State of Things; Stephen Stanley of Lowest of the Low, together with Carla MacNeil, playing songs from their forthcoming album, and both Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson of the Juno-winning The Skydiggers. Concert for the O'Keefes Sunday, March 2, 2008 The Mod Club, 722 College St. Doors 7pm, showtime 8pm PWYC All proceeds to go to the Iain O'Keefe-Kaufman Education Fund. (Scotia Bank a/c # 03012 00276 18). Information also available on Facebook, see "Concert for the O'Keefes." Thanks to The Mod Club for donating the room, to all the acts for their time and talent. For more information, please contact: Sean Davidson, publicist, (416) 835-8555 berserk@symaptico.ca Andy Copland, co-organizer, (416) 550-4222

Hey Hickster, it really doesn't matter too much if you and your buddies go to a bigger club show or not. You could always go to small weekly gigs like Sisters Euclid at The Orbit Room on Monday nights in Little Italy or go to The Rex for jazz or Crazy Strings for bluegrass on Wednesday nights at The Silver Dollar (any night is good there). Grossman's is excellent too for blues - Tuesday is open mic night. The Horseshoe has good bands on the cheap every Monday and Tuesday. There's even a really good open mic comedy night at Spirit's Bar and Grill every Wednesday. All the big Toronto and international comics appear there, and it's free.

The Black Mountain show @ Lee's is SOLD OUT. Too bad since I have a hunch that Hickster and company would love that band.

I've seen The Bravery live because they were on a bill at the El Mocambo with From Fiction about three years ago. They were pretty shoe-gazey back then, although I caught them on Kimmel recently and have seen some of their newer videos and they've improved (i.e. become less shoe-gazer). Still, Linkin Park sucks ass and Downsview seems too massive for the STP as headliners, even for nostalgia's sake. The Velvet Revolver have more appeal and relevancy and they don't play venues larger than the Kool Haus, at least in this country.

I didn't love Buddy's work with Band of Gypsies (I agree with Jimi), but I did love Buddy with Electric Flag. Still, his drumming was heavy and generally excellent. R.I.P. Buddy.

Dave, Edmonton is decimated by injuries to key veterans.

Isn't Oaksterdam U an Ivy League school?

If anything, Zaun juiced when he was a down and out alcoholic in his late 20's to early 30's. His comeback was amazing and perhaps for good reason.

Fuck plus/minus, unless you are Bobby Orr.

Roller, MLSE aren't cunning weasels. We all know their game, even a few hardcore Leaf fans know MLSE are bastards. Look what happened to The Gardens for concrete proof.

Heals is pretty funny. Ottawa needs Boston's goalie. I love that young Lucic kid on Boston. He wants to be like Terry O'Reilly. He has a chance to be even better and he's fucking tough for a 19-year old. However, he has a long way to go to match Terry's career +212 plus/minus. Back to Sens talk.

I agree Antropov is cheap, but he's not a for sure bet as a workhorse point provider. He's still injury-prone and let's face it, he's having a career year this year out of a career full of injuries and underachieving.

So if he calls a good game with all the Jays pitchers and pitching is the key to almost every team's success, then he should be the starter.

JFJ was good and insightful yesterday. Too bad he lacked foresight and wasn't so insightful regarding those contracts.

I don't like Zaun's arm, but there's more to catching than throwing out runners. He handles pitchers on a good pitching staff like Doc really well and has a decent bat. Of course he's a liar regarding that cheque of his, but he's a decent two-dimensional catcher.

We'll see if Fletcher is right by not moving Antropov and building a team around him. Personally, I think this is a bad move. Antropov is an old 28, has only 3/4 of a good season under his belt and is injury-prone. And, when his contract expires, he'll be 31 and thus, tougher to trade. Keeping Antropov and picking-up some non first-round picks should not be encouraging for you Leaf fans.

Hey Badams, what do you think of the retro jerseys and the other new Jays jerseys and redesigned T hat?

What are you talking about? Ford has been back for almost two weeks and playing better every game, especially on Tuesday.

Don't forget Stewart's horrendously weak throwing arm. With a team gearing-up as one of the best defensive teams in the league, his arm will be a constant worry if he beats out Johnson in left.

Raycroft is waiver-bait, but I think they want Pogge to get AHL playoff experience.

Antropov doesn't have a no trade.

I can't believe the Leafs were unwilling or unable to trade Antropov.

The great thing about Trade Deadline Day is that it keeps Basher on the outside looking in.