More TSN and less CBC

1967

Tie Domi had his entire 1000th game (dressed) ceremony televised on CBC recently, much to the delight of all the QEW & 401ers out there, especially the presentations from all-time Leaf "greats" Dougie Gilmour and Tiger Williams. All that was missing was the footage of Domi’s cheapshot against Neidermeyer in the playoffs or McGrattan’s asskicking of a fading Domi in November 2005? Domi's upcoming retirement might be easier to appreciate if I knew that I wouldn’t be seeing his mug on everything from Canadian Celebrity poker, Live from Casino Rama to Rock’em Sock’em XXXII.
But more importantly was the role of the national broadcaster CBC is covering (producing?) this event. A week later, Boom-Boom Geoffrion, Montreal Canadien great, and “inventor” of the slap shot, barely received a sniff of media attention from the CBC. I realize the CBC needs to keep its consumers and sponsors happy but why is the Toronto sports fan such an insecure demographic? Surely they can appreciate the success of others. Don't worry T-dot. You have pro sport covered. The Expos are long gone. Go Jays! The Grizzlies barely existed. Go ©Raps! The NFL ain’t comin. Go Argos! Bob Cole even thinks you are the bestest city in the country. But as anyone who saw Conan O’Brien’s week of episodes in Toronto a few years back can attest to, there is nothing more quaintly pathetic than "Leaf Nation"…Sittler v. Lafleur, Salming v. Robinson, Wregget v. Roy, Gainey v. Ferguson, etc. [I’d keep going but you get the point].