TORONTO'S LOVE AFFAIR

Sorry guys, it's another long one.

Sunday I was invited to my friend's house for a BBQ and to watch the World Cup match of Italy vs France. I dislike soccer (and that opinion was re-inforced on Sunday), but as a friend I went over to experience something that means a great deal to my friend. This was an even bigger sacrafice because I missed watching the last Jays game before a 4 day break for the All Star Game. Anyone who knows me knows that I was itching to know how 'my boys' were doing, but I couldn't even ask for the channel to be flipped because my friend's passion for team Italia makes my passion for the Jays look like a passing fling.

When I got home later that night I went onto the internet to check out the boxscore from the game. I learned that we won 11-3 and that there were some homeruns and the final pitcher came in with the bases loaded. Now, this pitcher just so happens to by my current favourite on the team (despite the fact that he has escaped being sent back to Syracuse on a couple of occasions). Me being me, I wasn't happy enough just knowing how everyone did, I wanted to see them for the last time. I got out of bed in time to see the highlights on Sportscentre news and this is where I got disgusted.

The lead story on the news, as it should have been, was the World Cup. These highlights lasted for 10 minutes or so, which I have no problem with whatsoever because this is a championship series that is only every 4 years and even though I don't like the sport I can respect that. I would consider it bad reporting if this wasn't the case. However, the next story was not the Wimbleton finals, it was not the Molson Grand Prix - a huge deal for Toronto, it was not even the tour de France - which has been forgotten about since Armstrong has retired and forget baseball being the second story (even on a station owned by the same people as the team - and they wonder why there is no excitement for them).

Nope, with all that stuff happening in the world of sports - in JULY - the second story was a 3 team deal made in the hockey world. I don't remember what teams were involved or even if the players that were involved were 'star' players, but that is not important. I would still like to know how ANYONE who is trying to have a respectable sports reporting career can think a hockey trade in July is more important that the number of other championship games going on that day, or even more important that a baseball team that is sticking around with the big boys in the American League East. I am getting fed up with the Toronto media's love affair with hockey!