As part of Blue Toro’s continuing quest to deliver new content, welcome to the first in a regular look at the best stories and pictures of the week from the Toronto area:

1) We start with the Toronto Standard’s report on how Blue Jays shortstop Brett Lawrie has inadvertently become a gay icon.  The picture below isn’t the one that accompanied the article, but we figured Lawrie’s fans (both male and female) would appreciate it more:

2) On a related note, how can we avoid mentioning the controversy surrounding the message on Yunel Escobar’s eye black stickers.

I’m often guilty of over-analysing someone’s action, trying to understand their motivation and if there’s some hidden meaning that I’m missing.  However, I now realise that people aren’t always working on some deeper/higher level.  Sometimes, they are just that stupid.

3) Even during a lockout, Brian Burke can’t avoid the headlines, as per the furore surrounding the release of goaltending coach Francois Allaire.  (I actually feel sorry for Burke.  He’s on a hiding to nothing, no matter what he does.)  Here he is contemplating the implications of potential amendments to a salary cap the Maple Leafs didn’t even want in the first place.

4) This photo, by the Toronto Argonauts, shows the coaching staff running a seminar on player safety.

After the defence gave up over 500 yards of offence to the B.C. Lions, its possible the players took the message too literally to avoid danger wherever possible.

5) Being a professional athlete doesn’t always entitle you to special treatment, as proven by the Raptors Amir Johnson, who tweeted: “Could the Tim Horton’s line be any slower?”

Judging by the three people in front of Amir, something tells me he still had quite a wait ahead of him.

6) The annual Terry Fox Run took place last Sunday and the Toronto Rock cheerleaders gave the following shout out:

These awesome ladies have participated in the Terry Fox Run for 26 years and have raised over $60,000!!! #GoTeam twitter.com/Rock_Cheer/sta…

— Rock Cheerleaders (@Rock_Cheer) September 16, 2012

Well done girls.  I assume the guy in the picture either doesn’t take part or used to be called Brenda.

7) This picture was tweeted by Roxy Rowe of the Toronto Triumph, imploring people to buy tickets for their home opener on September 15th.  I think it’s fair to call it the best marketing strategy EVER!

8 ) And finally, as the NHL lockout begins to kick in, here’s an example of what effect it is likely to have on businesses in the Toronto area:

To be fair, given that hockey jerseys are normally ridiculously expensive, maybe this is actually an unexpected bonus of the lockout.

• By paul.taylor
• September 21, 2012
• Comment

In case you missed it, click here for part one.

Q. Why do you hate the Maple Leafs so much? JERK!

Danielle - Brampton

Yes, I’m often accused by my Canadian friends of being anti-Leafs and using Blue Toro as a way of spreading my ‘propaganda’.  The truth is, when I lived in Toronto during 2006-07, I did sports-hate them, purely because everyone was a Leafs fan and the coverage they received in comparison to the other local teams was ridiculous.  (This point was rammed home when one girl I dated actually said she didn’t want to see me again when I shared my views on the Maple Leafs.  But that was her loss………………oh who am I trying to kid, it was totally my loss.)

Also, the way Leafs nation bragged about their history of 13 Stanley Cups while angrily wondering why they hadn’t won one for several decades, both irritated and amused me.  Sorry, but when there’s only six teams in your league, the chances are you’re going to win the odd championship.  Likewise, with the NHL now having 30 teams, this is going to make it just a little bit more difficult to reach the pinnacle.

However, as the years have passed, I’ve made every effort to engage the team, purely because of my passion for Toronto and its sporting scene.  While I’ll always have more interest in the Argonauts, Blue Jays and Raptors, I now actively root for the Leafs, to the point I was gutted when they didn’t make the playoffs last season, (more on this shortly).

Q. With summer pretty much over, what’s disappointed you most so far this year?

Brad - London

It’s most probably a tie between Russell Brand being allowed to perform at the London Olympics closing ceremony, being forced to watch the totally overrated Bridesmaids and Chris Bosh winning an NBA championship.

However, I realise this is purely a sports question, so let’s just consider the local teams.  The obvious choice would be the Blue Jays.  However, regardless of the ‘what-if’ scenario regarding the unbelievable amount of injuries, Ricky Romero’s implosion and the decision to get rid of Travis Snider and Eric Thames, everyone went into 2012 believing the team was still at least a year away from challenging.

As for the Raptors, it was always assumed they were going to be bad.  In fact, if anything they messed up by not being bad enough, thus reducing their odds of a higher draft pick.  (Although I did get my hopes up about Steve Nash before he delivered his collective kick in the bollocks to Southern Ontario.)

The Marlies and Rock had tremendous seasons, both falling just short at the end while Toronto FC has been….well….Toronto FC, so that counts them out.  (Although to be fair, Paul Mariner has TFC headed in the right direction, so hopefully they can contend in 2013.)

The Argonauts obviously could never disappoint me so I’m surprised to find this leaves the Maple Leafs!  Now let’s remember that, similar to the Blue Jays, expectations weren’t high heading into the 2011-12 campaign.  However, the problem is that after they remained in serious contention up until February I, along with many Torontonians, convinced myself this was finally the year they were actually going to end their post-season drought.

As such, when things started to go awry, eventually leading to Ron Wilson’s firing, I have to admit I found this extremely disappointing.  Hmmm, suddenly I’m in need of a stiff drink. Thank Brad.

If you have any questions for our mailbag, send them to: paul.taylor@bluetoro.ca

Photo credit: www.bestcanadiansportsbetting.com

• By paul.taylor
• September 10, 2012
• Comment

Okay, I give up, let’s talk sports. As you get older, you become more irritable, it’s a fact. As long as you can deal with the random observations of a grumpy git approaching middle-age, we’re good to go:

Every time I listen to Roger Lajoie’s regular rants on the Fan590, it feels like I’ve mistakenly tuned into someone on the verge of having a nervous breakdown live on air. Not that I can relate or anything………

Sticking with the Fan590, I previously disliked Mike Wilner, perceiving him as too arrogant for his own good. However, over time I’ve grown to appreciate his almost belligerent attitude towards callers, realising the majority of them deserve his contempt, a contempt only surpassed by my girlfriend’s hostility when I stumble home at 2:00am after previously saying I was only going out ‘for a couple’.

Talking of hostility, while I’d never wish this on anyone, I’m not concerned like most people about Noel Prefontaine’s potential career-ending injury. In terms of my sports-hating, the kicker doesn’t come anywhere near Chris Bosh, but I’ve still always felt he’s overrated.  Whenever I’ve watched him play, he always seems to be screwing up a vital field- goal attempt. In fact, I’m convinced his misses were directly responsible for the Argonauts starting this season 1-2 rather than 3-0.

I see Toronto FC striker Danny Koevermans is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.  Apparently there’s no truth to rumours he’s been using the same massage ‘therapist’ as the Blue Jays pitching staff. However, just in case, I’d consider asking for a refund because none of them seem to be having happy endings at the moment.

Right, I’ve got to stop now, because my lawyer just emailed, asking me to call him urgently for some reason.

• By paul.taylor
• July 20, 2012
• Comment

The Argonauts face the Tiger-cats in the battle of Ontario, TFC are in New England to take on the Revolution, the Blue Jays host the Indians in a three-game series, Sunday Night Baseball. The list goes on……..

This weekend represents one of those nightmare scenarios where there’s so much sport on, you risk being divorced and living on the street if you aren’t careful.

Now I’m in the fortunate position of being able to pass off watching sports as part of my job, helping me write this blog. But what if you don’t have that excuse and want to watch your favourite team(s)?

You could always tell your partner the truth. I’m joking of course, no real man does that. Try one of the following:

1) If you just need one day, take your partner out the night before. Book a fancy restaurant, shower them with compliments, buy gifts…..and get them dirty, rotten, stinking drunk to the point they can’t walk straight and black out. Guaranteed they’ll spend the following day in bed, recovering from the worst hangover of their life.

2) If an entire weekend’s wanted, book a two-day spa visit, preferably also for her mother to earn bonus points. This has the added benefit of being able to invite your mates around for a drink or ten.

3) If it’s more time you’re after, suggest a break from each other, because you need some space. Brilliant, because it saves you a ton of money. Risky, because she could realise during the break that she doesn’t actually need you. Even worse, she may hook up with your best mate Ethan, who she has secretly always fancied.

Hope these tips help.

NB: The writer takes no responsibility for the break-up of any relationships caused by anyone actually following this advice.

• By paul.taylor
• July 13, 2012
• Comment

Bachelor Canada: Citytv announced today that 28-year-old CFL wide receiver Brad Smith is now the country’s most eligible bachelor, and will star as ‘the bachelor’ on The Bachelor Canada. Smith, who grew up in small-town Hudson, QC, graduated from Queen’s University in Kingston, ON, and went on to enjoy a successful career as a wide receiver with the Montreal Alouettes (2007), Toronto Argonauts (2007-2009), and Edmonton Eskimos (2010-2011). Currently a free agent, Smith is taking time off from sports to find true love.

The Canadian looks like he loves the camera and should give a great show if he lets his true personality come out. He’s a very funny guy and I doubt he will be able to hide his feelings for a long period of time. Some girls will find out he is a very direct guy, and that should give us great television.

Even if his CFL career wasn’t exactly stellar, Smith had a great University career with Queen’s. He is one of the rare Canadian born player to make it as a receiver in the CFL, which is an accomplishment on its own.

• By ed
• May 1, 2012
• Comment