Here’s your bikini of the day from bikinibeat.org:

On Fan 590 Tonight-

- open phones with McCown from 4:05 to 4:40
- co-host from 5:00 to 7:00 is Bruce Arthur
5:05 Stan Bowman, hawks GM
5:20 tom Anselmi, MLSE COO
5:40 Paul Godfrey, former Jays President
6:05 Don Banks, SI.com
6:30 Bob Elliott, Toronto Sun
6:45 Lester Munson, ESPN’s Legal Analyst on the NHLPA Mess

On 640 with Brady and Watters thanks to Mike S.:

- Brian Burke in Studio from 4:05-5:00
- Bob The Bear Cowan with his Monday NFL pick
- Russ Conway on the NHLPA mess
- hockey insiders Darren Dreger & Ray Ferraro at 6:10

TSM: Good night for sports radio- good guests on both shows…

Here’s your bikini of the day from bikinibeat.org:

On Fan 590 Tonight- thanks to Mike S.

- open phones with Bob McCown from 4:05 to 4:55

- business report at 4:55

- co-host at 5:05 is Stephen Brunt

- Peter King of Sports Illustrated on the NFL

- Paul Godfrey on the 20th anniversary of the Skydome

- executive director of the NHLPA Paul Kelly on the Coyotes situation

- Dan Shulman of ESPN on baseball

- Pat Gillick

On 640 with Brady and Watters:

440 Tony Granato, former Colorado Avalanche coach
510 Christine Simpson, Versus
540 Rex Hudler, Angels Colour Analyst
610 Dreger/Morrison, Inside The NHL
640 Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings

TSM Take: Wilbur and Brady were bashing the Avalanche pretty hard at lunch, so it should be interesting to hear what more they have to say this afternoon. I hope Brady asks Dreger and Morrison more about Vinny and Grabovsky. Granto was on Hockey Central at Noon and was good, I am sure he will be here too. Peter King and Dan Shulman are two of my favorite PTS guests and there is enough going on in both the NFL and MLB/Jays to make these appearances no exception. Godfrey is one of the few guests that Mccown actually goes after when he is on so it is always interesting when he is on. What is the over under on the number of times Mccown asks Gillick about his interest in the vacant Blue Jays presidency???

TSM

Jeff Blair thinks the Jays need a new stadium. I have no problem with that. Just as long as Ted’s heirs pay for it. Still Blair’s piece is a good read:

“Look, I’m just throwing this out. I’d rather extend subway lines, get the sewage out of the house safely and keep swimming pools and libraries open. But the debate’s a-comin’, at a time when it appears we won’t be able to prevent the NFL from imposing the Buffalo Bills on us, and at a time when politicians are musing about grand schemes and shovels in the ground. Paul Godfrey, whom I like immensely but who was joined at the hip with the SkyDome, is no longer the Blue Jays president, so you wonder if Paul Beeston and The Guy Who Will Replace Him™ might not move the dossier forward?”

Hard to believe the Ted is 20 years old. Also hard to believe that 23 new parks have opened since…wow time flies..

No really, if I read one more article about playoff predictions I may puke. I think it should be a must for each prognosticator to state their previous predictions and results therein. It used to be cool when one or twelve folks did it, but there really aren’t 600 insiders are there?

How pathetic was Chris Bosh on the mic at the ACC yesterday? I play for my current employer?? No shit dick tracy! Any other useless information you want to share with the group?

Blair has an interesting take on the Wilson and Burke…I think he may be right…

“But don’t be surprised if the tone of their presentation changes during the off-season – possibly as early as this week – because the guess here is that from this point on, the focus will be on building up egos rather than shredding them. By next season, it’s possible at least half the Leafs’ roster will be players both Burke and Wilson believe are of some long-term use, and that’s important because it is those two men who set the tone for hockey discussion in the city.”

Ask anyone who knows and you will hear the same thing…The Maple Leaf Players hate Ron Wilson. That may not be a bad thing short term, yes, we all know that the Red Wings hated Scotty Bowman. Bowman, had rings…Wilson? Not so much. So if he wants to last he had better change his tune a tad. As for Burke, it won’t be easy selling the team when he is perceived as being a prick. No one wants to play in Toronto that badly (except maybe Cujo).

“Conventional wisdom was that Leafs fans wouldn’t handle rebuilding. Rubbish. What they couldn’t handle is trying to decipher messages delivered through back channels. Burke and Wilson know full well that the best way to deliver a tough message is to ensure it isn’t distilled by someone else. That’s why they’ve sold it.”

Bang on Mr. Blair…You, unlike many of your colleagues simply get it.

I am in Niagara Falls for the night..more later

TSM

Reliable sources are telling TSM that the Blue Jays have indeed chose the successor to the Pauls, Godfrey and Beeston to take over as the next President of the Toronto Blue Jays. I am told that it is NOT Stan Kasten as many, including Bob McCown have been suggesting or perhaps lobbying for. Apparently the negotiations with this person are in the final stages and a deal is imminent. Look for white smoke to emerge from the TED shortly. Stay tuned.

Jeff Blair has a theory that certainly is worth discussing:

“Could it be that we are on the verge of a seismic shift in Toronto’s sports landscape, one that will eventually lead to the marriage of MLSE and Rogers, either through an amalgamation or one of them buying out the other? Know this: because of Ted Rogers’ age, succession issues must surely be among the most prevalent topics within the company, and I have to think an army of tall foreheads and big-picture guys and accountants are trying to figure out how the hell whatever transition needs to be made is made smoothly.”

To be fair, when a sports writer starts writing about business, alarm bells should go off. However, given the landscape in Toronto, perhaps Blair is on to something.

“First, if Beeston’s responsibility is to help guide the search for a new CEO … well, why couldn’t the out-going CEO, Paul Godfrey, do that? I have to think his list of names would probably match Beeston’s. And while any time anybody trots out Beeston’s name for a job – head of Ontario Hydro or whatever the heck it’s called now, head of a committee that was supposed to help Toronto recover from the SARS scare, CFL commissioner, NHL commissioner, Premier, whatever – the response is usually: ‘Ah, but Paul enjoys his life the way it is right now. He doesn’t need the aggravation.”

This is true, everyone always says with respect to Beeston, he loves being retired to much to take a job with a sports team… One does have to wonder why, Godfrey, who is employed until years end can’t come up with a successor….

“I just think that Tuesday’s move is about much, much, more than who will turn the lights on and off at the Rogers Centre for Blue Jays games or who will be signing or trading baseball players. I think this is going in several directions, including a new stadium. That would be a tough ship for Godfrey to navigate, given his attachment in the public mind to the Rogers Centre. if you were going to pick a guy to pull off the biggest sports play in the history of this country, let alone this city, Beeston would be the man. Few people can travel as softly in as many powerful circles, and be greeted as warmly.”

When the Leafs talked about a new President to lead MLSE everyone seemed to suggest that the Leafs should try to move heaven and earth to get Beeston. Perhaps this is the start to big changes in the city. You know Wilbur would just love the Leafs/Raptors and Jays living under one roof…. I would be in favor if Beeston where at the helm…

You can read Blair here..

Tsn reporting…

More to follow

Update:

OK. This is the best quote I have seen in years:

“I know this will be received with mixed emotions, not only in the media but by the fans as well, but we believe that J.P. is still doing a wonderful job as general manager of the Blue Jays,” Godfrey said as the Blue Jays played the final home of the season, Ricciardi’s seventh at the helm of the club.”

Wholly shit is that awesome! Wouldn’t we all love to hear our boss say that about us, “We know you all think that this guy is a boob, but we still love him and he is coming back!” I mean nothing screams of confidence like that…. Speaking of boobs, whomever wrote the headline of the story in the post, is today’s boob of the day “Jays re-sign Ricciardi, Gaston” No jackass, they didn’t resign Ricciardi, they just didn’t fire him! You can see the full story here.

**********************************************************************************

Like Matt Millen, and the cat (with nine lives) Blue Jays G.M. will return to lead the Blue Jays for another season. Despite years of mediocrity, he will be back for year 7 or is it 8 of his 5 year plan? According to Jeff Blair in the Globe, Godfrey himself is expected to announce he will not return for another season as early as Monday.

As I have said before, bring in a new President and all bets with J.P. are off… Lets see what happens. Discuss amongst yourself.

Quick post, our Pal Richard Griffin has in his article today a story that is being picked up by most media outlets which states that Cito is about to get a contract extension which will be announced during this home stand.

“The timing of the Gaston news conference, during rather than after the season, confirms what sources have whispered. Ricciardi’s job as GM is safe for another year. If the Jays were going to replace Ricciardi, as had been under serious consideration, they would have waited until the new guy was in place. In the majors, the GM in most cases will make the announcement of his field manager.”

It’s says here, not so fast.  Remember the chain of command.  The President must first decide what he is doing.  As we have said before, Ricciardi’s future is tied to Godfrey’s.  Godfrey is on Off The Record tonight, at which time he will say the following as it pertains to J.P.’s future.

“If I do stay, it will be my call. If I don’t stay, I think it’s up to somebody else.”

and….

“My contract comes up at the end of the year,” Godfrey said. “I have to discuss it with my family and we will decide then. I haven’t made up my mind whether I’m going to leave.”

So, there you have it.  Godfrey, unlike his manager has always been a straight shooter when it comes to these issues.  I believe him.  I also believe that if he stays, J.P. is safe.  If he goes, all bets are off.

Now, before you shoot me, read the rest of what I am going to write.  Growing up, Marty York was a pretty prominent member of the Toronto Sports Media.  The same doesn’t hold true today has he writes for a free daily paper with a relatively small circulation.  Anyways, Marty is the ONLY guy, who actually predicted or at least mentioned Cito as a replacement for Gibbons.  Yes, I know, I say it all the time, if you throw enough crap at a wall, eventually some of it will stick.  We dump on people for making shit up, so when a source like Marty gets this one right, and no one else had it, we give credit where credit is due. 

Why is this relevant?  Marty is now saying that he is hearing that Pat Gillick may be returning to the Jays in some capacity. Let’s hope he is right.  As we know in this city, you can come home again, and for Gillick, this is home!

So Mark Hermann has decided to take a look at the NHL off season now that it is coming to a close and point out some winners and losers. Most are expected, included is the stab at the Leafs, but the banter that follow is not only lame, but purely moronic:

“Loss: The Maple Leafs have been in limbo all summer and they’re still over a barrel over Mats Sundin, who hasn’t made up his mind whether he is going to play with them, with the Rangers, with the Flyers or not play at all.”

There are lots of things you can say (and be negative as all hell too) about the leafs off season, but limbo??? They have added 10 players! Is that Limbo? They are stuck in a PR pissing match with Sundin, but I would hardly say he has held them up. Not once has Cliff said, if only we had an answer from Mats so we could do other things. Limbo??? Maybe, just maybe you should look at the facts before writing such a dumb commentary. If you want to bash the buds there is lots you can pick on…

it’s funny how he lists Tampa Bay as a winner, yet the folks who lay the dough in vegas have the bolts at 45-1 to win the cup (the buds are at 40-1 but who is surprised about that?) :”Win: Hockey could be hot in Tampa Bay again, what with the arrival of No. 1 lottery pick Steven Stamkos and new coach Barry Melrose. Check this: If you Google Melrose, you find a link to YouTube, showing a Melrose-Clark Gillies fight.”

Is anyone really surprised that Hanky got caught plagiarizing? We have been calling him a fraud for some time. The audasity of claiming a family emergency all the while positing on a message board. In any event, did you call his latest post this am….The amazing kreskin has actually made it into Sundin’s head to read his mind…:

“Although Mats is still largely under the belief that he is not going to decide until after camp starts I am hearing several murmurs that the Rangers are still trying to convince him otherwise and that the Rangers apparent cap issues are “completely manageable if need be.”

Although he is still under the belief???? Sorry, can’t stop laughing. “Sources in Mat’s head are telling me”…..

Simmons suggested it over the weekend… Has JP made it impossible to fire him now? I say JP’s future is tied to Godfrey’s. If Paul leaves JP is toast.

Strange times indeed here in TO.

First, the Blue Jays. They are showing some signs of life (past game excluded). Yet given the current state of the league, they would have to play almost .700 ball the rest of the way to qualify for the post season. Possible? Sure, anything is possible, but highly unlikely.

The off field story however is much more intriguing. Where to start? Let’s see, every major news outlet has team President Paul Godfrey leaving at the end of the season. Pushed or jumped? No one is saying (not that it matters). Under him you have the PR disaster that is J.P. Ricciardi. To recall, he is now famous for uttering that a lie is not a lie if the speaker knows the truth. Hey J.P., ask Cliff Fletcher how quickly we forget memorable lines like that (draft schmaft anyone?) J.P. has on at least one occasion publicly written off the Jays for the 08 season. He then denied saying it, but of course, it is not a lie if…….. I digress. Anyway, he then, for reasons quite inexplicably announced to the world on Monday night that AJ Burnett was officially off the trade block:

“He’s not going anywhere,” Ricciardi said before the Jays beat the American League East-leading Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 “Nope, [that's] not going to change.”

Until about 30 seconds later when he said:

“”We’re open to doing anything if it’s the right situation,” Ricciardi said, “but we haven’t been presented with it and A. J.’s been doing a great job for us.”

Right, it’s not a iie when…..

One has to believe that J.P. was trying to do a sales job (on Toronto Fans) when he made the comment. The ramifications though are quite puzzling. First, to his fellow GM’s, why pick up the phone and inquire about a player who a GM has announced he won’t deal? Secondly, and more importantly, who knoes what tomorrow may bring? If the Jays fall out of the race between now and say August 31st and another team offers a compelling package for AJ and you do trade him, once again, a liar you are….

Then, there is “his” manager, who is already talking about next year himself. Cito already publicly threw in the towel on this season too. He then was quoted as saying that he hopes he has AJ on his staff next year. JP, has publicly stated that if he has his way, Cito will be managing next season:

““I don’t see any reason why he wouldn’t,” Ricciardi said. “We’re very happy with Cito.”

All seems fine and dandy except when the dominoes start to fall. Let’s see, if rumors are true that Godfrey is leaving (pushed or walking) then one has to assume that JP is right behind him. First JP has that out himself contractually and secondly, given the lack of success JP has achieved, I can’t imagine whomever inherits the Jays would want JP as their GM. Rewind to the hiring of JP, when the other option was Dave Dombrowski. Dombrowski passed on the Jays allegedly over the fact that he wouldn’t get the President’s title. The GM title seems to carry with it that of President too. So, if Paul is gone (walked or pushed) and JP is gone (walked or pushed) then where does that leave Cito? Like i said, with the team needing to go something like 40-17 the rest of the way, the off field stuff should be much more interesting than the on field action.

Over in leaf land things are quiet now, but that isn’t going to last much longer. As the calendar turns to August, some happenings are right around the corner.

As bored as I am by Les Affairs Sundin, this has to end soon. If he chooses what’s behind door number 2 or 3 (retire or play for a team who plays its home games at an arena not called the ACC respectively) then the Leafs have money to spend and goals to acquire, somewhere, somehow. The Leafs have to spend close to the cap. They aren’t cutting prices and therefore the market demands they spend as much money as possible. They also need to replace some of Mat’s offensive contribution. One would think therefore that money will inevitably lead to adding goals. Unless the Hagman acquisition was really the Mats replacement, one would have to think something else will have to unfold should Mats head elsewhere (or retire).

The Pavel Kubina window to be dealt is about to close. With just over 2 weeks to be dealt, this chapter to will come to end shortly. I think that Cliff’s decision to trade him may very well hinge on what Mats is going to do.

Mr McCabe is the final piece of the puzzle. While not saying how, Cliff has made it perfectly clear Bryan won’t be back next season. The question to be answered over the next couple of weeks is where and how. Again, I have to believe that this decision is also tied to the Mats Sundin decision. What Mats does will enable or handcuff Cliff in his needs for return with respect to McCabe (and Kubina). If Mats is gone he can afford to take on more salary via trade(s)then if Mats is back.

Lots to look forward to right smack in the middle of the dog days of summer…