It finally happened.

And it took the fine efforts of the guys at RaptorsBlog for me to see the light.

After eight years of growling, of cursing, and of bitterness at the very mention of one man's name, I can finally say...

I have forgiven Vince Carter.

Upon reading this RaptorBlog interview, I was able to think back happily on those glory days, when Vince made the Raptors relevant and exciting, and somehow, the grim circumstances surrounding his departure didn't weigh on my mind.

Was it because it occurred to me how well Chris Bosh was able to pick up the role of franchise cornerstone? Was it because Vince's many great accomplishments in Toronto finally wooed me back? Or was it just because I had been waiting so long to hear Vince talk about the Raptors fans, like we were old friends, that I've simply been brainwashed?

It doesn't matter. I'm in a happy place now. Given some more time, maybe I'll even go into the depths, and unearth that familiar old purple #15.

I miss him so much

Business as usual

As the years go by, franchises rise and fall. Well, ideally, they rise and fall. In my case, however, it's mostly falling. Other than a few brief competitive streaks by the Titans, I've had very little to celebrate in sports.

I mean, just look at my beloved Blue Jays: they haven't been in the playoffs since their last World Series victory. The Jays haven't been in the playoffs since I was five years old, man. That's ludicrous! I love them, but wow, that's a long time, huh?

However, I have been very lucky to avidly follow the Vancouver Canucks for the last few years, and now, they have claimed back to back President's Trophies.


I know... When you can't put it all together and claim a championship, the President's Trophy is more of a beacon of wasted opportunity than anything else (just ask Capitals fans), but it's still a nice thing to have, right?

Though, admittedly, last year's horrible finals collapse vs. the Bruins, or the Titans 13-3 season that ended in disaster against the Ravens in the divisional round, were among the worst lows I've ever experienced as a fan.

...Ehhhhh... negativity mounting... screw it, CANUCKS ARE GOOD. YAY!

Beyond my control: Koopa Troopa

There are a few times in my life where I want something really really baldy (thank you, iPhone auto-correct). Like, practically obsessionally. As though, somehow, if it happened, it would make my life better. Unfortunately, these are sometimes things that I have no control over whatsoever.

I become fixated on the oddest things, it seems, and in this (theoretically) recurring theme, I'll address some of those obsessions. So far, I have been fairly luckless in my dreaming, but nothing is impossible, and all going well, most of these things may occur before I'm done.

To get started, I look at one of my first bits of wishful thinking. It's a little strange, but still, it gave me fits. Mild little fits, but fits all the same. You see, ever since Super Mario Kart in 1992, I have been a great big fan of the Koopa Troopa. The reason why is fairly simple; I, like any other gaming kid of the early 90s, loved Yoshi. He was one of the coolest additions in Super Mario World, and though his popularity has dipped significantly since Yoshi Story's introduction of the goofy, squeaky voice, back in SMK, he was hot property. Kids wanted to play as Yoshi.

My older sister was quick on the draw however, and was always able to snag the green guy first. So naturally, I would evolve and adapt, and select the most 'Yoshi-like' of the remaining roster. In this case, it was Koopa Troopa. And, as a result, I would grow to love the little gaffer. He quickly became my favourite Mario character, and over time, would take the title of favourite gaming character of all (other faves include Falco Lombardi and Sonic the Hedgehog).

So you can imagine my shock and disdain when Mario Kart 64 hit the shelves, and was distinctly lacking in Koopa Troopa. Wow. In only five short years, I had already been dealt my first roster-based blow. To some, the exclusion of a hot rookie in a new sport game would dampen their experience. For me, it was the absence of a cute turtle. To each his own, really.

And unfortunately for me, the Nintendo 64 era would be a dark age to be a Koopa Troopa fan. Routinely, Mario games would come out, and you could select your Luigi or your Yoshi or your Wario... But, more often than not, there would be no Koopa. I could reel them off: Mario Party, Mario Golf, Super Smash Bros... There was no Koopa lovin'. And I felt so damned gypped. He was foot soldier numero uno, how was he not worth inclusion?

Finally, in 2000, the draught was ended, when Koopa Paratroopa was made playable for Mario Tennis. And, lo and behold, a Koopa named Kooper was one of the selectable sidekicks for Paper Mario. From there, Koopa would enter a renaissance of playability that has proven ongoing: if it's a Mario game, then chances are good that you can play as the Koopa Troopa. He still hasn't hit the mack daddy: the Smash Bros series. But this year, at long last, he became a part of the Mushroom Kingdom box social, Mario Party 9. I have waited so damned long to be able to use Koopa in a Mario Party game, and I honestly admit that 80% of the reason I bought it was simply so I could use him.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. So I shall raise my glass, celebrating 20 years of avid Koopa fandom. Here's to 20 more years of turtle power, be it in the driver's seat, on the soccer pitch, or in the courtroom (Super Mario Lawyer: BELIEVE).

Favourite moments in sport #2

I really enjoyed yesterday's reflection, so I thought I'd throw more out there.


#3 Vince Carter wins the 2000 dunk contest
It'll be a long time yet before I forget how hurt I felt when Vince Carter messily divorced the Raptors in 2004, but I'll always have my memories of happier days. You can taint them in hindsight, but you can't take away the magic they once held.

Carter's dominance of the dunk contest at the top of the millennium was a spectacle that's still spoken of today. Some call Vince the best dunker of his time, and finally, the Toronto Raptors could claim that one of their own was the very best. There hasn't been a great deal of success for the young franchise, and other than a playoff series win in 2001 (also courtesy of Vince), this would probably be the #1 moment for most Raps' fans.

My favourite part is 7:57, where Michael Keaton looks on in amazement. That's right, even Beetlejuice is awe-struck!!

#4 The Music City Miracle
Come on, you had to know it was coming, right? Buffalo fans, clutch tightly to your memories of January '93, because moment #4 is that controversial old favourite.

In the dying seconds of the wildcard match against the Bills, the Titans held a 16-15 disadvantage as they fielded Steve Christie's kickoff from the 25-yard line. The rest is automatic in the minds of Titans fans: Lorenzo Neal hands the ball to Frank Wycheck. Wycheck heads to his right, pivots, and piffs the ball across the field to Kevin Dyson, who takes it the rest of the way, untouched. To the naked eye, the trajectory of the pass is nearly impossible to determine. Is it a legal lateral? Or did it go forward, rendering the play dead? Bills fans will always attest it to be the latter, but the officials upheld the play. Titans win, and go all the way to the Superbowl. Unfortunately, in that Superbowl, the magical moment would happen to the wrong team...


#5 2006 Rose Bowl
As a change of pace, this one wasn't achieved by a team I follow, though it did hold serious connotations for the Tennessee Titans. For me, this game was basically all about Vince Young. If the Longhorns won, Vince would declare himself eligible for the NFL draft, where the Titans, with pick #3, were in position to take him. Should the USC Trojans win, Vince had indicated he would go back to Texas for his senior year. The Titans couldn't be certain to hold that lofty a position in the draft, and likely would have taken Matt Leinart instead. Titans wanted Vince, they wanted this.

And it just may have been the most exciting game I have ever watched, college, pros, or otherwise. The Trojans were likely the better team overall, but Vince Young was a man among boys. Sure, he had some help along the way, but without him, it wouldn't have even been close. Then, on 4th and 5, Vince dashes with the ball into the endzone, securing a national championship for the Longhorns.

Texas wins, Vince is drafted by the Titans, and is cut five seasons later. But hey, two out of three ain't bad.

Favourite moments in sport #1

In this segment, I share with you all of my most favourite moments in sport history. As you can appreciate, most (probably all) of them will be associated with teams I support, but who knows, maybe I'll surprise you along the way. I promise nothing.

In no particular order...

#1: Joe Carter's walk-off home run
Often, if you were to ask me what's my proudest moment for all of my many supported teams, this would be the one that immediately springs to mind. The Blue Jays were winners, and as back-to-back champions, they were emphatically the best.

I'm very proud of the Jays' 1992 World Series win, but it lacked the magical climax of its successor. In '93, in game 6, in Toronto, the Phillies were in the lead, and Joe Carter had 2 strikes against him. As the commentator notes, and as is clear to anyone, Carter does not look comfortable as he lets the first few pitches go by. Did Mitch Williams have him reeling? Or was he simply looking for the pitch?

Who knows, and who cares. Carter finally hits it, and he nails it deep left. My favourite replay is the one that shows Carter right after he hits it, and is heading to first. Watching his face, and his body language, as he begins to realise that it has enough to clear the wall, and finally, when it's a certainty... What a feeling that must have been for him. To have been involved in the play that won the World Series in two straight years, and to have done it like this. Truly special. Do yourself a favour, watch it in its entirety.

#2: Sidney Crosby's Golden Goal
This one tends to duel back and forth with Joe's homer for the moments that give me the most elation. This game had everything you wanted: supreme talent, rivalry, drama, intrigue... It was the bitter brothers, trading blows and taking it to overtime. And one of the special things about this win was that Canada had faltered en route to the final challenge, and had to best some really stiff competition along the way.

Both North American nations would hold their breath as this one would finish regulation undecided. And then, it happened. Crosby gets the puck from a tumbling Jarome Iginla (one of my favourites!), and plants it in the net. The team, the crowd, the entirety of British Columbia lose their shit. It's absolutely beautiful, and I will treasure it always. And the fact that it happened in Vancouver... my Vancouver... makes it truly special.

Eddie George is...

HILARIOUS.