Hebsy On Sports

I announced my retirement after 332 episodes of this podcast. Toronto Mike was blindsided. I had to fire him. Listen here, if you dare. Thanks for all of your support. I'm going golfing now.

Agonizing over the Maple Leafs loss to Tampa and their inability to clinch on home ice. Time to put Michael Bunting back into the lineup. Stanley Cup playoffs have been pretty good. Same with the NBA. The BlueJays host the Mariners this weekend. Yes, the same team they blew an 8-1 lead against in the playoffs last year. Why does the "Quality Start" stat even exist in baseball? Kikuchi threw 5 and two thirds scoreless and doesn't get credit for a QS? Dumb stat. An ESPN reporter is fired for calling another reporter a F**king c**t in front of fans and cellphones. And guess which TSN personality tweeted "Don't forget to wash your a**hole". Go ahead and guess. Or just listen to the podcast with me and Toronto Mike

The Leafs have Tampa Bay right where they want them. Toronto Mike and I discuss the highs and lows of playoff hockey, and whether there is a conflict of interest surrounding referee Wes McCauley. Also, the rest of the Stanley Cup playoffs, the NBA post season, The Bluejays and the dumb tweet by pitcher Anthony Bass, who might be one of the least-liked players in Bluejays history. And why do people from BC hate me just for complimenting Canucks broadcasters Shorty and Cheech? Hope you enjoy the show.

A 9 year old caused the Raptors to miss 18 free throws. Why was this allowed to happen? Me and Toronto Mike discuss this story, plus the latest on the Maple Leafs and their upcoming playoff series with Tampa. I'm picking the Leafs in 7 games. Are the BlueJays going to end up like that talented 1984 team that couldn't catch the Detroit Tigers? It's way too early, but Toronto needs to bring the 13-0 Tampa Bay Rays down a notch, starting tonight at the newly partially-renovated Rogers Centre. And should the NHL try the "play in" format like the NBA? TV ratings are huge for these pre-playoff encounters. Hope you enjoy the show.

Are today's Boston Bruins better than the Habs of the 70s? Toronto Mike and I get into the "loser point", and how it's changed the way we calculate wins and points. Also, the Leafs are preparing for a tough series with Tampa, the Raptors will likely host a play-in game vs. Chicago and it could be the end for Nick Nurse. The Bluejays are winning on the road, but their president, Mark Shapiro, seems more excited about the brisket sandwiches they're going to serve in the new beer garden at Rogers Centre. A race war in women's basketball because of a little trash talking? Get ready for more of this type of behaviour. And, it's going to be a wild ride at the Masters, and perhaps the final one for Tiger Woods. Plus, my thoughts on the hundreds of faces and voices I see and hear on TSN and Sportsnet. You need a programme to keep up. Hope you enjoy the weekend.

The Bluejays will win 94 more games this year, but I doubt any will be more thrilling than yesterday's Opener in St. Loo. We'll go over the first of 162 and talk about other baseball stuff along with the end of Tim and Friends, other sports media talk, the Maple Leafs could be in trouble against Tampa, the Raptors quest for the 7 or 8 seed, Is Bianca Andreescu a drama queen or just unlucky? Join me and Toronto Mike for lively sports commentary with no bullsh*t.

Today, I go after the NHL for not punishing players and teams who do NOT support LGBTQ+ initiatives. Start suspending these players NOW. Also, me and Toronto Mike get into the World Baseball Classic and how it can be even better. The Leafs, Raptors and BlueJays, of course, and there are 7 Jays on ESPN's Top 100 list. And, the death of the local sportscast. How many TV sports anchors that you grew up with are long gone from your TV screens? Hope you enjoy the show.

Was there one trade that actually made you cry?   For me it was Frank Mahovlich traded from the Leafs to Detroit.  I was 11 years old.    I still haven't gotten over it.    Join me and Toronto Mike as we get into tons of sports talk, featuring the Raptors, Jays, Leafs, World Baseball Classic,  NHL on TNT and why they're so good, tennis, golf and what's happening to all those sports-betting sites out there.   Also, my trip to Elliot Lake, Ontario, and calling 2 home victories for the Red Wings of the NOJHL. Hope you enjoy the show.  

Can we get a collection together for Fred Van Vleet?  He was fined 30K for calling out the refs the other night.   @torontomike and I will get into the Raptors, Leafs, the Conor McDavid injury, the Bluejays, and the story of a female sports personality who had an affair with two different BlueJays simultaneously during the ill-fated 2017 season.   Hope you'll join us.

The NHL's Blocked Shots stat is completely bogus and does a disservice to men like Borje Salming and Harry Howell.   Too bad about Trade Deadline Day being a complete dud on TV.   Toronto Mike and I get into the Leafs and their chances to beat Tampa now that they've made several trades.   We also talk about the speed of baseball Spring Training games and the missed moments of drama.   Also, the Raptors can't afford to lose to teams below them in the standings, golf, tennis and my story of Dave Stieb trying to chase a spring no hitter in Bradenton, Florida.   Hope you enjoy the show.   

Which team will win more playoff games in '23--Leafs, Raptors or Bluejays?   Toronto Mike and I will talk about which team has the best shot at a title and when that might happen.  O'Reilly's impact on the Leafs, the return of OG to the Raptors and perhaps a championship season in store for the BlueJays.   Also, the story of the time we thought we had won a Gemini Award for Sportsline because somebody "in the know" told us we had won.   We didn't.  And who is your favourite coach of your favourite hockey team?  You might be surprised at mine.   The story of how I first met Roger Neilson and our subsequent encounters.    Enjoy the show!

Should our Women's soccer team have boycotted their game against the U.S.?  Absolutely.  Instead, they were distracted and lost 2-0 to the Americans.  Join me and Toronto Mike for that discussion, plus all the new rules in baseball that are meant to speed the game up, but might ultimately slow it down even more.  The owner of several regional TV sports networks in the U.S. is on the verge of bankruptcy.  What will that do to the broadcasts of several MLB, NHL and NBA teams which have contracts with these networks?   Also, the NBA allstar game, Tiger's back and the golf world is thrilled, tennis and a spring training story from years gone by.   Hope you enjoy the show.

Super Bowl weekend and I like the Eagles to win and cover.   I'm convinced that the Raptors will make a playoff run after NOT trading any key players at the deadline.  The Leafs have a bit of a goaltending issue, while the Jays have a problem with their broadcasters.  One of them can't travel with the team.  I'm thinking of hosting an alternate BlueJays broadcast with commentary on a pirate channel.  We'll get into golf, tennis and my story of a Super Bowl assignment that nearly landed us in the hoosegow because of some illegal footage shot by Global TV.   Join me and @torontomike for all the fun.   

The Bobby Hull interview, Tom Brady, the Pascal Siakam snub, OG trade, Alek Manoah and more with me and @torontomike.   Enjoy!

If you haven't seen the Harold Ballard documentary, don't bother.  Absolutely terrible.  Toronto Mike and I will discuss this, plus the NFL playoffs and how they change the way other sports set their schedules.   The Boudreau-Tocchet story in Vancouver and how the fans loved one coach and may come to hate the other.  The Raptors on the road, the NBA all-star starting lineups,  the baseball Hall of Fame selections, a great golf movie on Netflix, the Australian Open, Rory versus Reed and plenty more.   Hope you enjoy the podcast.

Should the NHL suspend Ivan Provorov?  Heck no.  Toronto Mike and I will discuss this story, plus the latest on the Maple Leafs and their inevitable meeting in the spring with the Tampa Bay Lightning.  Lots of talk about the Bluejays, Raptors , Buffalo Bills and, of course, the Australian Open tennis tourney, where Felix Auger Aliassime is the only Canadian left standing.   We'll also get into golf and a reference to the famous Schmenge brothers from SCTV fame.   Hope you enjoy the show.  

This episode feature tremendous airy badinage between me and Toronto Mike.  We get into the Leafs, and what to do about Auston Matthews injury.  The Raptors are kind of stuck in no-mans land.  Should they tank or go for a playoff spot?   Do the BlueJays need to make more changes ahead of the 2023 season?   It's Wild Card weekend in the NFL.   The Bills are 13.5 point favourites over Miami.  Will they cover?   Tennis, golf and the best new sports docs on Netflix.   Hope you enjoy the show.

Where do we start?  Damar Hamlin, Canada wins gold,  Bedard is NOT a generational player, Leafs look lethargic, NFL-ESPN problems, Jays must sign Vladdy, Hall of Fame candidates, tennis, golf and more.   No bullsh*t on this show.

Big rants today.   What a stupid way to decide the World Cup. Why not just play Rock, Paper, Scissors?  The Penalty shot rule in hockey is dumb, the dark cloud hanging over Hockey Canada won't go away anytime soon,  and Alex Ovechkin should break an ankle and get sent back to Russia for not speaking out against the horrors in Ukraine.   Plus, the usual chatter with Toronto Mike as we discuss the Leafs, Raptors, BlueJays, the passing of a soccer legend and why so many on-air people in mainstream media are being told "It's over" with a simple tap on the shoulder.     Enjoy the show!

The NBA now has the Michael Jordan trophy, so why doesn't the NHL have a Wayne Gretzky trophy, or a Bobby Orr trophy for best defenseman?  Toronto Mike and I discuss this issue at length.  Also, was Ryan Reaves hit on Hronek a head-shot, and should all headshots be penalized?   Are the BlueJays really going to have KK as their everyday CF?  I hope not.   The Leafs and Mitch Marner had their streaks ended by the Rangers, the Raptors are in tough against Brooklyn and Sunday's World Cup Final will go to........France.     Hope you enjoy the show!