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The old saying is certainly true, and this week has already brought plenty of it for yours truly.
On Monday, I ventured into the wacky world of “sports entertainment” and covered the production of WWE’s long-running RAW show from a raucous Canada Life Centre. As a one-time rabid wrestling fan — heck, I wanted to be a pro grappler when I was a kid — who is now more of a casual observer/viewer, it was a ton of fun to see both the steak and the sizzle that comes with the modern-day product.
It sure is slick, which I guess comes with producing weekly live shows for 30 straight years that now air in 180 different countries. Sure, it’s a scripted soap opera, but the athleticism is top-notch.
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JD McDonagh (left) and Sami Zayn tangle at Raw. (JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
On Tuesday, it was a much more serious topic as I began working on an upcoming story that will be running in the Free Press “Passages” section. Journalists at our paper are encouraged to volunteer ideas for the Saturday staple, which remembers lives lived by Manitobans, and this will be my first such entry. It’s about a remarkable man who I am now getting to know through people who knew and loved him, and it’s an honour to be able to tell his tale. I’ll let you know when it’s slated to run, likely at some point in September.
On Wednesday, it was back to the sports beat for a fun piece I did on Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Erik Swanson, who just so happens to have a strong connection to Manitoba. Turns out his wife’s family owns a cottage at Buffalo Point in Lake of the Woods. I was able to connect with him by phone, a few hours before he hit the field against the Philadelphia Phillies, and we had a great conversation about growing up in Fargo, N.D., his upcoming move to Roseau, Minn., and his visits to Manitoba — including a “bucket list” one that he’s hoping to make happen soon.
As an aside, that particular idea came from watching a recent Jays broadcast in which their former catcher and manager-turned-broadcaster mentioned how Swanson recently spent the All-Star break in our fair province. Which means, if I had a dollar for every time something I heard said during a Blue Jays game led to me writing a story, I would have a Buck (Martinez)!
On the menu today, in addition to filing this newsletter, is a one-on-one chat with a current member of the Winnipeg Jets for a story that will appear online this evening and in tomorrow’s print edition. I’m really looking forward to this one, and I hope you enjoy reading it. I’ve also got a Jets-related column coming on Friday, for Saturday’s edition, which delves into a bit of a hot topic. Stay tuned for that.
Wrestling. Baseball. Hockey. And a tribute to a truly incredible citizen. That’s definitely a unique blend that has made this week fly by.
Next week will be more of the same as I mix some late summer Stanley Cup coverage — I’ll be shadowing Keegan Kolesar as he has his day with the trophy on Tuesday in Winnipeg, and then Zach Whitecloud as he does the same on Wednesday in Brandon, Virden and Sioux Valley — before I hit the links to cover one of my favourite events, the Manitoba Open, from Southwood.
I’ll also be finishing off the Passages piece, and writing a travel story about our family’s recent high seas adventure on a Caribbean cruise.
Never a dull moment, that’s for sure. I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Reggie Abercrombie addresses Goldeyes fans Friday during the ceremony at which the team retired his number. (DAVE MAHUSSIER PHOTO)
Speaking of which, if I were to compile a list of favourite athletes I’ve covered since moving to the sports department in 2016, there’s no question Reggie Abercrombie would be at, or near, the very top.
The former MLB slugger, who spent six years with the Winnipeg Goldeyes before hanging up his cleats, is one of a kind. And it was great to catch up with him last week as he came back to town to be the guest of honour at the Goldeyes 30th-anniversary luncheon on Friday, then have his No. 11 retired at Shaw Park later that evening along with having his bobblehead handed out.
Abercrombie oozes character and charisma — two things that translate well in sports journalism — and his brief return served as a reminder.
As an added bonus, it was terrific to see former manager Rick Forney make a surprise cameo for Abercrombie’s special day. Forney, who left the Fish to take a managing job much closer to his Maryland home, is certainly missed around these parts as well.
In the latest edition of “What I’m Watching.” I’m late to the party on the newest season of Black Mirror on Netflix. If you’ve never seen the show, you’re missing out. It really makes you think, in addition to all kinds of other emotions. The first two episodes of the latest venture were both home runs in my eyes — one was laugh-out-loud funny, the other was bone-chillingly suspenseful. I’m excited to finish the last three in the coming days.
Finally, you know how Bob Barker used to sign off from the Price Is Right by pleading with viewers to spay and neuter their pets? Consider this my own heartfelt variation of that.
Unfortunately, because not enough of our four-legged friends have undergone such a procedure (along with a myriad of other reasons), shelters are overflowing right now.
Winnipeg Animal Services has far more dogs than they can reasonably handle, for example.
I’d never encourage an individual/family who is not ready to take on the task of responsible pet ownership to do so — another big reason for the unmanageable number is a major spike in people surrendering pets — but if it’s something you or someone you know has been thinking seriously about, now is the time. It might just be the best decision you make in quite some time.
As many readers know, we have two beloved rescue pups who bring so much to our daily lives, and we’re honestly debating the potential of adding a third to the family in the not-so-distant future.
Oh, and if you haven’t done so already, please spay and neuter your pets!
Now, over to the Showcase Showdown….
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