José Bautista and the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremonies

On Saturday, I spent a wonderful afternoon at the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in St. Mary's, Ontario.  This year one of the inductees was Joey Bats himself - José Bautista.  Above is a photo of José signing autographs at Saturday's festivities.  

Bautista, a right fielder and third baseman, spent 15 seasons in Major League Baseball, mostly with the Toronto Blue Jays.  He played for four different teams before the Pittsburgh Pirates traded him to the Blue Jays in August of 2008.  In 2010, he slugged 54 home runs, the most ever hit by a Blue Jay in one season.  Yet, what most fans will always remember is José's epic bat flip to emphasize his go-ahead, three-run homer in the decisive Game 5 of the 2015 American League Division Series between the Jays and the Texas Rangers. 

I was impressed by Bautista's speech in St. Mary's.  He did not recite a list of his accomplishments.  He focused on thanking those who had given him support as well as his Blue Jay teammates and other Dominican players.  He thanked his family, his wife and daughters, who were in attendance.  He also thanked his parents for emphasizing the importance of education.  José learned to speak English at a young age and he is very fluent in the language.

Bautista

If you are a Canadian baseball fam, it's worth the trip to St. Mary's on induction day or just to see the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.  The quaint, historic town is located about on the Thames River, 20 kilometres southwest of Stratford, Ontario and about 170 kilometres southwest of the Great Toronto Area.  St Mary's is nicknamed "Stonetown" because of its many homes, churches and commercial buildings that are constructed of local limestone.

This year's Hall of Fame festivities were hosted by Sportsnet's Hazel Mae. She introduced longtime Toronto Star baseball writer and sports columnist Dave Perkins. Dave accepted the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum's 2024 Jack Graney Award.  The Graney Award is given to "a member of the media who has made significant contributions to baseball in Canada through their life's work.

In addition to Bautista, other inductees included the following: Greg Hamilton from Peterborough, Ontario, who has served as Baseball Canada's Head Coach and Director of Men's National Teams since 1998, Erik Bedard, a Franco-Ontarian major league pitcher, who was the staff ace for the Baltimore Orioles, the late Amanda Asay, from Prince George British Columbia, who played on the Canada women's national baseball team from 2005 to 2021,  the late Arleene Johnson of Saskatchewan, an infielder who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League from 1945 to 1948 and the late Gerry Snyder, who served on the Montreal City Council and was instrumental in bringing the Expos and Major League Baseball to Montreal.

Erik Bedard was unable to attend the ceremonies.  Gerry Snyder's son was there to represent his father, who passed away in 2007.  Arleene Johnson passed away in 2017 at the age of 93.  Her daughter made a speech about her contribution to Canadian woman's baseball.  Amanda Asay died in a skiing accident in 2022 at the age of 33.  Her father spoke on her behalf.  

Amanda Asay

José Bautista is from the Dominican Republic, but Canadian citizenship is not required to be inducted into the Canadian Hall of Fame. This year's inductees have all made lasting contributions to baseball in this country.

END NOTES

* I said hello to former Blue Jays outfielder Lloyd Moseby who was in attendance.  Some Montreal Expos fans always attend the ceremonies wearing their Expos caps.

- Joanne

Language corner: My list of annoying words and phrases

Okay.  Here is my list of the words and expressions that I find the most annoying.  This is not just a highly subjective list.  People I have spoken to are also annoyed by some of the words are phrases that are on this list.  So, without further ado, here is my list.

- Joanne

MY LIST OF ANNOYING WORDS AND PHRASES

It is what it is.  That expression means absolutely nothing.

Spinster:  Why isn't there a similar word for an unmarried man or lifelong bachelor?  It's sexist.

Nag:  Another sexist word.  In the world of horse racing, the term "nag" is often used to describe female horses.  With human beings, it's almost always a woman who is described as a nag.  

My bad.  Why can't we just say, "I was wrong." or "I made a mistake?

I could care less.  It should be "I couldn't care less."

It goes without saying . . . Well then, why say it?

No offence, but . . . is usually followed by something offensive.

I'm just saying . . . I'm not sure what message that this expression is supposed to convey.  Is the speaker unsure about how his words will be received?  It sounds apologetic.

Basically is used far too often and unnecessarily. It has become a filler. It should be used to mean "fundamentally" or "in the most essential respects."

Like don't get me started on how like is used in like three or four times in like every sentence.

Literally when it is used to denote something in a figurative or exaggerated sense, not an actual sense.  For example, it's ridiculous to say "I literally died."

The honest truth: If a truth isn't honest, then what is it?  The expression is redundant.

Everything happens for a reason is often meant to provide comfort.  However, not everything happens for a reason.  Some things just happen.  Period.

Why concern about the environment has moved to the backburner

In the American election last November, and in our Canadian election in April, the environment was not a huge issue.  Why not?  Well, there are several reasons.  Let's start with the American election.  Donald Trump doesn't care about climate change.  He thinks it's a Chinese hoax.  He wants to revive the coal industry.  He thinks that wind turbines cause cancer.  He just wants to "drill, baby, drill!"  During the 2024 presidential election campaign, the environment was not a popular topic among American voters.  They were more understandably concerned about inflation and the cost of living.  The price of groceries and gas affected them directly.  Inflation seemed so much closer to home.  So, despite Trump's horrible business record (he has filed for bankruptcy protection six times), many Americans thought he would be better for the economy than his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris.  

Americans were concerned about kitchen table issues and immigration.  Trump managed to convince many of them that caravans of undocumented immigrants were about to pounce on their communities, causing crime and havoc.  He repeated this lie over and over, playing into people's fears and bigotry.  What they didn't understand is that climate change, immigration and the economy are inseparable.  Each of those issues affects the other. Pollution is the cause of numerous illnesses and deaths worldwide. Everyone pays with the loss of life and the cost of healthcare.

Many lives have also been lost by the hurricanes and flooding and wildfires caused by climate change.  These disasters not only cost precious live, but they cost millions in tax dollars.  There doesn't have to be a choice between having a good economy and combatting climate change.  A green economy creates green jobs.  Furthermore, many immigrants have been forced to leave their homes due to climate change.  They have no choice but to become refugees.

Since his return to the presidency, Trump has been erratic and unpredictable.  His campaign to impose tariffs and his overall handling of the economy have been disastrous.  Many Americans, with the exception of Trump's brain-washed die-hard MAGA loyalists, regret having voted for him.  Of course the oil companies want to preserve their wealth.  Oil is their cash cow.  They want Trump to promote fossil fuels.  

With regard to the environment, extreme right-wing conservatives are different from their more moderate counterparts.  Moderates believe that conservatives should conserve the environment.  Here in Canada, we call those moderate conservatives "Red Tories."  Regrettably, there aren't many Red Tories left  in this country anymore.  They are a dying breed, replaced by populists and more far f right U.S. Republican types.

The far right, however, mock efforts to fight climate change.  They don't want to cut down on plastic or make strong efforts to combat climate change.  Remember how Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, ranted during the election campaign that he wanted to get rid of single-use plastics bans and bring back plastic straws.  It's as if implementing any measures to deal with climate change is left-wing radicalism.  The Conservatives criticized the carbon tax so harshly and so relentlessly that Mark Carney's Liberals would likely have lost the election if he he hadn't abolished it. There were endless cries to "axe the tax."

As I write this, two Canadian provinces, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, have declared a state of emergency due to wildfire.  People are being evacuated from their homes.  Flin Flom, Manitoba, a city of 5,000 people, about 631 kilometres (391 miles) northwest of Winnipeg, is engulfed by wildfire smoke.

I must also mention that the Village of Blatten, in the Swiss Alps, was evacuated due to a glacier collapse.  Authorities ordered Blatten's 300 residents to leave.  More than 500 glaciers have already disappeared from Switzerland.

We ignore these warnings at our peril.  Climate change is not going to go away on its own.  It's understandable that people are upset about inflation, but environmental threats can't be ignored.

- Joanne

It's Time to Come Home, Stanley

 Dear Stanley,

Won't you please come home!  It's been almost 32 years, and we miss you dearly here in the True North Strong and Free.  You've been away for far too long.  You were last seen in Montreal in 1993.  We hear that you will decide whether to show up in Edmonton or Florida this year.  Please choose Edmonton.  You went to Florida last year.  Isn't it time for a change of scenery?  Remember, Stanley, you were born in Canada and named after our governor general.  You have a Canadian passport.  Besides, Edmonton is very nice in June.  It's a wonderful place for a parade.    

I know you've been to Edmonton five times - 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988 and 1990.  It's been a while, though.  The younger crowd doesn't remember much of the Gretzky and Messier years  There's a new guy in town who wants to hoist you.  He's a very fine lad from Richmond Hill, Ontario and his name is Connor McDavid.  

Florida is known for oranges and sunshine.  Football is the number one sport in the state.  It has three NFL teams.  Most of the  people there would rather see the Miami Dolphins or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or the Jacksonville Jaguars win a Super Bowl than the Florida Panthers win a Stanley Cup.  Edmontonians are far more excited about your possible homecoming. They will line the streets.  They will welcome you with open arms and much celebration.  You can be sure of that.  

Uncle Gary, from New York, will even be there.  He'll be on hand to present you to your elated fans.  Our prime minister will join the celebration with great enthusiasm.  He is a huge Oilers fan, and he was raised in Edmonton.  What a lovely scenario!

Remember, dear Stanley, the celebration won't just take place in Edmonton.  People all over Canada will welcome you home joyfully.  A nation cries out for your return.  The time is right.  It's a perfect storm.  So, please come home!

Sincerely,

Joanne and millions of Canadian hockey fans

Mainstream media treat Trump differently than Biden

There is a double standard in the way mainstream media treat Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Just imagine what would happen if Biden or any other American politician had said or done some of things that Trump has said or done. It would have been completely unacceptable to corporate media.  That politician would definitely not be president of the United States right now  Yet, Trump's sick and outrageous comments are accepted by many. Don't take him seriously. It's just Trump being Trump. He's unpredictable. He boosts ratings for cable networks. Besides, some fear retribution from the mob boss.

Yes, Biden has cognitive issues due to aging.  However, during his presidency, the American economy was the envy of the world.  Biden has always respected the rule of law.  He is not an authoritarian.  He has never treated Canada, and America's European allies, the way Trump has been doing.  Biden would never would have imposed the destructive tariffs that Trump has imposed and destabilized the economies of the United States and much of the world. Kamala Harris wouldn't have either.,

I have posted the following article by Tony Pentimalli because it is well worth reading for those who want a clear picture of what is happening in the United States. It is also must reading for those who believe in democracy and are appalled by America's slide into authoritarianism. People of good will must speak the truth about the Trump regime.

- Joanne

The Misdirection: While They Watch Biden, Trump Unravels the Republic

By Tony Pentimalli

There is an art to distraction. The magician never hides the trick in his hand—he hides it in yours. And in today’s America, the illusion is almost perfect: while Donald Trump descends further into autocratic madness, the nation’s attention has been carefully directed toward the decline of a man no longer in office.

Jake Tapper’s newly released Original Sin, chronicling the final chapter of Joe Biden’s presidency, is a masterclass in that misdirection. With behind-the-scenes accounts of confusion, forgetfulness, and quiet panic among aides, it raises legitimate concerns about transparency—but also reveals a more troubling truth: we are fixating on the rearview mirror while barreling toward the cliff.

Biden, now facing a terminal cancer diagnosis, exited public life with dignity. He acknowledged the limits of age and responsibility, stepped aside, and gave the country a chance to choose its future. That is not failure. That is stewardship.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump—the man who now holds the presidency again—rages incoherently from podiums, forgets what century it is, threatens mass deportations, mocks the disabled, and promises dictatorship “on day one.” He recently described Biden’s diagnosis as “stage 9 cancer”—a non-existent condition—and claimed he met with people who have long since died. He called Milwaukee a “horrible city,” confused Nikki Haley with Nancy Pelosi, and warned the military about electric boats. These are not gaffes. They are warning sirens.

But you wouldn’t know it if you watched cable news.

Mainstream media, once thought to be the ballast against authoritarian drift, has largely accepted Trump’s incoherence as political theater. Networks air his rambling speeches without editorial framing. Headlines quote him verbatim, without context or correction. Influential voices like Tapper’s delve into Biden’s decline with Pulitzer ambition—while Trump’s delusions are broadcast like late-night punchlines.

What’s unfolding is not a scandal of health. It is a scandal of priorities. The media has become the willing accomplice in laundering Trump’s unraveling into normalcy. By obsessing over Biden’s cognitive descent, they normalize Trump’s descent—from incoherence into autocracy—as if it's part of the show.

This asymmetry reached a new low with the publication of Original Sin. For right-wing commentators, the book is gospel. For centrist media, it’s confirmation bias. For Trump’s camp, it’s the perfect distraction from a presidency sinking deeper into delusion and authoritarianism.

They cling to the illusion that covering Biden's decline is safer than confronting Trump’s radical ascent. But cowardice masquerading as impartiality is how democracies slide into silence.

This is not just about mental sharpness—it is about what each man has done with the power he held. Biden, by all accounts, spent his final year working through limitations, passing bipartisan legislation, managing international crises, and defending democratic norms. Trump, by contrast, has used his second term to erode civil liberties, deploy federal power against dissent, and rule by grievance and paranoia.

His administration is not a sideshow—it is a slow-motion constitutional collapse. Under Trump’s orders, ICE has resumed warrantless raids. DOJ prosecutors have been stripped of oversight when investigating lawmakers. The Insurrection Act is being openly reinterpreted for domestic use. And through it all, the media’s spotlight remains trained on the man who left the stage.

There is cruelty in this deflection. Biden, a man confronting death with grace, has become the straw man for every anti-elderly talking point, every grievance, every fear. And yet, it is Trump who insults Gold Star families, mocks cancer-stricken opponents, and brags that “only he” can save America from itself.

What Original Sin exposes is not just the aging of a president, but the original sin of a political media more interested in the appearance of neutrality than the defense of truth. To treat Biden’s decline as disqualifying, while Trump’s authoritarianism is shrugged off as a personality quirk, is not journalism—it is complicity.

This is the con: we are being told to fear the man who stepped down—so we ignore the one who is burning the house.

So let us be clear. One man stumbled on words. The other has weaponized them into policy. One met the end of his presidency with humility. The other met his second with vengeance.

The true crisis isn’t a man confronting his limits—it’s the one exploiting ours. Trump is the danger in plain sight. And the press, eyes wide open, is choosing to look away.

*Tony Pentimalli is a political analyst and commentator fighting for democracy, economic justice, and social equity.