Freddie P's Blog

December 16, 2010 @ 08:54

Category: Sports | Video

December 15, 2010 @ 08:52

Stranded in a car and the penny.

Category: Radio

December 13, 2010 @ 09:58

Bottle returns and the screwed over hockey coach.

Category: Radio

December 11, 2010 @ 10:02

I'm not going to the memorial service for Mark Dailey at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church today because I don't think it would be appropriate.

I really didn't know Mark. I knew "of him", and the fact that he knew "of me" is the one story I can tell about this wonderful gentleman.

It was back in the early 90's and Jim McKenny invited me and a few other sportscasters and sportswriters to come down to City-tv for some kind of a baseball panel. I can't even remember exactly what the subject was, but I jumped at the chance because I love McKenny and I enjoy doing TV and I always admired the City-tv environment.

When I walked into 299 Queen that night I remember being directed to the newsroom where in the distance I saw Mark Dailey. I had never met him before and the way the situation was unfolding it didn't look like I'd be able to break from my immediate commitment to go over and introduce myself.

Then I heard the voice. "Freddie P!" Mark had noticed me and gave me an immediate shout-out while coming over to shake my hand.

Needless to say, it was a thrill. Talk about making a fella feel welcome and at ease.

Mark explained that he had been listening to CFNY for years and admired my work and he was glad to finally meet me. And I actually believed him. I didn't get the impression he was blowing smoke up my ass.

He mentioned "Sportszone" the TV show I had done on the CBC in the late 80's and said something to the affect that City should do something similar.

I remember floating a few feet off the floor for the rest of the night. The TV environment can be intimidating but on that particular night I felt comfortable and welcome and it was all because of Mark Dailey.

I wouldn't mind going to the Mark Dailey memorial today, but I wouldn't want to take the place of one other person who was touched even more by this man... and I know there are thousands.

Meanwhile, it certainly has been a tough time at City-tv. The death of Mark Dailey comes on the heels of the horrible accident that has changed the life of cameraman Bill Atanasoff.

Atanasoff remains in grave condition at Sunnybrook Hospital. Bill is someone I know quite well. We lived in adjoining Scarborough neighbourhoods, went to the same high school and Bill is best friends with the brother of my best friend.

I'm in no position to give details of Bill's condition at this point, that's up to his immediate family, but I can tell you this much, it isn't good.

Category: Stuff

December 8, 2010 @ 08:55

John Lennon.

Category: Radio

December 8, 2010 @ 08:34

This one got me more than any other. I was only seven when JFK was assassinated and only 11 when RFK and Martin Luther King took lead.

But I was an adult when John Lennon was gunned down by Mark David Chapman on the night of December 8, 1980, an unbelievable 30 years ago tonight.

Like a lot of guys I got the news from Howard Cosell. I was watching Monday Night Football and for some reason I was still awake when Cosell made the announcment some time after eleven o'clock. I was new to the radio business and had to get up at 4:30 in the morning so it was weird that I was still up.

I remember not really believing what I was hearing and then going into the bedroom to tell my wife Delyse.

Of course these were the days before CNN so it was hard to get details right away, but I remember the first thing I thought of was the often rumoured Beatles reunion.

Obviously it wasn't going to happen.

I remember finally getting into bed and listening to CFNY for a while. Big Nick Charles was on the air and then David Marsden came in to join him.

Listening to Marsden I knew the next day was going to be significant for the radio station

Category: Stuff

December 8, 2010 @ 08:31

When my kids were small I brainwashed them. As soon as they could talk I drilled into their heads. Imagine is this greatest song ever written.

From time to time I'd pop the question just for the hell of it. "Hey Mel, hey Dan, what's the greatest song ever written." They'd answer with resignation. "Imagine."

It was just a "dad" thing back then, but it's amazing how both of my kids have grown up loving the Beatles and adoring John Lennon, although both of them were born after the break-up and the assassination. And I don't think either would argue with daddy today, Imagine is the greatest song ever written.

I understand it's a subjective thing and a matter of taste, attitude and beliefs, but just listen to this song, so simple yet so profound.

Category: Stuff

December 8, 2010 @ 08:30

If there's a moment in the life of John Lennon that always comes back to me it was 1969 in Montreal. He and Yoko were holding their "Bed In for Peace" at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel.

I can't really comment on the protest because I was only 12 years old, however whenever I see clips from that time there are a few moments that make my blood boil.

Al Capp is the cartoonist who created the comic strip Lil' Abner. He was considered a right wing mouthpiece at the time and enjoyed a lucrative side career on the speaking tour.

He showed up in Montreal one afternoon and took a camera crew into Lennon's hotel room where he and Yoko were conducting their "bed in."

Capp barged in as the decent and respectful know-it-all who let it be known he felt the "bed in" was stupid and Lennon was a trouble maker. He also insulted Yoko.

Capp assumed he was speaking for middle-aged America and after knocking heads with Lennon left the room quite proud of himself.

All these years later he looks like such an asshole. Bad enough he was accused of "attempted adultery" by several women and his career crashed after that, but I think the biggest blemish on his legacy were those few embarrassing moments in the Montreal hotel room.

I often wonder if he had kids - how embarrassed they must be.

Here's a link to the incident. It's lengthy, but worth a view if you've got time.

Category: Stuff