by Doug Kennedy

It is tough being a Toronto Blue Jay fan these days. The thing is, it is probably going to get worse when they trade Marcus Stroman and Aaron Sanchez. It looks like management is following the same path the Maple Leafs took a few years ago and it has worked out all right for the Leafs. The Houston Astros did the same thing about eight years ago and look where they are. It gives you a higher draft pick than the team would have a right to. It is tough in baseball to say all top picks are a sure thing. After a slow start, Vladdy Guerrero Jr. looks good in the batters box. *What about the excitement the Raptors have created across Canada? Sports bars are the big winners with this final series against the Golden State Warriors. Let’s hope Kevin Durant does not make it back from his leg injury. The Raptors will need a couple of big breaks to win this series. *The Canadian Open finally has a chance to attract big names to its tournament this week in Hamilton. For years it has been held the week after the British Open, so it was a tough sell with all that travel and the British Open being a major tournament. Rory McIlroy is in for the first time. Dustin Johnson, Jim Furyk and Matt Kucher are also big names that are coming to the Hamilton Golf and Country Club this week. Corey Conners from Listowel will be a fan favourite this week. RBC as the sponsor of many of these players and tournaments has probably helped with this date change. *The peewee and midget baseball tournament is at Connaught Park this weekend. Be sure to get out to the park to support our local peewee and midget teams.