Returning veterans, deep roster raise hopes for elusive championship
By R.S. Konjek
Third time’s the charm.
Fans of Toronto Maple Leafs baseball are hoping that’s the case this summer.
SPORTS: Baseball in full bloom at the Pits (Summer 2023)
September 14th, 2023 · Comments Off on SPORTS: Baseball in full bloom at the Pits (Summer 2023)
Tags: Annex · Sports · Maple Leafs Baseball
SPORTS: Baseball Leafs navigate a new era at Christie Pits (July 2022)
July 18th, 2022 · Comments Off on SPORTS: Baseball Leafs navigate a new era at Christie Pits (July 2022)
“Unfinished Business” the theme of this year’s squad
By R.S. Konjek
NEWS: Dominico’s vision changed Toronto sports history (Winter 2022)
March 14th, 2022 · Comments Off on NEWS: Dominico’s vision changed Toronto sports history (Winter 2022)
Late baseball owner loomed large over amateur sports scene
COURTESY TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS BASEBALL
By R.S. Konjek
As local lore will have it, the Toronto sports scene was forever changed one afternoon in the summer of 1968.
SPORTS: Cross-border reinforcement bolsters Leafs for playoff push (Aug. 2021)
September 8th, 2021 · Comments Off on SPORTS: Cross-border reinforcement bolsters Leafs for playoff push (Aug. 2021)
Long-time hurler overcomes travel restrictions to rejoin team
By R.S. Konjek
Summer is almost over, but the Toronto Maple Leafs are hoping to stretch it out a while longer.
LIFE: A baseball ironman of a different sort (July 2021)
August 16th, 2021 · Comments Off on LIFE: A baseball ironman of a different sort (July 2021)
Making the rounds with Alan Ross, the Toronto Maple Leafs ticket vendor extraordinaire
By R.S. Konjek
SPORTS: Many hats, one goal for Topolie (July 2018)
July 18th, 2018 · Comments Off on SPORTS: Many hats, one goal for Topolie (July 2018)
Player-manager Damon Topolie hits one out during a game in Burlington May 2018.
R.S. KONJEK/GLEANER NEWS
An interview with Toronto Maple Leafs’ player-manager
A recent ESPN column declared that “parts of baseball are disappearing before our very eyes”.
Tags: General
SPORTS (AUGUST 2017): Leafs fall early this summer
September 13th, 2017 · Comments Off on SPORTS (AUGUST 2017): Leafs fall early this summer
Eliminated from 2017 playoffs after stunning first round defeat
PHOTO BY R.S. KONJEK/GLEANER NEWS: Justin Marra blasts a home run for the Toronto Maple Leafs during a playoff game against the Brantford Red Sox at Christie Pits.
By R.S. Konjek
“Who are these guys anyway?”
SPORTS (JULY 2017): The Maple Leaf(s) Forever
August 1st, 2017 · Comments Off on SPORTS (JULY 2017): The Maple Leaf(s) Forever
A Toronto baseball institution for over a century
PHOTO BY R.S. KONJEK/GLEANER NEWS: Grant Tamane and his Intercounty Baseball League teammates in 2017.
By R.S. Konjek
In some quarters of Toronto, this year’s Canada Day celebrations were a time of spirited debate.
SPORTS (MAY 2017): Leafs return with sights on a title
May 26th, 2017 · Comments Off on SPORTS (MAY 2017): Leafs return with sights on a title
Local nine look to take next step to winning championship
PHOTO BY R.S. KONJEK/GLEANER NEWS: The Toronto Maple Leafs take batting practice during a spring training session at Christie Pits on April 26.
By R.S. Konjek
It’s a casual April evening at Christie Pits Park.
SPORTS (AUGUST 2016): Baseball Leafs head to the playoffs with high hopes
August 25th, 2016 · Comments Off on SPORTS (AUGUST 2016): Baseball Leafs head to the playoffs with high hopes
Fans celebrate another up-and-down season
PHOTO BY R.S. KONJEK/GLEANER NEWS: Brett van Pelt of the Toronto Maple Leafs delivers a pitch on July 31 during the final game of the regular season.
By R.S. Konjek
Baseball won’t be rushed.
It is a pastime to be sipped and savoured.
Tags: Annex · Sports · General
ON THE COVER (JUNE 2016): PATROLLING THE PARK
June 15th, 2016 · Comments Off on ON THE COVER (JUNE 2016): PATROLLING THE PARK
PHOTO BY R.S. KONJEK: Jon Waltenbury patrols the outfield at Christie Pits during the Toronto Maple Leafs’ game against the Brantford Red Sox on May 22. Waltenbury’s three-run homer put the Leafs ahead for good, and ensured an 8-6 victory. R. S. Konjek summarizes a month of Maple Leafs in his baseball column.
Tags: Annex · Sports · Maple Leafs Baseball
SPORTS: The bats are back at Christie Pits
May 13th, 2016 · Comments Off on SPORTS: The bats are back at Christie Pits
PHOTO COURTESY OF DAN HAMILTON/VANTAGE POINT STUDIOS: Toronto Maple Leafs baseball returned to Dominico Field at Christie Pits with a bang on May 8. First baseman Jon Waltenbury blasted one of the Leafs’ four home runs on opening day, powering the club to a 13 to 2 victory over the Guelph Royals. Next game is 2 p.m. on May 15 versus the Burlington Bandits. This summer, the Gleaner will feature a monthly Maple Leafs Baseball column by R.S. Konjek.