And in this season of hockey revival, where all should be smiles and chuckles, [Brian Burke] is becoming something of a local embarrassment
Leafs fans: are any of you embarassed by Brian Burke?
6 months ago
Chemmy
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Anybody? Is anybody who calls themselves a Leafs fan not proud of Brian Burke?
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
If there is such a person, or people. I suggest they form a line to be kicked in the crotch
Resident Internet Tough Guy
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 5, 2011 5:11 PM EST up reply actions 11 recs
I can’t imagine why I wouldn’t be proud to have such a GM running our hockey team. Besides being awesome he knows a thing or two about hockey too.
http://mapleleafshotstove.com/author/mislav-jantoljak/
@Xterratu on twitter
by Mislav Xterratu Jantoljak on Dec 5, 2011 5:59 PM EST up reply actions
This tweet sums it up
“So Burkie has pissed off Feschuk, Cox, DiManno and now Simmons? Can we please give this man Peddie’s job and build him a statue?”
- https://twitter.com/#!/Kohma
Who wants to hear a funny ass joke?
by ohshrit on Dec 5, 2011 5:11 PM EST reply actions 5 recs
Brian Burke is amazing
I’m not a Leafs fan at all but I would love to have dinner with Brian Burke and maybe comb his hair even though it’s obvious he wakes up with perfect hair because he’s that fucking awesome.
Suck all of the dicks in the bag, Simmons.
General Twitter
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Contributor at HOCKEENIGHT and 7500 To Holte
by Andrew Cieslak on Dec 5, 2011 5:11 PM EST reply actions 9 recs
Of course no one is embarassed… but Simmons has 20 comments in 20 minutes so he got what he wanted.
In theory, there is little difference between practice and theory, but in practice there is!
Tactical contributor to the Copper & Blue and just as boring on the twitters... @dawgbone98
by dawgbone98 on Dec 5, 2011 5:12 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Burke vs. Simmons
Game, set, match, championship for Burke. He’s made Steve Simmons crack, and it’s wonderful to watch. Cox next!!1
obligitory
Who on earth is Steve Simmons?
by A Lindros Jaw on Dec 5, 2011 5:15 PM EST reply actions 11 recs
I’m not a Leafs fan and I’m proud of Brian Burke. Even if you ignored the bold, powerful and downright good things he does as a Good Human Being in support of equality (which would be exceptionally short-sighted and idiotic), he’s still left being a remarkably entertaining and excellent to observe in his dealings with the media. Take the whole package and it’s hard to dislike the guy whatsoever.
CCT, CBJ, SU, NYM, Bills Fan. It can be depressing.
Sometimes I tweet things
by zekebud on Dec 5, 2011 5:15 PM EST reply actions 8 recs
Since I’m from Toronto, I’m unaware of how sports media works in other cities.
Do media personalities actively troll the fans/players/management like this?
Go easy on Simmons….. dickheads need jobs too. Him and his media brethren were used to controlling the story when the likes of J.F.Jr. were at the helm, and they ain’t the most adaptable bunch. Let Burkie spank ‘em when he’s bored.
"pugnacity, testosterone, truculence and belligerence, That's how our teams play." Brian Burke, before realizing that it's a new era, and goons sip coffee in the press box.
Steve Simmons
acts like a spoiled brat.
Brian Burke is my motherfucking hero.
...............................
Frattin ain't easy.
I really want Wilson and Burke to just ignore any Steve Simmons questions at this point. I mean, listen to him ask a question, and then just not answer, and move on to the next one.
He wants to tell editors what columnists and radio voices can and cannot write or say. He wants to control what you read, what you think, what you perceive to be the truth. He wants to be the face of the Leafs, the only voice.
And that’s what we call projecting, kids.
"I myself am made up entirely of flaws, stitched together with good intentions."
by Blinky on Dec 5, 2011 5:17 PM EST reply actions 9 recs
so is this insinuating that Burke wants to be the owner of the Sun? Because what he just said is what the owner does. Controls what you read, what you think, what you think is the truth, what columnists and editors can write or say etc. The kings of spin are butthurt that someone else is trying to spin? It’s like the piece of shit is calling the Leafs GM brown.
I used to love the Leafs... I still do... but I used to, too.
ok, so i have been lurking here since the 2008-2009 season, and i just joined now so that i could rec this. had to be done.
by leafmealone on Dec 5, 2011 6:29 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
the fuck he talking about
Burke is awesome.
by Tats16 on Dec 5, 2011 5:20 PM EST reply actions 7 recs
On behalf of the human race, I’m embarrassed by Steve Simmons.
TWEET AT ME BRO
Leaf fan for life! (No, really. They gave me a no-trade clause when I was born.)
by FiftyMissionCap on Dec 5, 2011 5:21 PM EST reply actions 24 recs
I'm still new around here (commenting anyways),
but i reckon this deserves a rec.
...............................
Frattin ain't easy.
Not even remotely close to embarassed by Burke… proud of him as GM is more like it. I couldn’t care less about Steve Simmons’ hurt feelings.
Simmons is with the Sun, right? Can someone photoshop him in for the Kadri/soother cover?
Finally on the Twitter train, @j6events. Follow me, I swear I'll have interesting thoughts soon!
by BetterThanBester on Dec 5, 2011 5:24 PM EST reply actions
Can’t believe how easily the media is butthurt. Sad really.
I love BB.
-"I'm not drinking and driving, I'm driving while I'm drinking....Right boys!?"
Lest we forget: Brett Lebda
by kudzupo on Dec 5, 2011 5:27 PM EST reply actions 6 recs
The only embarrassments to the city of Toronto is Simmons and his hack job cronies. Also the Toronto Sun is an embarrassment to the English language, to intelligence and to any Torontonian who sees someone reading it. Fuck Steve Simmons, fuck Ezra Levant and fuck every staffer at the Sun. The Sun is a pathetic piece of shit smeared on recycled paper.
I used to love the Leafs... I still do... but I used to, too.
by Chuck Diesel on Dec 5, 2011 5:28 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
Come on Brian
…tweet what you really think.
by ChrisFromParadise on Dec 5, 2011 5:29 PM EST reply actions
iPod fat face, necessary
well, that escalated quickly
by aelanK on Dec 5, 2011 5:34 PM EST reply actions 5 recs
hihihi
http://mapleleafshotstove.com/author/mislav-jantoljak/
@Xterratu on twitter
by Mislav Xterratu Jantoljak on Dec 5, 2011 5:58 PM EST up reply actions
anyone have tips
on how to get vomit out from between keyboard keys?
...............................
Frattin ain't easy.
fuck steve simmons
PuckingHilarious.com - funny hockey apparel for hard core puck heads. @puckingfunny on twitter
by Likely on Dec 5, 2011 5:38 PM EST reply actions 7 recs
.
FUCK STEVE SIMMONS
"We are all agreed that your theory is crazy. The question that divides us is whether it is crazy enough to have a chance of being correct."
- Niels Bohr
Sorry, unauthorized hotlinking of copyrighted material not permitted.
by Frag on Dec 5, 2011 6:12 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Sounds like it's time to call the...
Yet another Leaf fan in Ottawa.
www.twitter.com/zenbeerbass
by Adzbass on Dec 5, 2011 5:41 PM EST reply actions 4 recs
How hypocritical. Do Simmons, Cox & co. really believe that they are saintly and do not contribute to this so-called poisonous atmosphere by bitching about it on Twitter all the time and writing articles about it?
New flash guys: if what you wrote wasn’t so inflammatory and negative, Leafs personnel would have no cause to do the same in return.
Yet another Leaf fan in Ottawa.
www.twitter.com/zenbeerbass
I follow Mirtle and a few other MSM guys solely in toronto. I follow some national guys as well (TSN people and a few others, Marek etc)
I even follow some guys who cover other teams – Kent Wilson etc…
I follow more bloggers than MSM guys, though.
I don’t follow anyone from that hack organization called the Sun – not that i have a hate on for the Sun in particular, but they do seem to employ an inordinate number of douchebags.
"You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Dec 5, 2011 5:44 PM EST reply actions
It’s the “columnists” that are the worst. I realize its their job to give an opinion but when the opinions are so biased and full of shit and anectdotes, starting rumours (a la Cox “so when do the Carlyle to Toronto rumours start – right now”) it really makes it hard to understand why they even have a job. Its really pathetic.
I wish a news organization would try something completely absurd. Instead of having columnists post inflammatory articles, how about they try to get readership by posting thoughtful, well reasoned arguments based on facts that didn’t simply pander to the lowest common denominator in a cheap attempt at getting page views or clicks.
Follow me on twitter @CoolJ90
Its pretty simple. Most people who read the Sun likely don’t visit websites that have well researched and informed opinions. I think a large percentage of Sun readership are just ignorant on just how much information is out there. Because of PPP I am pretty much the most knowledgeable person about hockey when I am talking to people who use more traditional sources of information – or those who are more casual about their hockey fandom.
And since i like good hockey conversations I try to direct as many as I can to this site so they can get up to speed.
I find I usually have to talk to 10 people to find one willing to take the leap into shedding their ignorance and opening their eyes to a new level of information.
You get your readership of the Sun out of the other 9.
"You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Dec 5, 2011 6:27 PM EST up reply actions
The Star’s sports coverage is pretty atrocious too. About a decade ago, I think they made a conscious decision to turn heel, at least at the columnist level, between Feschuk, Griffin, and Cox.
I wish Feschuk would go back to trolling the raptors.
I used to love the Leafs... I still do... but I used to, too.
The atmosphere in Leaf land between Burke, Wilson to a degree, and the rather enormous press corps which covers the team, has grown more and more poisonous over time.
And guess who we’re going to side with, Simmons. Burke’s made Toronto hockey fun to watch again. What have you done for us? In the court of public opinion, Steve Simmons is Lionel Hutz.
Come get your duds in order...
by The Bag on Dec 5, 2011 5:46 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
Also
Already this year, Burke has tangled with many voices of consequence in this market
Lol.
Come get your duds in order...
LOL, he thinks he is people
Resident Internet Tough Guy
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 5, 2011 5:48 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
And finally
It’s time for Burke to calm down and take a leadership role in the ongoing spat between local media and the Maple Leafs…
…because Lord knows Steve Simmons won’t.
Come get your duds in order...
In 55 comments on that article
4 comments agreed with him.
1 said he did a good job riling people up (to get hits)
1 made an impossible to understand comment
1 made a mouth breather “fire Burke”
48/55 bashed him and the terrible writing the Sun deemed worthy of publishing.
About time that people finally realized how awesome Gunnar is...
Certified Gunnar & Kule lover!
My new goal: To get the nickname Hebrew Hammer for Mike Brown to take off.
The end of the article is my favourite
It’s time for Burke to calm down and take a leadership role in the ongoing spat between local media and the Maple Leafs. His adding to the poisonous atmosphere benefits no one.
Particularly the last sentence, because you can replace “his” with Simmons about this very article:
[Simmons] adding to the poisonous atmosphere benefits no one.
About time that people finally realized how awesome Gunnar is...
Certified Gunnar & Kule lover!
My new goal: To get the nickname Hebrew Hammer for Mike Brown to take off.
Simmons spread sensitive private information about the death of an NHL player less than a day after that player died, without any concern for his family.
Burke marches in the Gay Pride Parade, stands up for bullied kids, and demands that his players give back to the community that they live in.
Which one is the embarassment?
The plural of "anecdote" is not "data".
Internet Champ. I'm on Twitter too! - draglikepull
by Draglikepull on Dec 5, 2011 5:52 PM EST reply actions 14 recs
the one that looks like he got beat up in highschool a lot and is now taking it out on us.
I used to love the Leafs... I still do... but I used to, too.
Burke’s a bully!
Seriously though, even using the term bully here pisses me off. Bullying is a serious problem in all walks of life, but to call the way someone treats the media bullying diminishes the importance of a very real problem.
About time that people finally realized how awesome Gunnar is...
Certified Gunnar & Kule lover!
My new goal: To get the nickname Hebrew Hammer for Mike Brown to take off.
My theory is that Simmons was bullied and now is sensitive to it. He seems like a socially undeveloped fucktard whose bitterness is oozing off him.
I used to love the Leafs... I still do... but I used to, too.
Did Simmons do any research into Burke’s “Barn Fight” comments, or is he deaf and has no fucking reading comprehension? The Kevin Lowe spat anecdote was told to the Score reporter in the context of the anti-bullying campaign. He was trying to personally relate his own experiences in dealing with anger. How anybody with honorable intentions could twist that into “Burke is now trying to fight other GMs durr durr durrrrrrrrr” is beyond me. Fuck Steve Simmons, what an attention-whoring piece of shit. Or as Biznasty would put it, a “Munson”.
by 9 Dollar Beer on Dec 5, 2011 6:14 PM EST up reply actions
.
"We are all agreed that your theory is crazy. The question that divides us is whether it is crazy enough to have a chance of being correct."
- Niels Bohr
Sorry, unauthorized hotlinking of copyrighted material not permitted.
by Frag on Dec 5, 2011 6:09 PM EST reply actions 7 recs
This is the worst article I’ve ever read. Nothing in this makes any logical sense, it’s just words thrown together. Simmons throwing the word “bully” around is particular disgusting, given his recent interview with The Score where Burke talks about his work to stop bullying. Simmons has a history of asking the dumb questions, and pointing out the ridiculous. I think he’s trying to be controversial, but he ends up being offensive and looking like an ass.
And if you’re this upset about how a GM runs the team you cover, either quit you’re job, ask to be re-assigned or deal with it. No body likes a whiner, and that’s what you are Steve, a big whiner.
by Casey_bat on Dec 5, 2011 6:18 PM EST reply actions 5 recs
I’ll help raise the barn if Simmons has the balls to walk into it with Burke.
"They build a statue, they knock it down and piss on it, and now they will be out there building it again."
by ThickSkinnedAlive on Dec 5, 2011 6:26 PM EST reply actions
To answer the question, and at the same time paraphrase Jon Stewart.
Short answer: no.
Long answer: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
LSU Tigers: 13-0
SEC Champions!
Sounds like Simmons needs a pacifier photoshopped on his mouth
PuckingHilarious.com - funny hockey apparel for hard core puck heads. @puckingfunny on twitter
Him and Cox.
"We are all agreed that your theory is crazy. The question that divides us is whether it is crazy enough to have a chance of being correct."
- Niels Bohr
Sorry, unauthorized hotlinking of copyrighted material not permitted.
So, people who want to defend the media’s irritation over Wilson’s “antics” want to rebut this one? Simmons is an absolute tool and if I had to deal with him, I wouldn’t tell him anything either.
I think with the utter glut of media surrounding the Toronto Maple Leafs it is utterly phenomenal that people like Brian Burke and Ron Wilson have any personality at all. Agree with their stances or not, they have been fantastic. Burke goes to Afghanistan, walks in the pride parade, is active in many local charities and events. If he is an embarrassment, then we all are terrible, terrible people.
So, apparently I can now be followed.. but no stalking. @alsonamedphil
Simmons bio on the SUN
The hard-hitting, award-winning sports columnist joined the Sun in 1987 after stints with the Calgary Herald and Calgary Sun. Knows every sport inside out. Has covered 12 Olympic Games and half a dozen Super Bowls as well. Very opinionated. Has just completed a book on former NHLer Mike Danton, who was incarcerated after hiring a hitman to kill his agent, David Frost. Lives in Thornhill.
I don’t know… just found this humorous
"You miss one hundred percent of the shots you don't take
- Wayne Gretzky"
- Michael Scott
Aaaaaand
quote fail
"You miss one hundred percent of the shots you don't take
- Wayne Gretzky"
- Michael Scott
Well, to be fair the fail in that Bio probably broke the quotes.
"You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Dec 5, 2011 6:35 PM EST up reply actions
haha
your probably right…. Too much Simmons praise…. quote overload
"You miss one hundred percent of the shots you don't take
- Wayne Gretzky"
- Michael Scott
Burke's accomplishments
- Took an opening night roster that gave John Mitchell 20 minutes a night and turned it into an early season playoff contender.
- Built a young core and a competitive farm team from which to pull talent.
- Became a leading advocate for gay rights in hockey.
- Made Damien Cox cry.
Embarrassment? I am so proud of Brian Burke.
RIP Former-and-forever Leaf Wade Belak
Me on Twitter
by Bower Power on Dec 5, 2011 6:34 PM EST reply actions 12 recs
… and hey, whatever happened to Steve Simmons? …
Cynically Sarcastic
Сертыфікаваны Grabbo Палюбоўнік
Last year it seems Burke and Wilson became increasingly sardonic in responses to the self-incriminating and leading questions asked by reporters. And this year, I find in the live pressers there are rarely challenging questions asked directly of Wilson/Burke. The questions are softies following the lead of Henny.
I do wish reporters in MSM would stop trying to find faults in Burke and Wilson and become relevant by asking challenging and well thought out questions without the hyperbole. Something like Henny but with more edge.
The easier questions being asked this year are probably a product of the Leafs better position in the standings. These “reporters” are very simple creatures. If your team is low in the standings, then they will ask you questions built around the hostile story lines they dreamed up. If your team is currently on a winning streak, then they will ask you fawning questions built around the fawning story lines they are begrudgingly spinning out.
If I was a writer – my story would on the leafs positive progress and how they are no longer a cellar dweller but are now a bubble team. And speculate on the next steps Burke needs to make the team a cup contender.
And for Wilson I think the PK, Kulemin progress and Wilson’s general defensive game strategy are all fair concerns and relevant discussion . Something like why did you choose the current d strategy and what factors would make you change the strategy.
Maybe it is not inflammatory or interesting as discussing Wilson or Burke social skills but to me they seem more relevant.
Yeah but that would require doing like, research and stuff.
by Self Destructive Zones on Dec 5, 2011 7:01 PM EST up reply actions
I dunno what Simmons is so worked up about. Burke’s been back from Afghanistan for a while now.
by Self Destructive Zones on Dec 5, 2011 6:38 PM EST reply actions
Simmons in his element
"They build a statue, they knock it down and piss on it, and now they will be out there building it again."
by ThickSkinnedAlive on Dec 5, 2011 6:39 PM EST reply actions 10 recs
well that is rather horrifying
Resident Internet Tough Guy
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 5, 2011 6:43 PM EST up reply actions
I know I have seen worse things, but right now I could not name them.
"You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Dec 5, 2011 6:44 PM EST up reply actions
That’s just too horrifying to rec, I feel like I’d be encouraging it.
The plural of "anecdote" is not "data".
Internet Champ. I'm on Twitter too! - draglikepull
amazing kreskin says...
integrity, full head of hair, respect of the hockey community.
(rips open envelope)
what are three things that make steve simmons wish he was brian burke?
Brian Burke – the only sports manager more awesome than Sir Alex Ferguson. Embarassed? Fuck no. I’m proud to have him running our club. The only reason to be “embarassed” is his penchant for making Steve Simmons, et al look like idiots.
…
oh… right….
That’s nothing to be embarassed about.
by Blue and White Expat on Dec 5, 2011 6:45 PM EST reply actions
Burke is an embarrassment.
Of riches.
Can it before I drive this truculence through your faceulence and put you in an ambulance.
by Brunswick Bruiser on Dec 5, 2011 6:46 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
FIGHT: Glenn Healy versus Steve Simmons. Who wins?
I donno.
But we lose.
I shot a moose once, in upstate New York.
Steve Simmons
I know you get paid by the word, so here’s two more for you Steve: FUCK OFF
Don’t feed the strays or they’ll hang around and we’ll never be rid of them
by Bobby Paradise on Dec 5, 2011 10:07 PM EST up reply actions
You`ve all said it funnier, smarter and just all-around better than I could have. I couldn`t agree more.
Burke is not a perfect GM, but he`s done a lot of great work improving our beloved Leafs and to improve the community at large.
Simmons is the embarrassment here. All he`s done is slag a good man`s character for no reason other than to feed his own ego and his own perverse sense of moral outrage.
leaf fan stuck in ottawa, a localized black hole that will suck everything in that area to oblivion.
I suggest that we don’t link Simmons’ articles from here, giving fools like him attention seems counterproductive.
by scrambles the death dealer on Dec 6, 2011 2:00 AM EST reply actions
burke is the one i want
I’m with burke. He has been everything I hoped he would be but tacked on taking stands on issues like bullying and the like.
Simmons can fuck off but he cemented this when he shit on burke for going over to afghanistan.
The Maple Leafs- making me certifiably insane since 1985.
by torleafsfan29 on Dec 6, 2011 10:34 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Simmons is an idiot
Steve Simmons is under the mispprehension that he is entitled to know exactly how the world is going to evolve and be allowed to punish anyone who deviates from the initial script. No one is allowed to change their mind, have a different way of problem solving than the one permitted by Steve. What a dork.
Simmons. Report the news. Don’t be the news.
He doesn't report the news
He writes an Opinion Column.
Not defending him – i called him an ass hat on twitter.
"You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Dec 6, 2011 6:20 PM EST up reply actions
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