Freddie P's Blog

December 1, 2006 @ 12:54

I saw the story announcing that Global has eliminated its entire sports department. Starting in late January they plan to plug into Rogers Sportsnet for their sports coverage during the supper time and late evening newscasts.

It means veteran Toronto sportscaster Don Martin gets the boot.

Too bad Donny, it happens to the best of us. Martin was there for 17 years delivering sports in that old style, old fashioned, this shit actually means something kind of way. Pretty boring I'd say.

If I sound a little bitter, I am. There are several little things that happen over ones career that you never forget, and one of mine dealt with Don Martin.

It was 1988 at the CBC studios on Jarvis St. I had just agreed to co-host The Sports Zone with BJ Del Conte. At the time the show as panned because it just a couple of guys sitting in easy chairs poking fun at pro sports, you know, like a million shows you see on cable networks today.

The Sports Zone was actually ahead of its time, but the old guard in Toronto wasn't ready for it and neither was Don Martin.

Turns out the half hour on Sunday nights at 11:30 was up for grabs and the sports department at CBC put a bid in for it and the entertainment department did the same.

Turns out the entertainment department got it, so what did they do, they came up with the idea for an off the wall sports show.

Needless to say the CBC sports guys hated the idea but the only contact I had with the CBC sports department was Don Martin, and this was the contact.

The night of the very first show I was in the studios and realized I had to drain the main vein so I headed for the washroom. Just as I was entering, Don Martin was exiting.

Feeling pretty good about being in the environment I was actually quite excited to see Don Martin so I said "Hi Don!"

Don replied "the intruder!", and he blew right past me like it was my fuckin' fault CBC created a show and hired me.

That was the only contact I ever had with Don Martin but believe me; over my career it did me no harm, although today I officially forgive him because I feel bad he got punted.