Will Harvey the Hound make it? Voting will soon close for Mascot Hall of Fame
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CTV News
3 hours ago
- CTV News
Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. named American League all-star starter
Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) hits a two-run single against the New York Yankees during sixth inning MLB baseball action, in Toronto on Monday, June 30, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Thomas Skrlj Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is once again an all-star. It's the fifth straight year the Toronto Blue Jays slugger has made the American League all-star team, and the fourth time he'll be the starting first baseman. He beat out New York Yankees star Paul Goldschmidt for the top spot, garnering 75 per cent of the vote to take the starting spot at first base. It's the second consecutive fan election for Guerrero, and his fourth fan election in five seasons to join Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar and José Bautista as the only Blue Jays with four fan elections. The 26-year-old Guerrero has hit 12 home runs and 44 runs batted in to go along with a .278 batting average in 84 games this season. He leads the Jays in runs with 53. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 2, 2025.
CTV News
6 hours ago
- CTV News
‘As tough as I could' Saskatoon born woman completes English Channel swim
Aerin Bowers completed one of the ultimate swimming challenges in the world. 'I swam across the English Channel. I swam from near Dover to Wissant, which is on the French coast. And it was a swim that took me 16 hours and 33 minutes and some,' Bowers told CTV News via Zoom from Ramsgate, England. Bowers is originally from Saskatoon but now lives in Rossland BC. She had initially hoped to complete the challenge in September for her 50th birthday, but it was called off because of bad water conditions. She flew back to try it again on June 30, and this time, she was able to get in the water with the help of her support team. Her team includes a coach, her partner and a friend who threw her bottles to feed her, which must be consumed in the water. Aerin Bowers - English Channel swim Brent Hobbs and friend Debbie Collingwood, the support team, with Bowers in the water beside the boat.(Courtesy: Aerin Bowers) Bowers recalls one of the challenges was trying to keep the liquid sustenance down during the grueling swim. Bowers' last name might sound familiar to those in Saskatoon. Her dad was Kelly Bowers, who passed away in 2019. He was an inspirational teacher and coach in the community. It was his wise words that kept her going during the 16-hour feat of physical and mental endurance. 'He had two sayings that he used to say to me all the time. And everyone will probably have heard these before. And the first one was, 'keep plugging.' So, you just keep going, keep plugging. And then the second one is 'you got to be tough.' So, that was the main one that I sort of repeat over in my head. You've got to be tough. So, I tried to be as tough as I could,' she said. Aerin Bowers - English Channel swim Bowers and her late dad, Kelly Bowers, who she drew inspiration from during her challenging swim. (Courtesy: Aerin Bowers) She admits she thought about giving up after intense jellyfish stings on her face and arms, her tongue burned by salt water. Not to mention the temperature of the water was a chilly 16 C. 'When I was getting closer to France, that's where the tide really kicked in so, I was sort of swimming in place for what felt like a really long time and had to still keep up my stroke rate so that eventually you kind of push past it.' And push past it she did. Bowers raised money through a GoFundMe page. Currently she's $800 short of her goal of $10,000. The money is going to Jumpstart, a children's charity close to her dad's heart. 'It was important to my dad that all kids would have access to do the sports and activities that they love without any financial barriers. And I benefited from that as a kid. I was able to do, you know, everything from swimming to volleyball.' She started swimming when she was three-years-old and has no plans to stop, saying she doesn't rule out attempting this swim again, but needs to financially recoup since she paid for all of it out of her pocket.
Winnipeg Free Press
6 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘An extra layer of something to overcome'
CALGARY — Over an hour had passed since the Calgary Stampeders wrapped up their walkthrough practice, and yet Adam Bighill remained out on the field under a scorching hot sun to get in extra work with the team's linebackers coach. The 36-year-old, who spent the last six seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, is working to resume his CFL career after tearing his ACL in last year's Labour Day Classic in Regina. There's nothing left for Bighill — a three-time Grey Cup champion, three-time CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player, and six-time league all-star — to accomplish in the three-down world that he hasn't already, but he remains motivated. BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS FILES Former Winnipeg Blue Bombers minister of defence Adam Bighill, currently on the Calgary Stampeders practice roster, is aiming to face his old team on July 18. Bighill signed to Calgary's practice roster last week, but his knee still isn't at 100 per cent so he will miss Thursday's showdown with the undefeated Bombers at McMahon Stadium. 'Mainly because I love the game and I love competing. I love grinding, and I love football. That's really it,' Bighill said Wednesday. 'As I visualize myself right now on what it would be like to not hit people, it doesn't sound too fun.' 'I've never had to come back from an injury like this so it's like an extra layer of something to overcome, and I've had to overcome a lot in my life to get where I am. For me, also, I think it's character building. I want to be able to come back from something like this and be proud of the work that I put in to get back and play the game at a high level like I want to.' As much as he'd like to suit up this week, he'll have more chances as the Stamps and Bombers meet in Winnipeg on July 18 before returning to Calgary for a third and final regular season date on Aug. 9. Bighill's goal is to be ready in time for the mid-July battle at Princess Auto Stadium. 'He's a guy that raised the level of everybody around him just by his actions,' said Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros in Calgary. 'Since I was traded here in '19, I felt privileged to be his teammate and I always told him that it's an honour to take the field with you every day… and I truly meant that and still do… It's part of the game, but any time you lose leadership, it's tough.' Bighill isn't in denial. He's up there in age, coming off a serious injury, and the Bombers found a younger and cheaper replacement for his spot in Tony Jones. He wanted to end his career in Blue and Gold, but never assumed it was guaranteed even though he put down roots in Winnipeg with his wife Kristina and their three kids. 'My job has always been to show that there's no one you can bring in that's going to be better than me. But I mean, when you get hurt, it's kind of easy for them to rip off the Band-Aid and say, 'We can move on from him, he's injured,'' said Bighill. 'And I mean, I understand. As much as I wish it wouldn't happen, this is kind of the way that it goes.' After the Bombers made it clear they were moving in a different direction, folks began to stop Bighill in public to ask him what was next. 'Lots of questions. 'When are you coming back? Are you gonna coach? Are the Bombers gonna have you coach? Are you gonna hopefully sign somewhere late? What are you gonna do? Are you done? Are you going to retire?' All sorts of questions. But I told them all that I'm getting ready to play,' he said. As for joining the Bombers' coaching staff once he hangs up the cleats for good, don't bank on it. 'I really just want to coach my kids, to be honest. I've had a long career. A long selfish career, if you will,' he said. 'I want to be able to spend more time with my family and create those kinds of opportunities with my time.' Bighill has heard the noise, especially on social media. There are many out there that think he's done and has nothing left in the tank. But once he gets the green light to return, he's confident he will prove people wrong. He recorded 48 defensive tackles and one sack in 10 starts last year before the injury took him out. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'I think (I'll be) the player I've always been. I still feel like I can be explosive, fast, cerebral, and a playmaker,' hesaid. 'At the end of the day, the game is never about doing more things outside of your job, it's about doing your job at a high level and making the plays that maybe a few of the others can't… So I don't think it's going to be any different.' Bighill had a big smile on his face when he pulled on Stampeders colours for the first time. He's long admired their hard-nose brand of football and he's happy to be on board with a group that he thinks can compete for a Grey Cup. 'It's been a great experience here so far, but that chapter in Winnipeg was by far the best and most fun I've ever had playing ball,' he said. 'I still got love for Winnipeg, my teammates out there, the city, and you know, I still live in Winnipeg so I still got a lot of love. (But), I want to beat them. No doubt. When it's game day, and we're playing this football season, it's 'Let's go Stamps.'' Taylor AllenReporter Taylor Allen is a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor. Every piece of reporting Taylor produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
