Many of us in Ontario are diehard sports fans. Many of us can remember where we were or what we were doing during some significant moments in sporting history. We remember the thrill of seeing our favourite teams play to victory, or watched as extraordinary Ontarians broke records, won medals and trophies, or achieved what seemed unachievable.

We remember the hype and sometimes occasional controversy surrounding sports personalities and events. Some of us had the thrill of seeing these events and personalities live, even if from the highest row or as part of the crowd in the victory parade. More of us probably remember experiencing these events and personalities in our living rooms, listening to the radio or watching television with our families and friends, or reading about them in the sports page of the daily newspaper. Join with the Archives of Ontario as we remember what happened at the forefront and behind the scenes of some of the leading moments and personalities in Ontario sports history.

He shoots, he scores!

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Toronto Maple Leafs player scoring goal against
Detroit Red Wings, Stanley Cup Playoffs, 1942 (detail)
Conn Smythe fonds
Reference Code: F 223-3-2-7-5
Archives of Ontario, I0011892

The Toronto Maple Leafs had advanced to the Stanley Cup finals six times without success since their last victory in 1932. They came into the 1942 finals as the clear favourites but lost the first three games to the Detroit Red Wings.

In one of the greatest comebacks in cup final history, Toronto went on to win the next four games and the championship.

A beautiful day for a parade

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View of Maple Leafs’ Stanley Cup victory
parade, looking North on Bay Street,
Toronto, towards City Hall, 1948
Conn Smythe fonds
Reference Code: F 223-3-2-10
Archives of Ontario, I0011898

Looking north on Bay Street, Toronto during the Maple Leafs’ Stanley Cup victory parade in 1948.

You can see the clock tower of Toronto’s Old City Hall in the background.

Edict from the Boss

This stern reminder from Maple Leaf Gardens’ President Conn Smythe reflected his military training and service in both World Wars. He often handed down staff directives in order to ensure the smooth operation of the hockey club.

No knockdown in Hogtown

One of three Official’s Score Cards for Pro Boxing for the March 29, 1966 bout between Canadian George Chuvalo and Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) at Maple Leaf Gardens. Chuvalo was the first boxer Ali failed to knock down in a title fight as he retained his World Heavyweight Championship in a fifteen round decision.

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Official Judge’s Score Card for Muhammad Ali – George Chuvalo
fight held at Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, March 29, 1966
Office of the Athletics Commissioner
Professional Boxing Regulatory files
Reference Code: RG 81-2, Accession 34027, TBox 26
Archives of Ontario

This fight provoked significant controversy because of Ali’s outspoken views about the United States’ involvement in the Vietnam War. The bout was sanctioned by the Office of the Athletics Commissioner, which regulated all combat sports in Ontario such as wrestling, boxing and later kickboxing.

Charging ahead for a first down

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Grey Cup game between Hamilton Tiger Cats
and Saskatchewan Roughriders, 1972
Julien LeBourdais fonds
Reference Code: C 193-2, #4826, neg. 14A
Archives of Ontario

Hamilton set a team won-lost record of 11-3 during the 1972 regular season and went on to win the Grey Cup 13-10 over Saskatchewan in front of a hometown Hamilton crowd numbering 33,993.

Hamilton football clubs won the Grey Cup in every decade of the 20th century, a feat matched by only one other professional sports franchise, the Montreal Canadiens.

The Blue Jays take flight

On April 7, 1977, 44,649 fans witnessed the birth of a franchise at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto. Shivering through the snow and freezing temperatures, the Toronto Blue Jays won their first game 9-5 over the Chicago White Sox.