- Mike Wilner
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Mike Wilner Born 1970
Toronto, OntarioTeam(s) Toronto Blue Jays Official site(s) Mike Wilner's Fan 590 Blogs Sports Baseball, basketball, football, hockey Michael Wilner (born 1970 in Toronto, Ontario) is a baseball broadcaster for the Toronto Blue Jays. He hosts a postgame radio call-in show called JaysTalk on the Fan 590 and authors a blog on Fan590.com. He graduated from the University of Toronto in 1994.
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Broadcasting career
Wilner began his broadcasting career at the University of Toronto in 1988, and was named sports director there a year later. During his tenure at the University of Toronto, Wilner did play-by-play for various sports including hockey, basketball, and football. Wilner began his professional broadcasting career at the age of 19 with the Class-A Welland Pirates. He later did play-by-play for various baseball teams including the Class-A Watertown Indians, and the Double-A Hardware City Rock Cats. During the 2010 Winter Olympics, Wilner hosted 2010 Winter Games Today in Vancouver with David Alter from Whistler, British Columbia.[1]
Professional controversies
- On June 18, 2008, Wilner hosted a post-game radio show featuring J. P. Ricciardi, then the General Manager of the Blue Jays, as his guest to answer questions from the callers. In response to one caller's insistence for the Blue Jays to acquire outfielder Adam Dunn in a trade, Ricciardi responded by saying, "Do you know the guy doesn't really like baseball that much? Do you know the guy doesn't have a passion to play the game that much? How much do you know about the player? There's a reason why you're attracted to some players and there's a reason why you're not attracted to some players. I don't think you'd be very happy if we brought Adam Dunn here. We’ve done our homework on guys like Adam Dunn and there’s a reason why we don’t want Adam Dunn. I don’t want to get into specifics." [2] Ricciardi later apologized for his blunt, personal criticisms of Dunn on Wilner's program.
- On June 1, 2010, Mike Wilner got into an argument during a media scrum with the Toronto Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston about Gaston's field level decision making. Wilner detailed the confrontation on his blog.[3] A day later his employer, the Fan 590 announced Wilner would not be covering the team for several days, presummably a suspension though the Fan 590 refused to state the reason.[4] Because Rogers Communications, owners of the Toronto Blue Jays, also owns the Fan 590, the suspension had at least the appearance of a case of media censorship. The Toronto Chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America issued a letter or protest suggesting the suspension was an attempt by the Blue Jays to muzzle media criticism.[5] The controversy received coverage in all three of Toronto's daily newspapers, largely in sympathy with Wilner.[4][5][6]
Personal life
Wilner is married, and together with his wife from Buenos Aires, Argentina, they have two daughters and reside in Mississauga. Wilner is said to be an avid player of sim-league baseball, having played in the T.H.R.O.W simulation baseball league since its inception 25 years ago.[7]
References
- ^ "Radio plans announced for Olympic Coverage". The Canadian Press. ctvolympics.ca. January 28, 2010. http://www.ctvolympics.ca/news-centre/newsid=28424.html. Retrieved February 24, 2010.
- ^ http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/postedsports/archive/2008/06/19/jays-notebook-ricciardi-trashes-adam-dunn-on-radio-show.aspx#ixzz0yzfuPCWC
- ^ "FAN590 - Blogs - Miked Up » Blog Archive » Again?". Blog.rogersbroadcasting.com. 2010-06-02. http://blog.rogersbroadcasting.com/mikewilner/2010/06/02/again/. Retrieved 2010-07-29.
- ^ a b Canada (2010-06-06). "Confronting Gaston not a wise career move". The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/baseball/confronting-gaston-not-a-wise-career-move/article1594113/. Retrieved 2010-07-29.
- ^ a b "Commentary: Wilner’s weekend off does disservice to audience | Posted Sports | National Post". Sports.nationalpost.com. 2010-06-05. http://sports.nationalpost.com/2010/06/05/commentary-wilners-weekend-off-does-disservice-to-audience/. Retrieved 2010-07-29.
- ^ Steve Buffery. "The curious case of Wilner". Toronto Sun. http://www.torontosun.com/sports/columnists/steve_buffery/2010/06/05/14280306.html. Retrieved 2010-07-29.
- ^ Keith Law (August 23, 2007). "Questioning Nate Corddry". ESPN. sports.espn.go.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=law/070823. Retrieved February 24, 2010.
External links
- Mike Wilner's Fan 590 Blogs
- The Official Site of the Toronto Blue Jays | Broadcasters
- Mike Wilner interview with BattersBox.ca
- Mike Wilner on Twitter
Toronto Blue Jays Based in Toronto, Ontario The Franchise History • Expansion Draft • Seasons • Records • No-hitters • First-round picks • Awards & League Leaders • Roster • Players • Minor League Players • Managers • Owners and executives • Broadcasters • Opening Day starting pitchersBallparks Culture Continental League • BJ Birdie • Ace • "OK Blue Jays" • Major League Baseball on TSN • 1991 All-Star Game • Joe Carter's Home Run • Rogers Sportsnet Blue Jays Baseball • "The Doc Deal"Rivalries Retired Numbers 42 (Jackie Robinson) • 12 (Roberto Alomar)Key Personnel Owner: Rogers Communications • President & CEO: Paul Beeston • General Manager: Alex Anthopoulos • Manager: John FarrellWorld Series
Championships (2)American League
Pennants (2)Division Titles Minors AAA: Las Vegas 51s | AA: New Hampshire Fisher Cats | A: Dunedin Blue Jays • Lansing Lugnuts • Vancouver Canadians | Rookie: Bluefield Blue Jays • Gulf Coast League Blue Jays • DSL Blue JaysSeasons (36) 1970s-1980s 1990s-2000s 2010s 2010 • 2011 • 2012Categories:- 1970 births
- Canadian bloggers
- Canadian colour commentators
- Jewish Canadian writers
- Canadian radio sportscasters
- Living people
- Major League Baseball announcers
- People from Mississauga
- People from Toronto
- Toronto Blue Jays broadcasters
- University of Toronto alumni
- Year of birth uncertain
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