Amid reports of the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles finalizing a deal for executive Dan Duquette, a man tabbed Mr. Baseball Canada was feted in Vancouver while his bosses drew fire from local baseball stakeholders. Paul Beeston, the Blue Jays president and chief executive officer, received two standing ovations and was moved to tears at an annual luncheon hosted by the Vancouver Canadians, a minor league affiliate of Canadas only major league team. Canadians co-owner Jake Kerr took the opportunity to blast Blue Jays ownership, Rogers Communications Inc., for its handling of a now very-public search to replace Beeston, the Jays first-ever employee hired in 1976. Before a sold-out ballroom of 642 business leaders, Kerr placed the blame on Edward Rogers III, deputy chairman of Rogers Communications and the son of the companys late founder Ted. He quipped that later generations of the family lacked the business sense of their forerunners. I didnt mean to be rude to Rogers, and Ive been a friend of the Rogers family for decades, but the issue for me here is one thing and one thing only: respect, Kerr told TSN 1040 after the luncheon. Paul Beeston is Mr. Baseball Canada. Theres nobody who doesnt know that. If its time for him to retire and by the way, he fully intends to -- hes told me for years that 2015 is it – but hes got his group together and [general manager] Alex [Anthopoulos] and the boys have put together a team this year that they believe in. If its time for him to go, well fine. Show him out with the proper degree of decorum and respect. I shouldnt pick on the Rogers people but they must be nuts. Kerr and partner Jeff Mooney rekindled baseball on Canadas west coast in 2007, purchasing a short-season Single A club in the Northwest League, and refurbishing Vancouvers Nat Bailey Stadium. The club routinely plays before sold-out houses of 5,157, has been named Baseball Americas top minor league franchise, and won three consecutive championships starting in 2011. Current Jays such as pitchers Marcus Stroman and Aaron Sanchez, who attended Fridays luncheon, signing autographs and posing for pictures with fans, did bids in Vancouver while working their way up to the majors, and the franchise has become a western beachhead for the Jays efforts to re-kindle their national brand. When Canadians president Andy Dunn sung Beestons praises to the audience inside the ballroom, saying nobody cares more about baseball in Canada, attendees rose to their feet and Beeston had tears in his eyes. Kerr said the affiliation agreement with the Jays would not be threatened by a Beeston departure, but was clear that his old friend deserved a better fate then what has been transpiring since last month. The Jays reportedly tried to lure Chicago White Sox executive vice-president Ken Williams, who is an employee of owner Jerry Reinsdorf, one of Beestons closest friends, separate from the pursuit of Duquette. You cant pick up the phone and call Jerry Reinsdorfs general manager and think that nobody will think that a little odd, Kerr said. Reinsdorf and Beeston are [tight]. Nobody has provided a reasonable explanation for why they are doing this, and worst of all, Rogers hasnt had the balls to step up and take a position. So where is senior management and why hasnt somebody at least saying: This is what we are doing. Anthopoulos was scheduled to appear in Vancouver but that was cancelled Thursday night. Beeston declined to comment when approached by TSN 1040 prior to the luncheon, other than to say he wouldnt have missed the event because the Canadians owners were his guys. When the affiliation between the two clubs was signed in 2011, Kerr said his longstanding relationships with Beeston and former Rogers executive Phil Lind played a major role in bringing the parties together. Lind, who retired as vice chair last year, and Kerr were fraternity brothers at the University of British Columbia. Ive talked to Mr. Lind and Mr. Lind retired in November, and its almost as if, no sooner had he gone out the door that all this started [with Beeston], Kerr said on TSN 1040. Thats the best Ive got. If someone from the other side would like to explain a little differently, go right ahead. On Thursday, ESPN reported that the Jays and Orioles were close to a deal that would send Duquette, Baltimores executive vice-president and a former Montreal Expos general manager, to Toronto for player compensation, possibly pitching prospect Jeff Hoffman, the ninth overall pick in last years first-year player draft. A separate report this week from a Rogers-owned radio station said that Beeston would serve one more year with the Jays. Under Beeston, who returned to the franchise in 2008 after serving 10 years as chief operating officer of Major League Baseball, the Jays revived their winter tour across Canada as a means to promote their team and win the hearts and television eyeballs of Canadian baseball fans. Since Torontos last playoff appearance in 1993, during Beestons first tour with Toronto, the Seattle Mariners have made in-roads in British Columbia, where their popularity rivals that of the Jays. Thousands of western Canadians make the annual trip to Seattle to cheer on the Jays at Safeco Field, but the Mariners presence in B.C. is also strong. In fact, Mariners players, including pitcher James Paxton of Ladner, B.C., were also in Vancouver this week, visiting with media outlets and encouraging baseball fans to attend games in Seattle. The Jays are also a promotional tool for Rogers Communications in western Canada, where they compete with other companies in the so-called telecom wars. It was unclear why Anthopoulos cancelled his Vancouver appearance at a late hour. A Canadians official said the general manager was scheduled to be in Newfoundland on Saturday and was only going to make a brief appearance in Vancouver anyways. The Jays won consecutive World Series titles in 1992 and 1993 with Beeston at the helm, but have not been back to the playoffs since. It is currently the longest postseason drought in baseball. Let me be clear, we think the Blue Jays are a fabulous organization, and they will be after Paul Beeston, Kerr said. So its not like, if Dan Duquette or someone else comes, we think were going anywhere else. We think the Canadian connection is right for us. Nike Air Vapormax Soldes . Hes the same player he always was, only now his efforts are being rewarded. 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Patrik Bartosak turned away 50-of-52 shots for the Rebels (28-26-4), who halted their losing streak at seven games. Trailing 2-1 after 40 minutes of play, Feser forced overtime with his second goal of the game at 5:35 of the third period.(SportsNetwork.com) - A pair of teams falling back in the Western Conference playoff race square off on Wednesday night looking for key points as the Vancouver Canucks play host to the Nashville Predators. Though coming off a split of a four-game road trip, the Canucks 4-3 setback to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday night was their 14th in 18 games and has the club five points back of the second wild card spot. The Predators are nine points back of that final postseason berth as they have lost six of their last nine games. That includes a 5-1 setback on Tuesday night to the Edmonton Oilers, who sit last in the West. Gabriel Bourque scored the only goal of the game for the Predators, who have dropped their last two contests, and Pekka Rinne was pulled halfway through the third period after yielding five goals on 26 shots. Carter Hutton saved all four shots he faced in relief. "Its very disappointing. These are the games you absolutely want to win," said Rinne. "You have to tip your hat (to the Oilers). They played well, played hard and we didnt." It is unknown if Rinne or Hutton will get the call tonight. Rinne is 5-7-1 with a 2.87 goals against average in 15 previous meetinggs with the Canucks, while Hutton beat them the only other time he faced them by allowing just one goal on 34 shots.dddddddddddd Canucks goaltender Eddie Lack will start his 12th straight game. He has never faced the Predators and is coming off Mondays setback to the Lightning in which he yielded four goals on 30 shots. Alexandre Burrows had two goals and also assisted on Jannik Hansens short- handed tally. That gave Burrows five goals in his last four games after failing to light the lamp over his first 35 games of the season, but it hasnt translated into wins for the club. "Goals are nice, but we need to win games," Burrows said. "Id rather win 1-0 than lose 4-3 and score goals." The Canucks and Predators have split two meetings this season, with each club winning once on the road. Vancouvers 3-1 victory on Dec. 3 featured two third-period goals by Ryan Kesler, who is currently out with a sprained right knee. Nashville countered with a 2-1 triumph on Jan. 23, keyed by Hutton and a two- point night by Nick Spaling. The Canucks, who lost to the Preds for the first time in the last five meetings, have won seven of the last 10 overall in this series. ' ' '