Gallagher: IBL's Leafs in “difficult transition’’ following Topolie’s departure

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Jeff Lounsbury is still looking for a field manager for the 2023 season. Photo: Toronto Maple Leafs

March 23, 2023

By Danny Gallagher

Canadian Baseball Network

The departure of Damon Topolie has left the Toronto Maple Leafs in somewhat of a bind heading into the 2023 Intercounty Baseball League season.

Topolie was forced out by team president and ownership representative Ty Crawford after last season following a long run in securing players and running the team on the field. He had been close with late team owner Jack Dominico, who died in January of 2022.

Although Topolie ran afoul of Crawford on certain matters and sometimes with the league for making negative remarks on social media, he was a workhorse for the Leafs.

Topolie's GM role was taken over recently by Jeff Lounsbury but a field manager has yet to be picked.

"We have spoken to a few people. With myself and some veteran players capable of stepping in, we are not rushing the process,'' Lounsbury told me in an interview. "Players understand Damon's situation and respect his decision but also are wanting to win and play for guys in the clubhouse who have been close.

"It's has been a difficult transition. Damon did so much and there are so many questions but we are moving forward and being positive. We feel we have added some good players already to help the strong core.''

Star infielder Jordan Castaldo, a mainstay with the Leafs for years, has yet to sign a contract for the coming season but he has been talking a lot with Lounsbury.

Castaldo hit .343 last season with six homers and 21 RBIs in 30 games as the Leafs advanced to the league final for the second year in a row against the London Majors before losing out.

"Jordan and I have spoken numerous times and I hope he is returning,'' Lounsbury said. "Jordan has been very involved with discussions about this year and I anticipate him being back, but he has not signed yet. Historically, many of the Leaf vets don’t sign until May.''

This is the second season under the new ownership group following Dominico's death and it is no easy task for Crawford, who told me recently the club continues to dip into the funds of Dominco's estate to operate the club.

Crawford told me raising money to run the club is limited because Christie Pits is a public park and the club cannot charge an admission fee. He said the most the club took in last year for a game through passing the hat was $600.

Compare that to clubs, who charge admission fees. I saw where the Majors drew 3,300 for a game against the Leafs in the playoffs last season. So 3,300 at $10 a pop meant $33,000. How Crawford would love to see that for the Leafs but it won't happen until they get a new park.

The Leafs have the popular name, they are based in Toronto, they are the envy of other teams and they are the league's flagship franchise but they are losing money. Crawford is trying to sell the team and has hired an investment bank to expedite the process.

In his last will and testament, Dominico declared that he wanted the team sold "within 10 years.''

Danny Gallagher's new Expos book is called Around the Horn and it's available at Amazon.