A Slip in the Rain: The Fumble that Destroyed Canada's Team
The True Story of the 1967-72 Toronto Argonauts

People ask why did I write a book about the Leo Cahill Argos? There are a few reasons, but the main reason is when I was growing up the Toronto Argonauts were my heroes. Many kids of my generation worshipped various Toronto Maple Leafs. I "worshipped" Bill Symons, Mel Profit, Wally Gabler, "Tricky Dick" Thornton, among others. My heroes were the "Double Blue Gladiators" who battled down at C.N.E. Stadium and thrilled us with some of the most exciting football ever seen. The other reason is the story of the squad which became "Canada's team" has never before been detailed in print. This book pays tribute to that team and I invite you to read a review.

A Slip in the Rain is a game-by-game history of the Toronto Argonauts from 1967 to 1972. In it, the story of North America's oldest professional sports franchise comes alive. You will read why the team was formed by the Argonaut Rowing Club back in 1873 and how it rose to become the most successful team in North American pro sports. You will witness the unprecedented 180 degree turn of the team starting in 1953 where they went from the greatest "clutch" team in pro sports to the laughing stock of professional football by 1966.

And then Leo Cahill came to town. Starting in 1967 Leo built a team of long haired, mod dressed, bead wearing renegades and mavericks. Their rise to the top of the CFL came fast. After missing the playoffs from 1962 to 1966, the Argos dropped savagely fought playoff battles to Ottawa in 1967, 1968, and 1969. They slipped in 1970 and were upset by Montreal at home in the Eastern Semi-Final.

In 1971 Leo signed such great college stars as Jim Stillwagon, Joe Theismann, and Leon McQuay and the Argos finished the regular season with the leagues best record. After defeating arch-rival Hamilton in the Eastern Final the Argos dropped a bitterly fought Grey Cup battle to the Calgary Stampeders wasting one of the greatest defensive efforts ever in a championship game. Going into 1972 the Toronto Argonauts were arguably the finest young team in all of professional football. Then Leo Cahill's luck ran out. The team lost 6 starters with crippling injuries and further bedevilled by bad and at times bizarre luck, the team fell to a record of 3-11 and out of the playoffs. Right after the season Leo was fired and football in Toronto was never again the same.

Purchase A Slip in the Rain at Lulu.Com.