Year of the Rocket

[Will]

No chance you can omit Richard Peddie from this conversation? LOL. He's as big a phony as Brian Cooper was.

I cannot comment on Cooper, but Peddie rubbed me the wrong way during the panel.

[AngeloV]

I cannot comment on Cooper, but Peddie rubbed me the wrong way during the panel.

Me too.

[Argo57]

I cannot comment on Cooper, but Peddie rubbed me the wrong way during the panel.

Never cared for Peddie when he was with MLSE.

[Will]

It was 30-years ago today that the Argonauts defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 42-3 in the east final before 50,380 at SkyDome. The Blue Bombers were defending Grey Cup champions and had beaten the Argos in the playoffs three years in a row. The Bombers were led by an excellent defense led by that linebacking corps of James West, Greg Battle and Ty Jones. In particular, Jones was trash talking all week before the game, and as Don Wittman put it the concern was that he was often able to back up his trash talk on the field. However, despite the high scoring era in the CFL, the Argos defense was not far behind the Blue Bombers in many ways.

The Argos piled it on the Bombers early with Matt Dunigan throwing early touchdowns to David Williams and Darrell K. Smith. The back-breaker might have been a 75-yard punt return TD by Rocket Ismail, which might be the loudest the SkyDome has been for an Argo game. Pinball Clemons also caught a 70-yard touchdown from Dunigan in the second quarter. The Argos would roll to a 42-3 win that put them in the Grey Cup.

Here is an abridged version of the game as posted by Year of the Rocket​ author Paul Woods.

[Scooter McCray]

It was 30-years ago today that the Argonauts defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 42-3 in the east final before 50,380 at SkyDome. The Blue Bombers were defending Grey Cup champions and had beaten the Argos in the playoffs three years in a row. The Bombers were led by an excellent defense led by that linebacking corps of James West, Greg Battle and Ty Jones. In particular, Jones was trash talking all week before the game, and as Don Wittman put it the concern was that he was often able to back up his trash talk on the field. However, despite the high scoring era in the CFL, the Argos defense was not far behind the Blue Bombers in many ways.

The Argos piled it on the Bombers early with Matt Dunigan throwing early touchdowns to David Williams and Darrell K. Smith. The back-breaker might have been a 75-yard punt return TD by Rocket Ismail, which might be the loudest the SkyDome has been for an Argo game. Pinball Clemons also caught a 70-yard touchdown from Dunigan in the second quarter. The Argos would roll to a 42-3 win that put them in the Grey Cup

Here is an abridged version of the game as posted by Year of the Rocket​ author Paul Woods.

I will never forget that year, or that game sitting in the stands with my now late father. Great players, passionate owner, everything surrounding the game to make it a place to be in Toronto (which is necessary for football success here). 30 years later and we've never had that triple play since. We've had great teams but bad owners. Good owners but bad teams. That remains a case study in what the potential can be. I hope MLSE keep the faith. They have Pinball who has the passion and knowledge to run the team, they can still attract and retain great talent. Just do it.

[Stevoman]

Great videos! I love that 91 Eastern Final and so fun to re-watch!

Just curious, do you have any photos or video regarding the exhibition game played in Portland in 92? I did not remember this happening and while the Argos did nothing in that game worth watching (losing 20-1), I'd be interested to see some footage from the event.

[paulwoods13]

Great videos! I love that 91 Eastern Final and so fun to re-watch!

Just curious, do you have any photos or video regarding the exhibition game played in Portland in 92? I did not remember this happening and while the Argos did nothing in that game worth watching (losing 20-1), I'd be interested to see some footage from the event.

I have the game recorded, and edited down a condensed version that I will post on YouTube at some point, hopefully soon.

[Stevoman]

I have the game recorded, and edited down a condensed version that I will post on YouTube at some point, hopefully soon.

Awesome, thanks and I look forward to seeing it!

[Will]

Someone posted a full-length copy of this game already.

His channel actually has some neat Argo games that I hadn't seen in awhile.

[ArgoRavi]

Someone posted a full-length copy of this game already.

His channel actually has some neat Argo games that I hadn't seen in awhile.

Wow! This brings back some memories.

[Stevoman]

Someone posted a full-length copy of this game already.

His channel actually has some neat Argo games that I hadn't seen in awhile.

Fantastic, thanks for this! Very interesting to see that the Argos are wearing the white socks with 2 blue stripes. That's not what they wore for the rest of 92 but I remember that in 93 they did.

[timlb01]

Paul, just finished your book. Great read and brought back many good memories. It makes me sad as well to think that this may have been the best chance in 30 years for the team to be revived. Thanks for the great read.

[paulwoods13]

Paul, just finished your book. Great read and brought back many good memories. It makes me sad as well to think that this may have been the best chance in 30 years for the team to be revived. Thanks for the great read.

Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed it!