Bush Gala Brings the Glitz

 

Bush Gala attendees were treated to mountains of food and fully stocked bar options.  No one left Bar Biltmore hungry or thirsty.

There's a new must-do highlight on Toronto's social calendar.

The Bush Gala, a celebration of Toronto Maple Leafs baseball, debuted Saturday night inside Bar Biltmore on Bloor Street.  

Located a tape-measure home run from Christie Pits, the swanky bar was the scene for an evening of camaraderie between Leafs players, fans, family and friends.  Food, drink and of course banter were available in large doses.  Editors across the city will be kicking themselves for missing this one.

The event was the brainchild of The Bushmen, the club's legendary fan group.  They organized the booking, invites, catering, decor, promos, and awards.

Yes, there were awards.

A few hours into the event, after everyone had enjoyed some drinks, let their hair down and greeted arriving Leafs players like the celebrities they are, it was time to acknowledge some of the most memorable moments of the 2022 season.

(Photo: @thebushmen1 on Instagram)

The award for best pitching performance went to Angel Castro for his dominant performance in Game 4 of the IBL Championship Series.  Seven innings pitched, 8 Ks and only 1 earned run surrendered.  Accepting the Bush statuette on Castro's behalf was Yusei Taraoka.

The award for best hitting performance went to Johnathan Solazzo, who set Christie Pits on fire when he hit two home runs in one inning, including a grand slam.  Accepting the award on Solazzo's behalf was Dan Marra.

For best defensive performance, the Bush statuette went to Connor Lewis for a spectacular Willie Mays catch against Hamilton.  Lewis also won the unofficial but very obvious award for best dressed person on the night.  His low-key/high-vis finery put the posers at the Met Gala to shame.

Soon everyone will be wanting a Bush statuette, something for next year's Leafs to strive for.  

In keeping with long-established IBL tradition, very few if any Leaf players would confirm their return to the field next year when asked last night.  This is generally accepted code for "I will definitely be back unless an arm falls off."

For decades, Leafs owner Jack Dominico organized a dinner that took place on the eve of the team's home opener.  With the first year of the post-Jack era in the books, and the traditional dinner no longer happening, a new tradition could be taking its place.  

May the Bush Gala be the first of many to come.

Bushman Garret Hill announces the first recipients of the Bush awards to a packed house.  Winners received a leafy statuette and eternal fame in the universe of Maple Leafs baseball.