National Sports

TORONTO — Peter Mansbridge was at the Toronto Raptors' NBA Championship celebration in Nathan Phillips Square in June 2019 when gunfire broke out near the crowd of about one million people.

The Toronto Blue Jays were eager to shore up their rotation after losing some pitchers to free agency. Robbie Ray was keen to return on a short-term deal. The timing worked for all involved.

Canadian tennis star Bianca Andreescu is planning to make her long-awaited return to the WTA Tour this January in Australia. The 20-year-old from Mississauga, Ont.

James Duthie faced a big problem. After conducting dozens of interviews for a compilation of hockey stories — most of them previously known to only a select few — the award-winning broadcaster was stuck. The book needed a name.

The Lima Pan Am Games served as an important learning experience for Canadian boxer Tammara Thibeault regardless of her medal's colour. She's still grateful and surprised to be getting an upgrade.

Canadian bobsled pilot Justin Kripps has delayed the start of his World Cup season until 2021. The Olympic champion from Summerland, B.C.

Canadian rugby international Cindy Nelles has been named to the New Zealand Barbarians squad to face the New Zealand women later this month. Nelles is currently working in New Zealand and playing rugby for Canterbury.

The Toronto Blue Jays were the first team to strike on the free-agent front this off-season. Productive interactions at this week's general manager meetings could set them up for some potential trades too.

The Audi MLS Cup playoffs are set. Major League Soccer confirmed its playoff schedule on Monday, starting with two play-in matches to set up Round 1 that opens Nov. 21. The No. 9 seed Montreal Impact play the No.

Mikael Kingsbury is prepared for a moguls season that's subject to change. The reigning Olympic and world champion's goal in 2020-21 is continued international domination, if a season can go ahead amid the COVID-19 pandemic.