Home Runs and High Stakes

Saturday November 1, 2025 | Substack Newsletter 48

Welcome to what was World Series Week, a major event for many of us north of the U.S. border. The closer you are to Toronto, the more the excitement builds—just as it does around Los Angeles. For others, the Dodgers vs. Blue Jays might be as thrilling as watching, say, the Astros take on the Braves: not very. But for Canadians, it’s a big deal. Adding to the buzz is Donald Trump’s dramatic reaction to an Ontario ad using Ronald Reagan’s voice to warn against protectionism. Doug Ford’s government cleverly aired these ads during the World Series, targeting American Republicans and addressing local concerns over Ontario automakers moving to Illinois. Meanwhile, Trump and Carney were in Asia, trying to outmaneuver each other for the ear of the emerging Supreme Leader of Planet Earth (SLOPE), Xi Jinping. That’s where my editorial cartoons headed this week. Let’s dive in!

Tuesday, October 28, 2025: Revisionist Reagan Institute

The Reagan Foundation & Institute recently forced the removal my caricature of the 40th POTUS from Redbubble, which seems unfair given that harsher images remain online. In response, I created a Frankenstein-themed design to humorously critique how they manage Reagan’s legacy, as seen in this cartoon. Although Trump’s reaction to the ad was juvenile and misguided, it revealed the extent of his influence and the fear he instills in institutions that support a partisan narrative. This is a blatant violation of NARA principles. The situation underscores the dangers of blending politics with the stewardship of historical legacies. Regarding my caricature, public figures are part of the public domain, much like the archival footage of their historical presence. Incidentally, my most popular Presidents in terms of sales are #1 Theodore Roosevelt, #2 Jimmy Carter, #3 Howard Taft, #4 John Adams, and there’s a tie for #5 between Richard Nixon, and Calvin Coolidge.

Wednesday, October 29, 2025: Sucking the Air From the Room

Prime Minister Mark Carney is tackling a tough situation as he tries to improve Canada’s rocky relationship with China while ties with the U.S. are also strained. After years of tension over the Huawei issue and tariffs, Carney plans to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping to boost relations. This happens as U.S.-Canada relations hit a low, with President Trump imposing tariffs and stopping trade talks. Carney aims to expand Canada’s trade with China but risks upsetting the U.S. His strategy is about balancing economic opportunities with China without losing U.S. support, highlighting the challenges of global politics.

Thursday, October 30, 2025: Criticizing While Channeling Trump

U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra is far from diplomatic, acting more like Trump’s vulgar windbag representative north of the border, especially when he criticized Ontario’s anti-tariff ad featuring Ronald Reagan. The headlines he creates reflect the worst American stereotypes, making him seem better placed in the naughty corner of a Michigan nursery school than in charge of that giant destroyer on Sussex Drive. Meanwhile, Doug Ford’s clever anti-tariff ad is impressive, but his Trump-like approach at home—like rushing a law to ban speed cameras—raises questions about his commitment to democracy. My cartoon highlights the irony of criticizing Trump while acting similarly, urging voters to recognize these mixed messages from their leaders. In my view, this three-time majority Premier has been impressing voters for too long.

Friday, October 31, 2025: Dodgers on the Mound

The Toronto Blue Jays are on the brink of history, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 in the World Series and aiming for their first championship since 1993. With impressive performances from Trey Yesavage and resilience against Shohei Ohtani, excitement builds for Game 6 on Halloween night in Toronto. While the Dodgers bring a storied legacy, with the highest number of hugely paid players, the Blue Jays’ run has captivated Canada, despite a dip in U.S. viewership. Fans are eager for the Jays to clinch the title, marking a historic moment for Canadian baseball. For the record, the Dodger’s won game six of the series forcing a seventh game.

Back then, Blaine’s little guy every man seemed more into politics than the Blue Jays…

Saturday October 24, 1992 and Tuesday October 26, 1993, by Blaine, The Hamilton Spectator, From the Archives

The Blue Jays’ first World Series in 32 years is a big deal, even if sports isn’t my usual thing to chew on. This series is more than just baseball; it’s boosting national spirits, especially considering Canada-U.S. relations. A championship would be great news for Canada. The Halloween game was perfect for a themed cartoon since there won’t be another chance to draw on the topic for three days, and in three days I doubt I’ll be drawing on the World Series even with a Blue Jays victory. I thought about how the late Hamilton Spectator cartoonist Blaine handled the Jays’ wins back in 1992 and 1993. Those coincided with major national events: the Meech Lake referendum in 1992 and the federal election in 1993, which both occurred around the same time as both World Series victories. Poor Blaine didn’t have a chance to revel in the Blue Jays back-to-back victories. I’ll be back to my cartoons next Tuesday, just as the government of Mark Carney delivers its much anticipated federal budget. The 2025 World Series results will be a distant memory by then, or as we say in the business. “overtaken by events.”

Saturday November 1, 2025: Cozying up to a Better Beast

If you’re Canadian and feeling a bit of whiplash about our stance on China versus the United States, you’re definitely not alone. Not too long ago, China was under the spotlight for meddling in our elections, using threats against the Chinese diaspora to push their influence. Fast forward, and now it seems the tables have turned, thanks to the U.S. President, who’s quite the expert in stirring the pot. His notorious comments have shifted the dynamic and soured what was a long-standing partnership between our countries. For many Canadians, myself included, who once felt a strong camaraderie with the U.S., the situation has changed. Despite China’s issues, it now appears more respectful of Canada’s sovereignty, something that seems to baffle Donald Trump and his supporters.

As the week wraps up, we’ve seen a mix of sports excitement, political drama, and international maneuvering. The Blue Jays have captured national attention with their World Series run, while political figures like Doug Ford and Pete Hoekstra have stirred the pot with their actions. Looking ahead, all eyes turn to the federal budget set for Tuesday. While some speculate it could topple the government, I doubt it will lead to such upheaval. Expect some unpopular measures, but likely not enough to send MPs into an election with the holiday season approaching. The government will probably ensure the budget squeaks by, maintaining stability for now.

And now, the week that was in my in the making-of process of my editorial cartoons:

Here’s a fun fact: The Graeme Gallery celebrates it’s first year anniversary this week. Thank you to everyone who subscribes to my weekly newsletter! Each Saturday morning, I aim to provide a recap of the week with my editorial cartoons while keeping notifications minimal.

I see Substack as a potential lifeline amid the unpredictability of being a staff cartoonist. While I remain hopeful, I know many talented colleagues are facing layoffs and closures. This platform will allow me to showcase my editorial work in the future. As long as I’m employed at a traditional newspaper, subscriptions here will stay free. A huge thanks to the Hamilton Spectator and all the subscribers who have supported me with their wallets—I truly appreciate it!

One last request: if you enjoy what you see, please like and share. Thank you!