Some high-powered speakers tried to do the impossible yesterday in North York: Voice their proper regard for Milt Dunnell while keeping it brief.

Dunnell, the Toronto Star's long-time editor and columnist, attended the dedication of a kids' ballfield named in honour of his 100th birthday at Bond Park. Dunnell, always a betting man, was even-money to attend; he doesn't like any kind of fuss.

He listened as Brian Williams, now of CTV, told a couple of hundred friends and admirers on hand that they were there to pay tribute to a great Canadian who will always represent the best in this country's sports journalism. Toronto Star publisher Michael Goldbloom spoke of how this newspaper was proud to participate in something that will both honour Dunnell and always be a part of Toronto's sporting scene. Paul Beeston, former CEO of major league baseball and former president of the Blue Jays, reminded Dunnell that for many Toronto and Ontario sports fans, he never let them down acting as their eyes and ears at the big games, fights and races long before television brought every fan inside every event.

Among those on hand, preceeding a game to christen the field between the Scarborough and North York all-stars, were Blue Jays'