The Ditch part deux

Oh, Catfish, don't you worry - I know he's a dirty damn Bruins fan. I'm gonna use it as an opportunity to check out the only redeeming part of Boston, talk some hockey, and then give a couple fingers and a wag of the pelvis to the Bruins' stadium. I actually have a picture I've gotta get up on here of my roommate's trip through the area, last week - it's gold. Let's just say that she was of a similar mind.

If I didn't thank you for the offer, and promise to take you up on it if I'm in the area, then I apologize - I certainly would've meant to. I really do appreciate that, and when I get a chance to start traveling soon, I may just have to come on by. Note: I'll give the Flyers the same damn treatment, but you're good people My apologies if I didn't make that clear, my friend. The offer is greatly appreciated, and I promise to make sure you're put on all the hot spots down here, if you're ever in South Florida. I'll make sure you get the meanest Cuban sandwich you'll ever have. Cheers, bud.

 

I can't find that post now, but you said something like i'm a dirty Flyers fan and you wouldn't offer me anything after you offered someone else some tickets or something in Florida. haha.

 

Oh, man, Cat. First and foremost, I definitely wouldn't have offered someone tickets - sorry, everybody. You better believe I'm at every game I have tickets for, and have a long list of suitors if someone should be unable to go with. Until my salary goes up, I can't really be buying extra tickets, too...

But as much of a son of a bitch as that makes me sound, it doesn't sound like me not to be thankful for an offer of food / drink. You're definitely a dirty Flyers fan, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't make sure to stop by if I'm in the area.

I went back and looked, real quickly - I didn't really see an exchange like that between you or I. I saw you make a whole lot of personal digs on the Panthers and their fans, including wishing that they'd get moved to a new city - so, that's not great, and I'd really rather not see that again. But I didn't really see what you were talking about. The only thing was this, in the fishing thread:

"Interestingly, I've lived down here my whole life, and can probably count the times I've gone to the beach as an adult with my fingers and toes. When you live inland, and you work all day / week long, it's a little less tempting. I'd invite you down here, but you're a Flyers fan, so... ".

I was kidding. I mean, I won't invite you down here (too many damn transplants in the first place), but if you were in the area, you should definitely let me know. You are a damn dirty Flyers fan, but the above was a joke, and it doesn't mean we can't enjoy superior South Florida food or something of the like, together. That might change if you say you want to see the Panthers moved to a difference city, again, but I'm gonna assume you've learned that that's a dick thing to say or think, and we've moved past it.

 

gadzooks dline. I was looking all over for the missing post on the hockey threads and couldn't find it. no wonder. it was on the fishing thread. look at the last sentence...



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Well, then I think all is well, right? As I said, I very much appreciate the offer, and if and when I get up that way, I will definitely let you know. Vice versa, give me a shout if you're down this way, and I'll make sure you know what good Cuban coffee and alligator wrestling is all about. We can rib each other about our teams all day long, but that doesn't mean we can't share good times with good people. I apologize if I didn't make that clear in the first place, buddy. All good.

 

^^had 2 Cuban sandwiches in my life. the 1 was a place up here they closed down a year later. I was pissed. if I'm in Florida, I'm never going back to PA. I'm there for life. haha. Thanks D-line. I could use a great Cuban sandwich and some coffee !

 

when the Flyers play in Vegas, the arena was filled with tons of Flyers fans. I believe LAOJOE said Vegas is a big destination town to see a game while visiting and on vacation etc. Well, that maybe true, but for that game, the Flyers fans were equal if not more than the Vegas fans in the arena and "lets go Flyers" chants were pretty loud. A few bunch of local Flyers fans always go on trips to road game. So the schedule came out and the Flyers first road game is vc Vegas. . The Vegas Golden Knights replied back with this comment that they are NOT selling group tickets outside the Vegas Market. Now this could be for many reasons, but after their record breaking season, I doubt they want any opposing fans taking over their arena like the Flyers did last year. haha.

https://www.crossingbroad.com/2018/06/flyers-fans-broke-the-vegas-golden-knights.html

 

Willie O'Ree, NHL's 1st black player, gets Hall of Fame call
Goalie Martin Brodeur, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman will also be inducted in November...



Willie O'Ree, the NHL's first black player, headlined Tuesday's unveiling of this year's Hockey Hall of Fame inductees.

The 82-year-old Fredericton native had been eligible for induction since 1962.

O'Ree broke into the league as a right-winger in 1958 and went on to play 45 NHL regular-season games for the Boston Bruins.

Current NHL commissioner Gary Bettman will also be inducted as a builder in November.

The player inductees include goalie Martin Brodeur, who won an NHL-high 691 regular-season games, winger Martin St. Louis, longtime Canadian national women's team forward Jayna Hefford and former Soviet Union forward Alexander Yakushev.

O'Ree, who continues to make an impact on the sport, had the 60th anniversary of his first NHL game recognized by the Bruins on Jan. 18 while the league announced the Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award in April.

He will be the third black player in the Hall of Fame, joining Edmonton Oilers goalie Grant Fuhr and Canadian women's national team captain Angela James.

Brodeur, who got the nod in his first year of eligibility, is a three-time Stanley Cup winner, a four-time Vezina Trophy winner as the NHL's top netminder, and a five-time winner of the Jennings Trophy for the fewest goals allowed in a season.

The Montreal native, who retired in 2015, is also the NHL's all-time leader in shutouts with 125.

"You don't dream to be in the Hall of Fame," Brodeur told TSN. "You dream to play one game in the NHL and that was my goal when I got drafted [20th overall by New Jersey] in 1990. I was fortunate to be in New Jersey at the right time."

Brodeur noted his hockey career meant the world to his father, Denis, one of Canada's most successful sports photographers who died in 2013.

"[For me] to be part of the Hall of Fame is something he would have been reallly excited to be around. He would have been the first call I made, for sure [when I received the induction call]."

Brodeur also won a pair of Olympic gold medals with Canada in 2002 and 2010.

"I owe a lot to Hockey Canada," he said, "for them to allow me to play in the world championships, World Cups and, obviously, four Olympics. These are experiences that really helped in my career."

Since Bettman was named commissioner in 1993, the NHL has grown to 31 teams with some $5 billion US in annual revenue. (The Canadian Press)

 

The only “internet buddy” I’ve ever met in real life is Dan, and he’s a great guy. Great guy. I believe that he travels a bit so I would definitely recommend it if he’s in your area.

 

Not sure what I've done to deserve this. In fact, I'm certain that I'm not worthy.
I've had the pleasure of meeting several guys that might read this.

I'll say that there's one truth regarding all of them. Each guy is a better man in person compared to the vague notion I had of them based on an avatar, team affiliation, and a few blurbs they've written about sports.

You know who you are! Thank you.

Here's to hoping I someday get the chance to meet many more.

 

Oh, come to Denver. I still have not picked my Avs tix, and while the DU Pioneers schedule isn't out yet, I will have all Friday games.

 

My little sister recently moved to Colorado Springs, so I plan on being in that area when it's snowing, early next year. So if all goes well, I'll be about an hour away next year!

 

Hope to see you in the New Year! I'll try to get the Swamp Kitties game for Mon. 25 Feb. You'll have first dibs.

Hopefully the Pios will have a home game on 2/22. They have a great college atmosphere.

BTW, most two-word cities in CO are shortened to the first word, e.g., Manitou Springs* is called Manitou. The exception is Colorado Springs; in common parlance it's known as the Springs. (* Manitou is a cool town just south of the Springs; you'll want to check it out.)

 

I really don't enjoy award shows, but when Gary Bettman is enshrined before Daniel Alfredsson, something is wrong. I miss Cutter in these times.
I realize one of the color barriers was broken with O'Ree, but that wasn't the only one in Hockey. 14 points in 45 games. Must be a B's thing.
How many Inuits scored more? How many... scored more?

 

If you’ve spent any time in the NFL threads regarding the HoF, you’ll know my opinion on it in general. Since stats aren’t the only thing that pertains to the “fame” aspect to a career and we have people in there that would now be considered sub-par statistically, I say, let them in, especially Willie O’Ree. He broke the color barrier, which is a HUGE accomplishment. It also holds the league in check and reminds them of the time they were being racist. It’s good for (new/young) fans to know this.

One perspective: Oh, this is when the league became more inclusive.
Other perspectve: Oh, this is when the league stopped being 100% racist.

Progress was and continues to be made.

My actual point: Fame is fame and (unrelated) sometimes infamy is famous. Joe Namath is in the NFL HoF and O’Ree was more important of a sports figure than Mr Pantyhose. Hell, I’d even like to see Bob Probert in the HoF. Just as I suggested for the NFL, make the HoFs bigger. Create more to see and do, jack up the fan experience. Build more exhibition wings.

Seriously, rock out with yer cock out. You know how you’re partying really hard, you’re drunk, all coked up, rolling on a lil’MDMA, and you start puking but it’s ok, because you’re still REALLY fucked up and having a blast? That’s what a HoF experience should be like... but w/o the booze/drugs... for most.

 

But O'Ree didn't overcome the stigma that the AFL could never beat an NFL team, which Namath did, in an upset over the Colts ! It was a huge turning point for the sport. That win alone is a major reason why Namath is in the FB HOF. Give credit where credit is due Halo.

The NHL just created a new Willie O'Ree award that was given out last week. so his induction to the HHOF is surprising.

 

Totally disagree on the "employee of the month being the owner" choice of bettman. When he's gone and they want to induct him, do it then.

He probably doesn't have much faith that would happen.

 

then the Baseball HOF in Cooperstown needs to be a heck of a lot bigger. it's in a 3 story building and the first floor besides the plaque room and gift shop was empty. now that year's induction class has a ton of their stuff on the first floor in exhibits. the main HOF is the second floor where all the cool shit is, but it needs to be a ton bigger. the 3rd floor is every WS ring ever. All WS programs and the MLB Awards. I asked a curator once - how much stuff do you have or own vs what your show ? shockingly he said "10%." some stuff they can't show anymore due to aging etc. the rest is rotated but only 10% is shown. hence, they need a modern new building. my first trip there half of it was closed down and we used the fire escape to get around the closed stairways. i felt like Chevy CHase in Vacation when he gets to Wally World and it's closed. "The Moose out front should've told ya!"

 

I’m sending some art to the HoF in Cooperstown next week. Never been to any HoFs. Driven past the NBA HoF a shit tonne of times. Would like to see the hockey shrine, but I’m not a big fan of that stuff. It’s barely different to the memorabilia at the Hard Rock Cafes of the world. Actually meeting people and having conversations is more compelling than staring at some dead athlete’s sweat stained jock strap.

 

sending some art ? you are donating it to them or selling it to them ? i didn't know you drew baseball artwork ? do you have some samples ? very cool halo.