AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > August > 05 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSummers Will Simply Not Be The Same
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
By now you’ve all heard about the passing of longtime Braves announcer Skip Caray. He had battled illness for some time now, but news of his death still came as quite a surprise to me nonetheless. He was 68-years of age. I hope you will forgive me for remembering him in this little hockey forum.
I first started listening to Caray in the summer of 1980 when my family moved to the Atlanta area. I was 15 at the time and my becoming a follower and fan of that team was just as much because of him and the way he delivered the play-by-play as it was the team. He had a way of making one feel like they were sitting in on a conversation more than simply listening to information about a game.
Throughout the years I listen to ball games with my buddies as we cruised about the town at night. I travel the southeast with my soon-to-be bride with his voice coming through the car speakers, (I always had a station list of those broadcasting the games). The Braves were terrible in the mid to late 80s…but Skip made it tolerable. Even through the Eddie Haas years.
When the divine Mrs. R and I wed and moved to Tampa, Florida, his presence remained as cable brought Braves baseball into our apartment. We returned to Atlanta in the summer of ’91…you remember that year, don’t you?
I rocked both of my boys to sleep in the early nineties while watching the team and listening to his broadcasts…late night diaper changes and feedings were accompanied by Skip and the gang if there was a game played from the left coast. Up until a couple years ago, I always laughed with my two tax-exemptions about how the Braves never missed post-season since they came around. Summertime always meant Braves baseball and Skip with Don, Joe, and Pete…whether I was grilling on the deck with the radio on, traveling to the in-laws down in Jacksonville, Florida or simply on the TV as we went about our evening activities.
Throughout the years, we listen as Skip called those plays that will forever remain with all Atlanta sports fans…from announcing the first ever World Series games played in Atlanta, Sid’s slide at the plate…to “Yes! Yes! Yes! The Atlanta Braves have given you a championship”!
In 2003 when TBS removed Skip and Pete from the TV broadcast booth in an attempt to bring in more non-Braves viewers, the outcry from fans was so great that the network capitulated and placed them both back.
When his father, Harry Caray, passed away…we mourned along with him. So many of us sent him well wishes. He remembered and mentioned those touching tributes last September when the Braves ended their 30-year run being nationally televised on TBS.
Caray was sometimes tough on the team, but he always told it like it was…at least in his eyes. He was a Braves fan, but he wasn’t a “homer” in my eyes. If the team stunk out the place… that would be what he said. If the opposing pitcher threw a dandy game to beat the Braves…he would acknowledge that and give him the proverbial tip-of-the hat. He was honest and real.
Skip’s son, Chip, said that one of the last things he got to say to his dad on Saturday was “I love you” as they spoke on the phone. “I hope and pray he’s not hurting anymore”, the younger Caray said. “I hope and pray he’s sitting on a barstool somewhere with his dad arguing about baseball, and his mom and his brother who he misses dearly. I hope he’s at peace”.
Indeed.
We’ll miss ya Skip. And now, I think I’ll go walk the dog…promising to patronize the sponsors.
In Hockey Related News
The Thrashers’ radio booth will be Odgers-less this season.
Earlier this summer, Kovy said, “Thanks…but no thanks” to the KHL. And everyone said…”Hallelujah”!
Terry Frei of ESPN.com ranks the NHL’s bench bosses.
Why would Scotty Bowman leave the Red Wing’s organ-I-zation to go to Chi-town? Brian Compton knows why.
Want to understand why a team would trade a promising youngster for an over-priced vet seemingly past his prime? Jim Kelley of SI.com explains.
And Finally
The winner of today’s ID-10-T Award…
A man from Jacksonville, Florida became outraged enough to call 911… twice… when a local Subway shop failed to put sauce on his sandwich. The first time was because of the improperly made sub…the second was to complain about the time it was taking for police to respond.
Services »
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By BAF
August 5, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this
Thank you for taking the time to post about Skip.
Go Thrashers!!
By J(Z)
August 5, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
As a Mets fan (yeah, yeah, I know) here in Atlanta, even though I hate the Braves, I always enjoyed listening to Skip call games. I was watching last night’s game just to hear the stories. He was a great broadcaster and apparently a great man. If only we could listen in to those arguments with his dad! RIP Skip!
By Bob
August 5, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
Skip was a classic, what a great family, with he, Harry, and now Chip. I pray the Lord will welcome him with open arms.
So no more Odgers? Hmm, he was very rough around the edges at first, but I liked what he brought. I wonder who the replacement will be, mabye they can bring back Scotty Ferrall. lol.
By NASCAR Dave
August 5, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
RAWHIDE - Don’t forget SKIP CARAY doing those FLAMES/HAWKS games either, brother!!!
By NASCAR Dave
August 5, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this
So no more Odgers? Hmm, he was very rough around the edges at first, but I liked what he brought.
If we put him on the Roster at RW will we hit the Cap Floor yet??? LOL
By PuckedUp
August 5, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this
I really enjoyed Skip as well. But I have to say it. I used to laugh hysterically listening to Skip explain the infield fly rule. If there was one question that just seemed to get under his skin, it was that one. Wonder if he will ever make the HOF as a broadcaster?
By Brendan
August 5, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
Skip Caray was a classic. He will be missed. He could salvage a scoreless, three-hit game into the 8th inning. While beer probably enhances all sports, it is espcially true of baseball. And if you didn’t have beer?? Well, then there was Skip Caray to make it tolerable.
By Tony
August 5, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this
Bob, why did you bring back that bad memory. Don’t ever mention Scott Ferrall ever again.
By Alan
August 5, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this
Don’t ever mention Scott Ferrall ever again.
I thought the guy was funny when he had that show on Atlanta’s failed attempt at FM talk radio (105.3FM). Even won Thrashers tickets off his show once.
By glovesave29
August 5, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
I miss Skip already. I still get choked up when I hear his call of Sid Bream sliding under Spanky Lavallier’s tag in the 1992 NLCS. Who else is going to tell us what third rate movie is on TBS at the conclusion of the game?
Dave - I think Skip called only one Flames game. The Flames has the BEST TV / radio team in hockey with Jiggs McDonald and Boom Boom Geoffrion. I beleive that Skip filled in for a sick Jiggs one evening.
We may have had some less than stellar teams here in Atlanta during the 1970’s, but we had Boomer telling us “Da Flame, dey are playing dere hearts out tonight Jig”, Skip telling us another sparse crowd of 5000 was a “partial sellout”…Al Ciraldo at Tech and Larry Munson in Athens - we were quite lucky to have each and every one of them.
On another note, does anyone know where to get a 2004 NHL Eastern Conference All Star jersey in XL? The jersey is the tan one with the red writing in the throwback style from the game in Minnesota.
By Tony
August 5, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
Alan/Bob, that guy almost made a growling sound when he was talking, his “character” was way over the top. His routine didn’t fair well for play-by-play.
By Alan
August 5, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this
I know. I disliked him as a play by play announcer, but away from the rink, he was an okay guy.
By LAC
August 5, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
God Bless Skip Carey, a Great in every respect of the word.
I remember him and Jiggs McDonald on WRNG 680 doing sports as they had a sports show in the early 70’s.
I always remember Skip doing a Flames game with Boom-Boom, between the “Did you say dis about dat” and “It looked like it go’ed in Boom” it was Laurel & Hardy all over again, forget who won, it was as Classic as it gets.
I was lucky enough to have my photo with those two at a sports show in 1979… A true classic in Atlanta as was Da Boom !
By ranallo10 (in AT)
August 5, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this
glovesave — Those were definitely my favorite NHL All Star uniforms.
By Tony C.
August 5, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this
glovesave- You looking for a particular player’s # ? Or just a “blank” sweater?
By Povey
August 5, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this
Nice thing about the split broadcasts is he will never die. He will just be telling it like it is on another media. I can accept that he is not calling the game I am watching, just calling it on another media. He said his wife liked the birds. I guess he did too. Now even they will remind me of him.
By NASCAR Dave
August 5, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this
So… Did everyone see KNOBLER’s blog???
NIKULIN is NOT coming here this season…
I tried to tell ya, but nobody ever listens to NASCAR Dave!!! LOL
By Alan
August 5, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this
NIKULIN is NOT coming here this season…
Yes, Dave, I admit that you “told us so,” but I think it’s for the wrong reasons. I’m wondering if KHL bigwigs approached him and told him to stay put. The heavy handed antics of the KHL recently does lend credence to this theory of mine.
No matter. Next season, he will no longer be bound by the limitations of the entry level clause in the CBA, which means he can sign a 4 year deal for $3.5m per, if that’s what we offered him.
Yes, I’m optimistic on Nikulin eventually playing here. Too bad he won’t be here this year, but it’s not the end of the world.
By Brendan
August 5, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this
Has Bogosian signed yet?
By NASCAR Dave
August 5, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this
So it look like KLEE is gonna play “A Big Part” for us this season… LOL
LARSEN been WAIVED yet???
WHITE/SLATER/EXELBY been traded yet???
Still lookin for those “(2) Top Pair D-Men and 1st Line Center” that were promised to the STH’s… Are they here yet???
Pathetic… NUFF SAID.
By glovesave29
August 5, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this
Hey, Tony C - I’d like a Kovalchuk, but if it is a blank one, I can get it customized. If you can help, i’d appreciate it!!!
By HookyBob
August 5, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this
Rawhide Your tribute to Skip was most appropriate for this blog. I particularly enjoyed his play by play. It was concise, yet descriptive. When listening on the radio one could easily picture the play as it was developing. He was one of a kind.
I will also miss Odgers. He was one guy who gave this franchise everything he had. My type of player. I wish him the best on the Canadian prairie. Makes me cold just thinking about it though. No doubt his kids will be involved in “robust” youth hockey program.
In a day of losses,… I must add Nikulin, or loss of the hope he would join us. With him I would have hoped we’d break 90 points this season. Now that is “irrational exuberance.”
I’d like to know a little more about this “Kontinetal Hockey League.” I wonder if they won’t fold with-in a few years. At the same time I’m glad that “Betman and Co” know there is competition.
I’m thinking that more important than the number of shots we give up is the “quality” of those shots. Far too many are from the slot or well screened point shots. Nikulin (and perhaps Valibek) could really help us in this aspect. I am concerned, as Brendon has noted, that we haven’t signed Bogo yet.
Finally, I must say Bob is “spot-on” In his assessment of Toby. Like most Swedes he is a “smart” hockey player. My fear is that he won’t see just “one hit” (ie Kostitsin) coming and get injured. Lidstrom took one last season in Colorado.
Let me close with this question,..Who will lead the Thrashers this season in penalty minutes? My choice is Valibek (take that Barry Melrose) followed by Bogo, then Thorburn. Lets get tough guys!
Sixty-six days til the puck drops on the nest run for Lord Stanley’s cup. Go Thrashers.
By glovesave29
August 5, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this
There are reports from Russian that Nukulin is staying? There are reports he is coming here too. I hate to rain on your parade, Dave…as in the long run you may be proven correct, but until I see this “report” in a legitimate news source I am going to be optimistic he will be here soon.
By JLH
August 5, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this
Yes, I’m optimistic on Nikulin eventually playing here. Too bad he won’t be here this year, but it’s not the end of the world.
Alan, what tells you he will be here? Possibly, Waddell has offered to overpay him next year, but that is the only scenario I can imagine him returning. Even then, Nikhulin may get just as much from a better team. The Kovy factor even gets me more depressed. Maybe wrongly, but I was hoping another young Russian star would be a factor in helping us resign Kovy, not to mention the effect an improved defense/team would have on Kovy’s decision.
I’ve got to say I was holding out as a Waddell supporter, but this feels like the last straw. A general manager just has to get certain things done, no matter what the obstacles and Don is not doing it! You might suggest Hossa and Nikhulin and Campbell’s decisions were tipped by factors out of Waddell’s control, but he created the team that these player’s do not want to play for, so at some point he has to be held accountable. This is that time. Don has never suggested that ownership has tied his hands in any way, so I don’t think that is a reasonable excuse.
Nascar, I don’t agree with your style, or necessarily your pessimism, but you were right on this and I totally agree with you on Larsen, Klee, and White. We can’t reasonably move forward with these guys getting in the way of the development of younger players. We will suck with them, so we might as well suck with some energetic youngsters instead and see if any of this potential is real…… Kovy will just have to understand….Yea, right. Ugggh.
By Alan
August 5, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
Alan, what tells you he will be here?
What tells you he won’t be here, oh pessimistic one? I’m looking to the future and hoping for the best. But all I see from your words are a doom and gloom.
Best of all? I haven’t supported Waddell in quite a long time. I don’t even think about him much. I would quite prefer the ownership took the Edmonton approach with him and put him in a non-GM type position. But I also don’t think the situation with Nikulin has anything at all to do with Waddell or any sort of deal he was proposing.
Nikulin has a contract with a KHL team, and the KHL has already muddied up the waters enough. They’ve even demanded compensation ($500,000) from Columbus for Filatov, even though Filatov’s contract was up when he was drafted!
So as much as I dislike Waddell, blaming him for the Nikulin situation is a stretch, in my opinion, until we know more information about why he elected to stay in Russia. And unfortunately, that’s something we may never find out.
By Tony C.
August 5, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this
glovesave-
I’ll see what I can come up with…there was a guy in MN who has a bunch of #17 stuff (I got my Kovalchuk #71 Spartak Moscow Jersey from him) on ebay…I’ll email him and see what he’s got.
As far “blank” sweaters this place is about the best dealer I’ve found. They have a whole bunch of stuff for different sports.
By glovesave29
August 5, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this
Tony - thanks for the help.
I have used that company before for my team jerseys…it is my last stop if I cannot find the real thing.
By stendec
August 5, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this
Really enjoyed appropriate tribute. Will be sorely missed. Always thought Flames theme song was gear fab. One of best! And now…Well, I guess I am outvoted on this blog. Many sadly deluded souls here must truly believe Sori Letemin, uh, Kari whoever, of the paper mache groin, is the next Patrick Roy. Stellar season indeed! I will remember all the apologists when 1) A soft goal slips in after a furious but futile rally 2) The puck enters the net when the goalie is in another postal zone 3) A dreaded monkey puck prompts a red light to flash (personal favorite). Stellar indeed! Offense will have to net four or five goals with Mr Blue Hair between the pipes. Gonna happen? Yeah! Just like Falcons are bound for Super Bowl as particpants NOT spectators! GO DAWGS!
By polskidawg
August 5, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this
glovesave29 - had Boomer telling us “Da Flame, dey are playing dere hearts out tonight Jig” - THAT brought out a huge flood of memories!! Thank you.
Rawhide - great piece on Skip. He was all the things you mentioned and more. As a kid in the 70’s, and having grandparents in North Carolina, I truly miss hearing Skip, Ernie Sr. and Pete call a game on the radio (“transistor radio on AM) on hot summer nights.
By JLH
August 5, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this
Alan - I didn’t mean to imply that your optimism was in any way support of Waddell. I enjoy your posts and ,believe it or not, like you I am generally optimistic about our team. I will, again, attend every game this season, win or loose, and love it. You might put me out in the field with the other sheep, but its because I love the game, not because I support mgmt.
The you-tube video of Nikhulin got me psyched about the potential for a major turn-around in our defense - Nikhulin, Bogosian, Enstrom, Hainsey, Havelid, Valabik (and someone else) is a world away from last season (even when you incorporate the youth factor). Wrong or right, For me, Nikhulin is the central cog in that series of gears. My wheel looses its hub.
My pessimism about Kovy is based on what we love most about him - his passion. Someone that passionate wants to win and I’m afraid only a much improved team will satisfy that passion.
By Alan
August 5, 2008 11:40 PM | Link to this
Someone that passionate wants to win and I’m afraid only a much improved team will satisfy that passion.
I don’t worry about that so much. I mean, I know he wants to win … but I believe he wants to win here … not in Detroit, Pittsburgh, Montreal or San Jose. He was drafted by this organization and has come up through it. After almost 8 years here, I think he almost has a sort of allegiance to the team… moreso than any other player here.
I believe he’s going to be made captain this year (one could ask “who else could possibly be as qualified as Kovalchuk?” and everyone you name would be a wrong answer), and he is going to do his damnedest to lead this team to victory every night.
Sure, you can look at this roster and see mostly 3rd and 4th liners, and I’m certainly not saying we’re going to have any degree of huge successes this season… but I believe with Kovalchuk in the drivers seat, and the new faces behind the bench, we’re going to be a strong competitive team. Competitive in terms of “not giving up,” anyway. Things will not like last year… and that’s not just optimism talking. Though some of the less faithful can look at the roster and say we’re good for no more than 70pts.
By Alan
August 5, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this
stendec - Fun fact: “Sori” is Finnish for buzz. As in, “buzz, you’re wrong!”
Fortunately for you, many of us here have realized that you’ll never be happy, no matter who is the goalie. .We could get Patrick Roy out of retirement and put him behind last year’s defensive corps, and you’d still run in here during intermissions and after games to talk about how “Roy let in another softie” and how badly he stinks.
But unlike Patrick Roy, at least Kari Lehtonen hasn’t barged into a coach’s office and ransacked it. But no, in your little fantasy world, Kari is immature. Yeah, with blue hair dye and an uncanny nack to show emotion on the ice.
There’s a difference between what Kari does and what Roy did. And you will also note that several other top notch goalies in the league are also immature… by your standards, anyway.
Yes, we all want the Thrashers to win a cup. But your whining about “Buzz” is about as old as the written word.
(“Sori” also means “Murmur” and “Hum” … neither of those relate to Kari either.)
By Russian
August 6, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this
First of all - NO PANIC I am following all Russian news and I did not see any statement from Nikulin is staying in Russia. Yes, he is playing now in St.Peterburg and yesterday he got one goal and one assist. Second. It is not very easy and fast to get working visa to USA. It is taking around 3-4 months to go through INS, FBI and all government organizations. If we did not see any news end of August that means something is not right. But Any way, we got good D-men on this season. I know, Klee is kid of Old Dude and Ex is not playing very well after concussion. Those two guys will be in Dog House. We got – Toby, Hevelid, Hainsy, Bogus. We can do it. I am kind of optimistic on thjis season.
By Mark
August 6, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this
Here is somethine to everyone sick to thier stomach. A little piece about whyt Braydon Coburn is a Norris Trophy candidate in the making. At least we got S** for him.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/44137-braydon-coburn-is-norris-trophy-material
By Alan
August 6, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
Bleacher Report? Seriously? The National Enquirer gets it right before that conglomerate of bloggers with journalistic aspirations… and with more op-ed than Burnside at a drunken orgy.
By stendec
August 6, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
Hi Rawhide. Hi fellow Thrasher watchers. Going to get philosophical. I think. Well, here goes…Statistics are nice but true champions are never judged solely by numbers. Intangibles such as heart, grit, inner toughness, desire and pride define true champions. Crybabies with boundless talent are still crybaby losers. Less talented teams with desire spring upsets. More talented uninspired teams are upset victims. Get my drift? I support Kari Lehtonen for emotional displays when they are warranted. I would applaud if he knocked one of his lazy defensemen out with his hockey stick after a goal. Only he is close enough to do so. Glass prevents fans from appropriate vigilante justice. Break a stick, berate a zebra or slam down water bottle. All is forgiven. What I cannot forgive are mental lapses. Skating around out of position when goal is scored. Excuses. Losing focus on long shot which winds up in net. Excuses. Blue hair. Excuses. Monkey pucks. Excuses. A true champion who allows one goal in a 1-0 defeat knows if that goal is on him on not. Shots saved do not wind up in goal column. Who feels better 1) Goalie following 1-0 defeat or 2) Goalie after 10-9 shootout win? Bottom line in sports is always winning. Always has been. Always will be. No one will cheer any louder for KL or Thrashers than I. No one will be quicker to bring KL or Thrashers to task when they tank it than I. Drop the puck. I am ready. Best to everyone.
By five_hole
August 6, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this
As much as I enjoyed listening to Skip, I enjoyed his father more. I was especially lucky, growing up in St. Louis. I listened to Harry Carry & Jack Buck do the Cardinals broadcasts together in the ’60s, and we had Dan Kelly (a HOFer in broadcasting) doing the Blues games (He Shoots - He SCORES!). Broadcasting doesn’t get much better than that.
By Danielle
August 6, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this
Glass prevents fans from appropriate vigilante justice.
Stendec – that statement you made points out so many problems that I don’t even know where to begin. Contrary to popular belief, just because you turn on a television or buy a ticket to a game, that does not give you ownership to a player’s entire life. It is obvious that you have many personal issues but taking them out on athletes, general managers and bloggers is not how to deal with them.
I am well aware that it is natural to experience anger. But real men work it out in a gym, on a heavy bag, or playing sports themselves. As much as I disapprove of your thinking you can take it out on an NHL player, I would actually pay to see you try to do that. If you are the type of man who works out his anger by yelling on a blog I am sure you are no match for a professional athlete.
Until then, I would recommend that you find another outlet for your anger issues and perhaps try to deal with it like a real man.
By Mark
August 6, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this
Danielle, you really didn’t take that comment literally, did you?
By Bob
August 6, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
A general manager just has to get certain things done, no matter what the obstacles and Don is not doing it! You might suggest Hossa and Nikhulin and Campbell’s decisions were tipped by factors out of Waddell’s control, but he created the team that these player’s do not want to play for, so at some point he has to be held accountable
Bingo. At the end of the day, all of these lame excuses we’ve heard, year after year, ring hollow. Results matter, the rest is all b/s.
You can’t explain away every failing. There is a serious, deep, flaw with this club. The GM is incompetent and the players have no faith in his ability to build a winner. And now no one, including me, has any faith in the owners fixing this problem, as they have retained Waddell, against all common sense and reason.
Nothing meaningful will change here until meaningful changes are made and a real GM is brought in
Dave, you were right, I can’t believe I got sucked into believing Nikulin would come play for us. Kovy must be real psyched right about now.
By glovesave29
August 6, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
Actually Sendec, this video is the reason why you don’t go out on to the ice…glass or no glass! Others here can enjoy seeing the Jets, Nords, Whale and those hideous yellow Nucks sweaters.
By Danielle
August 6, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
Mark - you’re not trying to tell me that was an appropriate comment given all the other comments that he makes, are you?
By glovesave29
August 6, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this
Ooooh, here’s an even better one of Rob Ray taking it out on a fan
By Mark
August 6, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
I don’t know Stendec from glen beck or anyone else for that matter. I certainly haven’t read all of his (or her) posts and nor do I care to. But, in the post in question, I don’t see where he said anything that was innappropriate. He expressed his frustration regarding poor play from a Thrasher. Big deal. We’ve all been there on that.
By Jimmy
August 6, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
Wasn’t Stendeck the one on the Falcons blog that said he wanted the Falcons plane to crash on the way home so they all die or was that some other blogger? I am pretty sure it was him if memory serves me correctly.
By five_hole
August 6, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
When I buy a ticket (or even when I’m sitting at home) I love to yell at players as much as the next guy (although I try to keep my vocabulary at a higher level than most). However, I have no illusions. I know that whichever player you think is the wimpiest guy in the league could kick my a$$. Or Stendec or anyone else.
By glovesave29
August 6, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
Hey Five_Hole - the “wimpiest” player in the league is still a professional athlete and in terrific shape. He would kick ALL of our behinds (except Patrik Stefan who would get a concussion from the breeze that eminated from the punch).
By five_hole
August 6, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this
My point exactly glovesave29. And I would be “turtling” on the ice until the refs came to save me.
I was at a bar a few weeks ago and there was some show on ESPN, looking into the physics of sports. Who swings harder, baseball players or golfers? That sort of thing. I remember paying attention when they compared punching power between some boxer & a hockey player (don’t know who). They both punched at around 2200 psi, which I’m sure is enough to have them give me last rites.
By Bob
August 6, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
Todd White? Niko Kapanen? There’s a few softies in this league, but you guys are right, NHL players are in tremendous shape and can generally whoop some a*. I remember that Rob Ray night, that was some hilarious stuff. Anyone see Tie Dummy take on a fan who decided to get at him in the penalty box? That was some beer enhanced thinking by that fan, I don’t think you could hurt Tie Dummy if you had a brick in each hand and two free swings. Bricks would probably crack in half when they hit that melon.
By glovesave29
August 6, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
Yeah Bob, that video was there too, but I REALLY dislike TD and don’t want to pay him any attention at all. That man has a a huge brow - like a caveman! I would call it a fivehead instead of a forehead. I would venture to guess that those bricks you mentioned are also signifigantly smarter than he is!!!
By Bob
August 6, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
lol at fivehead. And you’re right, the brick has a higher IQ, that guy was a Neanderthal. Mabye he could parlay it into a future doing Geico commercials.
By Razor
August 6, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
Bob, are you another Buffalo guy here too? I just ask because if that’s the video I think it is it’s from the late 80’s to early 90’s, and if you remember that from back before there was more than local coverage to the NHL. Where you up in the orange too? Great times back there.
By Tony C.
August 6, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this
Craig Custance’s Sarcasm lost on Canucks …read the comments.
Also, anything to have more Erin Andrews is a good thing IMHO
By stendec
August 6, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
For the record. The only pro athletes I have ever REALLY wanted to give black eyes were Jeff George and Chris Miller. Going on the ice was not meant literally but figuratively. I respect most athletes. Whether they are worth a damn in their sports or not. Most Atlanta pro athletes are untalented parasites. That assessment comes from one who has been involved in the Atlanta pro sports scene from the start. GO DAWGS!
By Russ
August 6, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this
I’m all for bring back Erin Andrews as well…would her salary help us reach the salary floor?
By ranallo10 (in AT)
August 6, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
I’d bet he could create a more competitive franchise than the ASG…
By five_hole
August 6, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this
stendec The only athlete I’d give a black eye to is Brett Hull.
My sister-in-law has a son who (at the time) was a huge Brett fan. This was like early ’90s, when the Blues had the “Hull & Oates” line. Anyway, Hull had signed an agreement with a restaurant chain to use his name and he had to make appearances after games. My sis-in-law let Andrew stay up after midnight (on a school nite, no less) to get his autograph. Andrew was about 9 or 10 at the time. So, the limo pulls up and Adam Oates gets out first. Hull stuck his head out, saw the crowd of kids waiting (for him), pulled Oates back into the limo. My sis-in-law heard him say “we’ve been here, let’s go”, and they left those kids standing there.
Brett Hull is an a*******hole.
By ranallo10 (in AT)
August 6, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this
Most Atlanta pro athletes are untalented parasites.
What a quality stereotype. What makes it amusing to me is that you follow it up with your hooray for UGA, yet they’ve had 5 athletes on their football team suspended for the first game of this season due to various forms of debauchery (and even some crimes).
Yeah, the Thrashers, Braves, and Hawks sure do have a ton of those problems going on. That crazy Lehtonen kid dying his hair is much worse than a person getting into a bar fight and going to the hospital because he got a bottle broken over his head.
You were better off keeping your rant to just that…a rant. Your “justification” of said rant was just pathetic, and definitely didn’t help your cause.
By Tony
August 6, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this
Brett “one foot in his mouth and the other in the crease” Hull.
By Rawhide
August 6, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this
Tony C - The link you provided for the Custance article must have a glitch or sumthin’….all I could see was that photo of Erin Andrews…couldn’t see anything else.
I’m gonna try it again…for about 4 or 5 hours…and see if I can see the words.
By Russ
August 6, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
Brett “one foot in his mouth and the other in the crease” Hull.
Nicely done, Tony.
By Public Srvice Announcement
August 6, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this
In order to assist the Thrasher’s defense, the Thrashers should hire Erin Andrews. Andrews would be employed to jump up and down behind the goal where the goal judge used to be whenever the other team enters the Thrashers zone.
Custance would beg the Sporting News to cover Thrasher’s games again.
By Tom
August 6, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this
What I will always remember from Skip was the Pregame show in the 90’s when he would go off on the callers. Some of the questions seemed to be so moronic that I would swear they were plants.
Great guy, great voice, great attitude.
Skip, you will be missed.
By NASCAR Dave
August 6, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this
STENDEC - Don’t worry about that COMMIE RANALDO… Hell, he left his HOME country (AMERICA) for some Eurotrash country!!! LMAO… What a traitor!!!
RANALDO - You are pathetic for bringing that crap up… Please tell me WHAT college doesn’t have kids drinking underage (athletes or not)??? You single out UGA like it is the only school with this happening… That is weak, brother!!! LOL
Are these the last straw tactics you sheep pull when the visionaries like SAGE/BOB/LAC/BRENDAN/STENDEC/NASCAR DAVE/STROZ prove you wrong time and again??? LOL, pretty lame, Curtis…
Some A-Hole is posting under my name again on KNOBLER’s blog… So any post you see on there under my name is not by me, as I will not be posting on his blog until further notice… And i’ll be in NY for the next few days, so you probably won’t see many posts by me (will bring laptop, though)… But I will tell you what will happen with the team… Nothing.
By ranallo10 (in AT)
August 6, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this
*Hell, he left his HOME country (AMERICA) for some Eurotrash country!!! *
Clearly you’ve never been out of the NASCAR Belt…so, I’ll assume you were joking.
As for the rest of it, you’re right, I was taking a pot-shot at the UGA football team because clearly that’s my sole purpose on this blog. It’s my MO. I like to attack people for their collegiate affiliations, and then claim that if the disagree with me they’re either a farm animal or “grasping for straws” because they can’t handle being “wrong” about the Thrashers.
You’ve got me down pat bud, good call.
By Brendan
August 6, 2008 6:02 PM | Link to this
Trixie, je t’en prie, I think it’s time to start the next blog. Maybe a fresh new blog will get us back on topic?
By NASCAR Dave
August 6, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this
Yeah, I agree ‘NALLO…
Some people just can’t handle the fact that that they are wrong, and I am right… So, they will post under my name using my “sayings”… That’s not very creative now is it???
We already got ROSWELL THRASHERFAN banned… Is this Brian/William kid next???
LMAO
By Trixie (Rawhide's Secretary)
August 6, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this
Mr. Brendan…I’m sorry, but you see… Mr. Rawhide is busy doing some in-depth studying at this time.
He just left mumbling something about a “glitchy” link to Mr. Custance’s article and not being able to see any of the text… only thing he could see was a certain Ms. Andrews and that he “needed to look into this matter further”.
He asked not to be bothered for the rest of the evening.
Perhaps you could try to bring the crowd back into the fold?
By Erin Andrews
August 6, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this
I think the question is, what are you guys going to do to get me there? I am listening for ideas.
By Smitty
August 6, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this
Rawhide Many thanks for the blog. Seems to be the only hockey news we get on the local level.
Bob & Razor
The Aud was a great place to watch a hockey game especially when the Leafs came to town. My Dad had season tickets. 1st row of the blues. I think the ticket price was $4.25 a piece. I hope that doesn’t give away my age. Rob Ray usually got the best of everyone including Domi. Thrashers could sure use someone like Ray or even Domi. Bolts tries but he is not quite that type of package.
By ranallo10 (in AT)
August 6, 2008 7:22 PM | Link to this
Smitty — Their best bet from the pure fighter stand point was Desbiens, but he’s no longer part of the club (wasn’t re-signed this offseason). I guess that means the team will rely on Valabik and Boulton for the fisticuffs.
I do remember an interesting quote from Anderson though, about how he’s not a proponent for sending out a fighter (or something to that affect…basically he didn’t like gooning it up). At the time I thought it strange when looking at the quantity of PIMs for Valabik and Deveaux this past season, and Desbiens/Valabik in seasons prior. We’ll see…but I hope Valabik is allowed to tone his temper down and focus on defense, where his size is MOST important (on the ice, not in the penalty box).
By Tony C.
August 6, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this
We still could use a guy that’s handy with his knuckles.
If for no other reason that we haven’t ever really had a guy who is (no disrespect to Odgie, but my man lost WAY more than he won in a Thrasher’s sweater).
By HookyBob
August 6, 2008 10:53 PM | Link to this
Five-hole I am so sorry to hear that story about Brett Hull. I’ve been a big fan of him since his UMD Bulldog days. If ever there was/is a more pure scorer/sniper,… my memory is failing me.
Seems as if a lot of Buffalo fans blame Brett, and not the officiating in 1999. Buffalo fans are good knowledgeable hockey fans, perhaps the best,…but blaming Brett is soooooo… misguided.
Did anyone who watched that series notice how Buffalo players were hooking Hull inside the knee before the puck was even dropped for the face-off? (Remember he was playing with a pulled groin.) Perhaps it was poetic justice that he was “credited” (to quote Brendon) with the Cup winning goal. Buffalo fans, you were robbed,…but it wasn’t by Bret Hull.
Sometime back another blogged questioned whether Hull and Haseck really deserved the 2002 Cup because they were simply extra pieces on a really strong Wings team. The simple fact that Ken Holland wanted them on his team should answer that.
What he did to those young fans in St Louis is dispicable, and makes him very “ungood” as a person. Too bad it takes away from his greatness as a hockey player.
By 10yr plan
August 7, 2008 1:04 AM | Link to this
Sorry to see Odgie leave. Hopefully the Thrashers will hire someone with local ties. The’re numerous former Flames that still live here and support youth hockey on their own w/o the Thrashers support that would be a good fit. I’d vote for Willi Plett or Eric Vail. It’s too bad the Thrashers don’t affiliate with the former team. As a long time Atlantan dating back to the mid 70’s, I remember the Flames always being competitive and usually making the playoffs unlike our current team. Go Flames!
By Brendan
August 7, 2008 1:26 AM | Link to this
That ‘99 Final was a very competitive series. I once saw a stat that said 98% of all the minutes played in that series occurred while the teams were tied, or held a one goal advantage. Well, it doesn’t get much closer than that. And, at the time, the league desperately needed a competitive Finals for their “Showcase Event.”
Well, it’s true. From 1995 to 1998, there were nothing but sweeps in the Finals. New Jersey over Detroit, Colorado over Florida (great series clinching game, when Uwe Krupp scored in the 3rd OT of Game Four), Detroit over Philly and the Red Wings over the Capitals. I still can’t figure out how the Caps didn’t take Game Two of that series, but Esa Tikkanen missing a wide open net might help explain some of it. If the Caps had held that big lead in Game Two, who knows what might have happened, in terms of their confidence, headed back to Washington for Games Three and Four.
But I digress. Buffalo fans need to bury those “No Goal” hats and T-shirts and key chains. It’s embarrassing. What is the goal? Is the goal to really make the 1999 lineups of the Dallas Stars and Buffalo Sabres replay the series until Buffalo wins? And ex-post facto take the Conn Smythe from Joe Nieuwendyk and hand it to Dominek Hasek, while “X-ing” out the names of the Dallas Stars from the trophy? Because if that is the goal … it’s never going to happen. If the goal is … to make the NHL declare “No Champion” for 1999, likewise, it’s never going to happen. What causes the NHL to declare “No Champion” is an outbreak of the flu, in epidemic proportion, and/or a cancelled season, due to a work stoppage. That’s it. At least so far.
Brett Hull is far from my favorite human being walking God’s green earth. But his career in the NHL was spectacular. He will go down as one of the best goal scorers of all-time. It is a bit surprising, though, how he never gelled with Gretzky in St. Louis. I have to give credit to Brett Hull in his new role as co-GM of the Dallas Stars. When GM Armstrong was canned, in mid-season, long after qualifying offers, the draft, arbitration hearings, the free agent frenzy period, and the contract signings/re-signing had concluded, with the finalized roster long since been set, it raised some eyebrows. “You don’t fire a GM in mid-season! It’s too late to make a change!!” Well, apparently NOT. The Dallas Stars reversed their sinking fortunes and not only made the playoffs, they ousted the defending Stanley Cup Champion Anaheim Ducks, then eliminated San Jose, another Cup favorite, before losing to the eventual Stanley Cup Champions, the Detroit Red Wings, in the Conference Finals.
By five_hole
August 7, 2008 7:36 AM | Link to this
HookyBob Brett Hull was a tremendous hockey player. He not only had an explosive shot, not only could he one-time the puck like Ilya, he had a tremendous hockey sense of where to be on the ice when the puck would come loose from a scrum. That’s not something you can teach. I used to love to root for the Golden Brett. All I can say is, he broke my heart.
I have this thing about atheletes in general. They get paid big bucks (not so much in hockey, but still …) and kids look up to them as role models (right or wrong, they do). As far as I’m concerned, they should sign autographs until their arms fall off (for free), do public service messages, etc. I’ve known some of them that go to childrens hospitals during away games without publicity. I know Vincent LeCalvier is spending millions of his own money to help build a children’s hospital in the Tampa area. These are the guys I think are the real heroes of sport. Those that can’t take some time to give back, especially to kids, like the classless Brett Hull, are the real losers.
By Bob
August 7, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
Bob, are you another Buffalo guy here too?
No sir, sorry about that, I made it sound like I was there. I’ve just seen that video before. Rob Ray was a classic.
By William
August 7, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this
can anyone tell me why i am now linked with roswell thrasherfan just because i said enstrom won’t struggle this year. nascar dave it seems that you will call out anyone, whether it be me or glovesave29, for no other reason than that we talk hockey without bashing players for stupid reasons.
By William
August 7, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this
rawhide this brings up another point. did you ban roswell thrasherfan as stated above and if you did how can i be him, wouldn’t i be banned then. can you please state this to the bloggers here why he was banned, i would love to know that.
By L.L.
August 7, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this
They wouldn’t ban him for anything, he never said anything that was half as bad as some of the other stuff posted here. He probably just lost interest in the blog from the rants. If Rawhide says he was I would believe it, but NASCAR Dave will say a lot of stuff that just isn’t based on fact.
By NASCAR Dave
August 7, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this
nascar dave it seems that you will call out anyone, whether it be me or glovesave29, for no other reason than that we talk hockey without bashing players for stupid reasons.
Dude, don’t bring GLOVESAVE in this; I have never “bashed” GLOVESAVE…
rawhide this brings up another point. did you ban roswell thrasherfan as stated above and if you did how can i be him, wouldn’t i be banned then. can you please state this to the bloggers here why he was banned, i would love to know that.
Dude, I don’t know if he was banned or not (I’m just assuming because he is no longer here)… And if you remember, that person did something that the AJC Terms of Service explicitly states you are not allowed to do (Post under someone else’s name)…
My point to you is QUIT POSTING UNDER MY NAME ON MIKE’S BLOG!!! I don’t even post on that guy’s blog anymore, so everytime you do that, people know it is you, and not me… Consider this your warning…
People here are not stupid WILLIAM… All day yesterday, YOU were the only person posting on mIke’s blogs with a few exceptions of some of the “regulars” round here…
You act like you know a lot about these blogs, but I would guess most of the “regular” bloggers would agree with me that you are new here… All of a sudden there are a bunch of “New” bloggers here, that seem to know who everyone is, and what all types of stuff they post… LOL
WILLIAM, LL, DAVID, PAUL, etc… Hmmm, they seem to have “A LOT” of info for being “New” bloggers and all… LOL
WHY is THAT???*
Again, consider this your warning…
By William
August 7, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this
nascar dave i laugh at your claims because i know for a fact that i am not all those names that you listed (although i am “william”). i hate to tell you this nascar dave, but a lot of people read this blog for awhile and lurk before they post. as well, there seems to be a lot of people that mock you. i did read that iraq war blog and someone doesn’t like you. there were other blogs making fun of you and your use of caps locks. i also read all those posts that made you write letters to cox enterprises and the ajc, but that wasn’t me either. i would love to see what happens as a result of your warning if i don’t abide by it.
p.s. someone just posted something new over at knobler’s blog.
By glovesave29
August 7, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this
Don’t worry, Dave…you and I are cool. Don’t often agree with ya, but I do appreciate your passion.
William - no issues with you either, my friend. Be happy that people disagree with you at times, that’s what makes this whole blog interesting. As long as we don’t get personal, a healthy exchange of ideas is ALWAYS a good thing!
By William
August 7, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
glovesave i am referring to the fact that you and i had a pleasant conversation about enstrom but then all of a sudden from that point on you were accused of being brian and i am accused of being roswell thrasherfan. seems you can’t say anything around here against certain “visionaries” or they will call you out as being another blogger that you aren’t. if you have an issue with my statements by all means prove me wrong with facts. but this stupid name calling is idiotic as i would love to know how they feel that i am roswell thrasherfan.
By Dave
August 7, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
We already got ROSWELL THRASHERFAN banned
Dude, I don’t know if he was banned or not
Somebody, help me figure this out. I can’t recall what was said. I’m losing my mind.
By glovesave29
August 7, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this
Hey William, that was not Dave, it was someone named A$G.
By William
August 7, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this
glovesave first off people here post under lots of other names the first time the guy said something about me it was a one time name. secondly the principle is still the same, if you say something against the “visionaries” then out of nowhere you are accused of being another blogger that they don’t get along with. i would still like to see how they know that i am that other guy (as i am not him they are just doing this out of stupidity).
By R. Stroz
August 7, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this
Wiliam - Unfortunately, we have individuals who sign in under multiple names which aren’t comical pseudonymes. I, for one, commonly use Jethro.
Also, unfortunately, we have individuals who sign in under other peoples names. Roswell Thrasherfan, Whitfield Blade, and the Habs Troll have practiced this behavior. Roswell Thrasherfan had the audacity to call in the post game game show and pose a question using my call name. This behavior is truely idiotic, and in some minor way, borders on identity theft.
As a result, you are being lumped into this group of individuals until you reveal your true identity.
BTW, your posts are very similar to a former blogger. No caps, same writing style.
By NASCAR Dave
August 7, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
p.s. someone just posted something new over at knobler’s blog.
WILLIAM - You truly are dumb as hell, ain’t ya’??? You just proved it is you doing that s+++!!!! LOL
BTW, your posts are very similar to a former blogger. No caps, same writing style.
BINGO… I also find it funny that this person has quite a bit of historical knowledge of these blogs…
BRENDAN - That is not me you are responding to on Mike’s blog… It is WILLIAM…
By William
August 7, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
nascar dave if i was really trying to hide something why would i come out and tell you it was me. perhaps can it be because you are a windbag who issued a warning that is baseless? believe me there were plenty other “nascar dave” postings that i had no hand in. people just don’t like you dave. yeah i did that one but just to see what your wimpy warning would come to. now all you did was invite a whole bunch of people back to keep mocking you. so what are you going to do about it nascar dave?
Again, consider this your warning…
danielle was right, you really aren’t a man.
By William
August 7, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
r. stroz i find there to be a few errors in your post. first of all just because i don’t use caps is in no way proof that i am another person as there are multiple people who do this in many internet sites. as for my true identity, i am william. nothing more to reveal there. unless there is more you want to reveal beyond “r. stroz”. and why don’t you get accused of identity theft for anyone named jethro? i’ve read posts by you as “jethro” and to say you weren’t adding some sort of comedy is idiotic, or you are more deceptive than the people you accuse of being deceptive. finally, and this one i actually find laughable, but how is it that you know that someone called into a post game show and used your name? all you know is his “sign on”. do you have his phone tapped? this is only further proof that you people don’t know what you are talking about but will say things with no proof just to damage someone’s name. if i am wrong, by all means, tell us how you can possibly know what phone calls the other bloggers are making.
By R. Stroz
August 7, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this
William - My point is Jethro is comical.
And yes, I know Roswell Thrasherfan called in and used my call name. As soon as it happened, he jumped on the blog under three different names and even came back on the blog a week or so back under Cuz doing the same crap.
Calm down on the vitrol, you are revealing your identity by doing so.
BTW, James says hello.
By William
August 7, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
r. stroz just tell me how you feel that i am another blogger. as for someone posting something that thousands saw on a post game show what does that have to do with me besides nothing. and although you poor folks claim that i have all this historical knowledge i don’t know of a blogger named james.
By Bob
August 7, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this
Calm down on the vitrol, you are revealing your identity by doing so
No doubt. I find it all very sad, a little funny, but more sad that someone is goofy enough, or should I say someone does not have enough faith in their own opinions to do this nonsense. Sad. Jethro, sure that’s funny, but to post on an anonymous blog using multiple names to try to bolster your opinion, is just plain sad.
By glovesave29
August 7, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this
I got your point William, and yeah, it ticked me off when someone accused me of being someone else, but a few people came to my defense and assured A$G that I am not this Brian29 person. I also had someone a few weeks back steal my ID just like NASCAR had done to him. What can you do? It’s just one of the drawbacks of a blog. At least Dave and the gang are keeping the conversation with you alive. The one who accused me just disappeared. Could not even stick around to admit he/she was wrong. You just have to remember that not everything said here is serious. Sarcasm and the like do not always transfer well here in this medium. I myself have read some things I wrote, and later I go back and read them and I can see how it was taken the wrong way. I know Dave is pretty down on the team right now, but I also think a lot of what he says is tongue-in-cheek.
By R. Stroz
August 7, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
William - You may not know of a blogger named James; but, you do know my son James, being that you sat next to him at several Thrasher games.
Everyone has a style of blogging and yours fits Brian’s to a tee. PJ pointed out to me a while back that everyone has their own style of writing. So, I did some historical work in the same manner you did to Bob’s predictions. Since you and Bob have always agreed like oil and water, you tipped your hand even more.
So welcome back Brian.
By NASCAR Dave
August 7, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this
BRIAN - Can you tell us some of the positives and negatives you see with the team as it stands now??? We’d like to hear YOUR opinion, not what you “think” NASCAR Dave or BOB or GLOVESAVE would say…
By R. Stroz
August 7, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
glovesave29 - The funny thing is William is Brian.
Knowing Brian, he may parse words for fun; but, he will not lie.
BTW, glovesave29, welcome to the blog. Your insights are appreciated and I would be glad to help make your wife happy by purchasing some of your excess collector pucks.
I actually have a few autographed pucks and one signed J.P. Vigier photo for ranallo10 when he comes back to the good old U.S.A.
By William
August 7, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
r. stroz please show me where i did any post on bob’s predictions. this is stupid that now i am not only roswell thrasherfan but that i am any person you don’t get along with.
By glovesave29
August 7, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
Thanks, R Stroz…I am glad to sell off as many as I can. My wife got really excited when one person bought a Spalding (the original NHL puck that did not have the rounded edges) and my FoxTraxx puck for $1000, but the pace has slowed…sigh. I will be puting together a blog site where I will post the photos of them for all to see. I think our Sabres fans in this blog will like the “screwed in the crease” pucks from the 1999 Finals.
By NASCAR Dave
August 7, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
I know Dave is pretty down on the team right now, but I also think a lot of what he says is tongue-in-cheek.
GLOVESAVE29 - That is correct… Some people have trouble understanding the sarcasm in my posts… I am glad you have caught on, and I will echo our friend R.STROZ in saying welcome to the blog and please stick around, we value your input and opinion here…
By William
August 7, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
r. stroz i just read you post again and you say that i didn’t predict anything of bob, but simply that i get along with him. so if i disagree with him i am a certain poster but since i agreed with him i am the same certain poster. you are an idiot.
By R. Stroz
August 7, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this
Brian/William - Either admit or deny you are actually Brian.
I’m willing to bet you will not lie, you may try to avoid the answer; but, you will not lie.
The only indidviduals I don’t care for on the blogs are the ones who sign in under other bloggers names. UN-GOOD
By J
August 7, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this
I would love for the AJC to require a log on for the blogs. You guys couldn’t be more wrong about the “comedic effect” being the only reason that people use multiple names. That’s because the only reason people even found out Stroz and “Jethro” were the same person was because someone busted him using the exact same phrase. Stroz was so surprised that someone caught it that he even congratulated the guy. It happened last month after the draft, it has to be there somewhere. Since then Stroz doesn’t use “Jethro” anymore. If it was just for comedic effect, why did he stop using it after he was caught red handed?
By R. Stroz
August 7, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this
Brian - You’re making me laugh.
i just read you post again and you say that i didn’t predict anything of bob,
Nope, didn’t say that try again.
but simply that i get along with him.
Since you and Bob have always agreed like oil and water, you tipped your hand even more.
Brian - Oil and water don’t mix.
By William
August 7, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this
sorry to burst your bubble r. stroz but the answer is no. now are you going to accuse me of being a liar? and when did i sign in under another bloggers name?
By glovesave29
August 7, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
R Stroz - well that is strange. How could A$G acuse me of being Brian? Our writing styles are not even remotely similar.
To get back on topic…does anyone think that it would be a good idea to go after Bryan McCabe once the Leafs let him go? I don’t get to see many Toronto games, but if he is even a shadow of his former self, he’d be a welcome addition to the blue line. So does anyone know if there is any gas left in his tank?
Sean Hill just signed a contract with a Swiss team.
By William
August 7, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
r. stroz please show everyone here how i am brian. i would love to see how you pull that off. if you can’t do it then stop calling me his name.
By NASCAR Dave
August 7, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this
and when did i sign in under another bloggers name?
You signed in “posing” as me on Mike’s blog at 12:34 — the EXACT same time that I posted here on RAWHIDE’s blog…
WHY is THAT???
LOL
By R. Stroz
August 7, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this
J - I told many of the bloggers at the Thrashers games this season that I was Jethro. The congratulation was tongue-in-cheek, since many of the other bloggers already knew and just let it ride. The bloggers who already knew I was Jethro include, but are not limited to, Rawhide, PJ, J(Z), and ranallo10.
I haven’t used Jethro more than once or twice the last three months; but, if it makes you happy, I’ll be glad to crank it up again.
By William
August 7, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
nascar dave i did that because you tried to play the tough guy and issued a stern warning that i better not do that. yet i did it and here i am still posting here.
WHY IS THAT???
you are such a little pussycat nascar dave. a lot of words but can’t back them up.
By R. Stroz
August 7, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
sorry to burst your bubble r. stroz but the answer is no. now are you going to accuse me of being a liar?
Brian - No question was asked.
Either admit or deny you are actually Brian.
Try again Brian.
By William
August 7, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this
r stroz my name is william and not brian. how many times to i have to say this for you. from this point forward do not refer to me that way again or you are simply showing that you are being a petty little misfit.
By ranallo10 (in AT)
August 7, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
J — In all fairness, many people were well aware of Stroz being “Jethro”, as he found enjoyment out of it on a comedic level. I’m not trying to get in the middle of the whole multiple blogger identity argument, but several of us (likely the ones who have met Stroz previously) knew the pseudonym Jethro was all in good fun.
It’s kinda like how there’s a certain cousin and a certain secretary who grace us with their presence on occasion…those are for comedy’s sake.
Stroz — Are you sure it’s a JP Vigier photo, and not the cover of Disney’s “Hunchback of Notre Dame”? Well, during winter time it gets cold here, I could use some more kindling. :-) If you’re serious about that though, let me know (RH can hook you up with my email)…I’ve got a friend who would love it, seriously.
By William
August 7, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
r stroz i will post this again for you so you get it through your head. my name is william and not brian. how many times to i have to say this for you. from this point forward do not refer to me that way again or you are simply showing that you are being a petty little misfit.
By R. Stroz
August 7, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
William/Brian
petty little misfit
Name calling?
Should we go to a third party to determine your identity William/Brian?
I was really hoping you would come clean after a while.
By ranallo10 (in AT)
August 7, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
glovesave — I wouldn’t be interested in McCabe, personally. My most interesting neighbor at Thrashers games last season was a Toronto fan (drunk of course) who would yell out “8 million dollars!” every time McCabe touched the puck. He was taunting his own defender!! I found it hilarious, but at the same time I couldn’t help but think “clearly this guy watches more Maple Leafs games than I, so perhaps he’s not just upset about the money”.
Granted, McCabe is a capable two-way defender, with size and good offensive ability on the PP…I think his contract is hella inflated and he’s not the quality player you want on this roster for that amount of money. He could be a good defender for this team, no doubt, but I think he would hamper the growth of youth (killing Enstrom’s TOI, and relegating Valabik to Chicago), and I personally would not be supportive of such an acquisition (especially since the Thrashers would have to give up picks or prospects for a piece that wouldn’t solve the immediate problems for this team).
I don’t think McCabe would benefit the Thrashers in the long-term. Someone like Tomas Kaberle, maybe, but again you’re looking at dwindling return for a high cost, at a time this roster might not be able to support such a player. I’d be supportive of Kaberle, but not McCabe.
By R. Stroz
August 7, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
ranallo10 - Let me see if I can find it. Most of my Thrasher stuff is highly disorganized; but, I know it somewhere in this house.
By glovesave29
August 7, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
Second try - had this all ready to go and got a power outage from the storm that wiped it all out….
NASCAR, I do wonder about your dislike of some of the guys on the roster…I’ll give you my two cents - then fire away back at me…
Klee - OK, we agree on this one. A waste of salary, and from what I hear, a prima donna who is not well liked by the team. Feel free to bash him whenever ya feel like it.
White - here’s the deal…he is a Honda. Not flashy, but always gets you to where you need to go and totally reliable. Problem is, a certain GM sold us a bill of goods last summer that he is a Porsche. That is not White’s fault…he is what he is, a 3rd line center (to our friends in Canada - centre) who is well positioned and responsible defensively.
Slater - his deeds do not always show up on the scoresheet, but his part is no less important. HE CAN FLY. Speed does not slump. He may not get the goal or the assist, but someone on the other side had to mark him and with his speed, that is one less defender that was there to help the goalie. He’s still young and had a good second half of the season. Give the guy a chance.
Exelby - had a miserable season, such is true. But until last season had shown improvement each year. Let’s see if he can shake off whatever it was last year that caused his poor play and see if he can return to form.
Your thoughts?
By J
August 7, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this
Well in all fairness too, there are hundreds of posts on some of these blogs so if a handful of you know something that the other 99% of us don’t, you can’t blame us watching from the sidelines. I just see a lot of hypocrisy here that you yell at someone for one thing, then do the exact same thing yourself under the guise of “comedic effect”. As well, it doesn’t even seem like this guy is doing it in the first place and I don’t want someone labeling me with another posters name simply because I have a different viewpoint of Todd White or Angelo Esposito than they do.
By R. Stroz
August 7, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
glovesave29 - When you get the website up, post a link on the blog.
On the other matter, I think our roster is set except for the official Bogey signing.
By glovesave29
August 7, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
Ranallo - but if they buy him out, we can get him at a substantially discounted rate. $8M? No way, that we agree on…but what about at half (or less) than that?
By R. Stroz
August 7, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
J - Your welcome to have a different point of view.
On the White vs. Espo issue, I would rather see the youth develop together and mold as a team. I would rather see a young scrappy team learn to play at the NHL level and take some short term lumps for a long term gain.
White performed well for a stretch of games last year but the extra minutes seemed to take a toll as the season wore on.
Many of us are always going to disagree on individual playera and their potential. I’ve always been a fan of Slater, and actually see him as a young White, but considerably tougher. Some bloggers think Slater is a waste.
By J
August 7, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
I don’t have an issue of Todd White vs. Angelo Esposito, I was just naming 2 random players that fans may disagree on. I just wish you would stop labeling people with other posters names as I am bound to disagree with someone here about something.
By R. Stroz
August 7, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this
J - I’ve only named one. This is just good clean fun.
BTW, William/Brian, my son James ( you know, the one you sat next to at a couple of Thrasher games) still would like to know how you are doing and if you are back in town?
By William
August 7, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
j thank you very much for that. thank you also glovesave for your understanding as well. i must ask you though since you were able to get rid of the pest that was calling you brian what did you do to make him finally shut up. you can see above that this r.stroz kid is not going away. how do i make him stop talking about me when i never even addressed the twerpy little kid to begin with.
By glovesave29
August 7, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
Bob chimed in on my behalf, and Rawhide also confirmed I was not Brian. Once I was vindicated, I told A$G I was ready to hear his apology…but instead he just ran away and hid.
But William, you are asking for it when you finish your comment by calling him a “twerpy little kid” - kinda stoking the fire a bit, are you not?
By William
August 7, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
yeah i guess so. i guess i should just ignore him but it seems there is a large group here that gangs up on the ranollos/hokies or whoever disagrees with them. it’s one thing to call me a farm animal but quite another to give me a whole new identity. i would just love to see how my “writing style” matches brian as he hasn’t provided this proof yet. thank you glovesave for a dose a sanity on this blog.
By R. Stroz
August 7, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this
William/Brian
Should we go to a third party to determine your identity?
Are you game?
By glovesave29
August 7, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
William, according to my wife, sane is the last word that can be used to describe me (and she should know, she is a professional psychotherapist)! Just the fact along that I play the net (even after surgeries, a couple of involuntarty in-game dental procedures and a hundred or so stitches) and let people fire pucks at my head removes me from consideration of sanity!!!
Don’t take this all to seriously. This is just for fun…a bunch of hockey fans getting together to chew the fat. I would venture to say if we all got together for a few beers over at TJ’s, we probably all get along famously.
These are not emails, these are posted for all to see, you have to expect others to chime in even if they were not the indended recipient of your question / comment.
By J
August 7, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
Can we get back to a hockey blog, both of you guys are acting liking kids and this is worse than that other pest.
By Alan
August 7, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this
Stroz - It would be nice if someone could confirm or deny it, so we can all get back to talking about hockey instead of someone who may or may not be posting here under an assumed name.
By William
August 7, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
glovesave, j, alan the person already asked me at the 2:06pm post to admit/deny and said he would leave me alone after that. i did that and he still won’t leave me alone. besides, is it that hard to change an e-mail and login name, so he still won’t leave me alone. i will just ignore. i have lurked for awhile and now i just starting posting and already i am the target of a mass investigation :) what does a psychotherapist have to say about the glovesave?
By R. Stroz
August 7, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
Rawhide - Since you are the master of this domain and Alan has asked for clarification, would you use your powers to confirm or deny whether William is indeed Brian?
By Tony C.
August 7, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
Just for fun (and to get away from the middle-school games-to be replaced with actual games)…
I’d like to let those of you that are gamers that in my EA nhl game #17 just broke Gretzky’s goal record with a 97G, 42A +39 season, skating on a line with Junior Lessard (41G, 63A, +28) and Slater (21G, 82A, +41)!
Top that.
P.S. for some weird reason, #17 did not win the overall scoring title, which was nabbed by Jan Hrdina (!!!!) with 152pts.
By William
August 7, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this
tony c i felt good about that until you mentioned the little jan hrdina fact.
By Alan
August 7, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
Tony - It’s nice to see Slater break the 10 goal mark. Nevermind that it was in a computer game ;)
By William
August 7, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this
21 goals for slater though if he has a career year and breakthrough isn’t out of the realm however.
By Willaim
August 7, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
alan didn’t he have 8 just after the all-star break alone. i know it’s a lot of ifs but it can happen that he just might get 20 in a career/breakthough year under the new system.
By R. Stroz
August 7, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this
William’s quote
i must ask you though since you were able to get rid of the pest that was calling you brian what did you do to make him finally shut up
Rawhide spoke up and clarified the issue.
So William, will you agree to let Rawhide decide the issue so we can put this to rest?
Are you chicken?
By R. Stroz
August 7, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this
Back to hockey, hopefully, Slater will finally have a good year with a different up tempo, pressure, and speed oriented system.
I’d rather watch a bunch of swarming bees than a containment and chase system.
Of course when we play the Devils, we could see both teams rarely get the puck outside the neutral zone.
By glovesave29
August 7, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this
Y’know - i’d like to get back to hockey too, but did anyone else notice that the posting at 4:51 and 4:55 each spell “William” differently?
Dave - I hope your silence is just for your ride home, and that you are not loading the guns against me about the Klee/White/Slater/Exelby comment ;-)
By Tony C.
August 7, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this
Look, it’s not my fault the game decided Hrdina was a bad@ss…
At least computer Foppa retired (I swear he hasn’t skated like that since ‘98), he’s been a thorn in my side.
By R. Stroz
August 7, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this
Tony C. - What’s the status on the shirts?
BTW, the other day I suggested that you put the ASG on the back of the shirt upside down, the sign of distress.
By ranallo10 (in AT)
August 7, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this
Tony C. — Atlanta swept Detroit in mine, sweeping Pittsburgh to get to the finals…Kovalchuk got almost every trophy, Perrin the Selke, Lehtonen the Conn Smythe and Vezina. Babcock got the COTY, and Price won the Calder Trophy (meanwhile Chicago swept the Calder Cup).
Gotta love video game hockey, makes you feel better about the team than the actual season does.
Oh yeah, Valabik had something in the neighborhood of 400 PIMs.
By Tony C.
August 7, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this
Stroz-
I haven’t had them printed… yet.
But so far I’ve only got definite orders for like 4 shirts (one XXL?), so I’m not really rushing it. The slogan I was thinking about for the back is:
Fans deserve better
I’m open to suggestions-but the “Fire Waddell” in BIG BLOCK letters on the front is a definite.
By ranallo10 (in AT)
August 7, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this
I like “A$G…”, then underneath “fans deserve better”.
If you’re going to call out one suspect, why not them all?
Maybe add the post script of “Kovalchuk, please re-sign”?
By J
August 7, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this
So like I am really confused now. I didn’t notice it until you said it, but there do seem to be 2 different people posting at 4:51 and 4:55. Since I usually just watch from the sidelines on this blog I don’t know everyone’s codenames. But how is it that Stroz is friends with this guy, he and his son go to games with him, but yet he is claiming some stanger is him or is this a big prank. Can someone tell me if “William” is another “Jethro” trick. Sorry I don’t know all these dual roles you guys play. Also, when was the last time that other guy even posted here. It had to be like last season or something. If he is out of town like Stroz says (and probably why he doesn’t post anymore) than it seems that Stroz is in a perfect position since he knew that and can use it to mess with other people. I am going to look to you Glovesave for guidance.
By Tony
August 7, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this
I don’t know what makes me be a bigger goof, the fact that I believed all of Stroz’s postings today or that I thought Nikulin was coming here.
By glovesave29
August 7, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this
I was looking back at the conversation about Brett Hull last night and I was struck by a couple of things. First of all, his atrocious behavior is certainly not genetic. I have had the pleasure of being his father Bobby’s host when he was here in Atlanta about 10 years ago when he was in town for an autograph show at the Galleria. Not only was he great to the fans, but a blast to be around and a genuine lover of life.
The second thing is how people’s public perception can be so radically different than who they really are. I think of five players - Dave “The Hammer” Schultz, Clark Gillies, Willi Plett, Rob Ray and Claude Lemiuex…on the ice, these were five of the toughest, meanest hombres in the sport. Not one of them would hesitate to drop the gloves or pull something “less than honorable” to get under the opponents skin. Off the ice, these are some of the nicest guys in sport. Gracious to a fault with their time, making sure all who wanted their autograph got one (or more).
Those of us who have gone to practices at the IceForum or met them during the recent AS Game can attest. As an old Flames fan, I wanted to hate Schultz, but he could not have been nicer. I remember the 89 Cup when Lemieux, then a Canadien, was a dirty as it gets toward the boys from Calgary…but he stopped to talk hockey for a good spell with us upstairs at the restaurant after a NJ Devils practice. I told him I did not want to like him after the way he played in 1989 and we had a good laugh about it.
Bit of a long winding thought…but remember that our sport has guys that are the greatest in pro sports when it comes to interaction with the fans. Hockey players are truly the best, and I am sorry that Brett Hull was a jerk that night. I would say that is the exception to the rule.
By R. Stroz
August 8, 2008 1:48 AM | Link to this
I have had the pleasure of being his father Bobby’s host when he was here in Atlanta about 10 years ago when he was in town for an autograph show at the Galleria.
Do you remeber if that was the same Galleria show Johnny Unitas, Ozzie Smith, and Andre Dawson were signing autographs?
I remember meeting Johnny U. and his hand mangled from his years as a QB.
By Smitty
August 8, 2008 7:25 AM | Link to this
glovesave29 You mentioned the Toronto fan giving McCabe a hard time. Now multiply that by 19-20,000 fans at a Toronto home game and that is what Bryan McCabe had to endure but that comes with a huge contract and a no-trade clause. I believe he has a confidence problem that a change of scenery would help. If Toronto releases him why not take a look. He has the size and he could help on the PP. Maybe he and EX can rebound from bad years.
By Ryan
August 8, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this
I don’t know what makes me be a bigger goof, the fact that I believed all of Stroz’s postings today or that I thought Nikulin was coming here.
Hands down you gotta vote Stroz made a bigger goof out of you. Remember Dave was the only one who had the b@lls to call the Nikulin deal not happening, I didn’t even have the courage to give Brendan a salary cap number. So if you thought that he was coming you are just like the other 99% of us. As for the rest of you jokers here I am going to have to keep my eyes open ;)
By Brendan
August 8, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
It’s not too late, Ryan. Voting on an opening night budget doesn’t close until September 1st.
By Ryan
August 8, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this
I will wait until 11:59:59pm 31 Aug 08 then and see what happens first :)
By Brendan
August 8, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this
Fair enough, Ryan. That’s permitted. And it’s a good strategy. And, as Bob Dole might say, “You know it. I know it. And the American people know it.”
By Alan
August 8, 2008 7:40 PM | Link to this
He might also say “You know it. Bob Dole knows it. And the American people know it.”
Just sayin’. :)
By Happy Gilmore
August 11, 2008 1:41 AM | Link to this
How many personalities does the dork have on this blog?
William Tony Dave J Ryan
all wrapped into one knucklehead, Brian
Dude, get a job