Apr 9 Grip The Greatest Team in Hockey
I get a lot of mail & e-mails.
Recently, I received a nice e-mail from Ivan in Tobermory.
” Fred…..The quote, ‘ Toronto Maple Leafs, the greatest team in hockey ‘ is cute, but has not been accurate since, well, 1967. It gets pretty tiresome hearing it on radio !
If and when the Leafs make first place ( the Leafs were behind the truly great Habs and 15 behind the Black Hawks ( sic ) when the e-mail was sent ), then I will withdraw my objection to this on-air nonsense. “
First of all Ivan of Tobermory, thanks for the e-mail. In this day and age immediate contact with the audience is an amazing barometer to gauge what’s up.
Now as far the ” Greatest Team in Hockey “, I will always refer to them as such. Yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever.
Why ?
Is it because I’m delusional Leaf fanatic who thinks the Leafs are the greatest ?
Is it due to a childhood connection where, like Linus and his Great Pumpkin, I truly believe one day the Stanley Cup will return to Toronto ?
Am I doing with my tongue in cheek to mock people who exist in the references above ?
Or is it because every time I say it, I get such a good pop and reaction ?
Remember this Ivan of Tobermory, repetition sells and nowhere is that more evident than in radio, and so, the Toronto Maple Leafs will continue to be the ” Greatest Team in Hockey ” until further notice.
Sorry. But thanks for listening.
I’m Fred Wallace…….the Greatest Announcer of All Time.