Orr’s image takes a beating
The most discussed topic at sports watering holes in cities across Canada, and those in the New England area of the United States, has very little to do about hockey, baseball or football.
It has everything to do with politics.
Legendary hockey icon Bobby Orr’s very public endorsement of President Donald Trump via a full-page advertisement in a Boston-area newspaper this past week has unleashed a firestorm of negative publicity that has appeared in major newspapers and social media everywhere. Orr’s comments on Trump stunned hockey and sports fans.
In my view, it did irreversible damage to a reputation and legacy once thought untouchable. His support for a man, who in my view is/was the most dangerous man in the world, was in a word – stunning.
I chuckle when I hear opponents of President-elect Joe Biden moan that the Democrats had no real policies, only “get rid of Trump.”
A refrain similar to the one in our own country when the chant was “anybody but Harper.”
Let’s hope our neighbours to the south can restore some dignity to the democratic process, stop the bitter hostilities and come together to help resolve this COVID-19 monster.
As for Bobby Orr, it was a dreadful foray into the political world and one, I am sure, he regrets.
GOLF SEASON
The curtain has just about come down on the golf season, but not before a few momentous occurrences. Posty Connolly recorded his first-ever hole-in-one on the 16th at Belvedere playing with his brothers; I shall have to get Steve to verify. Also at Belvedere, on Sunday, Nov. 1, Ken Innis aced the ninth hole playing with son Ryan, Jamie Kelly, Graham Col and Peter Macinczyk.
LOCAL SCENE
Here are some items involving local sportsmen:
Former Lt.-Gov. Frank Lewis hasn’t had much to cheer about lately. He was blanked two days in a row fishing bass off the North River Causeway. In a major crib tournament last week in the city, he and his doubles partner, John Rankin, finished dead last in a field of 16 duos. My fishing advice to Frank, try to recruit Matt MacMillan or Paul Strang.
Alan MacAdam scored his first NHL goal on Oct. 16, 1974, as a member of the California Golden Seals in a 5-5 tie against the New York Rangers and Ed Giacomin.
Bobby MacMillan’s first goal came on Jan. 4, 1975, as a New York Ranger in a 5-3 win over the New York Islanders. Bob’s brother, Billy, was injured and did not play in that game. But in head-to-head meetings later, Billy kept Bobby off the board.
The late Charlottetown defenceman Bob Stewart scored his first NHL goal on March 17, 1972, as a member of the Golden Seals versus the St. Louis Blues and goalie Jacques Caron.
In 1967, and almost to the day Saturday, SDU junior defenceman Ron Lidstone, on a set-up from Bob Irwin and John Rankin, scored the winner against PWC goalie Barry Ellis in a 5-2 Saints’ win over the Welshmen.
And speaking about milestones, Al Andrews, who has fashioned Andrew Hockey Growth Programs into one of the finest hockey development establishments in the world, turned the big 80, although he looks 60 or less. Let’s hope he can make it to the 100 barrier.
The former travel manager for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Jim Rankin, is in great spirits back in Summerside following a stint in a Florida hospital.
HARNESS RACING
Live racing continues today at Red Shores Charlottetown with an 11-dash card at 12:30 p.m. The $2,750 top-class event has attracted a fast field of six, including Screen Test, Soccer Hanover, the recentlysyndicated mare Arc Light and three others ..... Congrats to Dr. Ian Moore on his first Breeders Crown win for older pacers with iron-sided Century Farroh last week in Indiana, upsetting Bettors Wish and eight others. The pacer pushed his winnings to over $1.4 million for owner Dave Ratchford of Sydney ….. The final crop of 12 Somebeachsomewhere yearlings sold this week at the Harrisburg Black Book Sale in Baltimore, and they brought enormous prices. Truro native Brent MacGrath shelled $250,000 for a “Beach” filly and $75,000 for an SBSW colt ….. The Always B Miki’s sold high as expected. One on opening day went for $300,000 ….. Anthony MacDonald and The Stable shelled $115,000 for a Walner colt named Threepointbluechip, a brother to world champion Plunge Bluechip t, 1:49:4 ($1.3 million) and to Splash Bluechip t, 2, 1:58 a Breeders Crown finalist last week He also purchased three others, including a full sister to world-champion Crystal Fashion t,1:50, ($1.8 million) ….. Top invitational standout Lisburn has been consigned to the Harrisburg Racehorse Sale and will most likely do his racing at Yonkers half-mile track ….. Also heard on the grapevine that Rose Run Quest has been sold, but we’ll have to wait and see.