Prior to his final season as the voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers, which he was for over 65 years, Vin Scully said, ” I saw Mel Allen leave the Yankees, I saw Harry Caray leave the Cubs, I saw Jack Buck leave Cardinals. They kept on playing, and the fans kept on coming. I know I can be replaced.”
He’s right, but it’s just not the same.
Hockey’s version of Scully is Bob Cole. On Wednesday night the pride of Newfoundland called his last NHL game in Toronto. Cole started as a radio DJ in 1954, called hockey in Newfoundland in 1960 and then joined Hockey Night in Canada.
To take a page out of Scully’s book, Hewitt, Kelly and Gallivan are all gone. The teams haven’t missed a game, and the fans keep coming.
The 85-year-old Cole has four games left. The next of which is March 9th in Boston. It’s been special to watch the tributes, and the fans, players, and coaches show appreciation.
Teams will play on, and fans will continue to cheer. However, after this season it won’t be the same.