Comments on: Al If You Are Listening, Please Stay Off The Bench!

By: Bill Dunn

Bill Dunn — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 15:52:35 +0000

It seems that one day contracts are common in the sport of hockey. It is worth mentioning that in 1997 the minor league Detroit Vipers signed Mr. Hockey Gordie Howe to a one game contract, thereby making him the only professional hockey player (and perhaps athlete in any sport) to play professionally in 6 different decades. He skated one shift, gave a guy a rib shot with the butt-end of his stick, drew a penalty and promptly re-retired.

These things are, as others have mentioned, silly and most likely unnecessary, but, as evidenced by this thread, great conversation starters!

By: Bob T

Bob T — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 19:15:39 +0000

I agree with Tony- If the Islanders want to have an Al Arbour night that would be great, but it is very tricked up to make him the coach for a night just to reach a round number of games.

I would like it a lot less but would understand it more if this one game would get him the record.

As it is, it just seems silly and unnecessary.

By: Mike MacLeod

Mike MacLeod — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 18:45:07 +0000

Nobody is going to see Al in action. Do you really think that if the game ends in a tie, he’s going to set the lineup for the shootout? Or that he’ll do anything but hand someone a water bottle?

This is simply one way that the Islanders hope people will come and watch their miserable team.

This is as silly as Buck O’Neil (one of my favorites) setting the “record” for being the oldest player to play in a professional baseball game.

They are oddities. Points of interest, maybe. But they aren’t records. Because they aren’t REAL.

By: Tony Amador

Tony Amador — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 14:17:29 +0000

Our obsession with round numbers for records is ridiculous…one more win is not more special…it’s just contrived.

Nolan Ryan is the all-time leader in strikeouts with 5,714. He stays in shape and pitches batting practice to his minor league teams sometimes. This doesn’t mean the Astros or Rangers should sign him for a day and let him go out pitch until he strikes someone out to get to 5,715.

The NHL games coached record is 1,499…there is nothing special about making it 1,500 when he’s not really the coach anymore.

By: Merrill Dubrow

Merrill Dubrow — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 11:57:15 +0000

I must admit I am surprised at everyone’s response so far.

Maybe I am old school and too sentimental. But records should mean alot and extending them for the sake of just extending them to me is meaningless.

I guess I am alone on this one.

Merrill

By: Kristy Hoover

Kristy Hoover — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 22:42:44 +0000

I agree, all three answers are “yes”. And I think it’s great that he is going back for one more game. It gives him one more opportunity to experience his passion and the team gets the chance to be led by a Hall of Fame coach.

I bet they sell a few extra seats simply to see him in action, record or no record. It is a publicity stunt, which has gotten everyone talking. As long as the NY Islanders don’t loose as bad as the Yankees did last night (Orioles 12, Yankees 0) then it should be an evening to remember and will close with a standing ovation.

When you are 75 years old, you too might just look back and say “If I could only go back for one more (fill in your own blank)”.

By: Fred Van Tatenhove

Fred Van Tatenhove — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 22:02:23 +0000

I agree with Robert the answer to all three of your questions is “yes”, but heck give the guy the extra game.

By: Robert Harrell

Robert Harrell — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 15:35:10 +0000

The answer to all 3 of your questions is “yes”.

I remember a couple of years ago when the opponent let the Connecticut girls basketball player limp to the basket uncontested for a layup. She was injured and needed a bucket for some kind of scoring record. Totally ridiculous.