Every four years, the calendar takes a leap. Every four years, the Olympic Summer Games are held. Every four years, we see something so unique that we’re able to sit back and appreciate it for what it really is. Well, ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to get out the anti-eclipse eyewear because tonight, Wade Belak entered rarified air.
For the first time since December 20, 2003, Belak accomplished the unfathomable. The one-man punchline scored a goal.
Belak looked as surprised as anyone this evening after his shot at 2:48 of the third period found its way through Nashville Predators goaltender Chris Mason.
Nobody saw this coming. To say that the 31-year old was expected to join the offensive resurgence currently being enjoyed by Mats Sundin and Nik Antropov would be foolish. But interestingly, this qualifies as an offensive explosion for Belak, who now has just two goals fewer than $20 million free-agent signee Jason Blake. Belak will earn the monumental sum of $625,000 this season. Talk about getting bang for your buck.
The winger known for his penchant for the sin bin was grinning from ear to ear on the bench following his oh-so-improbable flash of offensive prowess, and for good reason. His career-high in the goal-scoring department came in 2004-05 with the Conventry Blaze in jolly old England, where he somehow managed to erupt for seven goals. Belak has never scored more than three goals in an NHL season. The next time he lights the lamp, we could be living in a very different world.
Of course, the Maple Leafs will still be searching for their first Stanley Cup since 1967. John Ferguson, Jr.? He’ll have joined the ranks of Leaf infamy that include such unsavoury figures as Harold Ballard, Mike Murphy and Rob Ramage.
But wait a minute. Belak is 31. His goals come about as often as an airborne swine. There’s a good chance we may never see this again. So savour the moment, people. Bask in the glow of a Leafs club that’s been temporarily spared from the guillotine. Because that may have been the eighth and final goal of Wade Belak’s career.
It’s July 1. But for the National Hockey League, it might as well be November 1, because the shopping frenzy has begun.
It’s 1:22 p.m. in Toronto. As of about an hour ago (12:00:00 EDT), teams were officially allowed to sign free agents. The NBA’s free agency period has also kicked off today, but actual signings can’t take place until July 11. So that lets us focus solely on hockey. The dollars have already started to fly, and we’ve still got a long way to go.
TSN has opted to cover the first day of NHL free agency (because really, aren’t we a little tired of mid-day poker coverage?). Call it excessive, over-the-top and maybe unneccesary, but admit it. You’re watching. This is part of being Canadian, and on Canada Day? How appropriate. By the way, happy 140th birthday, old gal.
Back to the “Free Agent Frenzy”. Or so TSN is calling it in their on-screen graphics. Hey, here’s an idea. Let’s evaluate their coverage of this momentus occasion. What, you have somewhere to be?
It should be noted that they are the only network covering this “event”. The Score and Rogers Sportsnet have decided not to capitalize on (exploit?) Canada’s thirst for everything hockey-related, instead going with horse racing and pool, respectively.
Best moment of the day so far? Allow me to set the scene. They cut to the Gord Miller-Bob Mackenzie-Darren Dreger desk. Miller is flanked by the other two. Mackenzie, to his left, is “typing” on his laptop (on camera!) and ignoring Miller’s insight, but he’s using only his pointer fingers to type. Look, we all know someone who does this. But who knew a veteran reporter (with a print background) never learned to type? Meanwhile, Dreger works the Blackberry (also on camera). Dreger 1, Mackenzie 0.
Here come “The Reporters”. Dave Hodge is always entertaining, if not for his knowledge, then for his ad-libbing ability and terrificly wry sense of humour. Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun equates the free agent landscape to a game of Clue, to which Sports Illustrated’s Michael Farber responds, “Or in your case, no clue.” Thank you, Michael.
James Duthie, our host for the afternoon (so wait, they’re shuffling us between three tables of talking heads? Who IS hosting this?) chimes in. “We have one.” And, cue the canned SportsCentre theme. Todd White to Atlanta. Earth-shattering news, gentlemen.
Miller tells us that “everyone but the Kansas City Scouts and California Golden Seals have put in an offer for Ryan Smyth.” I like the Seals to win the Cup next year.
It’s 1:55 p.m. According to Duthie, the coverage is ‘ending’ in five minutes, in favour of NASCAR. He promises they’ll cut into the racing coverage and return if something does come up. I’d love to be a fly on the wall at that production meeting:
Executive #1: Should we stay with it all afternoon or cut to a sport no one watches?
Executive #2: Free agency is going to last all summer, and all we’ve seen so far is Joe Thornton re-upping in San Jose.
Executive #3: And Todd White to Atlanta.
Executive #2: Right, Todd White to Atlanta.
Executive #1: Okay, let’s have the hockey guys sit around in the studio all day and we’ll just turn on the cameras when something happens.
Executive #2: Sounds good. We just need someone to poke Hodge every twenty minutes. Oh, and make sure McGuire’s getting decaf.
Executive #3: Why don’t we have Darren give Bob typing lessons?
Executive #2: Great idea. Now, what’s next on the agenda? Oh, right. Maggie the Macaque’s contract negotiations.
Executive #1: Alright, you know the drill. We need all the bananas and cigars you can find, and don’t forget to cover the furniture. Remember, whatever you do, keep her away from Onrait. We don’t want a repeat of last year. This meeting is adjourned.
Last week, I had an idea. My thought process went something like this:
“I should write about changes I would make as commissioner of the NBA.”
Turns out it was great. [Scroll down a bit to read it.] But the last change I recommended (“cut the music during gameplay”) went a tad overboard. In case it was unclear, what I actually meant to propose was getting rid of the remixes of Top 40 songs during game action, not the accompanying tunes which augment and enhance the in-game experience so well. Music has always had a place in the sports world, and the coupling of jams and jocks has been a (mostly) successful marriage for decades.
So in light of this little misunderstanding, I thought I would make up for it by expressing my love for sports music in a little tribute. Here are some of the most memorable examples of music used at sporting events since the first instruments and PA systems were permitted in stadiums across the land. They aren’t ranked, because it’s an apples-and-oranges kind of thing. Different leagues, eras and contexts. Let’s get to the tunes. Enjoy.
“The Brass Bonanza” (Hartford Whalers, WHA, NHL). If you ever played NHLPA Hockey ‘93 for the Super Nintendo or Sega Genesis, you know this tune. I had this one stuck in my head for days on end back then and after listening to it again on the official “Brass Bonanza” website, the memories have been rekindled. There’s even an extended version for those hardcore Bonanza buffs. The big band sound was sorely lacking in NHL arenas until Jack Say’s gem came along, and thanks to the internet, it doesn’t have to go away.
“Take Me Out to the Ballgame”. No trip to the ballpark is complete without the time honoured seventh-inning stretch, and Jack Norworth’s 1908 composition still rings out to this day. The song has been covered by numerous bands and artists (Vince Guaraldi for the Peanuts gang, Jacqueline Schwab and Dr. John for the Ken Burns series, King Curtis and of course the parade of celebrities at Wrigley Field) but its most appealing quality is the fact that it encourages fan participation. I still remember the first time I sang it at a Major League game.
“Roundball Rock”, the NBA on NBC theme song. Just thinking about it sends shivers down your spine. Admit it. We’re all ashamed to love this tune (because it’s written by John Tesh) but it’s just too good. Watch this clip and tell me you don’t have visions of Knicks/Pacers, Bulls/Jazz or Lakers/Blazers:
I would venture as far as to say this could be the greatest non-hockey sports television theme ever. ABC elected not to buy the rights to the tune when they took over the national weekly NBA broadcasts, and nothing they have tried has come close to getting us on the edge of our seats the way “Roundball Rock” did so often. It even made its way into pop culture, when Tesh was a guest on Late Night with Conan O’Brien:
“The Super Bowl Shuffle” (1985 Chicago Bears). It was cheesy. It was contrived. It was a bunch of tone-deaf athletes making fools of themselves. But it was a glimpse at the lighter side of an intensely focused, Mike Ditka-coached machine. Give me a thousand reasons why this song/video was terrible, and I’ll give you the very same thousand for why it was tremendous. Watch it and try not to lose it when you hear the legend, Walter Payton say, “They call me ‘Sweetness’ and I like to dance/Running the ball is like makin’ romance.”
You can’t possibly keep a straight face watching punter Maury Buford (#8) playing the cowbell. It’s just not possible.
“Sweet Georgia Brown”, the Harlem Globetrotters theme. Truly a classic, this Brother Bones tune would join “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” as the first inductees into the Sports Music Hall of Fame (if such a place existed). The song’s appeal lies in its playfulness, simplicity and care-free whistling. Everyone has a Globetrotters story, and their song, like the team itself, has endured for decades.
“Gonna Fly Now”(The Rocky films). Bill Conti composed the track for the 1976 Best Picture award-winning “Rocky”, and never let us forget the title character’s rise to the top of those steps in Philadelphia (and his figurative rise to the top of the boxing world). DeEtta Little and Nelson Pigford supplied those chilling background vocals while the underdog trained mercilessly. The now famous scene, of course, climaxes with Rocky ascending the Philadelphia Museum of Art and raising his arms in victory (like I had to tell you that). This is an example of the perfect marriage between music and sports, but it’s more than that. It’s a milestone in cinematic scoring, and a truly inspiring moment we’ll never forget.
The “Hockey Night in Canada” theme. Known simply as “The Hockey Theme”, it was written by Dolores Claman (of “Ontari-ari-o” fame) in 1968. Start playing this song and I guarantee vivid childhood memories of late nights, ponds, and playoffs will start to flow. Every Canadian (every true Canadian, anyway) can hum or whistle the tune, and many have called it the nation’s “other” national anthem. Whether you’re from the Foster Hewitt or Bob Cole eras, you can’t say anything bad about this song in a crowd and expect to survive. It is beloved not only because it brings us back to those great games and memories of the past, but also because it continues to take us to new heights every time we hear it.
Those are just a few legendary musical contributions to the sports world. There are many more, and here’s hoping you thought of a few while reading this. Until next time, keep humming, whistling and singing along.
