Mac wrote:
Some of you suggest my Blackhawks love is "convenient" or that I'm willing to ignore they operate similarly to the Bears. Oh contraire, mon frere!
Bill Wirtz was a wonderful man... he simply didn't get it when it came to modern-day marketing. Out of respect to his late father, Arthur Wirtz, he continued to "protect" the season "reservation holders" by not televising games. Not a smart business move, especially in the early '90s when the Bulls deservedly were front-page news because they were amidst a dynasty.
Wirtz was loyal -- often to a fault -- to former Blackhawks players who gave their blood, sweat and tears to the organ-I-zation. He regularly hired former Hawks as head coaches (Dirk Graham, Trent Yawney, Denis Savard) and as assistants. Some of them weren't qualified to ascend to those posts, but he was a loyal man who preferred to "keep it in the family."
The fact that the Blackhawks Alumni Association is so strong is not only a statement about how the players felt about each other, but about the Wirtz family. Even after being fired as head coach, Keith Magnuson helped CREATE the HAA and serve as its administrator. That was a statement about how strongly he felt about William Wirtz as a man.
I've known employees of Judge and Dolph liquor distributorship and Bismarck hotel and catering (Both Wirtz properties) and all of them stayed there along time because of how they were treated by management.
When I met Bill Wirtz (to book him as a guest for Chet Coppock in the late '80s) he was kind and approachable, despite the gruff appearance. I was all business and cut right to the chase as to why I stepped up to speak with him in the Governors' Room at the Stadium. He said he'd be happy to come on the show with Chet, but first "sit down and have a drink so I can get to know you a little bit." That's not only good business, it's human kindness (when sincere, and I have no reason to believe it wasn't).
As for the team employing Bobby Hull... I'll say this: for the horrible things Bobby did (and said) in the past, he has paid for and then some. In the hit to his reputation and to his finances. Mentally and physically abusing a spouse is horrible and my little brother Mikey and I thoroughly enjoyed giving a dude, who repeatedly had beaten our sister, a thrashing of "A Clockwork Orange" proportion in the late '80s. I give people a chance, however, and try to judge somebody on how they treat me and my friends.
Bobby Hull always has been a genuine, kind dude when I've been with him. Very few enormous superstars -- and that's what he was for those too young to remember -- are as generous with their time and as easy to be around as No.9. Ask anybody who's met him at an appearance since he's become a team ambassador. If there's any complaint, it's that the line for an autograph moves too slowly because he never gives anybody the bum's rush when they want to tell him a story or ask him for one.
In summation, the Hawks treat their own like family AND win championships. I'm proud to be a fan and have relationships with many in the organ-I-zation.
TL;DR... but from what i saw when i skimmed through that, i will definitely agree that the blackhawks are a hockey team.
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Curious Hair wrote:
Les Grobstein's huge hog is proof that God has a sense of humor, isn't it?