Apologies for the delay in wrapping up this trilogy, of stories. Let me explain. I got called back to work (the NEW largest automotive manufacturer on Earth, no it isn't GM folks), began shift work, worked late, overtime began, worked overtime...long story short...work + family - sleep = no blog entry!
Regardless, I'm back onto a steady routine, which means I can write again, for your viewing pleasure!
For those who aren't really familiar with this current 3-parter, go back and skim over part 2...it'll lead you nicely into this conclusion.
Again, sorry for the delay.
A New Project
As I mentioned in my last entry, this adventure would feature a Toronto Maple Leafs' legend. I wouldn't go as far as say he's a NHL legend, as I reserve that handle for "The Rocket", "The Great One", "Mr. Hockey", "Le Gros Bill", and finally "Number 4".
Now let's talk true Leafs legends. Johnny Bower. Turk Broda. Terry Sawchuk. The three greatest goaltenders in Leafs history. Frank Mahovlich, Charlie Conacher, Dave Keon, Syl Apps, Teeder Kennedy, Ace Bailey, and George Armstrong. Seven of the greatest forwards in Leafs history. Four of the greatest Leafs defensemen would include Borje Salming, King Clancy, Bill Barilko, and Tim Horton. I would be ticking off alot of people if I didn't mention the modern day Leaf legends in Wendel Clark and Doug Gilmour.
However, if you noticed...I failed to mention one of the most popular Toronto Maple Leafs of all time. He's also a Hall of Famer. Also, he holds one of the most difficult NHL records that exist.
Figured it out?
Number 27, in your programs.
Number 1, in your hearts.
Ladies and gentlemen, this installment of "Chris' Autograph Adventures" features, the greatest Toronto Maple Leaf of the 1970's;
Darryl Sittler.
'Betcha forgot about him, didn't cha?!
Alrighty, let's get to the story.
After getting Steve Mason's autograph, Corinna and I left Kitchener/Waterloo heading back to Guelph. However, if you can remember...I had to return to Wal-mart to pick up an 2nd photo, that I was printing.
This is where the "new project" term comes into play.
A few weeks prior, Corinna and I were in AJ's Sportsworld browsing, when she spotted a 16x20 photograph of the Hockey Hall of Fame. She showed me, mentioning that it was cool and wouldn't it be interesting to get Hall of Fame inductess to sign it? I agreed that it was a great idea, however I followed with; I need another project, like I need another hole in the head! Basically, it just came down to simple economics...laid off = no money for photo/project. However, her idea...stuck.
Another point I failed to mention was the price of the photo...30 dollars to call it your own. Even if I was working, 30 dollars for an 16x20 of the Hall, was too much for me to stomach. I was acutally a little ticked that AJ's would ask that much. Needless to say, we left without the photo.
The week leading into the weekend of freebies, I was tipped off that Darryl Sittler was going to be appearing the Mohawk Racetrack, the night of the Maple Leaf Trot. The MLT is a prestigious horse race, that happens once a year at this world famous racetrack. The news was, Sittler was going to be signing autographs for an hour, at the track, to help promote the big race...which apparently has nothing to do with the Toronto Maple Leafs (just a head's up!).
As I thought about getting Sittler's signature, two things went through my mind. What to get signed...and more importantly, how in the world can I ask Corinna to go to two signings in one day?!!
Acutally...truth be told, the Corinna part wasn't the toughy after all. Mentioning the signing was close to home, and more importantly at the track, caused my wife to raise an eyebrow in interest! You see...good ol' Corinna had never been to a horse race before, and saw the autograph signing as a chance to finally see a horse run in circle and gamble on it! Like my perspective on the ponies?!
But seriously, the idea of an evening at Mohawk watching the trotters was appealing. It's been a long time since I was at a horse race, so I figured...2 birds, 1 stone.
Now the Sittler part of the equation...(here come my famous line) what to get signed?
I'll get to that, in a minute.
Now, Sittler is very important to me, as he owns an extremely difficult NHL record...which I respect immensely.
When Toronto Maple Leafs captain Darryl Sittler went to work on Feb. 7, 1976, he didn't plan on making history. But with an amazing seven points as the second period ended, Sittler was one point shy of tying the NHL record. He magically slid the puck into the net three more times, scoring Sittler a record that even Gretzky couldn't break. 10 incredible points in one game.
10 POINTS IN ONE GAME!
Want to know how difficult this record is?
The closest anyone has come is 8 points. 2 points away from just tying Sittler's record. Wondering about the players who got close with 8 points? They're an actual who's who of hockey history. Maurice 'Rocket' Richard, Bryan Trottier (one of my late father's favorite players), Mario Lemieux, and Wayne Gretzky (My favourite). Actually Mario and Wayne tried multiple times...Gretzky scored 8 twice and Lemieux scored 8 three times...always falling short of Darryl Sittler's 10 point magical night.
One more thing about Sittler's record. The Leafs won that game 11 to 4, over the Boston Bruins. The coach of the Bruins that night? Maybe you've heard of him. It was Don Cherry. You can argue Boston was lacking their best player that night, Bobby Orr, but Sittler was on fire...it's doubtful that Orr could of stopped Sittler scoring 6 goals and adding 4 assists.
Back to the story.
What was I going to get signed?
I thought of a puck. Nope, actually I had one signed a few years back (free). His McFarlane figure? Good idea...but hard to find. I really didn't know where to start to look for his figure. Then Corinna mentioned the Hall of Fame photo. I quickly shot it down, reminding her of the 30 bucks, and gas just to get to Woodbridge and back. Then she said, whynot find one online and see if you can print it off?
My wife ladies and gentlemen. Genious, pure genious. Back off, she's all mine!
Instantly I was searching the big search engines online, and found an extremely large picture of the Hall, which was beautifully photographed. YES!
I saved the (gigantic) image, and downloaded it to my jumpdrive.
Insert story 2 here...and the Steve Mason photo.
The Saturday rolls around, rather quickly, and we were driving back from K/W to Guelph's Walmart to pick-up my new photo.
I walked (back) into Walmart, presented my photo ticket, and was given the price for my new 16x20 of the Hockey Hall of Fame...$16 dollars.
$16 DOLLARS!
That's a savings of $14 bucks...not to mention the gas saved!
Call me cheap, but I prefer to be called smart.
After picking up the Hall photo, we went home. It was about 1pm, and Sittler's signing was to commence at 6pm. Corinna took a nap, and admired my free Mason autographs!
Around 5:30, we left for Mohawk, which is about 15 minutes away. Remember...I always try to support signings close to home, so the fact I was driving 15 minutes, instead of 50 minutes, had us both smiling in our Highlander!
When we arrived, we noticed it was family day at the track. Pony rides, face painting, meeting local policemen, etc... All the sort of thing, my 11 year old son, wouldn't consider family-ish!!
We went into the main lobby of Mohawk, and found a line-up of about 50-60 people waiting for autographs. The good news was, Darryl Sittler was already here and was signing.
Wait...it get's better!
Like the 2 previous "3 Signings...2 Days...all free!" stories, there is a free 8x10! YES! Mohawk was offering up a free potrait of Sittler, in his glory days with the Leafs, to all comers! Rules were simple 1 autographed photo, and 1 more item...if you had one.
I noticed most people in line, were just people who just stumbled up on the signing and decided to meet Sittler. There were a few "regulars" and even 2 or 3 people who attended the Steve Mason signing from earlier in the day.
The line was moving slowly. I noticed that Sittler was kind of bothered by that, because he kind of rushed people through after he signed their item(s). He eventually asked staff to close off the line...as he had to attend a photoshoot for the MLT race.
Don't worry readers...I wasn't near the end of the line! ;)
When we approached the signing table, Corinna said that she was going to stand off to the side to take pictures, to document the interaction with Sittler and I. Isn't she great?
It was finally my turn, and I went up and greeted the Toronto Maple Leaf Legend. I proudly showed him my new 16x20 of the Hall, which he looked at and asked where he should sign it. I pointed to the right side of the image, which he signed and nicely added his Hall of Fame inscription; "H.H.O.F. 1989". AWESOME! Normally, you have to ask for that inscription, and sometimes even have to pay...which he did, without asking...whatsoever!
Oh yeah...the free 8x10! I was so happy with my 16x20, that I forgot about the freebie! Corinna spoke up and said, Chris ask him to sign the other picture! Whipping back to reality, I asked Sittler to sign the 8x10, which he quickly did. As he signed it, I asked if I could get a photo with him? He responded with a yes, and I joined him for a posed picture. After Corinna took our picure, I shook his hand, thanked him for his time, and began a new project...to collect Hockey Hall of Famers' autographs on my beautiful picture!
After the signing, Corinna and I put our new items (and camera) in our truck, and went back inside Mohawk.
We went to a free "how to seminar" on betting on horses, which was incredibly informational to us. Afterwards, we went and checked out the ponies. We did ok. Welllllllllllll...Corinna did great, I did...just ok.
That's my girl!
Well, this brings an end to my three parter. I hoped you enjoyed it.
I'll be back soon with another autograph adventure, keep checking in!
Chris
UPDATE
Autograph numero deux, has been added my Hall of Fame photo! This past weekend, Corinna and I attended a signing at AJ's Sportsworld (ironic?). Detroit Red Wings' legend "Terrible" Ted Lindsay. Ted was full of great stories, taking time with each person in line individually. That's something that should be respected by each person who meets this gentleman.
He, unlike other signers, doesn't rush his time with people. He added his signature to the left of Sittler, mentioning he wanted to be in the centre of my picture! AWESOME! If you even have the chance to meet Ted Lindsay, do it...and ask him about the time lifted his "machine gun" in Maple Leaf Gardens!
2 down...more than 200 to go. Yay.
